Why “playing small” feels safe. And how to rebel against.
No shame here, there’s a reason why we play small. What I noticed in my case, playing small comes as a way to protect myself from rejection, failure, or judgment. It’s in my “survival playbook” for the 101 Human for Beginners class I took in many incarnations, but it’s not the truth of who I am, or the truth of who WE are.
Somewhere along the way, our nervous system learned that shrinking, staying quiet, or not fully expressing ourselves is the same as safety. So often times expansion can feel like stepping into unknown territory.
Akashic perspectives about fear of expansion
During readings, it’s common to see the fear of being seen, taking up space, or sharing our voice isn’t just from this lifetime. It can come from:
Past life experiences where standing out led to rejection or harm.
Ancestral conditioning: beliefs passed down through generations about what is “safe” or “acceptable.”
Early life programming: moments when you were shut down, criticized, or made to feel inadequate Our inner child has bunch to say here.
When we access the Akashic Records, we can understand where this fear originated and how we can shift it.
Questions to ask in the Akashic Records to break the pattern
These are some ideas of questions to ask:
Where did my fear of being seen originate? (Is it from this lifetime, past lives, or ancestral conditioning?)
Is there an echo or memory of feeling unsafe when standing in my power that is affecting me now with X situation?
How has playing small served me in the past, and what was I protecting myself from?
What is the next aligned step I can take to honor my truth without overwhelming my nervous system?
Shifting without forcing it
BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF as you don’t have to force expansion overnight. True growth happens when we create safety in the process. Try:
Taking small steps toward your truth: start by honoring your truth in small, everyday ways.
Rewiring your inner dialogue: instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” try, “I’m still learning.”
Surrounding yourself with people who truly see you: your environment shapes your growth, why hang out with soul-sucking people?
Letting discomfort be a sign of expansion: fear isn’t always a stop sign, it could also be a doorway. Tune in to differentiate.
You are here to take up space
Playing small might have once felt safe, but your soul is ready for more, and you can feel it too. We feel the nudge. The Akashic Records remind us that we are not here to dim our light, we are here to expand, to evolve, and to fully embody our truth.
If you’re ready to explore more about these patterns and how to release them, book an Akashic Records session with me. Let’s uncover what’s keeping you stuck so you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and ease. :)
Hope this helps!
Manu
