The Crying Chair and Pushing Through Fear

If I could package my ideal customer up in the form of a kickass woman, this would be the one!

It was in the middle of one of my Chair Up! Upholstery Bootcamps that she completely broke down crying. Wrestling through her chair, she was ready to give up. I wasn’t sure what triggered her meltdown right then, but I was accustomed to women crumbling into tears in the middle of their projects. Whether it’s the safe space they’re in, the support of other women, or the hard physical work, the tears seem to start when they’ve peeled off all the tattered and torn outer coverings and padding, have discovered the bare bones of the frame and are ready to begin the rebuilding process. This is when emotions come pouring out. As cliche’ as it sounds, I’m there for it. It doesn’t scare me or make me uncomfortable because I’ve lived through most everything they’re crying about. She came to me at the beginning of her self-discovery journey. There wasn’t one specific thing that was ‘wrong’, she was just in the typical mid-life slump transition, needed to do some work on herself, her marriage, and her life in general. Those were her words, not mine

We dubbed this one The Crying Chair. Let’s call my student Diane. Diane still refers to it that way. Besides residing in her Montana getaway, it reminds her of a journey that wasn’t easy, yet was a life transforming effort.

Today, Diane is thriving, empowered, confident, grateful, generous, and loving. She came through her own fire and out the other side. The best part of all is that she’s really loving her life these days.

Little did she know that our connection had a positive effect on my journey, as well. Funny how life helps two people at once. I love the women I serve.

When you’re doing the right work, you know it. You feel it, you thrive in it, it’s energizing and it fits you well.

Do Good. Be Good. Shine Your Unique Light. The world needs it.

Then, out of the clear blue this week, I received this text from Diane.

Writing from her Montana perch, she said:

I hope you’re doing well, I’m eager to hear about your new adventures. I’m really proud of you. You are such a big part of me finally finding the courage to make needed changes in my life. You helped me open my mind to taking personal adventures and doing things that benefitted no one but me. My life is so much better because of it. I’m still married today, but I’m no longer that same person

who felt trapped and miserable. I know that if I decide to walk out the marriage door, or any door, actually, I’ll be fine. I’m stronger than I was, and you and your classes with all of the empowerment, are a big reason why.

Plus, I have some killer one-of-a-kind pieces that I would never have had if you didn’t teach me the skills. So thank you for everything!

You’re a rock star. (smiley emoji) xo