Embracing Protection: How to Harness Inner Strength Amid Life’s Storms

Recently, I wrote about the profound importance of feeling safe—allowing ourselves the space to not always remain composed when situations become intense or overwhelming. In those moments, it is crucial to avoid harsh self-judgment. Instead, we should be kind and supportive of our vulnerable human side.

An experience that deeply resonated with me recently brought another key theme to the forefront: protection. That night, as I felt myself overwhelmed by emotions, I realized that what I needed most was a sense of being protected. A deeper need I had not fully acknowledged before started to emerge from within me, rooted in the very essence of my being.

The Storm Within: A Call for Protection

In that intense moment, as tears fell and my feet carried me away from the house for hours, I felt something stirring deep within me, a primal longing for safety and security. It was not just about physical protection; it was about the protection of my spirit, my mental state, and the little me within, who had been longing for comfort and assurance all along.

I felt it in my bones, in every trembling breath, and the irregular rhythm of my heartbeat. My body, once steady and firm, now felt like it was crumbling beneath the weight of my emotions. I could not escape the feeling that the ground beneath me was shifting, and in that moment, I felt lost.

I froze. Speechless. I didn’t know what to say or do. My instinct was to run—to escape as fast as I could.

This experience led me to a realization I had not fully understood before: the need for protection runs much deeper than we might think. It connects to a place inside us that yearns for security—not just in the moment, but from a much earlier time in our lives. A time when we were vulnerable and when we had no power to shield ourselves.

As an adult, I found myself becoming that little girl again, running away from the storm. But what I now understand is that this craving for protection is not just about being shielded from external threats. It is about learning to protect ourselves—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—through the power of inner resources.

Compassion for Ourselves: A Key to Inner Protection

It is about cultivating an inner strength that allows us to weather emotional storms and remain grounded, even when everything around us feels chaotic.

The courage is not just about fighting external battles, but also about facing our inner fears and uncertainties with resilience. It is about recognizing when we need protection, giving ourselves permission to seek it, and then using the tools we already have to create a sense of security from within.

In the days following that intense moment, I spent time reflecting. Conversations with loved ones and moments of introspection led me to a deeper understanding. I realized that the need for protection cannot be ignored. But it is not something we have to seek from external sources all the time. It is something we can provide for ourselves.

It is also about not being too hard on myself during critical moments when I do not remain composed. It is about guiding my inner dialogue and trusting that I will be okay, that the storm will eventually pass. It is a reminder that even in the chaos, there is always something valuable to learn, something deep within us that needs attention and healing.

Finding Strength in Vulnerability

As I embrace this journey of self-protection, I have learned to create space for my inner peace. I have learned that in moments of intense emotional turbulence, I must give myself permission to care for my soul, to honor my vulnerabilities, and to know that I have the strength to rise, no matter how many storms I face.

The little one within me teaches me that true protection is not about avoiding the storms of life; it is about standing tall in the face of them, embracing both the strength and the vulnerability that make us whole.