Intro: Welcome to A Pleasant Solution, Embracing An Organized Life. I'm your host, certified life coach, professional organizer and home life expert, Amelia Pleasant Kennedy and I help folks permanently eliminate clutter in their homes and lives. On this podcast we'll go beyond the basics of home organization to talk about why a clutter-free mindset is essential to an aligned and sustainable lifestyle. If you're someone with a to-do list, if you're managing a household and if you're caring for others, this podcast is for you. Let's dive in.
Amelia: Welcome to Episode 90, “Being Vulnerable.” Hey y’all. First off, I want to share that this week’s episode and next week’s episode will be brief. Know that whether you’re listening to this podcast the week it drops or many weeks in the future, I’m experiencing a significant event in my personal life right now.
Which brings me to today’s topic. Surprisingly, being vulnerable in a public fashion isn’t a challenge for me. Being vulnerable with myself is. I take pride in showing up for others – listening, acknowledging, celebrating, recognizing, mourning, and simply being there. Now is the time I must do the same for myself.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be moving my mother from her assisted living community in Detroit into memory care in Columbus. I’ll be thrilled when the process is complete as she’ll return to being in close proximity to me and to her grandchildren. Yet, before that moment, I must reckon with the fact that this most likely will be her final move. Her daily care needs haven’t yet reached the significant stage - she’s physically healthy and capable – her executive functions are limited. She needs assistance with hygiene reminders and selecting appropriate clothing for the weather and time of day. Her short-term memory is severe, and her long-term memory is moderate.
I share this with you as a way to share it with myself. I’ve decided to ask for compassion and kindness from everyone – in all areas of my life – this October. I’m choosing to be vulnerable and say this is hard and I’m at capacity. It’s hard because I care. It’s hard because it consumes my mental, emotional, and physical energy. It’s hard because I’m choosing to feel every day – the frustration, the sadness, the reality that I’m not in control. I’m not apologizing for it. I’m simply stating it as my current truth.
You have the right to be vulnerable too. It may seem impossible right now. It may seem like you don’t have time. It may seem like everything will come crashing down if you dare to be – either with yourself or with others. It may feel like you need to apologize or qualify why you’re feeling what you’re feeling. I wholeheartedly disagree. You’re more organized than you think. Being vulnerable is cathartic. It’s a way of caring for yourself. It’s a way to receive all that you’ve poured out into those around you. It’s a way of giving yourself permission to be fully human. Being vulnerable lets your heart lead, and it allows your brain to take a rest. And for today, that’s more than enough. Talk to y’all soon.
Outro: Hey y'all, share the love. Remember, if you've had at least one valuable takeaway from this episode, someone else will too. I'd encourage you to share it with like-minded folks and suggest they follow the podcast too. I truly appreciate your time and I don't take it for granted.
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