Life gets crazy. There are distractions, obligations, people relying on you, and priorities that always seem to be shifting. With everything going on in your world, it can be easy to lose sight of what truly matters.
We often make decisions based on what we’re used to, what’s expected of us, or what we think is expected of us—from years of conditioning. This can leave us feeling disconnected, like we’ve lost our sense of self or like we’re chasing a life we can never quite catch.
It’s easy to get lost in it all. Yet one of the most rejuvenating and validating ways to get back in sync—with life, others, and ourselves—is by reconnecting to our core values and realigning with what’s most important to us. I know this, because I’ve experienced it myself—just like many of you have. And I’ve felt the benefits of reconnecting with my core values firsthand.
Have You Discovered Your Core Values?
Core values are the deeply held beliefs that guide your actions, influence your decisions, and shape how you show up in the world.
They represent what matters most to you—whether that’s family, strength, integrity, growth, or something else entirely.
When you discover your core values, you create the opportunity to align with your truth. This kind of alignment brings clarity, confidence, and a deeper connection to your authentic self.
What Could Be Causing the Disconnect?
Life throws us curveball after curveball—relationships, career changes, loss, parenting, trauma, or just the day-to-day struggle of surviving.
These experiences can be overwhelming. Sometimes, we go into survival mode—making quick decisions or reacting in ways that might not align with who we truly are, yet feel necessary in the moment.
Over time, this survival mode can become a habit. When our choices continually stray from our core values, disconnection builds. We may find ourselves emotionally exhausted, off course, and feeling like we’re miles away from our life’s path.
How to Reconnect to Your Values
- Stop and Reflect
Give yourself a moment—just for you. Meditate on the questions below or journal your thoughts so you can revisit them later.
- What actions am I proud of myself for?
- When do I feel like my most authentic self?
- Are there boundaries I need to reassess or unmet needs I’ve been ignoring?
- Identify Your Core Values
You can explore lists of core values online or simply reflect on what resonates with you.
Start broad. Gather as many values as come to mind, then begin to narrow them down. Try to focus on 3 to 4 values that feel most essential. These are the ones that, when honored, make you feel whole.
- Check Your Alignment
Look honestly at different areas of your life. This isn’t about judgment—it’s about awareness. Awareness gives you the power to make changes.
- Have I been compromising my values?
- In what areas of my life do I honor my values? How does that feel?
- What does connecting to my values look and feel like?
- Take Small Steps
Change doesn’t have to be big or dramatic—it’s built through consistent, small steps over time.
Don’t overwhelm yourself with the idea that everything needs to shift at once. Instead, make time each day—just a little bit of time—to nurture your core values.
Even five minutes of intentional action can make a difference. The more often you reconnect, the easier it becomes to recognize when you’re drifting and to realign with clarity and strength.
Progress can feel slow at times— keeping a journal to track your growth will give you visible proof of how far you've come and encourage you to keep going.
Challenge:
What is one way you can nurture one of your core values this week?
Start small. Start with intention. And start with you.
If you’re feeling called to dive deeper into your personal growth and live a life more aligned with your values, your journey can start at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA). Whether you’re seeking healing for yourself or feel inspired to help others, SWIHA offers programs designed to support you in reconnecting to your purpose and living authentically. Your values are the foundation—let SWIHA help you build the rest.
