The second Thursday of each month, I lead an infertility support group as a peer leader. I’m not a mental health professional but after working seven years in higher education and working daily with students, I’ve learned the art of compassionate listening and empowering dialogue.
I love this group. We get into the nitty gritty intimate details. We talk about the fights with our partners, the insanity of Snooki getting pregnant but we can’t, and compare notes about our experiences thus far. We share advice. We pass the tissues. We laugh. We check in on who will be there the next month and who won’t.
I’m a believer that our infertility stories matter, I truly do. And there’s something to be said for sharing those stories in person, which is why as much as I love blogging and writing about infertility, I love to make personal connections with people in their journeys.
Like M, a blog reader who met me in person by happenstance last year at an academic conference. Sometimes, once a person starts talking about their journey, you can see the relief in their eyes with each word uttered, to finally unburden themselves with the stories they’ve carried in silence.
My in-person interactions with readers and non-readers facing infertility alike stay with me because I know how difficult it can be to take that first step to open up. And I know there are plenty of people who can’t open up, for a variety of reasons.
That’s why I speak up. Because I know there are those who can’t and their voices are just as valid to the greater discourse.
That’s also why I’ve begun offering Fertile Life Coaching, because sometimes you just need to talk to someone one-on-one who really understands and gets this experience. Someone with whom you can open up and share your story, but perhaps with not all the bells and whistles or a video like I did. To unload your experience onto one other person who may not be able to wave a magic wand and make it all better, but who can listen and offer advice.
Because sharing your infertility story, even with just one person, helps.
I like to think of my coaching as my way of giving back to this community, because I know how vital this kind of support is. And I hope to give back even more by offering virtual support groups and workshops in the coming months, since I know folks from all over the world swing by here. If I can’t host a support group in your town or your timezone, I can certainly use the wonders of internet-based video conferencing to my advantage!
I know that within every one of us is the capacity to achieve what we desire. If you really want to parent, you will move heaven and earth to make that happen. G-d knows I will in my own journey. I offer Fertile Life Coaching to make that journey, no matter how you get there, a little bit more bearable. To make those waits feel a little less longer. To empower you to take care of yourself along your journey.
If you’re interested, you can even sign up right now.
Launch Giveaway: Friday
The Goods
…Or you could enter to win a 3-session coaching package with me! This coaching package includes a 60 minute session followed by two 30 minute sessions, all via Skype or phone. You’ll also receive a copy of the full edition of Go With The FLOW and The Infertility Almanac once it’s released next month. One lucky winner gets all of this… a $240 value!
Deadline & Notification
Today’s Giveaway ends at 12:01am EST (US) on Monday, March 12, 2012. The winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter’s magical random selection tool and be notified via email within 48 hours of the contest’s end.
Enter Now!
Don’t forget: there are still 4 other Launch Giveaways! The Fertility Focus Telesummit* giveaway ends at 12:01am tomorrow, Saturday, March 10th. The rest of the giveaways end at 12:01am Monday, March 12th.
So get your entries in and good luck!
*Which, speaking of… it’s the last few days to register for the Fertility Focus Telesummit 2012! I’ll be speaking on March 17th, so if you want to hear my interview, you’ll need to sign up for free with your name and email address here.
Have a fabulous weekend!
Hi Keico,
I’m trying to spread the word about my new memoir “Lost in a Sea of Mothers: Am I a Mother Yet? I wrote it with the intention of helping myself heal from infertility issues, the pain from endometriosis and childlessness. Also, I wanted to help other women feel less alone on their difficult journey with infertility. It is the hardest thing any women would endure. The inability to have children while also having to face your friends who seem to get pregnant so effortlessly as you know is an awful thing to face. I was hoping you could help me spread the word by sharing it on your website and if you choose not to I totally understand. Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Catherine Lambert
I started out reserved about my story, but I have found that often sharing even a little encourages others to share. There are so many of us out there. By sharing, we unlock other opportunities for support. It got easier the more I tried it. I wish there was a RESOLVE group close to me.