The Practice of Returning
Michelle taking a moment at a Buddhist temple in Thailand, reflecting in stillness and peace. January 2014.
This post is Part 3 of a 3-part series: Returning to Your Inner Confidence.
After exploring how confidence is influenced by energy (Part 1) and shaped by our thought patterns (Part 2), this final post offers a path forward. How do we return to our inner knowing, again and again, in a noisy, fast-paced world? This post is about simple practices, gentle cues, and the daily practice of becoming the version of ourselves we’re ready to be.
The World is Loud. Confidence is Quiet.
It’s one thing to feel confident when everything’s going well.
It’s another to stay rooted in confidence when the calendar is full, the inbox is overflowing, or your inner critic is whispering old stories again.
Confidence doesn’t always arrive with fanfare.
Sometimes it shows up in a pause, a quiet refusal to abandon yourself.
That’s where the practice of returning begins.
What Does It Mean to “Return”?
Returning is the act of coming back to your inner steadiness.
It’s not about never drifting.
It’s about noticing when you have drifted, and choosing to realign.
It could look like this:
Saying no when your body says no (even if your calendar says yes)
Noticing a thought like “I’m not doing enough” and gently replacing it with “I’m allowed to grow at my own pace”
Remembering what’s true, even when old beliefs resurface
Returning doesn’t mean you never waver.
It means you know the way home.
Why Practice Matters
If confidence is contextual and energy-sensitive, then practice is how we build resilience.
You don’t need a perfect morning routine or a life-changing breakthrough.
You need tiny, intentional moments that tether you to your center.
These practices aren’t about control. They’re about connection with your thoughts, your values, your presence, and your sense of being.
Simple Ways to Practice Returning
These aren’t prescriptions, just invitations that may help in grounding yourself. Below is a visual that can serve as a helpful resource. Choose what resonates:
Confidence Isn’t Constant, But It’s Always Reachable
The beauty of this work isn’t in how often you stay perfectly aligned.
It’s in how willing you are to notice when you’re not, and to choose again.
This isn’t about adding another task to your list.
You are a human being, not a human doing.
“The practice of returning isn’t about productivity; it’s about presence.”
It’s a gentle calling back to who you want to be.
And who you already are, beneath the noise.
You don’t have to fix anything.
You are not broken.
You are whole, and continually expanding.
So return.
And return again.
And again.
What’s Your Reflection?
Take a moment for yourself to reflect on this question:
What helps you reconnect with your inner steadiness, especially in moments of noise, doubt, or overload?
This post completes the 3-part series: Returning to Your Inner Confidence.
If you missed the earlier reflections, you can explore them here:
If you found this series helpful, I invite you to stay connected. More tools and reflections are on the way. You can sign up here to receive blog updates and behind-the-scenes insights directly in your inbox.
Also, if you’d like a gentle companion as you reflect, I created a free Reflection Guide to help you explore the questions at your own pace. Download the Reflection Guide and keep it nearby for whenever you need a moment of reconnection.
