Thursday, November 20
Reflection: For a long time, I didn’t realize how much of my life I spent waiting—for validation, for recognition, and for someone to give me permission to grow. I kept hoping that someone would see me and confirm that everything I’ve worked for as a woman without children: the career I’ve built, the classrooms I’ve taught in, and the marathons I’ve run: it was all proof that I am strong, capable, and worthy. I believed that if the right person reflected that back to me, I would finally feel complete. But that person never arrived and eventually I understood why… The only person who could offer that permission and validation was ME. Once I realized that I had been giving the power of my worthiness to others, I understood it was a response to grief and to the disappointment I carried in my body. I realized that I am the one who can validate my experience, and the path I lead is entirely my own. I know I have so much love to give, so many lessons to learn, and more life to live. How I choose to live the second act of my life is up to me. - Adriana Rodriguez-Baptiste
Subscriber Spotlight: This week’s resource:
The Pew Research Center article “The Experiences of U.S. Adults Who Don’t Have Children” (2024) explores the reasons why adults in the U.S. remain childless, the perceived benefits and drawbacks of not having children.
