Reflections - Week 1

My Personal Reflections

When I sat down to create this guided journal, I traveled back in time. Not just to the start of my own new beginning, but to the raw feelings of those first few steps. I wanted to capture the experience as truly as I could, because starting this kind of journey isn't just one emotion; it's a whole mix.

For me, that beginning came after one of the darkest seasons of my life. Maybe you've been there, too, or perhaps that's what has brought you here now – a period where grief, sadness, or just a heavy cloud seemed to settle over everything. Everything felt too loud, and I knew deep down that if I was going to rebuild, and not just survive, something had to change. I desperately needed a safe place to settle and heal, and I had to get serious about where my life was heading and what I wanted that to look like.

I realized that for years, I had been sleepwalking, just going through the motions. I was living out someone else's idea of a good life, accepting, settling, and in doing so, slowly losing pieces of myself. I was throwing away chapters of my life I'd never get back, always searching for something external that could only ever be found within me.

Stepping into the unknown was terrifying. It felt like heading into a direction I'd never been before, with no map and no guarantees. If I'm honest, there were moments I wasn't sure I'd even survive the darkness I was in. But beneath the fear, there was a quiet knowing: it was time.

So, I started getting intentional. It wasn't a sudden burst of energy or a perfect plan; it was often clumsy, many times tearful, but always driven by the clear intention of showing up for myself in the ways I'd always shown up for everyone else. This meant carving out quiet space, a deep retreat inward. For me, that looked like getting silent and going dark on social media, immediately setting boundaries from the constant hum of the outside world. I learned to stop saying yes when I really wanted to say no, honoring my limits and protecting my energy. Those closest to me understood this need for solitude; they knew I'd reach out if and when I was ready. Of course, some relationships from that time naturally faded as I moved into this new chapter, which was a necessary part of my becoming, and that's okay. The truth is, not every connection is meant to journey with you through every phase of life. Sometimes, letting go, even implicitly, is an act of self-preservation, creating the space needed for deeper healing and growth. My entire being desperately needed the quiet, and my soul craved genuine rest and peace.

This intentionality also involved reducing external noise and distractions in every sense, and deeply releasing the need for constant external validation. I began a profound journey of embracing my authentic self, letting go of long-held expectations. From make up to my hairstyle, I was allowing my true self to emerge. I began the brave and necessary work of seeking professional support and guidance, finding anchors in therapists and coaches who could illuminate my path. I started softening my physical surroundings, meticulously getting rid of anything that felt too loud or jarring to any of my senses. This included clearing out old photos and memoirs, tangible remnants of past chapters. In a truly symbolic act, I gave my children things I had been saving for them throughout their lives, acknowledging that holding onto the past was no longer serving me.

All of these actions were about creating a personal sanctuary that felt safe and restorative, and ultimately acknowledging and nurturing the sacred space within myself. It didn't happen overnight, but the first week of getting intentional about the direction I wanted to go, laid the groundwork. Slowly, I started to feel a subtle shift. A quiet stirring, a tiny flicker of hope, and that feeling – that sense of something new blooming – was what kept me moving forward, even on the hardest days.

Celebrating Your First Milestone

As you reflect on these last seven days, I hope you feel a profound sense of accomplishment for showing up for yourself. Every small act of self-care, every quiet moment of introspection, and every honest entry in your journal builds upon the last. Completing this first week is a celebration not of perfection, but of perseverance. It's a quiet recognition that you've chosen yourself, perhaps for the first time in a long time. You are learning to listen to that inner whisper and prioritize your own healing.

This journey is a profound commitment to yourself. It's about learning how to show up not just for others, but for the person you see in the mirror. You've navigated your first week on this powerful journey, and that is truly monumental. Every small act – every journal entry, every moment of self-care – is building momentum.

This isn't about perfection; it's about the perseverance that empowers you to listen to your inner whisper and prioritize your healing. You've stepped onto a path of self-love, and my hope for you is that you embrace it fully, with all the fear and hope it brings.

You've made incredible progress this week. How does it feel to step into this new chapter?

You’re invited to share your reflections in the comments, if you feel moved to do so. Let this be a safe space for your authentic voice. 💫