Sprouting From Mud
By Karlyn Green
When I think about myself as a young girl, I want to go back and hug her. She faced so many difficulties: trouble with body image and an eating disorder, a mother challenged by addiction and mental health issues, and a family that fell apart.
I know many young women and girls deal with similar struggles. I wanted to share just some of my own experiences, along with the sense of strength and hope I gained from my journey, so you know you aren’t alone and these things can get better over time.
I will break this down into two distinct sections so you can glean what is most relevant and meaningful to your experience.
Body Image
My journey with body image has been long and arduous. I would be lying if I told you that my relationship with my body had healed all the way. However, I can tell you that I don’t actively hurt my body anymore and, for the most part, I take good care of it. If you find yourself not loving how you look on the outside, just know that your view of yourself may not be wholly accurate.
Our brains filter images through information we receive from the outside world and our own core beliefs. So what you see is not necessarily what others see. AND you are more than just your physical body. You are a wild soul on this big planet traversing a constantly expanding universe. Your purpose is not to shrink to fit into someone else’s mold, but rather to discover what lights your heart on fire and follow that no matter what. I have found that the closer I get to this truth for myself, the less my physical appearance remains a concern.
Also, our society’s focus on image distracts from really cool conversations we could be having as women—how to generate income doing what we love, how to negotiate salaries to close the gender pay gap, how to create lasting and effective change, and so on. Our attempt to diminish our inner selves and emphasize external change has the ability to shrink our potential impact on the broader world. There is a beautiful world out there that needs your talents and insights, so don’t try to hide from it.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR ENGAGING WITH YOUR BODY IN A HEALTHY WAY:
Find a form of movement that you truly enjoy, whether it be dancing, practicing yoga, walking your dog, engaging with nature through hiking or gardening, or doing anything else that uplifts you physically and spiritually.
If you struggle with an eating disorder, try thinking about what you can consume more of, rather than what you can eat less of—more fruits and vegetables, more water, more self-love.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you feel stuck.
Family
I was raised by an amazing woman who became really ill after relapsing from a mental illness. This turned my world upside down and inside out, leading to my later struggles with body image. It engendered layers of trauma and tragedy, stacked on top of one another over and over again.
I could write a whole book on this experience and probably will at some point. However, the message I would like to empower you to understand is that you are your own person, no matter where you come from, who your parents are, or what they do or don’t do. You are beautiful and whole. AND you can write your own story. This, my love, is the point of our ride on planet Earth.
But, to write your own story, you have to begin by accepting yourself as you are now. You are capable of accomplishing anything—no matter what—but if you need some support to get to this place, don’t be afraid to find it. I have spent many hours working through my pain with people whose purpose is to help others heal. There is no shame in that. Seek help, seek guidance, and never believe that you are broken or unworthy in any way.
From an impoverished and addiction-inflicted home, I went on to create a vibrant, healthy life and business for myself. I have turned my struggles into strength by helping women create lives they love, with income to support themselves and their families. One woman at a time, we are closing the gender wealth gap and creating new legacies for our families and communities.
As a scared young girl, I had no idea how to get where I wanted to go and often didn’t even know what I wanted in the first place. However, I always knew I was meant for more, so I never gave up, even when times turned dark.
IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN A SIMILAR SITUATION, HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR UNLOCKING YOUR TRUE PURPOSE IN LIFE:
Seek out support in the form of therapy and counseling, if you can.
Connect with other women in your life who can mentor and guide you.
Decide, at this moment, that you are going to write your own story.
Dream really big and surround yourself with others who are doing inspiring things.
Never give up.
If any of this resonated with you, it means that you, too, know you are meant for more. As long as you trust your inner voice, you will never go wrong.
If you’d like to connect with Karlyn, you can find her on Instagram at @dear.wild.heart.
