02/10/2026
A paradox I keep coming back to is how we, as humans, tend to avoid the very things we know, deep down, would actually support us.
I’ve been reflecting on how this shows up for me. Years of growth have taught me that safe community spaces, where I can be seen, accepted, and celebrated, help me soften and release the mental and physical tension I carry when I’m overwhelmed. These are the spaces where I can show up as myself, share honestly, and experience being enough. Over time, that kind of safety rewires the nervous system and teaches my body a new story.
I remember one of the first spaces that felt truly safe for me, the student/alumni retreat with One Breath Institute where I could simply be, laughing and sharing with friends who welcomed me fully. Looking at this photo brings that feeling back.
And yet, I still default to isolation and silence, especially when things feel intense or overwhelming.
I’ve recently been coming out of a chaotic season that pulled me into that familiar pattern. As I begin to come back out of my shell, seek out the safe spaces I know I need, and share my truth, I’m re-experiencing what it feels like to be received as I am. As I write this, I can feel a weight lifting from my upper body.
It feels like an opening, much like it felt in this old retreat photo. I’m sharing myself again, and the words seem to be pouring out. I feel renewed, inspired, and hopeful. Each time I return to what I truly need, this paradox loosens its grip a little more.
Does this paradox resonate for you? How does it show up in your own life?