The Rebirth: Introducing Yourself to the Woman You've Become
Chiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilllleeee do y’all have a minute? Have you ever stopped long enough to think about meeting yourself? We go through life meeting new people and learning about their personalities, their passions, and their fears. But how often do we turn that inquisitive lens inward? How often do we truly seek to meet ourselves?
This question holds particular weight for Black women. We navigate a world that often tries to define us, limit us, and determine how bright our lights should shine. We carry the weight of generational trauma, societal expectations, and the constant struggle for recognition and equality. Amidst all this, it's easy to lose sight of who we truly are in the various seasons of our lives.
The Journey of Self-Discovery
That’s I why I am so big on self-discovery, the tricky part of self-discovery the fact it is a journey, not a destination. It requires more patience than you can ever imagine, it's about peeling back the layers, confronting our past, and embracing our authentic selves. It's about:
Healing: Acknowledging our wounds, both past and present, and actively seeking healing. This might involve therapy, journaling, meditation, or other forms of self-care. One thing I wanna call out here is we will always be in a constant state of healing, our traumas and experiences are not like paper cuts where after they are taken care of they close up and we carry on with our lives. They are like the big gashes that leave a scar that just won’t go away, but instead of letting it control you own it, share the story of your battle scar. Acknowledge it as the source of your triggers when life happens,
Self-Exploration: Taking the time to understand our values, passions, and dreams. What makes us tick? What brings us joy? What are we truly passionate about? Exploring the root cause of our fears and our triggers.
Reclaiming Our Narrative: Rejecting the limiting narratives imposed upon us and defining ourselves on our own terms. To me this is our biggest flex, bayyyyyybeeeeee when I tell you how everything changes on the other side of reclaiming our narrative, it’s the sense of freedom you get to experience when you get to move the way you want to.
Embracing Authenticity: Living a life true to ourselves, even when it's challenging or uncomfortable. This part is fuckin boss level living right here especially in today’s carefully curated highlight reel era. Authenticity takes a level of boldness, self-awareness and bravery that most people aren’t comfortable with.
Introducing Yourself to Yourself
Once we've done the work of healing and self-exploration, there's a crucial step that often gets overlooked: introducing ourselves to ourselves.
Think about it. You've evolved. You've shed old beliefs, confronted your fears, and embraced your power. You're not the same person you were before. You've essentially become a new version of yourself.
So, how do you meet this new you? How do you build a relationship with this stronger, wiser, more authentic version of yourself?
Action Items for Self-Introduction:
Journaling: Write a letter to yourself. Introduce your new self to your old self. Acknowledge the journey you've taken and express gratitude for the lessons learned.
Affirmations: Speak kindly and lovingly to yourself. Affirm your strengths, your resilience, and your beauty. Remind yourself of how far you've come.
Mindful Moments: Take time each day to simply be present with yourself. Notice your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment.
Creative Expression: Explore your creativity through art, music, writing, or dance. Allow yourself to express your inner world without limitations.
Setting Boundaries: Protect your energy and prioritize your well-being. Learn to say "no" to things that don't serve you and "yes" to things that nourish your soul.
Meeting yourself is an ongoing process. It's about showing up for yourself every day, embracing your growth, and celebrating the incredible woman you are becoming.
So, I ask you sis- have you met yourself today?
