Every person carries within them a core self untouched by history, personality, or memory. This is your primal nature, not primitive in the sense of undeveloped, but primal in the sense of original. It is what you were before labels, before roles, before even the first thought of “I.”
Getting in touch with this side can be one of the most freeing experiences you can give yourself.
Finding Your Forgotten Self
Modern life asks us to be a hundred things at once: productive at work, supportive at home, always available online. With all of that, it’s seriously easy to lose sight of who you were before any of it mattered. Returning to your primal nature isn’t about acting like a caveman or tossing your phone out the window. It’s about touching the basic awareness, instincts, and energy that are at the heart of who you are.
Growing up, I never thought much about this. But after years of constant busyness and feeling drained for no reason, I realized I’d smothered something important under routine and responsibility. You might’ve noticed this too. Maybe in a moment of quiet hiking in the woods, or suddenly feeling at peace while watching a sunset. Those moments aren’t accidents. They’re reminders of the self that’s always there below the surface, just waiting for you to remember.
What Is Primal Nature, Really?
When I talk about primal nature, I mean your direct, unfiltered experience of being alive. This is the sensations in your body, your emotions before you label them, your gut reactions before your brain jumps in to judge. It’s not the same as the primal instincts you see in survival shows, but it’s close. It’s your original self: curious, tuned in to the world, able to just exist for the sake of existing.
This part of you knows how to rest when tired, to move when restless, to eat when hungry, and to feel things before trying to fix or explain them. When you’re tapped into it, you can notice small joys, spot the difference between anxiety and excitement, and just fully appreciate a quiet moment. Sometimes, it means picking up on what’s right or wrong for you without even needing to rationalize it. Your primal self is more about sensing and less about intellectualizing every experience.
Everyday Habits That Cloud Your Primal Self
So why is it so tricky to stay connected to this state? It’s because daily life is set up to keep you in your head. Constant digital notifications, work deadlines, and even subtle pressures from friends or family can pull you away from your instincts and senses. Here’s how that usually looks:
- Too Much Screen Time: Staring at phones or laptops for hours disconnects you from your body and surroundings.
- Living on Autopilot: Doing the same things daily, such as commute, work, and chores, can leave you numb to what’s happening in the present moment.
- Chasing Validation: Worrying what others think takes your focus away from what actually feels right or nourishing for you.
- Suppressed Emotions: Pushing down frustration, sadness, or even spontaneous energy can cover up your true feelings and signals.
I’ve caught myself slipping into these patterns more often than I’d like to admit. Being aware of them is the first step to switching things around. Often, it’s in those automatic routines that we lose our most vibrant, alive energy. By simply noticing the way these habits affect you, you’re already waking up a part of yourself that’s ready for change.
Simple Practices for Getting Back to Your Roots
You don’t need intense retreats or pricey courses to reconnect. What helped me most was weaving small habits into daily life that encourage being fully present instead of stuck in my head. Here are a few you might find pretty useful:
- Nature Breaks: Even ten minutes sitting outside, with your undivided attention on what you see, hear, and feel, can wake up your senses. Try taking off your shoes and feeling the ground, or closing your eyes to tune into the sounds around you.
- Body Checkins: Throughout the day, pause and notice any tension, discomfort, or bursts of energy. Let go of the need to analyze. Simply notice without judgment.
- Unstructured Movement: Instead of structured exercise, move how your body wants. Stretch, dance, walk in loops, do whatever feels right. This kind of spontaneous movement helps you tune back into your natural rhythms. Even if you just shake out your arms or sway for a moment, that matters.
- Follow Your Curiosity: Pay attention to small sparks of curiosity or fascination, even if they seem random. That’s your primal nature guiding you toward what lights you up.
- Unplug Regularly: Make pockets of your day screenfree, and see if any new ideas or feelings bubble up.
I’m a big fan of grounding myself by standing barefoot outside after a long day. Nothing resets my system like that simple ritual. Another quick practice is pausing to take five slow breaths with your hand over your heart, especially during those moments when everything feels rushed.
