Coming Home to Yourself: How to Rebuild Self-Trust in a Noisy World
- sophiereyyoga
- Sep 10
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 13
What Does Self-Trust Mean to You?
What comes to mind when you hear the words self-trust?
Could you pause for a moment and notice your first thought, your first feeling.
In today’s fast-paced world, we are constantly bombarded with advice, trends, and endless “shoulds." This makes it incredibly easy to lose touch with our inner voice and instincts.
Do you trust yourself? And how would you even know if you did?
During the one of the Monthly Somatic Reset Ritual sessions, we explored the theme of slowing down, connecting with nature and self-trust; following the rhythms of the seasons, tuning into our own inner cycles and understanding how your body speaks to you.
This practice of slowing down is essential because it reconnects us to our natural wild wisdom - a wisdom that many of us have been conditioned to ignore.
I believe we've lost trust in natures way and those natural instincts that are programmed within us, because of the way we live now.
The True Meaning of Self-Trust
Self-trust is not arrogance or being outwardly confident.
It’s a deep, steady belief in your abilities, values, and integrity.
When you cultivate self-trust, you:
Listen to your body's needs and natural instincts.
Treat yourself with kindness and compassion.
Accept mistakes as part of growth.
Make decisions that align with your core values.
This trust empowers you to set boundaries needed, express your needs without guilt, and move through life with a little more clarity, contentment and (inward or outward) confidence.
Why We Lose Self-Trust
We are all born with natural instincts and needs.
Many of us begin life completely trusting those instincts, but along the way, experiences and pressures teach us to doubt ourselves.
Here are some common reasons why self-trust can be lost:
Overwhelm and noise – The flood of self-care tips, healing trends, and online advice can leave us confused about what truly works for us.
Criticism and judgment – When others question or dismiss our choices, we begin to question ourselves.
Perfectionism – The belief that mistakes aren’t allowed shuts down curiosity and growth.
Loss of body autonomy – Illness, sexual or physical trauma, or having your basic needs ignored creates disconnect.
Disconnection from your body – Ignoring hunger, exhaustion, pain, or the need for movement teaches us not to listen to ourselves.
As a result of these reasons, we can end up turning outward for validation and answers, forgetting that we already hold the answers within us.
The Role of Somatics in Rebuilding Self-Trust
A Somatic approach is a deeply powerful way reconnecting with yourself, breaking old patterns or beliefs and getting clear on what's important to you.
Unlike rigid programmes that tell you exactly what to do, somatic coaching focuses on collaboration and choice. Allowing you time and space to feel, sense and notice what your true experience is, rather than being told how something should feel. This allows you to feel into what helps to widen your window of tolerance or capacity for stability through the lens of your nervous system. No one else can do that for you.
My role is to provide suggestions and create a space that feels safe enough for you to express your needs and have the opportunity to say yes, no or I don't know.
Through gentle, compassionate techniques, you can learn how to:
Reconnect with your body and its signals - exploring additional tools for neurodiversity.
Calm your inner critic and soothe self-doubt.
Make empowered decisions about your own wellbeing.
Understand your people-pleasing behaviours and how this perpetuates self mistrust.
Rebuild autonomy and sovereignty over your body and choices.
Somatic work helps you return home to yourself, step by step, with approaches that are unique to your needs.
Although many similar tools and explorations work for many clients, it's not about providing a 'quick fix, one size fits all' solution - but actually listening to and being present to your unique and true experience. You aren't a project to 'fix'.
Important note
I want to caveat this by saying, self-trust isn't about ignoring everyone else and not trusting others' opinions.
It's still important to seek professional medical / health / other advice when required, however I know some people have experience negative medical support, which can cause mistrust in the professionals.
You can be discerning, and this is where self-trust and sovereignty comes into play.
Practical Ways to Build Self-Trust
Here are six steps to begin cultivating self-trust today:
Check-in With Yourself Daily
If you've attended a Somatic session with me, such as a 1-1 or the online Somatic Reset Ritual, you'll know that we start each session with a Somatic Check-in.
This allows time for grounding, orienting, exploring a felt sense of stability and acknowledging how you are in the moment. If you don't know how you really are, you may struggle to make choices that align with your values or be able to meet your needs effectively.
Often we find ourselves going through the motions or on autopilot.
How would it feel to truly gift yourself time to ask how am I?
Awareness (without judgement) is key - We can't change what we aren't aware of.
Deepen your exploration...
