Freedom to be

I've been thinking a lot about my freedom probably because life, as it always does, has been throwing a few curveballs my way. You know the drill: unexpected detours, moments where you feel like you are on the path to recovery. But here's the thing I've learned, and I mean really learned: resilience isn't about avoiding those storms, it's about finding your strength in the middle of them.

A huge part of that strength? It’s the freedom to be.

For me, it means a few things like the permission to feel every emotion, good, or bad. To sit in those feelings and let them be… without judgment. The joy, the frustration, the sadness, the downright rage sometimes.

It’s the freedom to be your authentic self without needing the approval of others. It means choosing to be myself, even when it's uncomfortable or unpopular. It means knowing that not everyone will "get" me, and that's okay. My worth isn't determined by someone else's opinion.

This is huge for me. In fact, I feel like the loss of my grandmother freed me of the burden of needing approval. My whole life was spent waiting on her to say that she was proud me. This month I lost the opportunity of receiving that approval. And I lost the need to be approved. I feel free to be my weird, loud, smart, quirky, nerdy, self.

I am finding the freedom to embrace my imperfections and past. My journey is my own and every failure, success, and surprise has made me into the person who I LOVE today.

I am learning to say NO without guilt. I am learning to set boundaries, which gives me the freedom to live my life the way I want, unapologetically.

Lastly, I am loving the freedom I have to work, live, and move at my own pace. I lived so long in the hustle, grind, and high achievement rat race, that I forgot to take it all in and BREATHE.

Sometimes, the most radical act of freedom is slowing down, taking a breath, and just being present.

It's not always easy. Trust me, I know. There are days when the world feels heavy, and shrinking back into hiding is feels easier. But in those moments, I remind myself that I have the power to choose how I respond. I can choose to embrace my freedom, to stand a little taller, and to keep moving forward, even if it's just one small step at a time.

I am 51 and I am finally free ✨️