Bonnie, I appreciated the honesty of your article and actually, all your articles. One word keeps coming to mind when I read your pieces. This beautiful human being embodies Courage and is a stellar example of what self-love and self-care means. Cherylmelodybaskin.substack.com
Bonnie, I just saw this. Thank you so much. Your words are like a balm to my spirit. Keep up your amazing process and communicating with us in the way you do.
Beautiful story. Inspiring. Insightful. Refreshing. Nothing is really easy, but that's not the point, and certainly not the point you're sharing. Living your true self, which has always been there...waiting for you to "quit" and stop pretending a life that doesn't belong. Perhaps it never did? It takes great courage to be oneself in a world that demands you to be your impostor self.
Waking up from conditioning is indeed the hardest of all. Brilliant. For me, it began the moment responsibility became identity. When the internal narrator was crowned author, judge, and project manager of my life. I.E. My mind. From there, everything turned personal: thoughts became commands. Feelings became verdicts. Moods become moral failures. Insecurity became pathology. The impostor took over—and started calling itself me. I quit and attempted the impossible "fire this shadow self" who needed a lot more than a memo, as you so justly point out. It was almost two decades ago for me. What an incredible ride to live the real you. Thank you!
Beautiful, thoughtful reflection - thank you for sharing! I resonate with what you said about the true self waiting for us to quit and stop pretending. Quitting is the moment where we see the imposter and true selves side by side at the same time. Both are real and valid. Perhaps the whole point is to be able to experience, observe and integrate both versions of self. To your point, we identify and enmesh with the labels and stories fed to our mind by default. Through life's ebbs and flows, we reunite with the true self and let it shine again. It's truly a wonderful gift to be human on Earth.
You're saying it perfectly, Bonnie. Nothing to add to this important and delightful teaching. To realize we "are" the miracle we have been searching, or waiting for. Each individual, totally unique and differentiated. Love your word "integrate". Perhaps I would add to let go of that impostor self, or only use it as a reference, a reminder. But eventually, it has to disappear, similar to a snake shedding its old skin. Why keep it around? Thank you again.
Bonnie, I appreciated the honesty of your article and actually, all your articles. One word keeps coming to mind when I read your pieces. This beautiful human being embodies Courage and is a stellar example of what self-love and self-care means. Cherylmelodybaskin.substack.com
Melody, I'm deeply touched by your comment. An honour to know and walk alongside you, one of the most beautiful, compassionate souls on Earth.
Bonnie, I just saw this. Thank you so much. Your words are like a balm to my spirit. Keep up your amazing process and communicating with us in the way you do.
This is a great piece Bonnie. Thank you.
Thank you for reading, Meredith.
Oh beautiful B, So much love for your quitting journey 💚💚💚
Love and hugs, my dear!
I really enjoyed and connected with this piece Bonnie.
Thanks, Aman! So glad it resonated 🙏
Beautiful story. Inspiring. Insightful. Refreshing. Nothing is really easy, but that's not the point, and certainly not the point you're sharing. Living your true self, which has always been there...waiting for you to "quit" and stop pretending a life that doesn't belong. Perhaps it never did? It takes great courage to be oneself in a world that demands you to be your impostor self.
Waking up from conditioning is indeed the hardest of all. Brilliant. For me, it began the moment responsibility became identity. When the internal narrator was crowned author, judge, and project manager of my life. I.E. My mind. From there, everything turned personal: thoughts became commands. Feelings became verdicts. Moods become moral failures. Insecurity became pathology. The impostor took over—and started calling itself me. I quit and attempted the impossible "fire this shadow self" who needed a lot more than a memo, as you so justly point out. It was almost two decades ago for me. What an incredible ride to live the real you. Thank you!
Beautiful, thoughtful reflection - thank you for sharing! I resonate with what you said about the true self waiting for us to quit and stop pretending. Quitting is the moment where we see the imposter and true selves side by side at the same time. Both are real and valid. Perhaps the whole point is to be able to experience, observe and integrate both versions of self. To your point, we identify and enmesh with the labels and stories fed to our mind by default. Through life's ebbs and flows, we reunite with the true self and let it shine again. It's truly a wonderful gift to be human on Earth.
You're saying it perfectly, Bonnie. Nothing to add to this important and delightful teaching. To realize we "are" the miracle we have been searching, or waiting for. Each individual, totally unique and differentiated. Love your word "integrate". Perhaps I would add to let go of that impostor self, or only use it as a reference, a reminder. But eventually, it has to disappear, similar to a snake shedding its old skin. Why keep it around? Thank you again.
Really enjoyed how you reframed quitting. The comparisons to nature’s understanding of letting go were really nice.
So glad it resonated with you! Nature is always showing us solutions to human problems.