Look for The Lesson: The Exercise That Makes Sh**ty Things Make Sense

This will be the last article I'm writing before my baby girl comes into this world. It's surreal!

I'm standing on the precipice of a huge transition and there's so much unknown. Even though I'm more excited than anything else, there's definitely some fear and anxiety looming around.Will I be as present as I want to be as a mother? How will it be coming back to work? How will my recovery be affected by the added responsibility?

So many questions swim around my head as I go into this final stretch of pregnancy. And one answer:

No matter what happens, I'll be able to handle it.

I've handled every single thing that's come my way so far and grown from it. I'm smarter and stronger thanks to every hard thing I've ever gone through. This confidence in my abilities to deal with whatever comes is due to the fact that I've been through so much shit. It's the only way I'd ever be able to feel this way.

When we go through tough times, it's hard to see the purpose until we're out of it. That's why I actively look for it. Seeking the lesson in every situation (after gaining some space from it) is a routine of mine, and the proof of its merits has never been so evident.

That's why–in my final article before my maternity leave–I'm going to encourage you to look back at every shitty thing you've gone through and THANK IT for teaching you how to be this strong.

Losses you've suffered, failures, injuries, rejections, all of it. Jot down everything you thought you'd never make it through and then write down how you're now stronger from it and if anything else good came from it. If there's trauma surrounding a particular event, do that one with a therapist so you can work through anything that comes up in a constructive way.I know that this transition will be a challenge, and I also know I was born for this. I want you to have as much confidence in yourself for big transitions that come your way.

I'm heading out for maternity leave and will be back in a couple of months. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and New Year. I'll see you on the other side!Hugs n' fist bumps,Amy

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