What does grace mean to you?
When I think of grace it’s not about validating excuses, but rather providing encouragement and a soft reminder that perfection does not exist. It is offering support, forgiveness, acceptance, time, and space to breathe, heal, and grow.
This is, in my opinion, one of the most under-utilized forms of self-care. As women, we offer it up so freely to the ones we share space with, but deny ourselves the same courtesy. Oftentimes when dealing with matters of the self, acceptance, forgiveness, and support are replaced with guilt, shame, and immense pressure. We punish ourselves for not doing the most, for not hitting the mark the first time around, we hold impossible expectations, and deny ourselves the luxury of getting messy in the learning process.
What would it look like to show yourself grace? To hold space, offer acceptance, give yourself the luxury of time, and implement a whole lot of self-love and compassion. What would it look like to meet yourself right where you are? What would it look like to learn from your mistakes and missteps in a positive light, to highlight your strengths, celebrate your small wins, and to know at the deepest level of your being, above all else, you are enough?
When was the last time you showed up and held space for yourself? Is this a concept that you’re kicking ass at or are you reading this and feeling a bit shook? I would love to know where you’re at in your journey!
For me, this concept is a work in progress, ya feel? I’m learning to shift old beliefs and rewire my thinking around shoulda, coulda, woulda’s. This is work, it gets tough, and can at times be painful… but, oh my land is it ever worth it! We have one life ya’ll. And, not a single one of us is equipped with a map, a compass, or a how-to. If we figure this shit out together then we might as well call it a party… and to that, I say hell yes! Cheers!
