Releasing myself… from versions of me that I have created to survive.

We are all chameleons, constantly adapting our colors to blend in with our surroundings. We are the child, the student, the leader, the parent. But who are we, beneath all these roles? Each transformation, each experience, shapes us and changes us. It is through these moments of growth that we discover the many facets of ourselves, our strengths, and our vulnerabilities.

I’ve recently been on this journey of discovery… confronting, embracing, and loving my true self. A long road, but I am happy, confident, and more grounded. It made me question, how many women created so many facades across their life, to not only survive but also to thrive? How many of us, have sacrificed happiness for success? Feared taking risks or making mistakes, in search of perfection.

Changed, with every change? 

Transformation stretches not just our bodies, but the very core of our being.

Thinking back on my own experiences as a woman, I have come to understand that the potent symbol of the power residing within each woman. It follows us wherever we go, even in the corporate world. This raw, nurturing, creative force shapes who we are, stretching us through challenges and guiding us through every phase of womanhood.

The strength we hold as women stems from the same source that allows us to birth new life into the world. It is a deep, vital force that stretches us beyond what we thought were our limits, revealing a core of ourselves we never knew we possessed.

We are constantly called to stretch, to expand, and to express.

My formative years were shaped by stereotype-driven expectations to succeed. I navigated a tight-rope walk, showcasing a masculine assertiveness while maintaining my femininity. I strived to be always the best at what I am doing while being the youngest, no matter what effort it takes.

Even today, many women in corporate settings feel compelled to wear a mask, presenting a carefully curated version of themselves that masks their true nature. This constant code-switching, from wardrobe attire to personality, takes a significant toll on their energy and enthusiasm. I, too, once felt the need to adapt to the expectations set by the corporate world, suppressing my true self to fit the mold.

Control, Power and Vulnerability

Early in my career, I believed that powerful women should project an aura of control, always impeccably presented, and seemingly reserved. I masked a silent calculation: how even a slight display of emotion or vulnerability might change perceptions of my performance.

While I projected an image of competence and confidence, my professional mask hid a multitude of personal struggles left at home.

Grief found no room in my life after my husband's passing. The immediate need to care for my child and my mother, who was battling cancer, demanded my every ounce of being. This daunting chapter, however, became a catalyst for transformation.

It pushed me to shed any possible reserved self I constructed and tap into the raw and natural strength that dwells within every woman.

The stretch marks on my skin from motherhood became a powerful metaphor for the invisible stretch marks etched upon my soul, testaments to the internal growth I experienced.

I chose to stretch my heart, my spirit, and my very being beyond the limitations I had set – and others had imposed – upon myself. I realized that motherhood and the corporate world were not separate at all, but instead, were very much intertwined.

My journey as an executive coach, with a Master's Degree from Henley Business School, revealed to me that vulnerability is the bedrock of our strength. Embracing openness allows us to unravel the complexities of both business and life, revealing the intricate connections that bind them.

In the workplace, we often prioritize flexing our strengths, overlooking the valuable lessons embedded within failures. Yet, understanding the "why" and "how" behind setbacks is crucial for meaningful improvement.

By acknowledging our challenges alongside our successes, we foster an environment where "shortcomings” becomes a springboard for learning and continuous improvement.

This journey of embracing vulnerability resonated deeply with my experience as a daughter, sister, wife, mother and widow. It necessitated stretching, releasing, and shedding any limitations to reclaim my authentic voice.

It was a powerful reminder of my inherent right to express myself – fully and authentically.

My Affirmation on International Women's Day

This International Women's Day, my message to all women is this: I affirm that I release myself from past versions of me that I needed to create to survive. I declare that I will no longer carry any guilt, or judgment for the ways I needed to survive. I not only forgive myself, but I lovingly celebrate all those versions of myself.

Within each of us lies a raw potential, an essence waiting to be fully realized. Never forget the power within – nurture it, unleash it, and..

celebrate the incredible woman you are becoming.

Let's embrace the many facets of ourselves and encourage others to do the same. It's time to break down the barriers and celebrate the beauty of our authentic selves.