December 2023. In the dark depths of winter, my light almost went out. It was on its very last flicker. I was in shock, depressed, overwhelmed, underwater. I felt alone, helpless, hopeless. We had a plan. Yes we were divorced, and that obviously required a good deal of acclimating and adjusting. A lot of uncomfortable becoming. But this, this wasn't part of the plan.
Since I was old enough to form the words, when I was asked what I wanted to do when I grew up, I answered, “Change the world.” It has been really hard to feel so frustrated, to feel like I am the only person who sees the harm of status quo problem-solving, and who is searching for new ways to do this sacred work.
A few days ago I posted a quote from a client of mine about entrepreneurship and the unseen challenges of founders in the job market. I wish I could say I was Surprised by the level of interest and feedback I received, but frankly, I’m not.
I haven’t been in a committed partnership (or intimate relationship of any kind) for almost 9 years. Sometimes it is lonely … missing that deep connection with another adult human in my day-to-day. I am also acutely aware that we can be in a committed partnership and still feel very much alone. I was pondering these things earlier this year when I realized something.
When we think of innovation, we tend to think of entrepreneurs. Much societal and cultural change has been shaped not by politicians, but by entrepreneurs. From Henry Ford and the car to the sharing economy pioneered by Airbnb and Uber, entrepreneurs have boldly re-envisioned and reshaped the way our society operates.
I will often be the first person to admit that I never thought I’d be the founder of a non-profit, let alone one that focuses on supporting and empowering women. But as the years have passed since I hosted our first Let Her Speak event in 2018 - I’ve started to notice how all these pieces of my life were leading me exactly to where I am today.
The most accessed resource I have ever created–in both downloadable and podcast format–is called the 7 Tips for Calm. I created it in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. I remember being in my kitchen, shortly after the lockdowns began, observing how calm I felt in the midst of this “once in a lifetime” event. And then I thought “OH! I KNOW HOW TO DO THIS.”
My father nicknamed me ‘big girl’ from as far back as I can remember. I was the apple of his eye. His mini-me. I would hold the flashlight, be his side-kick in his work shop, and thought he was the smartest, kindest man on the planet.
Think of yourself as a child, maybe 5-7 years old. What were the activities you participated in because it sparked joy for you? What did you reach for because it was something that brought you a sense of creativity, imagination, and play?
Women are superheroes. Period. From being caregivers to leaders to everything-in-betweeners, there is so much women do that goes unnoticed and unappreciated. This lack of appreciation became even more pronounced during the pandemic when women disproportionately were expected to become teachers, nurses, and career sacrificers to take care of their families.
