My Journey of Maturation: How 2020 Challenged Us All

The past four years have been a period of profound personal growth and transformation for me. As I reflect on this journey, I’m struck by how much I’ve learned, unlearned, remembered and evolved. Maturing isn’t just about getting older; it’s about deepening your understanding of yourself, your purpose, and the world around you. Here’s how I’ve matured over the last four years.

The Catalyst for Change

Four years ago (2020), I found myself at a crossroads (didn’t we all). While I had always been committed to my personal and spiritual growth, I realized that I had reached a point where something deeper was calling to me. The life I was living, though fulfilling in many ways, felt like it needed a shift. There were aspects of myself that I had yet to explore, and I knew that the time had come to embark on a new phase of my journey. This is when I went to work on writing my book M.A.P. 2 Consciousness.

This realization wasn’t born out of a single event but rather a series of subtle nudges from the universe—small moments of discomfort, a growing sense of restlessness, and the quiet voice within that urged me to dig deeper. I knew that to continue evolving, I needed to face some uncomfortable truths and embrace the challenges that lay ahead. 2020 was a great opportunity to dig deep!

Embracing Self-Reflection

One of the first steps in my maturation process was committing to regular self-reflection. I began setting aside time each day to sit with my thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This wasn’t always easy—there were times when I didn’t like what I saw when I looked inward. But I came to understand that true growth requires honesty with oneself, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Through self-reflection, I gained greater clarity about my strengths and weaknesses. I recognized patterns of behavior that no longer served me and identified areas where I wanted to grow. This process helped me to cultivate greater self-awareness, which became the foundation for my continued maturation.

Learning to Let Go

One of the most challenging lessons I’ve learned over the past four years is the importance of letting go. Letting go of old habits, limiting beliefs, and even certain relationships was not easy, but it was necessary for my growth.

I realized that holding on to the past—whether it was out of fear, comfort, or attachment—was preventing me from moving forward. Letting go required me to trust that by releasing what no longer served me, I would create space for new opportunities, experiences, and relationships that aligned with the person I was becoming. The grief and loss were often painful and challenging. I welcomed all. I could no longer fight the process.

There were moments of grief, fear, and uncertainty as I released the familiar and stepped into the unknown. But each time I let go, I found that I was rewarded with new insights, greater freedom, and a deeper sense of peace.

Cultivating Emotional Resilience

Over the past four years, I’ve also worked hard to develop emotional resilience and regulation. Life is full of ups and downs, and I realized that maturing meant learning how to navigate these fluctuations with grace and strength.

This involved facing my emotions head-on rather than suppressing or avoiding them. I learned to sit with discomfort, to allow myself to feel sadness, anger, and fear without judgment. Over time, I became better at managing my emotional responses and finding healthy ways to communicate my needs and feelings. I also kept bringing huge amounts of love to all the discomfort.

Developing emotional resilience also meant learning to set boundaries. I came to understand that protecting my energy and well-being was not selfish but necessary. By setting clear boundaries with others—and with myself—I was able to create a more balanced and harmonious life.

Deepening My Spiritual Practice

As a Shamanic Practitioner, my spiritual practice has always been a central part of my life. But over the past four years, I’ve deepened this practice in ways that have profoundly impacted my maturation process.

I began really integrating all that I had learned from my life experiences, rituals, meditations, and ceremonies and stopped so much seeking behavior. I also started to connect more deeply with the natural world, spending more time in quiet and drawing inspiration from the process of just breathing and silence.

This deepening of my spiritual practice has brought me closer to my true self and to the divine. It has helped me to stay grounded during times of uncertainty and to find meaning and purpose in every aspect of my life.

Embracing Change and Uncertainty

One of the most significant areas of growth for me has been learning to embrace change and uncertainty. Life is constantly evolving, and the past four years have taught me that resisting change only leads to stagnation and frustration.

I’ve learned to see change as an opportunity rather than a threat. Whether it’s a shift in my personal life, my professional path, or my spiritual journey, I now approach change with curiosity and openness. I’ve also come to understand that uncertainty is a natural part of life and that it often leads to the most profound growth.

This shift in perspective has allowed me to navigate the twists and turns of life with greater ease. I’ve become more adaptable, more willing to take risks, and more confident in my ability to handle whatever comes my way.

Looking Ahead

As I look back on the last four years, I’m filled with gratitude for the journey I’ve been on for the last 61 years. Maturing has been a process of peeling back the layers, facing my fears, and stepping into a more authentic and empowered version of myself.

But I also know that this journey is far from over. Maturation is an ongoing process, and I’m excited to see where the next steps will take me. I’m committed to continuing my growth, deepening my understanding of self, and embracing the lessons that life has to offer - even if they are painful.

For anyone else on a similar journey, I encourage you to embrace the process with an open heart. Maturing isn’t always easy, but it is incredibly rewarding. Trust in your own path, be patient with yourself, and know that every step you take brings you closer to the person you are meant to be - pure love in motion.

I am here to support you on your journey