Squirming Out of My Comfort Zone

Why did I title the introduction to “The Great Unlearning” Squirming Out of My Comfort Zone?

Well, I survived some pretty traumatic life-altering experiences in my formative and adolescent years, and it became obvious to me in my forties how my childhood wounding bled into my motives for some of the disastrous decisions I made as a teenager and adult.

While following my curiosity about the early stages of my wounding and how it shaped my view of the world, I discovered photoshop and started creating art around my devastating experiences in the form of conceptual self-portrait photography.

I then approached writing about my traumatic childhood, very cautiously, with the understanding that it could rear up and bite me, which it did many times during the two years it took me to complete this book. I relived much of the anguish I had previously suffered, but by doing so, those experiences have finally become my past.

In learning the reasons for having developed self-destructive coping mechanisms, I could finally let them go; and by confronting and unlearning old ways of being that no longer served me, or anyone around me, I was able to make some sense of the life I have lived so far.

During the creation of this book, I was able to uncover the roots of my suffering, the origins of my values, and irrational self-perceptions that kept getting me into trouble.

Fully embracing the memories of my past, healed some of my deepest cuts and awakened me to the beautiful potential in allowing myself to be vulnerable. Telling my stories has also provided me with freedom from shame and regret for anything I did or did not do.

Writing and creating art opened a door to healing that could never be closed again.

While The Great Unlearning is a safe harbor for the most challenging and painful stories of my life, this book also contains inspiring stories and self-portraits which illustrate my often cathartic processes in breaking through to living a life of healthy value-driven choices, joyous purpose, and self-love.

So, I am squirming out of my comfort zone by sharing my incredible true stories and art, setting myself up for criticism, judgment, and rejection. I’ve never felt so vulnerable in all my life.

But here is the really great thing, by sharing my stories and creating the art to accompany each story, I am living in a freedom I never thought was possible. Well worth the risk.

So welcome to my uncensored journey of my resilient success story.

It is my intention that my memoir will offer readers courage, and permission, to take a similar leap of faith into bold exploration of their own life-defining experiences so they can bravely examine what it is that prevents expression of their most authentic self—and to take creative risks for what they love and believe in.

With creativity a continuous source of healing for me, I know it can be for others too.

Some part of my story might be yours as well, and if you are someone who has experienced trauma, this book is for you.

With The Great Unlearning, may you find yourself in a perfect environment to unlearn and be guided onto a triumphant path to healing.

*For my first ever podcast, I read “Squirming Out of My Comfort Zone” along with the story “The Runaway." Please visit my Podcast on Spotify to tune in.