I am (not) JUST a woman.

I am writing this letter on the flight from Glasgow to London. I have just spent a week immersed in the energy of sisterhood, which can't really be described.

Laughs, tears, fears, ambitions, and desires have all been freely let out in a safe space of support, compassion, and so much love.

These gatherings go beyond vulnerability; they are not just about being vulnerable. We know we can be vulnerable with each other.

These retreats are about becoming present to EVERYTHING that we have been holding—often without realising it.

There is no judgment, no fear of being perceived as weak or not good enough.

Sisterhood has played a significant role in my life for the last seven years.

Before that, I couldn't comprehend the true meaning of the word sisterhood.

It was unthinkable for me to open up to anyone about what I was truly feeling.

Frankly, I didn't even know what I was truly feeling.

Emotions have never been a big thing in our family.

I was raised to be independent.

To always find a solution.

To take care of myself.

Not to bother adults too much.

Not needing anybody became my superpower—or so I thought.

Asking for help was unthinkable, embarrassing, and shameful.

It made me feel like I was a burden.

Working mostly with men in my previous job made me even more determined to prove myself—a story shared by many women, especially in the corporate world.

Often, as women, we lose ourselves; our feminine side gets overshadowed by our masculine traits—planning, driving, pushing, achieving, organizing—often driven by a fear of not being good enough (hello Imposter Syndrome).

Beneath the Imposter Syndrome always lies a deeper belief.

In my case, the "I am not good enough" belief stemmed from the notion that I was JUST a woman.

It took me a few years to uncover this belief that had been a driving force behind my high-achieving nature for most of my life—a consequence of my communist upbringing and my father's worldview.

It was not intentional, certainly not conscious (I love you, Dad).

But our subconscious mind works differently. It has its way of comprehending and organising things into programs that run our lives.

And so, I became:

- Independent

- High-achieving

- Not wanting to be a burden

- People-pleaser

- Embarrassed to ask for help

- Scared of feeling any kind of emotions

Just to prove that I was good enough and worthy. Even as "just" a woman.

I will delve into this more in my future posts and videos.

Luckily, approximately seven years ago, I started waking up to the fact that this was a very lonely way to live my life and to see myself. As JUST a woman.

Slowly, bit by bit, I started letting people in.

I began to feel my emotions.

AND

I started creating and joining women's circles.

I can't imagine my life without them anymore.

SISTERHOOD.

Just like the circle of women I spent the last week with.

That's why I am so passionate about the work I do.

Imposter Syndrome holds the key to many questions we grapple with.

As I always say, Imposter Syndrome is not here to scare us.

It's a feedback telling us it's time to look at those beliefs below the actual Imposter Syndrome.

Men or women—it doesn't matter.

My sisters around the world have become my safety net when I want to cry, dream, face my fears, or be held.

I need them.

And I still want to achieve, of course I want to achieve.

But not from the place of fearing inadequacy.

Instead, it's because I LOVE coaching and want to support my clients in uncovering and releasing their subconscious beliefs that keep them stuck.

If you are ready to have a conversation with the Imposter Syndrome that runs your life, book your free coaching session with me through the link below.

I will guide you through that conversation.

BOOK HERE

And let's please remember that none of us is JUST anything.

As always, my friends,

with so much love.

Michaela x