Unveiling Your True Self: A Journey to Self-Discovery & Self-Love

My name is Naomi Gomez. I am a psychology student, with an Associates Degree in Arts and Behavioral Science. I am passionate about both Arts and Behavioral Science; I think I have an incredible drive to both help and inspire people. However, I have an even bigger desire to learn; I plan on getting a Bachelor’s degree of Art in Positive Psychology, and after that, I want to pursue a Master’s degree, but I try not to get too far ahead of myself and instead see one step at a time. As I pursue my degree, I am employed with Starbucks, and I genuinely love making people’s days and lightening up someone’s mood. I also have modeled before, released one music single, and I participated on one of my brother’s music singles.

Upbringing I was born In El Progreso, Yoro Honduras, August 31st, 2003, to Liliana Avila & Wilson Gomez, and my brother went from being an only child to big brother. The four of us lived together for most of my upbringing until my parents got a divorce around 2009. When my parents got divorced, I had to grow up. My mom would often talk to me about the divorce, and I would just listen to her and provide her comfort; ever since I was a child I have been really empathetic. However, it wasn't until about two years ago when I did more research that I found out I'm actually a hypersensitive person (HSP). Hypersensitive people have heightened awareness of the stimuli around them, which can be both good or bad. HSPs tend to be bothered by violence and can be easily overwhelmed, which leads them to avoid certain situations. Highly sensitive people can also be very creative & have a deep level of empathy due to the nervous system having too many mirror neurons.

Radical Changes

In December, 2016 we moved to the United States. I was halfway through 8th grade and in the middle of puberty—therefore undergoing many hormonal changes. I lived in North Carolina and Texas before finally feeling like home in Hennessey where I graduated in 2021. The small size of Hennessy made me feel comfortable, like I was in Honduras again. I then moved on to Enid to get my Associate's Degree in Arts and Behavioral Science at Northern Oklahoma College which I got in May of 2023. After my parent’s divorce, choosing which parent to live with always came with a lot of pressure as all my life I have always made decisions for others or based my opinions on others to please people. I think my ability to feel people's emotions at times made me be unaware of my own emotions. However, being unaware of how I felt led me to the Emergency room.

Leading up to the Emergency room night

I have always been an impulsive person & one that loves with the entire heart. Late in 2020, I went through a lot of trauma & my way to cope was unhealthy. I was in a relationship and felt someone's pain so much from the moment I met them that I made it my duty to make them happy because they said I made them happy. Looking back, I think the way that we loved each other & the lives we were living were extremely incompatible & we both became each other's abusers after a while. Because of this, I started doing yoga and meditating in 2021 & it wasn't till then when I was like “wait I haven't been listening to my emotions or feelings about this at all”. In my previous relationship, I was 82 pounds at some point and was always sick. I never did yoga daily or never knew I had to match it to my breathing. However, in March of 2023, I had double pink eye and was having nose bleeds; I had lost my voice & it was clear to me that my body couldn't take being in a relationship any longer.

Have you ever faced a situation where your body practically screamed, “get out of there!”?

In April of 2023, on a cold serene Monday night, I harmed myself because I couldn’t bear to have a conversation with my toxic partner; my body told me just that, to get out of Oklahoma & the next day I was in Texas with my dad, brother, little sister & my at the time very ill grandpa.

The Move

When I moved to Austin, I knew it was extremely important to stay in tune with my emotions & my body; I knew that the time for myself was now thus attracting very positive, encouraging, healing people. I made new friends & it never felt forced. From these connections I grow & learn so much, and I am very grateful. One of my new friends recommended a 30 day Yoga Challenge, by Kassandra (@yoga_with_kassandra on Instagram). I had never done yoga for 30 days in a row & after that challenge I felt like my life was truly changed. I started doing yoga on Fitness +. I like that I can just watch a video from the comfort of my home where I feel safe and free of any judgment. All I need is a mat, my favorite instructor is Molly Fox (@mollyfox on Instagram). On Fitness + there’s two additional people so you are shown different variations of poses; this is extremely helpful for beginners.

Awakening

I realize now that I never knew how to love others because I never knew how to love myself. Many times I deal with guilt for leaving Oklahoma or even the relationship, but I have to remind myself that it's okay to walk away from things that aren't fulfilling to your soul. I know that walking away was the right decision, and I am grateful for it. I think our generation is more aware that we don't just have to settle. I have accepted that change is the only thing we have promised in this life & that the only thing I can control is the way I react to things.

Our thoughts become our reality, so why not make it something beautiful? I am ready to keep getting to know myself and love myself. I know that each healing journey is unique, but I am finding joy in the journey itself.

Yoga allows me to be present & enjoy the gift of the now; yoga helps me keep a connection between my mind and my body, and I know that if I do this every day, I will never neglect how I feel and the way that it affects my body as well.

If the idea of tuning into your body piques your interest, trying out yoga could be a rewarding experience as it is a holistic system integrating physical postures, breath control, meditation and ethical guidelines aiming to promote physical health, mental clarity and spiritual well-being by nurturing a harmonious relationship between body, mind and soul.

Please reach out to me if you want to talk about ways to nourish your self with love through a journey of discovery @naogomez__ on Instagram. I'd love to be of aid in the process of making a plan beneficial for your mind, body, & soul!