From Grief to Growth: My Journey Through Miscarriage and Empowerment
My oh my, what an unexpected journey this has been, one I never planned to take... I'd be lying if I said I'm not tearing up as I write this, but I know that's just a part of the grieving process. As most of you know, I experienced a miscarriage at the beginning of August. I posted about it immediately on social media because my job requires me to show up for others, to teach and inspire. Even on the day I received the news, I went ahead and taught my Barre Sculpt class at the gym. {Women are incredibly strong and powerful.} I felt the need to be there for my fellow women that night. It gave me an hour to immerse myself in the activity I love most, and who knows, maybe someone else needed that bit of movement too. Movement is medicine. It's one of the first things I fell in love with, right out of my mother's womb.
So, I felt the urge to share this personal story with others. First, I've witnessed how traumatic it can be to see someone close experience a miscarriage. Second, I didn't want to isolate myself by pretending nothing had happened. I didn't want to put on a facade while leading workouts, training clients, and navigating daily life. Third, and most importantly, I genuinely believe that when women openly and vulnerably share their stories, we help each other grow through life's toughest times. Isn't that what sisterhood is all about?
After sharing the heartbreaking news, I was overwhelmed by the warmth of a sisterhood hug from women all around the world. It made my heart feel like it could still beat amidst the devastating news. I've lost count of the number of women who have been through the same thing or who know another woman who has. The incredibly kind messages filled with hope, encouragement, sympathy, and love were more vital than I realized, helping me get through this tough period. As the saying goes, even your strong friends need to be checked on. So, thank you to everyone who reached out or sent prayers our way. Our faith remains strong, and we believe that God has a plan.
As you're aware, grief has many layers. This has undoubtedly been the hardest experience I've ever had to endure. Recently, I began thinking of myself as a failure. I thought that the body I've taken such good care of had let me and my baby down. Yet, I'm reminded that when such thoughts arise, I must quickly shift my perspective and surrender to God. We lack answers, and we don't understand why certain things happen. That can be the toughest part to accept. To experience peace and the love and gifts life offers, we must learn to surrender to the almighty creator.
For those who might be going through a similar experience, I wanted to share some resources. Feel free to check them out and pass them on to any loved ones who might need them. If you have resources that have aided you, please share them in the comments to benefit others. And to my sweet angel baby, know that I'll always love you.
Loved Baby – a book given to me by a loved one
@miscarriagehopedesk – resources, tools, support, and community
@alexandraandwells – raising awareness about grief and loss