I write a lot about lived experiences. Writing has always been an outlet for me to place how I feel down on paper. But it wasn't until I actually began working on my PhD that I realized the deep connection I had to learning about lived experiences, other than just knowing my own. I mean, the connection was so deep that my research methodologies focused on researching and then disseminating the lived experiences of others in a meaningful way, in a way that could drive change.
I don't quite like to call myself an expert. However, I will say that I have a good amount of knowledge on this topic stemming from both my academic, professional, and personal experiences. In each piece I have written, whether in academic journals or State agency newsletters, the content does not actually change. In fact, it does not seem to vary at all. What varies is how I write the content in order to appeal to the audience.
This was actually eye opening for me, thus the reason I am sharing it here. As a researcher, I am always looking for the latest evidence and the newest information, but what I realized is that there is nothing new when it comes to lived experiences... because our lived experiences will never change. The experiences will always be there. They already happened and we cannot altar the past. What changes is how we allow those experiences impact us over time, impact our lives, and impact our future.
So, as a coach I feel it fitting to explore (not process, but explore) how your lived experiences connect with how you live today and your future journey. I find this connection so fascinating! Sure, we may often share about some of the experiences (good and bad) we had throughout our lives. However, how much do we actual work to make a meaningful connection between those experiences and who we are or how we behave? My thoughts... not often enough.
Throughout my life, I have had many lived experiences that make me who I am today. At the forefront of those experiences are the growth of my family of 7, my spiritual journey, and my professional accomplishments. However, the culmination of trauma, burnout, and fatigue through other experiences I faced were so deeply rooted and buried that I never made the connection between how those experiences could be driving so much of the anxiety and fear I was facing. The anxiety and fear that made me desire control over everything. The anxiety and fear that blurred my connection with others.
Through deep observation, as well as studying identity and phenomenology, I have found that the most conflict and critical behaviors have come from a lack of willingness to understand, listen, and learn about others, which stems from our own lack of self-awareness. There is a true intersect between lived experiences, identity, and behavior. However, before we can understand this intersect in others, we need to understand this intersect in ourselves.
So, how can I help? As a Mindset Coach I help clients through personal and professional development through gaining insight into how their current behaviors and mindset may be blocking their progress towards reaching their goals. I do not process previous life events, rather I help you identify how previous life events and lived experiences make a direct impact on you now and develop personalized methods that will help you gain the control and confidence you need to live a life of meaning and purpose.