More on Who I Am – retirementtransition

Comments on my blog posts, whether actually on my blog comments, on Facebook, or in person, really help me think differently! I thank my readers for giving me new perspectives and pushing my thinking. Last week’s post on Who Am I (link here) was no exception.

Here are some of the ideas sparked for contemplating who I am, the different parts of me, and giving my Good Girl persona a rest.

Rename the bad girl, because she’s not bad. She is an edgier me. She stands up for herself, is assertive and independent. She is part of me, and (apparently) always has been. While exploring alternative names (Rebel, Maverick), I came across the Wild Woman Archetype. Maybe it’s time to unleash (reclaim?) my Wild Woman within? And know she’s there alongside my Good Girl persona!
- Practice self-care. Maybe part of unleashing my inner Wild Woman is acknowledging there so many things I do that are self-care! Loved this list of self-care:
  - - Get together with friends/family
  - - Do something playful; explore new fun hobby
  - - Treat yourself to an elegant dinner/ frivolous treat
Do something frivolous and fun. Whether it was “go get a pedicure” or it was “buy something you want – not something you need”. I beleive some retail therapy is needed – thrift stores, craft stores, metaphysical stores.
Say what you want to say. Say no if you don’t want to do it. Stop saying okay when it’s not. Hold others accountable for their behavior – do not just sit and take it. If this results in a loss of friendship, were they really a person you want in your life? As one reader stated, “I did it and they did not unfriend me!”

The concept of a Wild Woman Within really intrigues me! Beside that it just sounds better to me than a bad girl, for someone who for most of her life acted with many masculine characteristics (climb the corporate ladder, critical thinking, achievement focus), it feels right to explore, “Who is my Wild Woman?” She is my feminine side, the authentic & balanced one, guided by her inner compass, attuned to her intuition, connected to nature, and free of societal constraints. I came to an awareness that I have many times over the years not followed social norms. So why am I so afraid of meeting societal expectations now? I am also working on being more attuned to my intuition. And I realized I am too separate from nature at this moment in life.

Perhaps I need to simply recognize that my Wild Woman is as much a part of me as my Good Girl! Here’s some typical habits of a Wild Woman, and how I will recognize, recommit, and /or expand them:

Morning pages. I do regular morning journaling. I need to refocus this regular activity on gratitude, recognition of synchronicities, and intuition awareness. I will spend time on, “what does my soul crave?” I will ask the Universe for help in areas I’m struggling with – apartment living, loss of friendships as people leave the area, patience in the house recovery.
Natural Rhythms/Connect to Nature – Continue my full moon shelling and my new moon Tarot reflection. Add in bi-monthly beach/park walk and some beach sunsets.
- Work with the natural elements.
  - Earth’s strength & stability – continue body movement, recommit to beach yoga, explore barefoot walks, nature meditation, and natural material crafts
  - - Air’s intellect & clarity – continue journaling/blogging explore, breathe work and visualization
  - - Water’s healing and cleansing – explore lunar rituals, healing bath, meditation by water
    - Fire’s warmth & passion – pick a summer passion project, explore fire ceremony and dance
- Honor (acknowledge!) my intuition. Challenge the “should” voice – my own or others, boost my boundaries & protect my energy, embrace (acknowledge!) my imperfections.
  - Stop worrying about being useful!Ask for what (the support) you need.Accept your mistakes.
  - Accept your crafting is not about perfection nor performance nor profit.
Plan my garden and my cozy nook space– Perhaps this is my summer passion project – read plant books I was given and sketch out the new garden spaces.
Create new friend circles with patience. Use your intuition to link with people who are spiritual, love mini-adventures, and are foodies.
Continue self-care – Keep doing what you do – monthly massages, get the pedicure, add in facials, plan dinners out, plan solitude time.

I will continue to explore this area of self-awareness, especially in relationship to my retirement lifestyle vision (Active Body, Connected Heart, Creative Spirit, Contemplative Mind) and how this new self-awareness might refine that vision. Refocusing on that vision again feels like a coming back to me, a healing step in my trauma recovery.

Do you relate to the archetype of a Wild Woman? Do you know someone who embodies that spirit?

Picture Credit; AI Download. I kept seeing dragonfly visuals in my explorations this week. The presence of dragonflies in vision work can be indicative of spiritual messages and insights. In many cultures, dragonflies are seen as symbols of transformation, adaptability, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Felt appropriate.