Embracing the Whole Self: Spiritual Insights from a Recovering Overachiever

Written By Safrianna Lughna

Wow, what a journey we've been on together these past few posts! 

We've dived into how our bodies speak to us through sensations, explored the rollercoaster of our emotions, and peeked into the chatter of our minds. I’ve been using the lens of my sabbatical reflections and relationship with overworking to get into these concepts.

It's been quite the ride, hasn't it?

Today, we're going to complete this puzzle of what makes us... well, us! We're talking about the spiritual piece of our human experience. Now, don't worry if you're not into the whole "woo-woo" thing - when I say spiritual, I'm really just talking about that part of us that feels connected to something bigger, whatever that means for you.

Spiritual - Shadow Work, Transformation, Who We Are at Our Core

Now, when I say "spirituality," I'm not talking about any specific religion or belief system. Nope, this is way more personal and inclusive than that! 

Spirituality is really just about how we connect with something bigger than ourselves. For some of us, that might mean feeling at one with nature when we're on a hike. For others, it could be the sense of wonder we get when looking at the stars. Maybe it's the deep bond you feel with your community or the peace you find in meditation. Heck, it could even be the rush of creativity when you're making art or music! 

Spirituality is that feeling of being part of something greater, of having a purpose, of being truly alive. It's different for everyone, and there's no right or wrong way to experience it. The key is to find what resonates with you and makes you feel connected, inspired, and whole. 

What Are the Benefits of Tuning in Spiritually?

Getting in touch with our spiritual side can shake things up in our bodies, hearts, and minds. It's like a domino effect, but way cooler!

First off, have you ever noticed how calm and relaxed you feel after a good meditation session? That's your spiritual practice giving your body a big ol' hug! When we engage in spiritual activities - whether it's meditation, prayer, or even just mindful breathing - our bodies often respond by lowering blood pressure, relaxing muscles, and even boosting our immune systems. It's like a spa day for your insides!

But it doesn't stop there. These practices can be total game-changers for our emotional well-being too. They often help us feel more peaceful, grateful, and connected. 

Spiritual practices can help clear out the mental clutter, making room for clearer thinking, better focus, and even sparks of creativity. It's like Marie Kondo came in and tidied up our brain-space!

The best part? You don't need to be a guru or spend hours in lotus position to get these benefits. 

Even small, consistent practices can make a big difference. So whether you're into guided visualizations, nature walks, or just taking a moment to appreciate the good stuff in your life, your body, heart, and mind will be doing a happy dance!

Speaking of which…

Some Ideas for You to Explore Your Spiritual Energy

Spirituality does not need to be “precious” and complex. Here is a quick list of accessible practices that open us up to exploring our spiritual facets in a new way. 

  • Take three deep breaths, focusing on the sensation of air moving in and out

  • Spend time in nature, even if it's just sitting under a tree in your local park, sitting on a porch, or strolling through a patch of grass

  • Practice gratitude by writing down or sharing something you appreciate each day

  • Try a quick body scan meditation, bringing awareness to each part of your body

  • Engage in a creative activity without judgment - draw, sing, dance, whatever feels good

  • Perform a random act of kindness for someone, no matter how small, and feel the energy of compassion flowing through you

  • Spend a few minutes stargazing, pondering your place in the vast universe

Remember, spirituality is personal. Pick what resonates with you and make it a regular part of your routine. The goal is to feel more connected, centered, and alive!

Navigating My Spiritual Energy: Shadow Alchemist Reflections

I looooove shadow work. This is where life can get really magical. There is little I love more than diving down into the depths of my psyche and sense of Self to excavate new treasures.

I call myself a Shadow Alchemy and pioneered the book Shadow Alchemy: How to Turn Your Inner Darkness to Gold for this exact reason. Shadow Alchemy is the transformative practice of embracing and transmuting our fears, doubts, and insecurities into wisdom, courage, and resilience. It's an ongoing process that involves shining a light on our hidden aspects, exchanging shame for self-compassion, and integrating our shadows to become more whole. 

By engaging in Shadow Alchemy, we learn to see our shadows not as enemies, but as allies on our journey to self-discovery, empowerment, and living a life of greater harmony and purpose.

While what we do and often even what we think is more conscious or manifested in our lives, on a subtle level, everything we’re doing and thinking has a subconscious, or unseen ripple. This is where we get into shadow work, diving into the layers we don’t conciouslessly think about or interface with on a day to day basis.

Shadow work can involve many different activities. Recently, it has included journaling, meditating, and somatic processing through shaking and dance.

During and after my sabbatical, I’ve been moving through my own Butterfly Immersion Experience. I did the first three modules, Caterpillar, Chrysalis, and Butterfly over the course of my sabbatical, and now I’m moving into the Cycles portion post-break. The recognition has been massive. My overworking, compulsions, and stagnation creatively all linked back to early childhood traumas still stuck in my body and mind.

