Post 1 - Be Your Own Light

Welcome to my blog! My name is Estella, and sharing my thoughts in this type of format has been a goal that I've had for a while now. It may seem like a simple enough goal but for me sometimes the simplest of tasks spark major anxiety. However, I promised myself this year would be different. This has been my year of action. So, this is me believing in myself. This is me allowing my voice to be heard.  This is me being vulnerable. I get to tell my story in my own words while letting go of the fear of being judged. We are all the authors of our true stories. We are the lights of our own lives, and this is me coming out of the darkness, stepping into the light, and shining. 

You may be asking, why wellness, self-care, and mental health?  Well, I have lived a large part of my adult life developing in these areas without always truly understanding the significance of my journey.  I know that may sound a bit odd but what I mean is that when I was little, I quickly learned that I was wired differently. I was labeled as “shy”, or told I was “too quiet”.  I was a nervous little girl afraid of so many things, but I didn’t really understand what was going on and I don’t believe that anyone around me knew either.  Anxiety would not be a word that I heard until much later in life. All I knew back then was that I had to work extra hard at fitting in and feeling “normal”. It took years of hard work that led me to a place of acceptance, self-understanding, and love. 

This doesn’t mean that everything is okay and magically fixed. The opposite is true. I had to learn to love all parts of myself, whether perfect or not.  My story is not one that ends with one solution to a problem.  Instead, my story is a celebration of the journey, and the knowledge that I am enough right here, today, as I am, in all my authentic glory.  I am my own light and when I shine, you see everything.  The parts that are scared, nervous, happy, excited, and raw, and that’s okay.  I no longer feel the need to apologize for who I am and the package I come in. 

My hope for this blog is that I can share my journey to authenticity, which is still evolving, by highlighting some of the tools, resources, and strategies that have made and continue to make a difference in my life. I acknowledge that everyone is different and what works for one might not work for another. My goal is to hold space for all. I believe there can be joy in the journey and the discovery of one’s true self. For those who would like to venture on this journey with me, I challenge you to be your own light.  It’s time to come out of the darkness and welcome your most authentic self.

Wishing you love, light, and a life filled with authenticit-E.

Estella