A new beginning…
The Willingness to Be Vulnerable While Forging Bravely Onward
I wanted to let you in on a little secret:
This is a new journey for me too.
Well, not the pain part — that’s been in my life since 2016, and I’ve made peace with the likelihood that it will be my companion for the duration of my lifetime.
The part that’s totally new for me is the journey of speaking publicly about my experience, writing a book (currently in editing!), and launching my business to work with people one-on-one to help them discover their own pathway forward.
It’s new, exhilarating, a little intimidating at times, and wonderfully adventurous.
It’s a time of both teaching and learning.
It’s all the things, and I’m 100% here for it.
After a 29-year career as an educator — which came to a halt after developing a debilitating chronic pain condition — opening myself up to a completely new chapter at this phase of the game is, well, kind of a big deal.
Life has been calling me to something new over the last few years.
And although I still sometimes miss my former career, I recognize now:
There are many ways to teach, many ways to engage, and many ways to share knowledge and insights with others in transformational ways.
One main difference?
There’s no textbook to draw from. No syllabus. No start or end dates.
I had to live the subject matter, and then build everything from scratch.
It’s been quite the endeavor — and honestly, it’s kind of amazing to create your own brand-new course.
The impulse for writing my book, and everything that followed, came from a burst of expressive writing that poured out over a few weeks during 2024.
It started as journaling and became something more — a project that seemed to have a life of its own.
That’s when I knew:
There was a seed of an idea growing inside me — one that needed to be planted and tended to.
So, what has it been like embarking on a completely new mission in life at my age?
It’s been illuminating.
It’s been informative.
And it’s only just beginning.
I’ve felt all the emotions that come with sharing my experience with chronic pain — a subject so intertwined with vulnerability.
But I’ve also been propelled forward by the response of others who get it — who have needed a safe space to explore strategies and ideas.
With each local seminar and discussion group, I feel even more convinced:
People need to talk about things they’ve been holding inside.
They need community. They need support.
At the same time, my body reminds me daily that I have to be gentle with myself — setting loving, firm boundaries around my energy and expectations.
Here’s what I can tell you:
It is vulnerable to talk about our chronic pain journey.
It is important to do it.
In fact, it’s the vulnerability itself that makes it so important.
This is the piece that’s been missing in general conversations about chronic pain — and the piece most people living with pain don't get enough support around.
I’m willing to go there.
I’m willing to be vulnerable on this journey with you.
I'm feeling braver because I know I’m not alone — and neither are you. 💛
Thank you for being here.
Much love,
Julie