# Human Design Deconditioning: The 7-Year Journey to Yourself
What is Conditioning in Human Design?
In the context of Human Design, conditioning refers to the process of being influenced by our environment, upbringing, and relationships. From the moment we are born, we are bombarded with messages about who we should be, how we should act, and what we should want. This external pressure can cause us to stray from our true nature and live out a life that is not in alignment with our authentic selves. This is what is known as the not-self human design.
Our open centers in our Human Design chart are the areas where we are most susceptible to conditioning. These are the parts of ourselves that are not fixed or defined, and they are where we take in and amplify the energy of others. While this can be a source of wisdom and empathy, it can also lead to us taking on beliefs, behaviors, and desires that are not our own.
The Deconditioning Process: A 7-Year Cycle
The human design deconditioning process is a journey of unlearning these conditioned patterns and returning to our true selves. It is a process of peeling back the layers of who we are not, so that we can discover who we truly are. This is not a quick fix, but rather a gradual process that unfolds over time. It is often said that it takes a full seven years to decondition, as this is the length of a full cellular renewal cycle in the body.
During this 7 year deconditioning period, we are essentially reprogramming our cells to operate in alignment with our unique design. This is a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, as we learn to make decisions from our own inner authority, rather than from the conditioning of the outside world.
Practical Steps for Deconditioning
- 1. Understand your Human Design chart: The first step in the deconditioning process is to have a solid understanding of your own unique design. This includes your Type, Strategy, Authority, and Profile, as well as your defined and open centers. Knowing where you are most vulnerable to conditioning is key to being able to recognize it when it shows up.
- 2. Follow your Strategy and Authority: Your Strategy and Authority are your two most important tools for making decisions that are in alignment with your true self. By consistently following your Strategy and honoring your Authority, you will begin to decondition from the outside influences that have been leading you astray.
- 3. Observe your not-self thoughts: The not-self is the voice in your head that tells you that you should be different than you are. It is the voice of your conditioning, and it can be very convincing. The key is to learn to observe these thoughts without identifying with them. When you notice a not-self thought, you can simply say to yourself, “That’s not me, that’s my conditioning.”
- 4. Spend time in your own energy: It is important to have time and space to yourself, where you are not being influenced by the energy of others. This can be as simple as taking a walk in nature, meditating, or spending time in a room by yourself. This will help you to get in touch with your own inner guidance and to distinguish your own energy from the energy of others.
The Rewards of Deconditioning
The deconditioning process is not always easy, but the rewards are immeasurable. As you begin to shed the layers of your conditioning, you will start to experience a greater sense of clarity, purpose, and alignment. You will make decisions that are correct for you, and you will attract the people and opportunities that are in alignment with your true self.
Ultimately, the human design deconditioning journey is a journey back to yourself. It is a process of remembering who you were before the world told you who you should be. It is a journey of coming home to your own unique and beautiful design.
Ready to start your own deconditioning journey? The first step is to [calculate your free Human Design chart](https://humandesignchart.app/chart) and begin to understand your unique design.