I spent a long time hiding the parts of me that I was ashamed of. The mistakes, the past, the memories I desperately tried to numb + deny + avoid. I didn’t realize however, that the harder I worked to push it away, the bigger + louder it all became. @brenebrown has taught me over the years that shame can only exist in isolation + silence. Opening up with safe people + sharing my story was the path that set me free.
We believe that if others really got to know us, the real us, they would cringe + bail. We fear their judgment + lack of acceptance. So we manage this by sanitizing parts of ourselves in order to belong. Problem is, we know deep inside the facade we have created, and the burden of that gets heavy. We never get what we seek… authentic connection. To be seen + held. To be known.
Not everyone will understand your story. But many will. They will also feel permission to live free too… to set down the baggage of the past + welcome a fresh start. They will witness you living in gratitude of what the valleys have taught you + will be inspired to shed their own masks, like you.
I’m so glad I no longer let the darkness of my old self define me. My God has graced me with so much renewal, healing + strength to begin again despite the years of weariness. I now know its a beautiful thing to let others in. Do you allow others to truly know + love you? ❤️
