The Bliss Of Being In Your Element

A former co-worker I hadn’t heard from in years recently contacted me. She asked me how I was doing.

“I’m in my element!” I said. “Working from home, doing what I love, and surrounded by my menagerie of many.”

After our chat, I began to think about what I had just said. The phrase “being in my element” isn’t something I use regularly, so it made me pause and consider its true meaning. What does it mean to be in one’s element?

The saying “being in your element” has its ancient mystical roots. Historically, the concept of “elements” referred to the four classical elements — earth, water, air, and fire — that were believed to make up the world. Each element was thought to have its own characteristics, and people were metaphorically associated with an element that suited their personality or environment.

For example, to say that someone is “in their element” was to compare them to a fish in water — perfectly suited to their surroundings. Over time, this literal meaning evolved into the figurative meaning we use today: feeling comfortable, confident, and successful in a situation that matches one’s abilities or preferences.

As I examined my current life circumstances, I realized that I had intentionally set my vision and manifested exactly the work environment I wanted. This wasn’t an accident — it was the power of focused intention and alignment with my true calling.

In the past, I worked in the corporate world and experienced its pressures firsthand. I endured long, grueling hours under the control of unscrupulous bosses who manipulated the books to make employee schedules appear fair and legal.

It’s your place in the world; it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live ~ Mae Jemison

These work experiences were soul-draining, physically exhausting, and at odds with my deeper sense of purpose. This chapter of my life was far from being “in my element.”

Because of these experiences, I now empathize deeply with the struggles of my clients. Many people I read for are overwhelmed by work stress, and young people in particular are suffering from autoimmune diseases as a result of their high-pressure lives. There is no way they can be in their element while trapped in such draining circumstances.

When I connect with these clients, I encourage them to set clear intentions for change, visualize their ideal circumstances, and trust in their ability to manifest a life aligned with their passions and well-being.

This understanding didn’t just come from observation — it came from my own journey of transformation.

Almost three decades ago, I made a major change in my life. I ventured into the world of psychic reading, energy healing, herbalism and aromatherapy.

At the time, I was working out of an office space that my ex-boyfriend and I shared, running a small herbal shop on the stunning coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. But my dream was bigger — I envisioned myself practicing aromatherapy while gazing out at the ocean and watching dolphins play in the waves.

Life presented a transition when the relationship ended and my ex and I agreed to find separate places to live and work.

There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living ~ Nelson Mandela

One day, as I was sharing my search for a new place with a client, she mentioned that her parents were moving to town to help with the family business. Their beautiful apartment overlooking the ocean was about to become available for rent at a very reasonable price.

It was as if the universe had conspired to align everything perfectly. Was it just luck? I don’t think so. In hindsight, I believe that my consistent vision — seeing myself through a window, watching dolphins while practicing healing – helped create the synchronistic circumstances that brought this very reality to me.

And so the dream came true. Each time a pod of dolphins swam by, I paused to watch them and listened to soothing recordings of dolphin and whale sounds as I conducted my healing sessions. It was a profound reminder that when we align with our deepest desires, the universe responds in kind.

So, what does it really mean to be in your element? I would define it as a deep connection to what fuels your soul — something that resonates with your core identity, purpose, and well-being.

It’s about merging passion and skill in a way that brings both fulfillment and success. It’s about feeling completely at home in what you do, losing track of time because you’re immersed in something that feels natural, effortless, and deeply rewarding.

Sometimes discovering what we love requires first experiencing what we don’t love. It is often through hardship and misalignment that we gain clarity about what truly illuminates us. This knowledge, born of experience, helps shape the confidence to pursue a life that reflects our most authentic selves.

If you feel like there’s something out there that you’re supposed to be doing, if you have a passion for it, then stop wishing and just do it ~ Wanda Sykes

If you want to discover your element, start by asking yourself these questions:

✵ What gives me energy? When do I feel the most alive, fulfilled, or “in flow”?

✵ What was I naturally good at as a child, and why did I stop?

✵ What childhood dreams or passions have I set aside but still feel drawn to?

✵ What activities make me lose track of time because I enjoy them so much?

✵ What comes effortlessly to me that may be difficult for others?

✵ What skills or talents do people often compliment or seek my advice on?

✵ If money and obligations were no object, how would I spend my time?

✵ What topics or issues do I naturally gravitate towards in conversations, books, or media?

✵ What problems in the world deeply move or motivate me to make a difference?

✵ What values or principles do I stand by, no matter what?

✵ When have I felt the proudest of myself, and what was I doing?

✵ What legacy do I want to leave behind — how do I want to be remembered?

If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose ~ T.D. Jakes

Many people describe being in their element as tapping into the universal flow — a state of awareness where creativity, inspiration, and joy seem to accelerate effortlessly. When we are in this state of spiritual presence, time feels irrelevant and we are simply present with what we love. There’s an authenticity, a feeling of being fully ourselves without constraints.

It’s easy to assume that such moments of alignment are rare or reserved for the lucky few, but the truth is that we all have the ability to achieve and maintain this state of beingness. The key is to believe that we are capable of change at any age, in any circumstance. We are never too old, too stuck, or too far gone to reinvent ourselves. Each day is an opportunity for renewal.

If you are currently not feeling “in your element,” begin to set the intention for it. Visualize the environment, the work, and the relationships that would make you feel most fulfilled. Focus on the feeling of being in alignment and trust that the right circumstances will begin to present themselves.

It may not happen overnight, but as you refine your vision and take inspired action, synchronicities will begin to unfold — just as they did for me when I found the perfect apartment with an ocean view.

Remember, life is not about settling for a path that drains and depresses you; it is about embracing the journey that uplifts and energizes you. You have the power to create a life that reflects your true passions and purpose. The Universe is always listening, ready to align with the intentions you set.

So, take the step. Tune into your desires. Find your inner truth. Follow your soul’s calling. And step boldly into your true element, where you are meant to shine!