The Deeper Inner Work

While doing this more internal and intuitive work, I sensed a massive energy knot in my lower three chakras—root, sacral, and solar plexus chakras—like an armor around my innocent and creative inner child. 

It’s a bit fuzzy now (these subconscious AHAs coming to the surface often are), but I believe I was meditating when I “spotted” it. As soon as I became aware of it, I got curious and started to notice the “qualities” of this feeling and stuck point. I saw red, orange, and yellow chords all bound up like a completely tangled bar of yarn.

These knots were related to my experience of childhood sexual abuse. I found as I went within that even now I was feeling a lack of safety in pursuing my own desires. I had a massive unburdening around how my creative self was never able to be fully expressed as a non-sexual force due to how I was treated as young as 4 years old.

I used EFT Tapping, energy-clearing techniques, and movement practices to clear these energies out, and I’m still releasing the last few knots. I had a particularly powerful EFT session with my biz bestie and EFT practitioner, Meryl Hayton, where I saw myself untangling each thread and beginning to smooth them out.

What I’ve been doing inside myself is an act of collective rebellion against an oppressive system. It is a collective clearing of sexual wounds, witch wounds, and creative wounds. I know that in working on this within myself, I end the cycle of perpetuating it within myself. I will not continue to pour that energy out into the world.

As I liberate myself from these patterns of overworking, overgiving, people-pleasing, burnout, and illness, I am standing in a new energy accessible to everyone I reach. When I say, “This is possible!” it awakens others to know something similar is possible for them, too. One candle sharing its flame with another does not diminish the first candle’s light. Our light can spread, and we can do this just by standing up for the truth about who we are and showing up authentically. 

We have an unfortunate generational wound of overworking, especially in the culture I was raised in. I grew up on the story that working hard in school, getting good grades, going to college, and finding a stable job would equal pleasure, wealth, ease, and safety. It did not.

It’s time to let go of those old stories. It’s time to step into who we are.

During my sabbatical, I tried to be completely on the opposite side of work, or at least the opposite of that compulsory work culture. I was deliberate with rest. I took lots of baths, spent a lot of time outside, and just generally chilled. Now I am trying to lean into and embrace more feminine flow energy with the structure (masculine) I’ve provided myself. 

Looking Forward

I hope you've gained some insights into how interconnected our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects truly are. From recognizing the wisdom in our body's signals to embracing the transformative power of shadow work, we've explored the layers that make us uniquely human.

The path of self-discovery and growth is ongoing. It's okay to take it one step at a time, one deep breath at a time. Whether you're tackling overwork, healing from past traumas, or simply seeking a more balanced life, know that every small effort counts, and I am cheering you on.

I encourage you to experiment with the practices we've discussed - be it mindful breathing, creative expression, or acts of kindness. Find what resonates with you and make it a part of your routine. And above all, be gentle with yourself. This isn't about perfection; it's about progress and self-compassion.

Keep listening to your body, honoring your emotions, challenging your thoughts, and nurturing your spirit. You're not just a body, or a mind, or a bundle of emotions - you're a beautiful, complex being with infinite potential for growth and transformation into the you of your dreams.

If you're looking for an experienced guide to navigate through some uncertain waters in your own life, I have a flexible 3 to 6 month program called SOUL SUGAR that might be for you. Whether you're a leader, creative, healer, or visionary, together we'll get to know your own cycles, patterns, layers, and blueprint from the ground up, building better boundaries so you can pursue your dreams fully resourced. Reach out and let’s chat!

Here's to embracing all aspects of ourselves and living a more aligned, authentic life!


Loving You On All Dimensions,
Safrianna Lughna
The Queer-Spirit Guide

Becoming the Butterfly — A Guided Experience

Are you ready to spread your wings and transform your life? Join me in the Butterfly Immersion Experience, a powerful journey of self-discovery and personal growth that I've personally found transformative. This immersive program guides you through four key stages - Caterpillar, Chrysalis, Butterfly, and Cycles - helping you shed old patterns, embrace change, and emerge as your most authentic self. You'll gain insights into your inner world, guided by 4 energy activations and accompanying worksheets, 4 use as you need meditations, and 20 journal prompts! Learn more here!

This month, I’ve been deep-diving insights from my sabbatical experience.

I’ve explored: 

I love offering free resources! Check out my guided meditations on Insight Timer, or check out our mental health and wellness related freebies on LivingLUNAs resource page. 

This month, I’m participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and share wisdom gleaned from my sabbatical, butterfly medicine, and more. Feel free to follow along if you want to learn more about my story! #UltimateBlogChallenge https://www.ultimateblogchallenge.com/

Want to chat with me directly? Join the LivingLUNAs Discord: https://discord.gg/5UkGZb9kYp

Safrianna Lughna
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Embracing Lessons from My Sabbatical: Aligning Body, Mind, Spirit, and Emotions
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Unmasking the Mind-Heart Dance: Lessons from a Recovering People Pleaser's Sabbatical