04/19/2024
How much do I really share with people? Isn't this always the dance we do?
Sharing too much behind the scenes feels scary, but I don't want to live in a world where we all just present the pretty parts and make everything look effortless and easy.
I also think anyone else who’s tried to create or build something will understand the struggle.
I'm sitting here today feeling a bit defeated, but also totally exhausted. I still have a lot of editing to do, an event program to write, but also all the activities that come with being a wife and mom.
I also haven't had the time and energy to post on social media like I should in order to create engagement. Honestly there are a lot of great things about social media, but it can also start to feel so overwhelming.
My husband sometimes tells me UNCOVERED should wait... it should be something I do once my kids are out of the house. Sometimes I wonder if he's right.
But then I remember how my life was TRANSFORMED when I finally told my story, and so I keep going. I want other people to experience that same transformation, because it doesn't just help them, it helps us all.
Imagine if there was a way for anyone to have their story told and packaged in a beautiful way. Imagine a space where we could come together to witness the stories, and to support someone as they do one of the most courageous things - own their story and speak it out.
The impact such a space could create would extend what I believe is one of the most powerful gifts - realizing you're not alone and that there is someone else out there just like you. Knowing you're not alone in some of the hardest, most painful places of life is what helps us make it through and when we hear from someone who has walked the same path and made it to the other side, we suddenly feel like it's okay to ask for help, and we start to believe that maybe healing is possible for us too.
This is the space I am striving to create with UNCOVERED, but the road has not been easy. And it's not that I thought it would be easy, I knew it would be hard, but it's also been scary at times.
It's tested my marriage.
It's tested our finances.
It made me have to face my tendency to be a workaholic and put my family's needs on the back-burner.
It's made me ask myself more times than I can count if I'm actually smart enough to build this into a sustainable media brand.
It's made me ask myself more times than I can count if I'm just living in denial.
It's made me wonder if my worth is attached to proving myself through either failing or succeeding at this.
It's brought me to points of exhaustion.
But it's also brought a lot of great things into my life...
The stories I have been humbled to hear will forever be the greatest gifts from this journey so far.
I've learned I'm capable of more than I thought.
I've learned I can do way more with what I already have and already know than I thought.
I'm learning to take better care of myself (because let's face it... sitting in a chair, editing at a computer takes a toll on your body).
I've learned to give myself permission to go for the things my heart is longing to do, instead of waiting for others to give me permission.
Brene Brown says...
"Shame cannot survive being spoken. It cannot tolerate having words wrapped around it. What it craves is secrecy, silence, and judgment. If you stay quiet, you stay in a lot of self judgment."
Ann Voskamp says...
"Shame dies when stories are told in safe spaces."
Brene Brown also says...
"Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it."
This is the space I'm striving to create with UNCOVERED, but it can't happen without an audience. So for anyone who buys a ticket, for anyone who shows up, I hope you truly understand how much your presence matters. Each of you bring an energy into the room that can be felt and exchanged. I'm trusting that those who are supposed to be at the event will be there. Those who will be blessed by the stories will hear them.
Our next premiere screening event is April 26th at The Bing Crosby Theater. Your presence means so much and to myself and the storytellers and it's our hope these stories feed your soul. Veterans can attend for free!
If there's anything else I hope people take away from this, it's this.
1.) Go for it. Even though the journey is hard, I don't think it's as hard as living with a lifetime of regret, always wondering "what if."
2.) Support those in your life who are doing brave things. Whether they are friends, or strangers. Support them with words of encouragement, with how you choose to spend your money, or by simply engaging with their social media channels (it all makes a difference).
