26/09/2026
I remember when it was my turn to speak up in a group setting, to say NO...I can't work with a male today.
It wasn't the male in front of me that caused this impulse, the irony and devine humor of my moment to say "NO, I'm not ok," was meet by an extremely androgynous and gentle young man.
The moment my voice chose to find itself could easily have been rationalized as, this gentle natured human means me absolutely no harm!
And/Yet.
My inner experience was calling for me to say NO.
It felt important in that moment. Otherwise I would be betraying the experience my body was moving through. So I had to let this new community within the workshop container... know, "my body doesn't feel safe."
Whilst another equally convincing 'inner voice' shouted, a tirade of rational thoughts. "This is ridiculous, he's fine, say nothing - don't make this awkward, what will people think? This kid is sweet, so get over it!"
But what I really needed,
Was to be ok to listen to my body.
AND to use my voice to speak up for my body, to honor my bodies response, as she was processing and needed time.
Right now she needed me to speak on her behalf.
What happened next was that the group gave me space.
It felt like everyone withdrew.
And I felt like a trouble maker and a weirdo.
No other gendered human offered to work with me and I had to fumble for a bit. I had to be awkward and out of place.
Its important to note this course was impeccably held, a truly well facilated training, with a well resourced support team. And/yet there I was... similar to 'Carrie dressed ready for prom, doused in pigs blood.' Standing alone.
Although my inner experience was not of horror, a part of me slid in close and said "s**t I'm proud of you, that was really fu***ng uncomfortable."
"You backed yourself over the comfort of the group. And no one else is choosing you."
"But you've got you." My progress was not theirs the journey had been mine. And I had arrived in this moment ready to untangle the remaining residue of shame and free myself.
Recently during a workshop another woman spoke up.
And I heard her inner voice speaking...
"I'm ok, this experience happened to me and I now I'm chosing to recognise I'm ok."
"The shame I carried was not meant for me."
We witnessed her sacred NO and her emerging YES...
"Yes, I choose to bring the remaining parts of myself back from the dark and into the light."
"I feel good about me".
..these are my words.
May we all move closer to our truth.