Accessing your own inner healer: Stop, lean in, and listen.

In today's fast-paced world, finding emotional balance and resilience is essential for overall well-being. As we navigate through life's challenges, it's important to have tools and techniques that help us process and release trauma and stress.

Several years ago, I had the privilege of studying Coaching and Consulting with an extraordinary woman whose wisdom was born from personal experience. She had faced a life-threatening health condition at a young age, and not only did she survive—she thrived. Her journey, combined with the thousands of patients I’ve cared for throughout nearly four decades as a nurse, has deeply transformed my own approach to health and wellness. It’s through their stories, their pain and triumphs, that I discovered one of the most powerful truths: we all have an inner voice, a wellspring of wisdom, guiding us toward healing.

We often look to others for guidance on our healing journey, which can certainly be helpful. Expert advice and support can be transformative. However, I’ve come to realize that, all too often, we turn to outside help after ignoring the quiet, persistent voice inside us—until we’re already deep into a problem.

One of my own experiences comes to mind—my ongoing battle with chronic knee pain. Years of swelling and fluid buildup around my knees became a constant companion. MRI results showed extensive arthritis, and my doctor suggested I delay knee replacement surgery as long as possible.

Working as a nurse in a busy emergency department, I kept pushing myself despite the pain. I wore the latest knee supports, but nothing could prevent the inevitable discomfort. Despite rest, the pain and swelling always returned, limiting my ability to enjoy activities that once brought me joy.

I was determined to avoid surgery, but I kept pushing through, following the “pull up your big girl pants and get on with it” mentality I’d been conditioned with from an early age. Yet, the knee issue remained, a constant disruption to my life.

But what I now see was a powerful message: Stop. Lean in. Listen. That persistent knee pain wasn’t just a physical issue—it was my body’s way of telling me I needed to pay attention to what it was asking for. It was a call to listen to the wisdom inside me, and trust that I am my own healer.

If I’m being completely honest, there had been a soft, gentle nudge for years before I finally listened. That quiet voice had been urging me to on a Spiritual plane – ‘slow down and go deeper’ but on a physical and practical plane the message was simply, ‘go to the gym.’ And for a long time, I ignored it. It took years before I finally decided to act on it—though initially, I didn’t know if it would help.

So, off I went. At first, the gym felt intimidating. With swollen knees and restricted movement, I was afraid of doing more harm. But over time, I started with a few basic exercises, guided by an encouraging personal trainer. Gradually, the focus I’d placed on protecting my knees faded into the background. I kept going, consistently showing up for small, manageable sessions.

Now, almost seven years later, my knees support me in ways I never imagined. They are stronger and healthier than they’ve been in years. What started as a tiny whisper became a life-changing decision.

But how do you know what your inner healer is telling you? How do you recognize the voice of wisdom when it speaks?

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The inner voice is something which cannot be described in words. But sometimes we have a positive feeling that something in us prompts us to do a certain thing…” It’s that subtle nudge—a feeling deep within you that encourages you to take action, even when it seems unclear.

If you’re facing a challenge—whether it’s a health issue, a life decision, or an emotional struggle—try to pause for a moment. Be still, and allow yourself to feel that positive prompt Gandhi described.

In the hustle of daily life, it’s easy to miss. Our minds are constantly busy with thoughts—over 60,000 to 70,000 each day, and over 85% of them tend to be negative. It’s no wonder that hearing that quiet, still voice feels like searching for a needle in a haystack.

So, how can we hear it?

One way is by calming the noise in our minds. You don’t need to retreat to a Himalayan cave (although that might sound peaceful!). Becoming present in the moment, focusing on your breath, and finding a place of stillness can help quiet the mental chatter.

Another powerful tool is psychosensory techniques. These techniques, such as Havening, are backed by neuroscience and have been proven to soothe our nervous systems, releasing feel-good hormones and helping us enter a deeply relaxed state. It’s in this peaceful state that we can hear the messages our subconscious is trying to communicate.

If you’re curious about Havening and how it can help you tune into your own inner wisdom, I invite you to reach out to us at Melioristic Wellness. We’d be happy to answer any questions and guide you on your journey toward listening to your inner healer.

In Love and Gratitude,

Andrea