Julie Jewels Smoot

A woman sits on a rock, gazing at a serene sunset, surrounded by signposts labeled "People Pleasing," "Self-Abandonment," "Trying to Fit In," and "Ignoring My Boundaries," with one pointing to "Choosing Myself," emphasizing the theme of self-acceptance over forced belonging. There was a time in my life when belonging meant being part of something. A community. A practice. A group of people who shared similar interests, values, and experiences. I believed that being part of a

A woman stands triumphantly against a vibrant sunset, symbolizing empowerment and healing, with the words "Reclaiming My Power" and a reminder that healing doesn't mean giving away one's personal boundaries. There comes a point in the healing journey when something begins to change. Not necessarily in a dramatic way. Sometimes there is no breakthrough, no extraordinary moment of clarity, and no sudden feeling that everything has finally been resolved. Sometimes the change is