Don't call me Survivor!

Hello beautiful people,

it's been a while - almost 2 months actually. And for those of you who don't follow me closely, I've been busy travelling through Europe with my sons, after archiving my movement "Loving Life after Loss".

Now, I felt called to come back online, and share something that comes from the depth of my heart - a topic I'd been dealing with since long before helping people on their healing journey through grief:

Being a Survivor.

Here are my thoughts...

I've been called a Survivor many times in my life. And truth to be told, I have experienced my share of trauma and adversity at multiple stages; so, being called that, seems fair, suitable, sometimes almost like a batch of honour for what I've gone through.

Yet, the healed part in me feels, that the label "Survivor" acts like an anchor, that keeps me linked to my trauma, rather than retrieving said anchor, to let the wind blow up my sails and take me places...

Everything we label creates a certain identity. (See my TEDx talk "Redefining our Image of a Widow" )

When you hear the word "Survivor", your mind would instantly take you to what sort, or amount of trauma I would've been through - and quickly sidetrack from the person I have become. Similar to the phrase "you're so strong!".

Sometimes I don't want to be strong. Sometimes I don't want to be seen for the strength and survivor in me. Sometimes I am longing to allow softness in, rather than looking for "safe" in my life, and bare my soul openly... vulnerability to the max, not a care in the world about potential judgement, being at peace and in Love with myself.

I am longing for lightness, playfulness, fun, cheekiness - to awaken the child within me, the one before all the trauma, the absolute innocent, pure Love, with her heart full of curiosity and opportunity; with no boundaries in place or even necessary; dancing like a ballerina, light as a feather, seeing where the wind takes me.

I am wishing you that wind in your sails, a skip in your step, and a smile on your face, as you contemplate dropping the labels... and next time you meet a "Survivor", look behind the scars, and get to meet the person with an open heart and mind!

With Love

Marie x

Btw... I will host one final Healing Retreat towards the end of the year!

Enquire here .