The Power of Witnessing and Holding Space in Relationships

Hi there!

I’m so happy to be here checking in with you—it’s been a wild few weeks in our house. After recovering from several viruses, we finally got COVID and it was as terrible as I suspected it might be! We are on the mend now and I’m more grateful for our health than ever. I know lots of folks have been through it lately, whether it’s health-related challenges or just a lot arising in relationships and the collective. I want you to know that I see you and I know it’s hard, but we are moving through it one day at a time.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the power of witnessing and being witnessed in relationships (this idea was definitely made conscious while I’ve been catching up on Queer Eye episodes and marveling at the incredible ways we can experience shifts in our perspective when people lovingly hold us and see our worth). Especially when we are in a process of growing or healing, having people in our lives who see how hard we are working and acknowledge what they are seeing can be so validating and supportive. Choosing to be on the path of changing old patterns is not easy and can feel isolating and lonely. Support goes a long way.

I’m curious about the people in your life who play this role for you. What does it feel like to have them in your corner? Do they know what their support means to you? And if you don’t feel like you have those people, in what ways can you intentionally create community that gives you the support you need? Creating community doesn’t always feel easy (especially as we move into adulthood) but is so deeply necessary as families live further apart and we become more clear about the values we are choosing to align with. What do you want to pass on to the next generation of humans, regardless of whether you are related to them? What do you want them to know? What have you learned? What has been meaningful to you? And of course, how are you showing up to witness them and give them what you didn’t get to have yourself?

There is a lot of opportunity for reflection and re-alignment at this time of year, as well as resurfacing of grief. Whatever it is that is bubbling up for you, please know it’s normal and welcomed, and it will pass—I promise. In the meantime, I encourage you to be so gentle with yourself and take care in the ways that feel right for you.

A few announcements and things to note:

I have the amazing opportunity to be a guest teacher for my friend and colleague Maeve Hendrix’s beautiful new program called Choosing You which begins this January. If you are interested in joining (and I encourage you to do so!), you can use the code CHOOSINGYOUEG for $100 off your registration! I can’t wait to share more about the intersection between attachment styles and people-pleasing, as well as ways to show up more confidently for yourself regardless of your attachment style! There are several other amazing guest teachers, too.

I am also so excited to share that I am collaborating once again with my friend and colleague Becca Odom, LCSW, E-RYT 200 to offer our annual Cozy Winter Workshop in February! We will be exploring ways to center practices around security, comfort, and safety. Our workshop last year was so wonderful that we decided to offer it again live. Registration is open now!

Finally, I am interviewing new clients for 1:1 coaching slots beginning in late spring. I am loving this aspect of my work and can’t wait to dive back in when I return from maternity leave. I received this incredible and touching review from a client recently:

Thank you as always for your support—this was a big year for me as my book came into the world and I launched my coaching business! I am ever grateful for the ways you uplift my work, share your experiences, and remind me of why I’m here and why this work is so important to me.

Sending you so much love,

Elizabeth