Ever since working on creating and upholding boundaries for myself, I feel my communication style is truly blossoming. My ability to comfortably confront conflicts with the people I love in a calm and clear headed manner has improved exponentially. I spent so much of my life letting little things build up until I exploded and it caused more damage than if I would’ve just spoken up in the first place.

Ironically – and naturally – the people that I was surrounded by at that time in my life most definitely were not in the position to recieve negative feedback in a constructive way – neither was I. Now because of my own self improvement I have been able to attract people into my life that I’m safe to share my feelings with, and even if it may hurt the ego a bit they can take a step back and recognize it to be free from attack with no need for defenses.

It’s helped that I’m learning to express myself so intentionally, with unconditional love and compassion even when it comes to the hard things. In turn I’m so lucky to have the people in my corner feel safe to confront ME. It truly is a blessing to have someone gently redirect you when you’re wrong and guide you toward a different perspective that’s better geared toward your growth.

I’ve been in the position of being put up on a pedestal – I’ve been in the position of putting others up on a pedestal – and I’m really working toward building a community for myself that agrees that we are all equal. Equally flawed, equally gifted, equally triggering, equally triggered. I’m not less than you, and you are not less than me. Working through all of that stuff together means having the strength to truly share in the bad with the good – not enabling because we perceive constructive criticism as lack of support.

When you genuinely love and trust someone you find that one of the greatest acts of kindness they can do is tell you when you are wrong. They will never do it to attack you or judge you, only to encourage your growth and expansion. We have so much to learn, constantly! No one can always be right, there’s no shame in that, and our community should make us feel safe and held when we are wrong so we can pivot and change direction as needed. I hope everyone gets a chance to experience this type of trust.