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Are you constantly searching for the "right" way to do things, only to feel more overwhelmed and less sure of yourself?
If you've ever felt like you're taking in all the advice, consuming inspiring content, and following all the experts—yet still feel disconnected from your own voice—this episode is for you.
In this conversation with author and lifelong wisdom-seeker Robert Cassidy, we explore how self-discovery and inner awareness aren't just helpful for your own peace of mind—they're essential if you want to be present, impactful, and truly connected in your relationships, work, and daily life.
Robert's journey has taken him across the globe, learning from Hollywood elites, spiritual gurus, and Zen monks. But the most important thing he discovered? That the most transformative wisdom doesn't come from others—it comes from within
Listen now if you're ready to reconnect with your inner voice, grow your self-awareness, and show up for others from a more grounded authentic place.
7 Signs you're disconnected from your true self... and what to do to reconnect
In today's fast-paced, constantly connected world, it's easy to lose touch with who you really are. You might be checking all the boxes—staying busy, showing up for others, keeping things moving—but still feel off, drained, or uncertain. If you've ever felt like you're living on autopilot or not quite yourself, you're not alone.
Here are 7 signs you may be disconnected from your true self—and some simple ways to begin reconnecting.
- You constantly seek validation from others. If you're always looking to others for approval, reassurance, or direction, it could be a sign that you're out of touch with your own inner voice. True alignment comes when your opinion of yourself matters most. Before seeking external input, ask yourself, "What do I think or feel about this?"—and practice tuning in before turning outward.
- You feel emotionally drained after being around people. While social fatigue is normal sometimes, regularly feeling depleted may mean you're not showing up as your authentic self. Pretending to be someone you're not is exhausting. Before heading into social settings, do a quick check-in and ask, "What part of me am I showing up with right now?" Then give yourself permission to simply be you.
- You don't know what you really want. If someone asked you what you truly desire—whether in your career, relationships, or life—it might eel hard to answer. The confusion often comes from not taking the time to listen inward. Try starting a "Wants List" journal entry. No editing or judgment—just write what you think you want and see where it leads.
- You're constantly busy, but not fulfilled. If you're always on the go but never feeling satisfied, it may be because your actions aren't aligned with your values. Productivity without purpose can feel hollow. Reflect on which tasks energize you versus the ones that drain you, and then ask yourself, "What does this tell me about what actually matters to me?"
- You have a hard time making decisions. Indecision often happens when we're disconnected from our intuition. If you're stuck, it might be fear—not a lack of information—holding you back. Try journaling with prompts like, "What would I choose if I trusted myself fully?" or "What decision aligns with who I want to become?" to get unstuck.
- You say yes when you really want to say no. People-pleasing is often a sign that you're prioritizing external comfort over internal peace. And over time, that chips away at your confidence and self-trust. Before committing to something, pause and ask, "If no one were disappointed if I said no, would I still say yes?"
- You don't feel truly seen or understood. Sometimes the reason people can't see us clearly is because we're not fully showing up as ourselves. Hiding your needs or holding back your truth—even in small ways—can leave you feeling invisible. Start small by sharing something honest today, even if it feels vulnerable. Real connection begins with being real.
You don't need to have it all figured out. Reconnecting with your true self is a process, not a one-time event. The key is creating space for curiosity, self-reflection, and honest conversations with yourself and with others. If you're looking for a gentle guide to help you explore these ideas more deeply, check out the Self-Discovery Journal by Robert Cassidy. Or, grab a notebook and reflect on the following question: "What parts of me have I been ignoring, and what are they trying to tell me?"
More about Robert Cassidy & Resources Mentioned:
Robert Cassidy is a lifelong seeker of wisdom and the author of the Self-Discovery Journal. Having learned from spiritual leaders, high-level performers, and masters across the globe—including Hollywood elites and Zen monks—Robert's mission is to help others uncover their own inner truth and power. Writing under a pen name to protect the privacy of his clients, Robert distills years of insight, exploration, and personal transformation into deeply reflective tools and teachings that guide readers inward—so they can live more authentically, courageously, and connected to what truly matters.
- Get the Self-Discovery Journal by Robert Cassidy: here
- Robert's Website: https://www.robertcassidywriting.com
- Become a Sione & Alana Insider: here
- Learn more about The Best Year Ever Blueprint Course: here
Main Takeaways & Golden nuggets of wisdom from this episode:
This episode was rich with insights, but here are five standout takeaways that we believe are especially powerful if you're ready to grow intentionally and live more fully.
