Finding Your Truth: A Journey to Body-Mind Connection

Written by: Andréa Drottholm

We walk through life at different levels of awareness. Some of us move unconsciously, others with keen attention. Some feel lost in the noise of contradictory information, while others seem to navigate it with ease. With so much advice available—often conflicting—how do we know who to trust? How can we be sure our choices are right for us?

The answer lies closer than we think: in our own bodies.

Listen to Your Body

Simple indicators can guide us. How do you feel when you wake up in the morning? How does your body respond after meals? Does your work fulfil you? Do your habits—sleeping, eating, exercising, the people you spend time with—leave you energized or depleted?

I believe deeply in balance, which means tuning in to how we feel inside. Our inner state reflects outward. When our minds are chaotic, when we feel stressed, anxious, or negative, our bodies bear the consequences. The body tells us everything. It is, in my experience, the only truth we can fully trust.

Yet this is easier said than done. Many of us have lost connection to our inner world. We weren't taught to acknowledge our emotions or check in with ourselves. Instead, we learned the quick fix—numbing feelings with pharmaceuticals or simply staying silent about what we experience.

The Cost of Disconnection

When we numb our emotions or lose touch with them, we shut down our inner wisdom, our intuition, our awareness. Growing up, I wasn't encouraged to express how I felt. I was told, "Don't cry. It's okay" (when it really wasn't). "Don't seek attention." My parents weren't cruel—they simply raised me the way they had been raised, and the cycle continued.

In recent years, we've begun to acknowledge the importance of the body-mind connection. But I often see a lack of commitment. We want quick fixes, and when they don't work, we move on to the next modality. What's missing is patience, self-love, and a willingness to embrace ourselves exactly where we are.

The biggest obstacle I hear from my coaching clients is the belief: "I'm not good enough." This indoctrination runs deep. We pressure ourselves to be perfect. We judge ourselves for still carrying the same patterns, for not yet resolving our insecurities, for playing out familiar stories.

Change Takes Time

Change is a journey that requires commitment. Perhaps we're meant to face certain challenges—not to overcome them immediately, but to see them for what they are, to become aware, and most importantly, to release judgment. We are often our own worst enemies, letting our self-critical voices run rampant.

The practice is to catch ourselves when that voice arises. Watch it. Question it. Byron Katie's work has been transformative for me. She teaches us to question our thoughts rather than letting the same story play out unchallenged. We carry stories from childhood that may have served us then but are outdated now. Do we honestly stop and examine them? Do we ask ourselves: Is this really true?

My Path: Yoga as Connection

For over 23 years, my practice has been yoga. I show up on my mat to check in with my body, my breathing, my sensations. The more I practice, the more sensitive I become. My body's language grows clearer, and I'm better able to listen to what it tells me.

This is where truth emerges—when I check in with my body while seeking an answer from within, disregarding what I've been told. I've learned that what works for others isn't necessarily best for me. I need to take responsibility for my own wellbeing, knowing what feels right and what doesn't.

Finding What Works for You

Over the years, we've seen many dietary fads: macrobiotic, vegan, raw, fruitarian, paleo, and more. While I appreciate having options, it's essential to check in with your body and see how it responds. Many friends who were vegan or vegetarian for years eventually returned to eating meat when their bodies clearly needed the nutrition.

I didn't eat meat for over two decades, though I occasionally ate fish. I felt fine. But approaching my fifties, I experimented with a mitochondrial diet similar to paleo—lots of meat and green vegetables. The month-long program felt strange at first. My palate wasn't accustomed to meat anymore. I'd lost the taste for chicken and pork, though beef appealed to me.

My energy became remarkably stable and even. I felt stronger. I could see my muscles developing differently. Since then, I've added some beef to my diet—not often, but when my body asks for it. I've learned to listen to my cravings and energy levels.

In my yoga practice, I can clearly feel when my body is shutting down or when I'm coming down with something. If I eat late, my body feels heavy the next morning during practice, and my thoughts scatter—I can't stay focused.

This is my body, my experience. Others can eat late with no metabolic issues; they might even need that extra evening meal. Rather than following textbooks and prescriptions, take charge of your own health. Observe what works for you and what doesn't. It's a fascinating journey full of insights.

Befriending Your Shadows

As for the shadows we all carry—the same principle applies. Observe them. Become familiar with them. See how you can make choices that move you away from repeated patterns and toward becoming a better version of yourself.

But above all, remember this: always be kind to yourself. Self-love is truly the key.

Your wellbeing is a practice, not a destination. Trust your body. Question your thoughts. Be patient with your journey.