The Need To Come Home TO Yourself
By Gabi
Who Is Your Role Model? Why?
One of my most impactful role models is Ella Grace Denton. Her commitment to living authentically through creating and healing is one of the most profound examples of self-love I’ve ever encountered in my life. She showed me how inherently worthy we all are and how imperfectly beautiful and interconnected the universe is. Ella shares with the world, vulnerably, the deep complexity of life in her lived experience. It’s comforting and highly motivating to hear from someone who sees the world in the same way I do. She has encouraged me to embark on the journey of what she calls “rewilding,” or “unraveling your conditioning and reconnecting with yourself.” What parts of you truly belong to you, and which parts have you added or deleted due to social conditioning? Her questioning of life has encouraged me to realize that I love my body hair, I don’t enjoy drinking alcohol, I repressed my sexuality, and more. The more I come home to myself, the happier I become.
What Are You Most Proud Of In Your Life?
I am most proud of an intangible and ongoing accomplishment, my bravery to grow. Every day, I commit to embracing life in all its chaos and become a better version of myself. This has manifested in many life choices, such as leaving toxic relationships, starting new jobs, moving to a new place, starting therapy, and, some days, simply breathing.
What Are You Passionate About?
The Earth is one of my biggest passions. I’ve fallen in love with nature’s beauty and healing powers - emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically. My love and appreciation for the world fuel my passion for protecting it. Environmentalism and sustainability are intensely vital in the current Anthropocene. I’ll continue to advocate for climate reform and live by example. You don’t have to be perfect to make a difference.
What Makes You Feel Confident?
For me, confidence comes from the repeated belief that you are worthy. Having supportive friends and bold role models are very helpful, but confidence must come from within. If my “confidence” comes from seeking validation from others, then it’s not confidence. It’s false acceptance or comfort. To be confident, I must learn to love the most authentic version of myself. That may look like wearing a crazy outfit and going out in public, even if I feel insecure. Confidence is built up over time, and I’ve learned that the love I have for myself is worth more than anyone else’s. The only person I owe anything to is myself.
What Is Your Favorite Inspirational Quote?
My favorite quote often changes, as it depends on what I’m going through at the time. In her book “Women Don’t Owe You Pretty,” Florence Given states, “You are not a source of energy for others to take. This is your table, you set the standards, and you choose who gets a seat. Start turning away people who dare to show up in your life with crumbs because crumbs can’t feed you. Find someone who brings you a whole cake.” This is a beautiful reminder that you deserve the whole cake. You deserve to be in relationships where your needs are met, and it’s self-abandonment to choose anything less.
What Advice Would You Give To Your Younger Self?
To my younger self, I would scream, “YOU ARE VALID!” I’ve spent so much of my life feeling helpless because I was constantly being told by family, friends, and society that “you shouldn’t feel like that” or “you don’t feel like that.” I was a child who suffered from intense depression and lived in constant denial, as those around me didn’t understand my feelings. To this day, I have a tough time trusting myself. I would tell that lonely child she is loved by the universe, and it’s beautiful to experience life differently. I would say that no one has the right to claim how you should feel and never diminish yourself to make others feel comfortable.