- When looking for answers, don't forget to look within. Robert shared how he spent years seeking out wisdom from spiritual leaders, business mentors, and thought leaders—but ultimately realized that the most important insights came when he paused to listen to himself. While it can be inspiring to learn from others, we can easily drown out our own thoughts and intuition if we're not careful. Wisdom becomes powerful when it's filtered through your own experience.
- The more secure we are in ourselves, the greater our capacity to show up for others. This message couldn't be more important for anyone who leads, serves, or supports others. When you've taken the time to check in with yourself and feel grounded, you're able to offer more—not because you have to, but because you can. It's not about not making any mistakes, it's about being present. Being secure in yourself means you stop looking to others to make you feel whole—and that creates the space for real connection.
- The questions we ask ourselves frequently will shape the way we see things. What we repeat becomes our reality. If we're always asking ourselves, "Am I doing enough?" or "What if I fail?", we're training our minds to focus on lack, fear, or pressure. Robert shared that one of his guiding questions is: "Am I in love, or am I in fear?"—a powerful filter that can change how you respond in any situation.
- Approach things through a lens of curiosity. Robert said some wonderful things about curiosity during this episode. Curiosity removes some of the pressure. It says, "I don't know... but I'm open to discovering." That shift in mindset allows you to approach life and search for truth with grace, patience, and optimism. It fuels learning, self-awareness, and growth, without the pressure of needing to "figure it all out today." Which leads us to the final golden nugget.
- Self-discovery is a dance. We're constantly evolving as we move through life. One of the most refreshing reminders from this episode is that you're allowed to change. Who you are today isn't who you'll be tomorrow. You're experiences, the perspectives you'll gain, the thing you'll achieve, and even the mistakes you make will change you. So do your best with what you know so far and allow yourself to evolve. Over time you'll probably start to recognize patterns when it comes to your values but it may take time.
"Am I trying to be impressive, or am I being useful?"
For an in-depth exploration of these takeaways and more, be sure to listen to the full episode below.
Tips for applying these takeaways:
Want to apply these insights to your life? Here are some actionable steps you can take today:
- Start a 5-minute daily journaling habit: Use a simple question like, "How do I want to feel while I'm working toward my goals?" Robert's Self-Discovery Journal would also be a perfect tool to help you do this.
- Choose a personal filter question to guide your day. Use a question like "Am I trying to be impressive or am I being useful?" throughout your interactions of the day.
- Be mindful of the questions that run through your mind the most. Are these questions rooted in fear or do they lead to greater confidence and empowered actions.
- Practice showing up to conversations without a need. See what happens if you come into a conversation without needing something from those you are connecting with.
- Form a decision and opinion about something before hearing what other people think. Before you let someone else tell you how to think or feel about something, look within.
Listen now if you're ready to let go of external pressure, tune back into your inner wisdom, and grow into the most grounded, empowered version of yourself.
final thoughts: Know yourself
So many of us—especially high-achievers—are on a mission to grow, help, and make a difference. But that journey doesn't begin with doing more. It begins with knowing yourself and what you believe better.
When you slow down and create space for reflection, you unlock the clarity and confidence you've been chasing.
If this episode spoke to you and you're ready to go deeper, our Best Year Ever Blueprint course is the perfect next step. It's designed to help you get clear on who you are, what matters most, and how to build a life that's aligned with your definition of success—every year, with purpose. Because when you know yourself, everything else becomes easier.
We are Sione & Alana
Co-Hosts and Owners of
Recounting Life Lessons
We're a married couple from Hawaii who are now living in Vancouver, Washington.
Two things that we are passionate about are:
1) Uncovering the success principles and life lessons that help us all grow into our best selves.
Our favorite ways to uncover success principles and life lessons are by sharing stories from our own adventures and interviewing inspiring guests from all walks of life on our podcast.
2) Making personal growth and consistently leveling up in your life simple and sustainable, no matter what your circumstances are.
We take special care to craft the programs and resources we create, in a way, that keeps things simple and easy to follow-through on.
Through our blog, podcast, courses, and programs, we aim to empower you to grow into your best self, live with purpose, and make a meaningful impact on the world around you.
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