Our Kids’ Mental Health

Today’s leadership kick is a little bit different. It’s more like a leadership heart palpitation. Last week I shared a personal experience that John and I have been going through with our sweet middle son’s mental health and the impact COVID-19 has had on it. ICYMI - catch it HERE. 

My intention for sharing was two-fold.

First, to share an experience that’s deeply impacted my family and me so much so that I would feel out of integrity if I didn’t. 

Second, to be transparent about my experience around not feeling enough and the shame that crept in. 

I wanted to help crack open other people’s hearts who might be hiding out, feeling ashamed, overwhelmed, and lonely, in hopes they would be inspired to ask for help. 

Because our SG community is full of big-hearted, caring peeps, I honestly expected to receive some thoughtful responses back - but I had NO idea the magnitude of vulnerability that followed. I’ve received an abundance of comments and gut-wrenching personal stories from people in our community sharing their experiences around mental health and similar feelings that I had when we were in the trenches. So THANK YOU for reading, for taking the time to share back with me, and above all, for the thoughtful words in support of our son and immediate family. Both John and I have been so moved.

As I was reflecting on this experience AND the desire I hear from my clients all the time which is “I want to feel a connection, a sense of belonging, I want to feel supported." I was reminded how it’s on US to create that. We can complain all we want about people not getting us, or being too busy to care or (fill in the blank), but what you value in the moment has a heck of a lot to do with how your experience goes.

I value openness. I value transparency. I value sharing.

It works for me. It helps me heal, helps me process, and helps me feel all those things like connected, belonging, and supported. This experience reminded me AGAIN that when we lead from our values we get where we’re wanting to go. It feels right, we feel more whole. 

So today, this week, this month - can you lead from your values? You might be pleasantly surprised with how much more freeing and whole you feel.

(if you missed last week’s email, we gifted this Values Guide if you need to get more clear on what your values are).