RE: Autonomy Skills
In case this is a new word for you, autonomy is a person’s ability to act on their own interests and values.
I struggled to understand what personal autonomy was as a young adult – and certainly didn’t practice it well.
My struggles with personal autonomy comes from childhood abuse.
From my earliest memories, I don’t recall being given choices.
I remember making requests, but rarely getting what I asked for and heard no a lot.
I was actually taught to NOT make requests. Sometimes by direct instruction, being told ‘It’s rude to ask for things’ and other times by indirect means – I just noticed that my mom got annoyed when I made requests. So I just stopped.
Imagine how difficult it is to act on your own interests and values when you can’t make a simple request in most cases – when knowing what you want is not followed by asking for what you want because it’s been trained out of you.
My journey practicing self autonomy has been a long and the ability I have to know myself and act on what I know is something I celebrate.
Coaching was a priceless tool for the journey. I had to learn how to slow down and truly listen to myself. I needed support and encouragement to dig under the surface and find the real me – my true personal desires for this life.
Today I can create more of what I want because I am practicing self autonomy.
Here’s something absolutely true: You can choose new.
How about you? How in touch with yourself, your values and your interests are you? How well do you practice your autonomy skills?
I’d freaking LOVE to have conversations about this. Anyone looking to boost their autonomy skills, book a chat with me and let’s see how I can support you.
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