This past thanksgiving week, I had the opportunity to rest, reflect, and reconnect with some friends and acquaintances I hadn’t seen and spoken to in a while. During one particular conversation, a deep realization struck me: so many of us feel trapped in cycles we can’t seem to break because of one powerful emotion – SHAME.

Shame is a silent force that keeps us stuck. It convinces us to hide parts of ourselves, to suppress our struggles, and to present a picture-perfect facade to the world. Shame whispers, “What will people say?” and suddenly, we find ourselves held hostage by the fear of judgment.

Let me take you through my own Journey to Freedom
When I started my own journey of breaking free from cycles that no longer served me or my loved ones, I struggled with these same questions. I worried about what people especially those who didn’t know the full story would think. Would they judge me? Would they accept me as I am?

As I leaned into this transformation, I did lose relationships along the way. Friends and even some family members couldn’t accept the changes I was making and my new reality. At the time, it was painful, but now I see it differently. I realize that losing those connections wasn’t a loss at all it was clearing the way for alignment with what truly mattered.

The turning point came when I decided to own my story. I stopped hiding, stopped pretending, and started embracing every part of my journey; the good, the bad, and the messy. Owning my story set me free. Today, no one can use my past to shame or embarrass me because I own it all. The ugly, the beautiful – it’s mine, and I stand in the power of that ownership.

Friend, I know you might be carrying a chapter in your story that you’re too afraid to reveal. Perhaps you’re struggling with:

• Money issues. Maybe you’re drowning in debt and too embarrassed to admit it because you feel like you should have it all together.
• An unhealthy relationship. Perhaps you’re stuck in a situation that’s breaking you because you fear the labels “single mother” or “single father.”
• Toxic family dynamics. Maybe you’re ashamed of how dysfunctional your family is and are trying to keep up appearances while silently suffering inside.

We all have chapters we’d rather hide, but hiding doesn’t make them disappear. It only keeps us stuck in the same cycles of shame, guilt, and fear.
Let me share something powerful with you today: Freedom begins when you own your story. – There’s Power in Owning Your Story

Owning your story means accepting every part of it, the messy moments, the mistakes, and the triumphs. It means stepping into the fullness of who you are and refusing to let shame dictate your life. When you take ownership of your truth, no one not even the people closest to you can use it against you. Owning your story is an act of courage. It’s saying, “This is me, and I’m not ashamed of my journey.”

If you’re struggling to own your story, ask yourself: Why? Why am I afraid to face my truth?

Is it because of:

*Shame over past mistakes?
*Guilt for decisions you’ve made?
*Fear of judgment from others?

These feelings are valid, but they don’t define your worth. People’s opinions – mere human beings’ opinions; don’t have the power to control your life unless you let them. Once you identify the root of your fear, you can begin to confront it. And when you confront it, shame starts to lose its grip on you.

How to Start Owning Your Story
1. Acknowledge Your Truth. Be honest with yourself about your past and your struggles. Write it down, speak it out loud, or share it with someone you trust.

2. Release the Shame. Remind yourself that your worth is not tied to your mistakes or the opinions of others. You are human, and humans are allowed to grow, change, and evolve.

3. Find the Lesson. Every chapter of your story, even the messy ones, holds valuable lessons. Ask yourself: What have I learned? How has this shaped who I am today?

4. Take Action. Owning your story is about more than acceptance—it’s about using it as a foundation to move forward. What steps can you take to start rewriting your narrative?

Your Story Is Your Superpower. Friend, there is freedom waiting for you on the other side of ownership. When you embrace your story, you free yourself from the chains of shame and begin to live authentically.

And do you know what? Your story, just as it is, can inspire someone else. By owning your journey, you give others permission to own theirs. You show them that it’s possible to heal, grow, and thrive.

So, today I challenge you, please take the first step today. Own your story all of it. That’s where your power lies. That’s where your freedom begins.

Let’s rewrite the narrative, one story at a time. You’ve got this.

Love,

Lydia