Sometimes I catch myself thinking about how much time we spend chasing things outside of us—relationships, validation, achievements—while the person we really need to understand is ourselves. The irony is, the most powerful changes in life always start from within. If you want to start your inner work journey, this post will guide you through practical steps, self-reflection exercises, and mindset tips for personal growth.
Inner work is often misunderstood. People think it’s just journaling, meditating, or listening to self-help content. And while those things help, they’re not the point. The point is reflection and transformation. It’s the practice of looking inward, honestly, even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s noticing patterns, understanding your emotions, and asking yourself the hard questions: Why do I react this way? Why do I settle for less than I deserve? What am I avoiding by staying busy?
It’s a not a place you “reach” it’s a never ending journey.
What is Inner Work?
Inner work, at its core, is the process of learning about yourself—your thoughts, feelings, patterns, strengths, weaknesses, and how you react to life. It’s about being honest with yourself, noticing what serves you and what doesn’t, and actively choosing growth. It’s impotent to understand this if you want to start your inner work journey and change your life for the better.
Here’s the thing: we do inner work every day, whether we realise it or not. Every time you reflect on a relationship, evaluate your habits, or reconsider your mindset, you’re doing some form of inner work. The difference comes when you commit consciously—when you choose to show up for yourself intentionally. That’s when the real transformation begins.
Inner work isn’t one-size-fits-all. It can be spiritual, emotional, mental, or behavioural. It can touch your faith, your ability to release control, your mindset, your daily habits, and even how you express your feminine energy. But the core principle is always the same: it’s about internal transformation, not just external appearances.
So often, people think inner work is about being “perfect,” looking a certain way, or achieving a specific aesthetic. That’s not it at all. True inner work happens inside, in those moments no one sees. It’s about living authentically, understanding yourself, and committing to your growth, even when no one else notices.
Why Inner Work is Life-Changing
The power of inner work is in how it shifts your internal world, which then naturally transforms your external life. These practices—like developing emotional control, raising your standards in life, and improving self-worth—are the cornerstone steps to start your inner work journey.
Here’s what it can do:
- Confidence and Self-Worth: You start to recognise your value and stop settling for less than you deserve.
- Higher Standards: You learn to raise your expectations in relationships, friendships, and at work.
- Peace and Emotional Control: You notice your triggers, insecurities, and patterns, and learn to respond instead of react.
- Trust and Surrender: You release the illusion of control and place trust in Allah’s timing.
- Opportunities and Abundance: Your mindset shifts from scarcity to possibility, opening doors you didn’t even know existed.
I remember writing in my journal that I wanted to earn at least £1,000 (after leaving school earning no money at all) a month. At the time, I had no idea how I’d make it happen, but by taking small, intentional steps, shifting my mindset, and trusting Allah, it became a reality. That growth started with inner work—learning to release control, raise my standards, and invest in myself.
Inner work doesn’t just improve your circumstances—it changes your internal state. You can go from feeling lost, insecure, or unsure of yourself to being grounded, confident, and high-value in every area of life.
My Journey with Inner Work
For me, inner work started unconsciously during school. I was figuring out friendships, learning how to assert myself, and navigating my early understanding of relationships. By year 11, I had grown into a more self-aware version of myself—but it wasn’t until I left school that I started investing consciously in my personal growth.
Between ages 16 and 18, I devoured self-help books, listened to podcasts, and became selective about the people I allowed into my life. Slowly, I started releasing control, raising my standards, and attracting opportunities and friendships aligned with the woman I wanted to become.
Inner work also changed how I viewed confidence. I used to feel nervous about simple things—walking alone between classrooms, speaking up, even starting my podcast. Today, I can confidently pursue my goals, go on solo dates, and create opportunities for myself—all because I committed to the inner transformation first.
Remember It’s never-ending. There’s always room to learn, grow, and improve—but every step forward leaves a mark on your life that’s undeniable.
A big part of my inner work journey has been my self worth, and confidence which guided me to make my standing on business series. The Standing on Business: Wake-up Call is a great place to start for any girls looking to level up in their standards their self respect and just being that boss girl who loves herself and it shows.
How to Start Your Inner Work Journey
Starting inner work doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Here’s a simple, practical framework to begin:
- Visualise Your Ideal Self: Picture the woman you aspire to be. How does she act? What are her habits, mindset, and values? How does she carry herself in her relationships and daily life?
- Write it Down: Be clear and detailed. This is your dream self—don’t hold back.
- Compare With Your Current Self: Identify the gaps between where you are now and where you want to be.
- Choose One Area to Focus On: Start small—just one habit, mindset, or behavior at a time.
- Take Action: Begin journaling, reflecting, praying, or taking practical steps to close the gap.
Remember: inner work is personal. It looks different for everyone, and it’s not a race. Each small, consistent step compounds over time, creating transformation that feels effortless in retrospect.
Why You Should Invest in Yourself
You are your biggest investment. Inner work might feel intimidating, but it’s entirely achievable—and the benefits ripple across every part of your life:
- Clarity in your decisions and goals
- Elevated standards and confidence
- Healthier, more empowering relationships
- Emotional stability and peace
- New opportunities in career, finances, and personal growth
The most important step? Start now. Reflect, journal, pray, or take any action that resonates with you. With consistency and dedication, the transformation you’ll create will be undeniable.
Inner work isn’t a trend—it’s a lifelong journey. And if there’s one piece of advice I can leave you with today, it’s this: you are capable, you are worthy, and you can start right now, exactly where you are.
Do Now 🤭
Before you finish reading, take five minutes to write down one area in your life where you’d like to grow or change. It could be confidence, boundaries, mindset, or faith. Then, write one small action you can take this week to move closer to that goal. Small steps matter more than you think.
Remember, lovely: you are capable, you are worthy, and you can start right now. Every small step counts, and every reflection matters. Inner work is your path to becoming the woman you were always meant to be. For more inspiration and to see real women’s journeys, don’t forget to listen to the accompanying podcast episode for this blog post. And you can find plenty more inspiring stories of women’s inner work journey’s on the Public Podcast.
For a more intimate, coaching-style experience, my private podcast is where I share deeper insights, advice, and guidance—like a big sister helping you navigate growth and self-worth.It is completely free you just have to sign up for it.
