As I do the Steps, I sometimes have trouble with colloquial phrases. For example, while doing Step 9, I'm getting hung up on the idea of "connecting with myself". What does it mean? 

When I think about the word "connecting", I picture two things coming together. But if I'm just one person, aka, "myself", what is the other thing? Is there supposed to be a difference between "myself" and another part of me?

Is it my "outer self" (whatever that is) connecting with my "inner self"? My "emotional self" connecting with my "intellectual self" or "behavioral self"? My "masking self" connecting with my "unmasked self"? All of the above? Or maybe something else?

Fortunately, in AWG, it's encouraged to challenge traditional words and phrases. Shares from the group help me think about things in new ways. This isn't the first time I've needed to redefine a word or phrase for myself, and it won't be the last. Each time, it helps me see reality from a more "me" perspective.

Share questions:

• What does the phrase "connecting with myself" mean to you?
• Have you ever found yourself stuck on a word or phrase related to sense of self of self esteem? What happened?
• Have you ever investigated a traditional word or phrase connected with sense of self or self-esteem and found a more "you" way to think about it? What happened?
• How does the idea of challenging, investigating, redefining a traditional word or phrase make you feel? Why?
• Are there any tools, resources, or strategies that help(ed) you think about this?
• Anything else to add?