How to Reclaim Your Magic

 

 

Yours is the light by which my spirit’s born:
you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars.

e.e. cummings

 

Last week wasn’t the first time I read those words, but it was the first time I thought about them in a different way. After reading them, I thought to myself, What if we talked about ourselves the way we talk about someone we’re in love with? What if we wrote poems — and had thoughts — filled with that same admiration and adoration? 

 

It seems like a far-fetched notion (and perhaps a narcissistic one?), but I couldn’t get the concept out of my head, particularly in relation to the e.e. cummings quote. What if, instead of seeking to revolve our lives around someone else (a partner, children, even a job that sometimes stands in for a love affair), we found all of that magic within ourselves? This isn’t to say we couldn’t — and wouldn’t — find magic in other people or experiences, but imagine if that wasn’t the focus, but instead the focus was to find that magic — the light we’re drawn to in other people — in ourselves…

 

These ideas inspired me to create the illustration above, and also inspired me to think about what it would be like to reconnect with the magic that is within us. By “magic,” I mean not the stuff of wizards and witches (though that’s cool too), but the parts of you that are special, wonderful, and unique. By “magic,” I mean the true essence of who you were before the world told you who you “should” be. By “magic,” I mean the parts of yourself that fill you with such wonder that you feel you could spend ages exploring them. By “magic,” I mean the parts of yourself that scare you a little bit because maybe they are “weird” or uncommon or mysterious. 

 

I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about this concept, and it’s inspired me in a lot of ways (more to come on that soon!). I thought it might inspire you too so I’ve come up with a handful of questions you might want to ponder to get in touch with your magic. 

 

 

What did you enjoy when you were a kid? Consider what you liked to spend your time doing when you were a kid and you may be surprised that you still enjoy similar things. Often the activities we enjoy during childhood are experiences we continue to take joy from throughout our whole lives. Give some thought to this question, and you may uncover a lot about the essence of who you are. 

 

What beliefs did you have in childhood? This might be a trickier one to figure out since it can be tougher to recall beliefs than actual activities, but here are some things to consider when trying to recall your beliefs. What made you angry as a child? What made you feel joyful? What’s one of your best memories? Your worst? These questions will give you insight into what your values were. 

 

What is your most favorite thing to do now?  Getting in touch with your childhood self is important for reclaiming magic, but so too is connecting with who you are now. If you could spend a day doing only one thing, what would it be? Why? Does that activity make you feel a certain way? Try to pinpoint how it makes you feel and you’ll find clues to your magic. 

 

What would your ideal day consist of? Looking more big picture, contemplate how you’d like to spend an ideal day. Consider the following: what you would do, who would be there, where you would be, what would you feel, etc. Even take note of little details like weather and what you’d wear. Exploring the idea of an ideal day can provide insight into what you value and love most. 

 

What would do you feel really good about? Connecting with your magic is all about reclaiming the best parts of yourself. Take a moment to think about what you’re really good at, what qualities you consider to be your best traits, and any other positive aspects of yourself. Focusing your attention on your good points can help you see where you thrive (and where secret magic might be hidden!). 

 

 

Reclaiming your magic won’t happen overnight, but if you start with these questions, you’ll inspire yourself to do a little soul-searching, which will hopefully allow you to reconnect with the parts of yourself that are the most important to you. The more connected you feel to yourself and the more you focus on your magical qualities, the better your life becomes. Your relationship with yourself grows stronger and, as a result, your relationships with others will too. 

 

Want more inspiration for connecting with your most magical self? Check out the links below for books, workbooks, and products that’ll inspire you to reclaim that magic!