*"The journey of remembering who you are is not about becoming someone new; it's about peeling away the layers of who you were told to be and rediscovering the soul that has always been within."*
– Angela Slade, MA, RCC, Women’s Empowerment Mentor

In a world where women often find themselves balancing multiple roles—mother, wife, professional, caregiver—it's all too common to lose sight of who we truly are beneath the surface. The wound of dismissiveness, which forms when our emotions, thoughts, and experiences are minimized or overlooked, can amplify this disconnection from our authentic selves. It’s a wound that can shape how we view our worth, how we express ourselves, and how we move through life. But healing this wound is possible, and it starts with remembering who you are.

Reclaiming Identity

The journey of healing begins with reclaiming your identity—rediscovering the woman you were before labels like “mother,” “wife,” “professional,” or “caregiver” were placed on you. Dismissiveness often leaves a mark that convinces us that our true selves are secondary to the roles we play or the expectations we meet. But reconnecting with the core of who you are involves asking: What did I love before I felt defined by my titles? What sparks joy in my soul?

Reclaiming your identity means stepping back into your life as the leading character, not just someone in the supporting cast. It involves giving voice to the parts of yourself that may have been dismissed by others or buried under the weight of responsibility.

Embracing Authenticity

Authenticity means living in alignment with your deepest truths, values, and desires. For women wounded by dismissiveness, there’s often a learned behavior of conforming to avoid conflict or maintain peace. But healing invites you to embrace who you are, not who the world expects you to be.

Being authentic is not about loud declarations; it’s about quiet, steady alignment with yourself. It’s about choosing to show up for your life as you truly are, even when it feels vulnerable. Ask yourself, Am I living a life that honours my truth? When you answer yes, you break the cycle of dismissing your own emotions and experiences.

Letting Go to Heal

Healing from the wound of dismissiveness requires letting go of limiting beliefs and societal conditioning that have shaped how you see yourself. This could mean releasing the narrative that your worth is tied to productivity or external validation. It could mean letting go of the need to downplay your emotions or brush off your own needs as “not important enough.”

Self-compassion plays a key role in this process. It’s acknowledging that your pain is valid, that your experiences matter, and that it’s okay to feel hurt or angry about times when you were dismissed. Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting; it means releasing the power those moments hold over you.

Stepping into Empowerment

Empowerment is about stepping back into your personal power with the recognition that you are enough as you are. For women with the wound of dismissiveness, reclaiming this power often means making choices from a place of self-worth and confidence. It means standing firm in your beliefs, even if they go against the grain.

Empowerment is expressed in small moments: when you say no without guilt, when you express your feelings without needing validation, and when you prioritize your needs without apology. Each act reinforces that your voice matters and that your story is worth telling.

Remembering Your Soul Connection

One of the most transformative aspects of healing the wound of dismissiveness is reconnecting with your soul—remembering your spiritual essence and the unique gifts that ignite your passion. This connection is about nurturing your intuition and listening to the quiet inner guidance that may have been ignored or overshadowed.

When you take the time to connect with your soul, you remember that there is more to you than the dismissive voices of the past. You remember that your worth isn’t tied to roles or achievements but is inherent. This connection serves as an anchor, reminding you that your true nature is vibrant, intuitive, and resilient.

Living Fully in Alignment

For many women, the journey of remembering who they are is about reconnecting with the parts of themselves they may have ignored or forgotten in the process of fulfilling others’ needs and expectations. It’s a call to live fully, authentically, and joyfully. By embracing your true self, letting go of what no longer serves you, and standing in your power, you heal not only from the wound of dismissiveness but also rediscover the joy of living a life that is aligned with your soul.

Living a soul-led life is about embracing the journey of reclaiming, healing, and empowering yourself. It’s about stepping away from the shadows of dismissal and into the light of your authenticity. The journey may not always be easy, but it is always worth it. Because when you remember who you truly are, you transform not only your life but also the lives of those around you.

Experience ‘Remembering Who You Are’ Guided Visualization: This guided journey invites you to breathe deeply, release the noise of the outside world, and remember your core self—the version of you that is strong, radiant, and full of wisdom. Through soothing visualization and gentle affirmations, you will be led to reconnect with your heart and honor your unique strengths.