Who Were You Before the World Got in the Way? A Self-Love Reset

Who Were You Before the World Got in the Way? A Self-Love Reset, by Ciann Masi

Beneath the Noise, the True You Awaits

Beneath the noise of the world, beneath the expectations placed upon you, there is a place within that remains untouched. It is the core of who you are—the quiet hum of your being before you were shaped by experiences, before you learned to mold yourself to fit into spaces that were never meant for you. This essence has never left. It has only been waiting for you to return.

A Journey of Remembering

Self-love is not about becoming someone new, but about remembering. Remembering the way you once existed without apology. The way your heart spoke before doubt crept in. The way you knew yourself without hesitation. It is an unraveling, a shedding of what is not yours to carry, so that what is you can finally breathe.

Softening Into Your Essence

To find your true essence is to soften into yourself. It is to step out of the stories that tell you who you should be and instead ask, Who am I when I am free? The answers will not come from the mind but from the body, from the space behind your ribs that tightens when you betray yourself and expands when you step into truth.

Patience and Intention

Creating a self-love practice requires intention and patience. It means acknowledging the layers of conditioning that have made you question your worth and beginning the process of releasing them. It means giving yourself permission to exist as you are, without needing validation or permission from anyone else.

Tuning Into What Brings You Joy

Finding your essence means tuning in to what brings you joy, what makes you feel alive, and what aligns with your spirit. It is in the small moments of stillness where clarity emerges, where you hear the whispers of your intuition reminding you of who you have always been. It is in the way your heart swells at the sight of something beautiful, in the way your breath deepens when you embrace yourself with love rather than criticism.

A Continuous Process: The Self-Love Reset

A self-love reset is not a one-time event but a continuous process of returning home to yourself. It involves daily choices—choosing kindness over self-doubt, choosing to listen to your needs instead of silencing them, choosing to trust yourself rather than seeking external approval. Each decision is a step closer to the truth of who you are.

Listening to Yourself

A powerful way to reconnect with yourself is through mindful reflection. When was the last time you sat with yourself, without distraction, and simply listened? The answers to your deepest questions are already within you, waiting for you to slow down and hear them.

Documenting Your Transformation

Self-reflection writing is a great way to document this journey. Write about the moments when you felt most like yourself, when you felt free and unburdened. Explore the experiences that shaped you, the beliefs that no longer serve you, and the vision of who you are becoming. Writing allows you to witness your own transformation and to see your growth in real time.

Embracing Imperfection

Another essential aspect of self-love is embracing imperfection. The world teaches us that we must constantly strive to be better, but true self-love means recognizing that you are enough exactly as you are. Growth is natural, but it should come from a place of love rather than a sense of lack. Perfection is an illusion that keeps you trapped in self-criticism. Embracing your flaws, your quirks, and your authenticity is what allows you to truly shine.

Creating Nurturing Environments

Surrounding yourself with nurturing environments is key to sustaining a self-love practice. Pay attention to the energy around you. Are you in spaces that uplift you or ones that drain you? Do the people in your life support your journey, or do they reinforce outdated narratives about who you should be? Protecting your energy and creating boundaries is a profound act of self-care.

Nourishing Your Soul

Engaging in practices that nourish your soul will help you maintain a strong connection to yourself. Whether it’s through movement, creative expression, meditation, or time in nature, find what makes you feel whole and prioritize it. Your essence is always speaking to you—it’s in the things that make you feel alive, in the passions that ignite your spirit, and in the moments where you feel most at peace.

Embracing Emotions

Loving yourself means embracing your emotions, even the difficult ones. Healing is not about avoiding pain, but allowing yourself to move through it with compassion. Every emotion you experience is a part of your journey, a sign that you are deeply connected to life. Let yourself feel, let yourself grieve, let yourself celebrate. All of it is part of your wholeness.

Believing in Your Worth

The most profound shifts happen when you begin to believe in your own worthiness. You do not have to prove yourself. You do not have to earn love. You do not have to be anyone other than who you already are. True self-love is about recognizing that your existence is enough, that your presence is valuable, and that you are worthy of all the love you so freely give to others.

A Self-Love Reset Practice: The Mirror of Your Essence

Prepare the space by finding a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. If possible, sit in front of a mirror. Light a candle or place a hand over your heart—anything that feels grounding.

• Breathe deeply, inhaling through your nose and exhaling slowly. Let each breath bring you into the present moment, allowing you to release tension and connect with yourself fully.

• Gaze into the mirror, not focusing on your features but on the depth of your own eyes. If you are not using a mirror, bring your awareness inward, imagining yourself looking directly into your soul.

• Ask yourself softly, either aloud or in your mind, Who am I beneath everything I have been told? Let the question settle without seeking an immediate answer. Your true self will speak when it is ready.

• Notice what arises—a shift in breath, a feeling in your chest, a whisper of knowing. Pay attention to the sensations rather than trying to intellectualize them. Your body holds the truth of your essence.

• Close the practice with love. Place your hand over your heart and whisper to yourself, I see you. I love you. I am returning to you.

Who Were You Before the World Got in the Way? A Self-Love Reset

Repeat this practice often. Each time you do, you will peel back another layer, revealing the radiant, unfiltered truth of who you are. Self-love is a journey, a continual return to yourself.

The more you practice, the more natural it becomes to live from your essence, unapologetically and freely.

Let’s start your journey

If you're ready to reconnect with who you were before the world got in the way, I'm here to guide you. Together, we’ll gently uncover what’s been holding you back and take that first step toward healing.

© 2025 Ciann Masi and OM& Soul Productions. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction of this material is prohibited.