Acknowledge, You Are a Bad-ass!

Honestly, I loathe New Years with all the resolutions and pressure that comes with it. Women are just beginning to recover from our busy season of creating magic for all, and instead of listening to our bodies' need for rest in the dead of winter, we are told to reassess what else isn’t good enough about us and strive to immediately fix it. It’s exhausting.

What if what actually needs “fixing” is for us to acknowledge that we are whole and complete as we are? To accept how far we’ve come this past circle around the sun and bathe in the accomplishment of surviving another year on this complicated planet while enjoying moments of thriving and growth? 

Unless we learn to pause to shift our mindset to acknowledge what incredible, beautiful, and brilliant bad-asses we really are, we will always strive and never arrive. Acknowledging yourself is the A in “The WISE-ASS Woman’s Way.” 

I created an experiential for you to play with this idea through a mind map (i.e. brainstorm) how you showed up for yourself this last circle around the sun.

Instructions:

Recommended Spotify playlist: Acknowledge Yourself Practice @A.Space.For.Wise.Women 

Recommended time: 3-4 songs

Supplies needed: Paper and writing instruments

Directions:

Step 1: On a blank paper, brainstorm the small and big ways you have shifted since last year at this time by considering and mapping out:

• Your personal growth– wisdom gained or new ways you cared for yourself;

• How you took up space this year by setting new boundaries or asserting your needs;

• Vulnerability you practiced (intentionally or not) by bravely feeling your feelings or asking for help;

• Moments of resilience where you endured even when it felt impossible or stood back up when you faltered;

• Ways you allowed yourself to shine by showing your authentic self or using your skills and talents.

Step 2: Review the Wise Women’s Wisdom to help you process your experience.

Wise Women’s Wisdom:

1. Many Wise Women found this activity challenging to start, but once they got going, they are surprised at how much growth they showed this year.

2. Focus on the small moments and baby steps.

3. Challenge the “but” that comes at the end of each acknowledgement  (e.g. “I learned to practice self compassion, BUT I don’t do it all the time.”) and shift into a “both/and” mindset (e.g. I learned to practice self compassion, and I need to continue that practice.”).

4. Wise Women can often see how the other Wise Women are amazing bad-asses, but it can be a practice to acknowledge our own “bad-assery.”

Step 3: Share your experience with other Wise Women to acknowledge what a bad-ass you are while simultaneously giving them permission to acknowledge their own bad-assery!

You are enough as you are. You are a bad-ass, Wise Woman!

Take exceptional care of yourself,

Sarah

Empowering Thanksgiving Care Plan (with FREE DOWNLOAD)

Your needs matter. And yet, when the holiday season arrives, so many women struggle to prioritize their own needs.

Thanksgiving can of course be a time of gratitude and connection, and it can also be a time of complicated family dynamics, unrealistic expectations, overstimulation, and grief. These issues can bring up intense emotions and lead to coping in ways that prevent us from connecting with our wisest selves.

This week at A Space for Wise Women, we have been creating plans that allow us to care for ourselves through this thanksgiving break. If you would benefit from such a plan, follow these 3 simple steps.

Step 1: Pick an affirmation from your Empowerment Practices Book that you need to practice this Thanksgiving. If you don’t have your book, write an affirmation on a blank piece of paper or download the one that I used here (free download).

Step 2: Write your answers to the following prompts on the background of your page.

1. What issues do you anticipate coming up for you this Thanksgiving?

2. What can you control and what can’t you control?

3. What do you need to give yourself permission for?

4. Identify three coping strategies you need to put in the front of your mind.

Step 3: Spend one song from our @A.Space.for.Wise.Women Playlists coloring your image while breathing in your affirmation. This step integrates the learning and increases the chances you will actually use your plan when you need it most!

Take exceptional care of yourself!