The Narrative
You have to work hard! Get a degree! Get a job!
Once married where are the kids?
Women are not good business partners.
Don’t ask for help, You need to ask a man’s help to mount that shelf
Therapy is for when something is wrong with you.
Not Married, why not?
You have to do it by yourself, and be that strong independent woman.
Well, how’s that working out for you?
Is the said and unsaid narrative above suiting your needs? Do you feel invigorated, accomplished and motivated with all the above. Of course not? But what can you do anyway?
CHANGE IT!
I’m sure you’ve heard the above or the above was implied whether by parents, elders or just society. This narrative starts to write the pages of our story long before we have picked up the pen. And it’s not your fault it’s just how things have always been. Often we are never afforded the individual thoughts to break away from the norm. These thoughts and dreams are cast aside, suppressed as soon as it doesn’t fit the mold of the Narrative. But what if we changed the society narrative, and change work hard to smart as hard doesn’t mean being a slave to the job.
Do we want jobs or do we want careers?
Women are great business partners and marriage does not equal kids.
Yes it’s possible to change it but awareness is paramount to embark on your shift. Sit with your thoughts awhile, watch your actions and evaluate your day. Why do you do what you do?
Seriously you are walking, and someone is approaching do you keep to your side or do you shift to allow them to pass?
If you shifted? Why?
Who did you shift for?
Did it matter if Male, Female? Old or Young? White or Black?
No seriously why?
Was it fear or humility?
Our daily habits and actions speak volumes to the narrative guiding our pages. Some self-assessment helps to open up our awareness to these habits. Start by tracking and mentally taking note of your daily actions routines and be present in the moment and ask, why did I do that?
Coffee or Tea on mornings?
Tea! Why? My mum drinks tea
or the famous “You need to have something hot on mornings”
But wait I really like coffee more...or nothing at all
Change It!
Write them down if you need to, dig in deep on each of them and ask yourself the hard questions.
Then and only then can you begin the Change!
Yours Truly
JKB
