a powerful place

it can be difficult to consider what stepping into the mental wellness advocacy space could look like. you’re not a therapist. You’re not a counselor. that’s not your lane.

but your sister struggled to connect to her new baby and your mother-in-law is battling an addiction everyone pretends isn’t there.

it’s people you love.

it’s you.

Stepping out and sharing your story feels overwhelming and unprofessional. You’re unsure how to do it and maintain the “you”ness of it without oversharing.

I get that. There’s a fine line between vulnerability and trauma dumping. at its best, storytelling unites people for the greater good. at its worst, it’s egotistical and prideful.

somewhere in your life, someone shared an experience that resonated with you and made you feel less alone. you suddenly had commonality and things that made you feel seen, or at least acknowledged. I pray wherever you find yourself that you consider sharing a piece of yourself with someone you haven’t before. it doesn’t have to be your life story, but rather a time you, too, didn’t know how the systems in your office worked or what it meant to potty train a toddler. here you are in your years of lived experience hammering out spreadsheets without even thinking twice and you’ve launched three (potty-trained) kids to college.

look. at. you.

In the learning curve is connection. lean into it. let people in. It doesn’t have to be leading a group or throwing an event, it can simply be showing up, sitting down, being present, and letting people into the spaces that make you uniquely you.

I’m so glad you’re here. stay awhile. you’re welcome here.