Common Hurdles and How to Move Past Them
Most people hit a few common snags when they start this kind of reconnection. Here’s what to watch for, and a few ways I’ve found to make things easier:
- Guilt for Taking Time: You might feel like you’re being lazy or selfish for slowing down. In reality, you’re just recharging your most important resource. Yourself.
- Boredom or Restlessness: At first, doing less (or just being) feels weird. Give it a little time, and your mind starts quieting down on its own.
- Judging Your Experience: If your mind races or you feel emotional, that’s totally normal. Don’t fight it; just observe and let things switch up when they’re ready.
- Not Knowing Where to Start: Pick one practice that feels doable, and don’t stress about doing it perfectly.
All of this is about building a habit of coming back to yourself. Small steps done often are way more useful than trying to overhaul everything overnight. Even if it means just spending one minute focusing on your breath each morning, that’s a win. Progress looks different for everyone, so let it be your own adventure.
Why Reconnection Feels So Good
Once you get a feel for your primal self, you might be surprised by how much lighter and more creative you feel. For me, it’s been like untangling a knot I didn’t realize was there. My decisions got clearer, my mood evened out, and it became much easier to bounce back after tough days or hard news.
Some days, this might look like a burst of creative energy. Other days, it’s just being able to relax deeply without anxiety running in the background. Friends have told me I seem more at ease and quick to laugh. Something I honestly didn’t notice until they pointed it out. You may also spot new strengths in yourself as you become more tuned into what truly fuels you. Over time, the benefits stack up and can change the way you approach both big challenges and everyday annoyances.
Questions I Hear All the Time
If you’re considering giving this a try, you might have some questions. Here are a few I hear most often:
How do I know if I’m connected to my primal self?
Pay attention to moments you feel truly calm, energized, or absorbed in what you’re doing—when you’re not distracted by worries or outside opinions. Those are usually clues you’re on the right track.
Can anyone do this? What if I feel too stuck?
Every single person has this nature inside. Feeling stuck is a sign it’s time to get curious, not to give up. Start with five minutes of any practice you like, and build from there. If you fall off track, that’s normal, just try again.
Do I need to ditch technology or modern comforts?
No need to swear off anything you love. It’s about balance, bringing more awareness and intention to your days, not cutting yourself off from the world.
What if my family doesn’t understand?
This is pretty common. You can be subtle; most of these changes happen inside, and you can blend them into daily life without calling attention to yourself. Over time, people around you often notice a calmer, more grounded vibe.
Cool Ways to Weave This Into Everyday Life
Here are some extra ideas you might find fun or grounding:
- Try a silent walk first thing in the morning. Notice the temperature, colors, and sounds.
- Designate a few meals a week as distractionfree. No TV or scrolling, just tasting and noticing each bite. You might find new favorite flavors pop out when you’re really present.
- Pick one day to ditch multitasking. See what it’s like to focus on just one thing at a time, whether it’s making coffee, writing a note, or folding laundry.
- Make a playlist of songs that make you feel alive and listen while moving in any way you like. Let your body move in whatever way feels best, even if it looks a little silly.
Feel free to experiment until you find what brings you back to yourself. Don’t worry if it feels a little awkward at first; the more you practice, the more natural it gets. Even mixing in a breathing break while in traffic, or looking at the sky instead of your phone during lunch, can help.
Moving Forward With a More Grounded Sense of Self
Rediscovering your primal nature isn’t about turning back the clock. It’s about getting truly comfortable in your own skin and giving yourself permission to care for your wild, original self. As you practice, you’ll probably notice a ripple effect: calmer days, clearer decisions, and more honest connections with the people around you.
You’re not adding anything new. You’re just returning to something that’s always been yours. Something simple, steady, and deeply alive. And that’s pretty powerful.
Every article here is a doorway into the deeper truths explored in my book, ‘You Are That I Am‘.
The next article explores: “The Deep Within: Discovering Your Inner Waters.” Together, we will explore how the formless depth inside you connects directly with the Spirit of God. If you’d like to keep walking this path, follow along.
Thank you for walking this path as we return to the Source of Being.