In a Whisper or a Shout, Owning It All 

Through fear. Through judgment.

To own it all.

But how?

In Through Fear and Judgment To Own It All, I Dare You I wrote about how the ownership of my story, of all of our stories, is done not without major fear and not without facing judgment.

And, how we must still fight for it, through the fear and judgment.

This is not easy work.

But, it is simple.

I am sure some of my clients cringe in annoyance as they read these words, as I say them often in my office in regards to the work of recovery.

It is not easy but, it is simple.

The work of recovery is simple, I know how to do it. Putting one foot in front of the other and taking the best next step.

It is simple.

But, good God, not easy.

As some days this work can feel almost impossible to practice.

I believe this can also be true of owning our stories.

I had a client who had a great moment of vulnerability with a friend recently and this very topic came up. Her friend made a brilliant point, you can own your story softly, it doesn’t have to be loud.

And, this got me thinking…

In a whisper or a shout

Owning our stories, every single part of our stories, may mean that we shout it from the roof tops. Or that we do become the poster child for our struggles and cause. Or that we write a book or a public blog and build a platform.

For some of us, owning our stories is through a loud shout.

Owning our stories, every single part of our stories, could just mean that we own it all for, and to, ourselves. Accepting all of who we are, telling just one or a few people. But, still truly owning it.

For some of us, owning our stories is through a quiet whisper.

For all of us, owning our stories, every single part of our stories, simply means we embrace it all.

We accept what cannot be  changed.

We forgive.

We let go.

We talk about it.

We practice recovery from it.

Giving ourselves permission to do this work.

Giving ourselves permission to believe that it could help.

And, we own it.

To ourselves.

To a couple of loved ones.

To the public.

Whatever is our path, whatever is our light, whatever is our ever upward.

Trust it.

Quietly in a whisper or loudly in a shout.

Owning it all.

*To read more about my recovery make sure to pick up a copy of the soon to be published Ever Upward: Overcoming the Lifelong Losses of Infertility to Own a Childfree Life. Now expected to be available EARLY fall!*

**My interview with Fertility Revolution is also now available. Click here.

If you found this post enjoyable, inspiring, helpful, hopeful, interesting or even infuriating ;), please take the time and the chance to share it through your social media! More shares means more eyes, means more people helped and the message heard on a wider scale. Thank you! Justine