Cultivate Self-Compassion
Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a close friend - especially during moments of struggle. The more we fight, resist or try to 'fix' ourselves, the tighter our tensions and behaviours hold on and deepen.
Over time, the daily Somatic Check-in can help to build up your self-compassion, because you are listening without judgement, guilt or blame.
Can you listen without fighting it.
Could you soften and hold yourself tenderly.
Deepen your exploration....
Try Dr Kristin Neff's 3 Part Self-Compassion Break.
Awareness of what you're feeling 2. Common Humanity. 3. Apply Self-Kindness.
Self-Soothing Practice
Honour Your Values
Spend time reflecting on what matters most to you. When your everyday actions align with your core values, self-trust naturally deepens. You will feel more empowered to live from this place.
Deepen your exploration...
Create a simple list of 3 - 5 non-negotiable values and check your daily actions against them.
Wheel of Life Exercise - Nurture What Matters
Practice Self-Reflection
Reflecting on who you are promotes personal growth, widens your perspective and improves creative thinking, decision-making and your sense of purpose.
People who practice self-reflection regularly tend to be more open, accepting and have deeper relationships with others.
And, as I said before, awareness of what's really going allows you to meet your needs and create positive changes.
Deepen your exploration...
Allocate space for quiet moments to reflect;
Journal your thoughts without censoring or judging what comes up. This is a great way of brain dumping your feelings, ideas and worries in a place that's just for you. You can check these against your values - and enquire further to gain more understanding.
Tune into the rhythm of your breath. Follow its journey, noticing the temperature, quality, pace and where you feel it. Does your breath feel easy or tight?
Go for a walk or sit in stillness and begin to notice, sense or feel what it's like to be you in this moment.
Express yourself through Intuitive art. Write down your thoughts and feelings on mixed media paper or in a sketchbook and use pens, paint, crayons or collage to decorate and deepen the connection to your inner child. Trust that they know exactly what to do!
If you find self-reflection tricky, take it as slow as you need. Do a little at a time.
Set Realistic Goals
How many goals have you given up on because it felt too overwhelming.
Only to then leave you feeling guilt, shame and failure.
Most of the time, we're simply trying to do too much at once.
Break big goals into small, actionable steps and allocate time in your diary each week to help you to keep moving forward. Each small win builds confidence and reinforces trust in your abilities.
Deepen your exploration...
Use the outcome of your Wheel of Life exercise or your core values prompts to nurture goals that truly matter.
Challenge & Soothe the Inner Critic
We all have an inner critic and what helped me most, was understanding it's need to protect me and keep me safe. It's part of us that doesn't want us to fail, or look a fool. Others may view it as the 'tough love' voice.
The inner critic can be all consuming, especially if you are highly sensitive. This is where the self-compassion practice comes in.
Deepen your exploration...
Journal or reflect on the negative things you say to, or about yourself.
Pause and ask yourself: Is this belief really true - or is it someone else’s voice?
Invite your inner critic to let you know what's bothering them - write down their fears and concerns. Can you get clear on the underlying feeling & emotion present.
How can you listen and respond with kindness, compassion and understanding. What do you need to support yourself right now?
Coming Back to Yourself
I know it's ironic that I'm offering advice and guidance on this topic - but as I said, Somatic Coaching does offer suggestions. It is up to you to try them and decide what does and doesn't work for you.
You can apply this to other areas of your life - such as your friend or family member giving their opinion on something that matters to you.
Rebuilding self-trust takes time and patience, and depends on your personal situation and capacity. It’s not about getting it perfect, having it totally together or trusting yourself 24/7.
It’s about learning to return to yourself, again and again, no matter what life throws your way.
There will be times when you feel confused or uncertain on what path to take next - and when you do feel bombarded with information, overwhelmed or like you're taking on everyone else's opinions, I invite you to come back to yourself.
Once you've cultivated that felt sense of trust from within, you don't worry so much about the uncertainty.
Your body holds wisdom. Your instincts hold truth. And you deserve to feel at home in your choices.
So I invite you to pause, breathe, and listen to the whispers of your body.
Can you trust that it knows the way?
With Gratitude, Sophie xx
Deepen your exploration....
I offer Monthly online sessions known as the Somatic Reset Ritual, 1-1 Somatic Coaching & Creativity for more personalised and I'm launching an online Group Coaching Programme which will be running in early 2026.
Feel free to browse my website and reach out or book a free call if you have any questions...
Take care loves xx
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