I’ve written before about WHY I choose to write out loud about my life. My friend Jackie Wolven once commented to me that some of us have to process out loud. I’ve always been that person who had to say it aloud, and those that know me attest to the fact, in joy and in pain. It takes a lot to be in my life since I operate this way. I am deeply thankful for the people who have dedicated themselves to holding my story in the ways that they do. What I have learned, though, that the risks and benefits of authenticity, or living the way I do, far outweigh the poison that builds up in me when I am not congruent with myself. Don’t confuse what I am trying to say, I have a very close group of friends who give me the gift of holding my most sacred stories… the shit I can’t say on the blog. I don’t write about EVERYTHING, but I do write about a lot that others would not. My friends are guardians. They hear me and receive me, and my soul is better because of it- but generally, I believe that telling my story is part of my journey of disarming my own shame. As Brene Brown puts it:
Shame Resilience: Name it. Talk about it. Own your story. Tell your story
This is what the next couple of months are going to look like around this blog. I will post about my random things, do my giveaways, the average flotsum and jetsam too… but with the new transition in my life, there are going to be some hard subjects discussed, aloud. This means some of you will shy away from my URL. I am okay with that. I understand with authenticity comes the reality that some people will be uncomfortable. “When we choose to be our true selves, the people around us will struggle to make sense of how and why we are changing,” writes Brene Brown. This a hard truth.
I invite you to do this work with me here. We will laugh, cry, wrestle, and come to new revelations together. This is an invitation to be the people who hold this part of story for me. As E.E. Cummings once wrote, “To be nobody-but-yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody but yourself—means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight- never stop fighting.”
I am daring to be brave with my story, that you might also be brave with yours.
Jasmine,
I’m sticking around! So proud of you and equally inspired by your willingness to share your story. For certain, it will help someone else process her own story or even more, have the courage to perhaps get out of a similar circumstance. Glad to know you!
Amanda
Thanks Amanda. That means so much.
I couldn’t agree more! A friend just shared your link and I will share it with my blog community. too. YOU are one hell of a strong gal, and for that I give thanks! It takes incredible courage and love to write stories as you have written. I’ll be sticking around now too (now that I’ve found your blog!). I write “disarming the shame” kind of stories myself, so I have a soft spot in my heart for this. <3
Well awesome, Jennifer, and welcome!
I’ll be here.
::fistbump:: Kelly Jo!
I’ll be around! I am looking forward to reading what you have to say and how you say it. Saddle up!
Its about to get REAL, Janeane
Not going anywhere. I admire your truthfulness and realness. Keep writing it down and telling your story. If you only help one other woman stand up and help themselves it is all worth it. True friends will go nowhere.
D’aaaaw! Are you calling yourself my friend
Truth while hard is always worth telling and hearing. Keep speaking.
True story.
I’ll be here. I can’t wait to read your story and support you in any way I can.
Thanks Amiyrah, you rock!
<——This girl's in it for the long haul. Away we go Jazz. Glad I can be a part of this journey with you!
welcome friend.
I’m with you. Hang tight.
Happy to have you Deb!