Reclaiming Authenticity Through Self-Love

Josie is a mom of our community who shares:

"Last week we started our six-year-old boy in a new school, after a traumatic last term (COVID and the lockdowns really brought to light how much the traditional school system doesn't work for him and how his brain is wired although we are still exploring the why). The new school has been soooo nurturing and supportive. And still, I am grieving the cookie-cutter dream I didn't realise I had for him. I am trying to remind myself to be gentle with myself as we forge a new path and let go of what we thought grade one might look like. While my brain knows this is what he needs, my heart is having a hard time watching these dreams crashing down daily. So I'm making space for these feelings and sharing them here. Here's a little piece of writing that showed up for me tonight."

Letting the tears fall

Letting the warm fuzzies crash up

against the rocks of reality.

A reality that on its own accord

Is so f***ing beautiful

when you strip away all of the -

expectations

dreams

& stories

that were whispered silently in my ears

weaved into my deepest identity

without my permission

About what SUCCESS looks like

what ACCEPTANCE looks like

What BEAUTY looks like ...

And as I grieve this part of myself,

and say goodbye to a narrative

that has been poisoning my ability

to see the beauty right in front of me,

I make room for the myriad of emotion

Alongside the relief & the gratitude for the path we are on

And I remind myself to hold

the scared little girl within me

who complied and strived

to please for ultimate acceptance

with gentle love and care.

And so I whisper to her

It's ok little one,

It's ok to feel afraid.

I've got you.

This path might be new and lesser-known

But oh is it beautiful.

And the best part?

This time you can just be you

And so can he.