Breatheandletgo's guest blog: "Destroy your herpes shame and embrace your imperfections"

[mr_hopp]

It’s nearly impossible for many of us who have genital herpes to say the word without feeling shame. I am one of those people, though I am actively working on changing this. And as I’ve worked on the change in myself, I’ve asked a lot of questions about shame, its roots and what strategies are effective in overcoming its paralyzing effects ...

 

Here's the rest of breatheandlego's blog post on Herpes Life:

http://herpeslife.com/destroy-your-herpes-shame-and-embrace-your-imperfections

[mr_hopp]

What a great blog, Breathe/Kristin! ;) Thank you for sharing your wisdom, humor and heart! Much love! I especially loved the whole "referred pain" concept. I had never heard that before. Loving the idea that pain isn't bad; it's just our body trying to get our attention: "Hey! You might want to look over here!" ;) Great perspective shift. Overall, a great blog post with great insights across the board. Thank you, thank you!

[Kristin (breatheandletgo)]

My pleasure, A. Thanks for providing me a place to heal and share.

 

Kristin

[lelani]

Oh Kristin I love the 'mental shame ninja'!!!!! I laughed and totally got it. And after dealing with alot of pain over my life I get what you say about that too - it's always a message to look at something that needs addressing or healing emotionally. Awesome blog! x

[WhoopsiDaysi]

Awesome blog Kristin. Thanks so much for sharing. I can totally relate to what you say about shutting down and trying to protect yourself from getting hurt and also loved (and will use) "who says". The referred pain concept also hit home as well. Herpes really does break us open. I know for myself, it has forced, or maybe gave me permission, to really look at my life, how I have been coping, what I deserve, what I believed I deserve. I have also looked to see what survival methods I had been using that just aren't serving me anymore. For the first time I am allowing myself to exist on this planet without feeling like I need permission to be myself or feeling like I need to apologize for taking up space or having any needs or dreams. And I am finally starting to see that I may have value just because I am on this planet - imperfections and all. And after all, isn't it our imperfections that make us truly human and interesting - once we stop beating ourselves up about them and embracing them for the wonderful gifts of learning that they are. Thanks again!!

[lively]

Great post Breathe, it covers such a broad range of important elements of gaining power in the face of its loss, whether from recent diagnosis, or longer range issues. Those imperfections are indeed what make us human, and such a relief to stop hiding them! Thankyou, reading that really made me think on this journey we are on with H, and the true opportunity it is. I'm sure it will be so inspiring for those in the early stages of self acceptance after diagnosis. The principles, once we have learned them through this experience, give us so much more choice for a happy contributing life in so many other arenas of challenge. "who says?" is so simple, so great, so easy to remember. Thanks!

[Strengthfromwithin]

Kristin,

 

This is amazing! Loved every word of it :)

[Kristin (breatheandletgo)]

Thanks so much everyone. We are all in this together.

 

I learn something from my friends here almost every day. Thank you for showing up here for me and for giving me a place to grow and heal.

 

We need one another!

Kristin