by Stephanie Bucklin
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned about self-healing is this: We almost always have the power to choose something better for ourselves.
This choice doesn’t always come easily, and it certainly doesn’t always feel obvious. Sometimes, healing requires courage—setting stronger boundaries, speaking up, or walking away from what no longer serves us. Other times, it requires softness—self-compassion, forgiveness, and allowing ourselves to be loved, especially by ourselves.
No matter the path, the destination is the same: choosing you.
The Power of Choice in Healing
We often don’t realize just how much power we have in shaping our internal world. Our thoughts, beliefs, and self-perception create the reality we experience. And yet, we are not stuck with old patterns—we can shift them, one conscious choice at a time.
For me, this realization came early in life, as I was navigating self-awareness and personal identity. I saw how my own internal dialogue affected my emotions, my confidence, and my ability to move forward. I recognized that self-judgment—harsh criticism, shame, and self-doubt—was holding me back. It was making me small when I was meant to be expansive.
But then, I discovered a simple but life-changing truth: I could choose a different way to see myself.
I didn’t have to continue the cycle of self-depreciation. I didn’t have to label myself in ways that diminished my worth. Instead, I could choose to embrace my inherent value. I could treat myself with the same kindness and respect I longed for from others.
And that choice changed everything.
Small Steps Lead to Big Transformations
Healing is not about grand, sweeping gestures. It’s about small, subtle shifts that accumulate over time. It’s about catching a self-critical thought and replacing it with something loving. It’s about interrupting a pattern of self-sabotage and replacing it with self-nurturing.
One of the simplest tools I used to change my inner dialogue was aversion therapy: I wore a rubber band on my wrist and snapped it every time I caught myself thinking negatively about myself. It was a physical reminder that I had the power to shift my thoughts. Over time, I replaced harsh words with gentle ones. I started calling myself sweetheart. I began treating myself as someone worthy of love, respect, and care.
And as I did, my mindset shifted. My confidence grew. My inner world softened.
The Invitation: Choose Yourself
Choosing yourself is not selfish. It is necessary.
When you prioritize your own healing and growth, you become a stronger, more whole version of yourself. And from that place, you can give more freely, love more deeply, and live more fully.
So today, I invite you to take one small step toward self-love. Maybe it’s replacing one self-critical thought with a compassionate one. Maybe it’s setting a boundary you’ve been avoiding. Maybe it’s simply pausing, taking a deep breath, and reminding yourself: I am worthy. I am enough. I choose me.
Your journey of transformation starts with a single step. Keep moving forward. Your best life is waiting.
Blessings to you,
~S
The most important thing I’ve learned about self healing is that we can almost always choose something better for ourselves.
Sometimes it’s through courage or stronger boundaries with others, other times it’s through self compassion, forgiveness and loving kindness for ourselves.
Whatever the pathway, choosing YOU is a worthy end goal. My job as an Intuitive Guide is to present you with choices, sometimes that you didn’t know you had… 💕
Your job is to stay open to greater possibilities, and to realize you have the power within you to grow.
