EP69 Coming out, lack of acceptance and moving on with life
Nov 6, 2024
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A poignant exploration of growing up in a Mormon home as a member of the LGBTQIA community reveals the complexities of identity and acceptance. The conversation dives into the emotional challenges of coming out and the impact of family dynamics on self-worth. It emphasizes the importance of supportive networks in the healing process and the struggles of navigating parental relationships marked by neglect. Listeners hear about the journey of self-acceptance while seeking empowerment and the transformative power of storytelling in overcoming generational trauma.
The podcast explores the emotional challenges of coming out in a religious environment, highlighting the struggle for acceptance and self-identity.
It emphasizes the importance of breaking generational trauma through conscious parenting and personal growth to foster healthier family dynamics.
Deep dives
Embracing Personal Wins
Celebrating personal achievements can often feel foreign, especially when one hasn't been taught to recognize their successes. The speaker reflects on the challenge of leaning into exciting moments, particularly in light of personal growth and upcoming milestones, such as receiving a new book. This experience highlights the importance of acknowledging one's journey and finding joy in accomplishments, no matter how small. By allowing oneself to embrace these victories, individuals can cultivate a healthier self-image and foster a sense of fulfillment.
Breaking Generational Patterns
The discussion focuses on the efforts to dismantle generational trauma and negative cycles within families. The guest shares her journey of working through familial patterns of abuse and emotional neglect, emphasizing the desire to provide her child with a healthier upbringing. By recognizing the effects of her upbringing, she aims to foster a better environment for her child, breaking the cycle of trauma that was pervasive in her own past. This commitment to personal growth and conscious parenting illustrates the transformative power of shared experiences and community support.
Navigating Identity and Acceptance
The conversation touches on the complexities of coming out, particularly within a religious context that may not be accepting of diverse identities. The guest recounts her experience of living in the closet for two decades and the significant emotional toll it took on her well-being, including self-hatred and developing an eating disorder. Coming out to her family ultimately led to mixed reactions, highlighting the challenge of seeking acceptance from those who hold differing beliefs. Despite familial struggles, the guest finds solace in the supportive relationships she has built outside of her immediate family.
The Journey of Healing and Authenticity
Healing from past trauma is depicted as an ongoing process that requires continual self-reflection, accountability, and courage. The guest shares how therapy and a strong support system have been instrumental in her journey toward authenticity and self-acceptance. While acknowledging the difficulties of reconditioning oneself after a lifetime of negative messages, she emphasizes how transformative and liberating personal freedom can be. The willingness to celebrate one's identity, despite challenges, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of self-validation and creating supportive networks.
On this episode host Harriet Shearsmith talks with Sariah about her lived experience of growing up in a Mormon home as a member of the LGBTQIA community and what that meant for her relationship with her parents, sense of self and how she found empowerment.
If you have found Unfollowing Mum pod useful, consider pre-ordering Harriet's new book Unfollowing Mum: Break Unhealthy habits and be the parent you wish you'd had, available on 7th November 2024. You can preorder here: https://bio.to/UnfollowingMum