Sadly, I have learned that not all women are in this beautiful place. In fact, the very people that support us can also be the ones who dismantle our dreams.

 

Why does this happen? Because people - hubby, parent, child, best friend - are feeling intimidated by our desire to change. So rather than cheer us on, there are undercuts - like little sarcastic digs or soft judgements. It may end there, or it may escalate later on, as others get louder and even controlling....

 

This can be the scary moment...and I have seen it too many times. 

 

In my coaching experience, these women who feel the need to stay small to stay safe or to placate their hubby are the toughest women to coach. When I am talking with them, it often feels like I am walking a tightrope.  

 

Often there is an underlying feeling of guilt or lack of self worth, the who-do-I-think-I-am? energy that halts a woman in her tracks.

 

These are deep wounds from the past, and these wounds run deep, carried over from a very early age. 

 

But unless a woman is ready to claim her decision-making abilities and her right to run her own life unencumbered, no real change can happen.

 

I am sharing this with you all in an effort to out the behaviour. It breaks my heart. And it needs to stop.

 

So please, if you see this at work in a woman that is not getting the support she needs and deserves, and she is holding herself back from the very thing she wants - be it wanting to better her body, her career, or whatever - then consider having a heart to heart conversation with her.

 

Our compassion and understanding may be the very lever that lifts her into awareness and into taking action.

 

In this call, I talk about 3 situations that have come across my desk in recent years, from beautiful women all just wanting support, love and encouragement to take charge of their health and their body in loving, caring ways.

 

It is my hope that we will continue to stem the tide of controlling and emotionally abusive behaviour and lift our fellow women into a place of empowerment and knowing her worth. 

 

We all deserve support, love, and the freedom to choose without retribution, so we can live an authentic, empowered life that is truly on our terms.