Self-empowerment is impossible without leaning into vulnerability. But make no mistake—there is power in vulnerability. Beneath its surface lies a force, fierce and unrelenting, like the simmering tension before a volcanic eruption. There is a moment in every journey of self-discovery when the world feels heavy with expectations. The voices sometimes of society, sometimes of our loved ones, and often our own tell us who we should be, what we should do, and what it means to live a good life. For so long, I allowed these voices to guide me, mistaking them for wisdom. I lived in comfort, security, and predictability. But deep within, there was a voice- my voice – that whispered there was something more. Eventually, it began to scream. I didn’t know how to make it subside – except to cry myself to sleep.
To listen to that whisper, to trust it, was terrifying. It asked me to leap into the unknown, to break free from the life I had meticulously built, and to choose myself for the first time. It demanded I honor the divine within me, that sacred place where authenticity, intuition, and power reside. It meant stepping into discomfort, prioritizing my emotional and mental well-being, and letting go of everything I thought defined me.
This is the story of how I did just that and how the universe, in its infinite wisdom, held me as I fell.
Listening to the Whisper
It began as a faint stirring, a feeling that the life I was living wasn’t mine. It wasn’t that anything was wrong, per se – on the surface, everything looked perfect. But the disconnect between my outward life and my inner truth grew too loud to ignore. I felt like a character in someone else’s story, playing a role I was no longer suited for.
The hardest part wasn’t recognizing the disconnect; it was admitting it to myself. The fear of unraveling the life I had built, of disappointing others, and of facing the unknown kept me silent for far too long. But one day, the whisper turned into a roar. My gut was the truest compass I’ve ever known, and it told me it was time to leap.
Breaking Free
Choosing myself wasn’t easy. Society often paints self-prioritization as selfishness, and for someone who had spent so much time trying to meet expectations, breaking away felt like betrayal. But what I came to understand was this: betraying myself was the greatest disservice I could do not just to me, but to everyone in my life. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and I had been running on empty for years.
I left behind comfort and security – a magnificent home I built with love, sweat, and tears. I abandoned roles, routines, and relationships that no longer aligned with my soul. It was dramatic. There was a fiery goodbye, and my eyes were so swollen from the tears that I couldn’t see for days. But in the aftermath of blowing up my life like dynamite, there was finally quiet, and an incredible sense of peace came over me. I began to create space for what truly mattered: joy, authenticity, and freedom. More importantly, I began to show up again.
The Leap and the Fall
Letting go doesn’t mean you won’t feel fear. In fact, the fear often grows louder as you prepare to leap. But here’s what I learned: courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s the decision to act despite it.
When I jumped, there were moments when I felt like I was free-falling. Doubt crept in, and I wondered if I had made a terrible mistake. But something magical happened in that space of uncertainty. The universe saw me. It comforted me in ways I didn’t expect. Little signs appeared, guiding me forward: opportunities I couldn’t have dreamed of; people who supported and uplifted me; and moments of clarity that reminded me I was exactly where I was meant to be.
Trusting the Divine Within
I’ve come to believe that the divine resides in all of us. It’s in the quiet wisdom of our intuition, in the strength it takes to walk away, and in the courage to embrace our true selves. Trusting that divinity is the greatest act of faith we can take – faith in ourselves and in the universe that supports us.
In choosing myself, I’ve discovered a life more vibrant and fulfilling than anything I left behind. I’ve learned that breaking free from society’s expectations isn’t rebellion; it’s liberation. And in that liberation, I found my happiness.
The Universe Delivers
When you honor your truth, the universe responds. It might not look the way you expect, but it will always deliver. It will catch you when you leap, guide you when you’re lost, and show you that choosing yourself was never selfish – it was necessary.
I am beginning my new live filled with joy, purpose, and authenticity. And while the path hasn’t been easy, it has been worth it. Because in the end, there’s nothing more divine than living as the truest version of yourself.
If you’re standing at the edge, afraid to jump, know this: the divine within you is stronger than the fear. Trust your gut. Leap fearlessly. The universe is waiting to catch you and deliver a life more beautiful than you can imagine.
Leaning into Aphrodite 