By: Margot Walsh

When I started my journey down the personal development path I found myself in groups of women I felt like I had no business being part of. I felt like they were all so much more healed, smarter, more evolved, or just knew something I didn’t know. I was scared to be there and I could feel my face get hot when I even thought about speaking up. But then I’d shrink and go back to sitting on the metaphorical perimeter of the group: sit back and listen. 

 

Even though I was nervous to speak up, even though I was intimidated to be there, I was so drawn to being in gatherings of women. These women were telling stories of their lives and within them I felt validated because they were describing some of the exact same feelings that I was experiencing. Through their reflections I felt held and seen. Through their perspectives my mindset expanded and shifted. Their descriptions of what they were going through gave words to how I felt sometimes in a way that I couldn’t have put together myself. I left these conversations feeling grounded and not so alone.

 

I continued to show up and put myself in rooms with women who expanded me. Women who made me nervous because I was intimidated but something in my soul told me I needed this company. I didn’t always have the words to speak up at first but little by little I began to feel like I was part of the group. Slowly I got off of the perimeter and leaned in. I began to speak and by using my voice I was able to speak my truth and own more of who I was. And still, the women held me, validated me, supported and inspired me. 

 

Five years ago I could not have imagined that I would be leading circles of women regularly, yet here we are. Women continue to expand what is possible for me: through their vulnerability, open hearts, nurturing essence, wisdom, and presence. 

 

Moral of the story, put yourself in rooms where you are bumping up against your growth edges – in rooms that you are excited to be in but you have a little bit of pee running down your leg. Because this sort of discomfort is SO good. Nervousness or fear don’t mean that you don’t belong. Learning and growth are never easy, but discomfort for the purpose of your expansion will always lead you to places that are better than you expected.

 

Margot is the Co-founder of Femnest and serves as the Director of Growth & Connection. She is a life coach and the creator of Beyond: Discover Who You Are Beyond the Stress, a group coaching program that helps women move past overwhelm and into clarity, calm, and confidence. To learn more about working with her or to join the next round of Beyond, send her a message!