What's Behind Your Smile?
The power of venting and voicing what I'm going through
I have the habit of immediately smiling when I see a camera or see my reflection. When I look through photos of myself from the past I'm grinning away in every single one. Seeing those smiles kind of hurts my heart because many times I know I was definitely not smiling off camera.
I can scroll through my IG feed, years back, and remember exactly what was happening in my life while I was posting my books, sunsets, and plants. I have the habit of falling apart in silence, going inward, and dealing with pain on my own. Then once I've felt around in the dark and figured things out, I'm ready to surface again.
The thing is that sometimes it can get really heavy and it's just not possible to carry it all on my own. This is where support comes in. Being able to vent and voice what I'm going through is life-changing.
I know you're being bombarded non-stop with people selling you things on Instagram. Every other image is an ad or post pushing products or selling you the solution to a problem you didn't even know you had.
I also know that everyone reading this is secretly going through, dealing with, worried about or afraid of something. Being around women who are willing to see, hear and hold you with empathy and kindness is precious and rare.
When I leave a group after being able to share what's on my heart and mind—usually crying my eyes out at some point— I feel lighter, more open and clear. The human connection, warmth and presence makes my heart full, my soul nourished.
I literally thought, “If I could box up this feeling and give it to those who need it the most, it would be the best thing on the planet.” I can't think of more meaningful work. Just the idea of being able to do that for someone else has me buzzing. It feels on purpose and on point for me.
So I'm offering the Haven Women's Support Groups because I want you to feel all of those beautiful things. I want you to know you don't have to suffer alone. These support groups are made for you.
I'm here, and you are always welcome ❤️
Click the subscribe now button to sign up to become a paid subscriber so you can receive exclusive podcasts, and longer content each week. It costs £5 pounds a month GBP or £50 pounds for the whole year (two months free). Free subscribers will continue to get new regular content.
New Podcast:
I released a brand new episode of the Sincerely, Sumayah (SE) podcast for my paid subscribers talking about some of the challenges of producing creative work, and what holds us back from doing the things that light us up.
Currently Consuming:
What I’m Reading:
The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity: by Julia Cameron
A Little Life: by Hanya Yanagihara
What I’m Watching:
It’s hard to find anything that will live up to This is Us, but I’m enjoying
Black Bird and Trying on Apple TV+
You Don’t Know Me on Netflix
Only a few days left until the next Haven Women’s Support Group!
There are both weekday evening and weekend groups to join, with 10 spaces available per meeting. The sessions meet online and can fill up pretty quickly.
You can sign up for the evening support group through this link.
You can join the weekend morning meeting here.