The Unfiltered Truth: Walking in Broken Heels
How to Reclaim Your Power When Everything Feels Broken
Before you read another word, fair warning: this isn't one of those carefully curated, Instagram-worthy blog posts designed to make you feel good without challenging anything. This is the raw, unedited version of me – the one who swears when needed, speaks uncomfortable truths, and refuses to shrink herself to make others comfortable. If you're looking for gentle platitudes or carefully sanitized wisdom, you might want to stop reading now. The world doesn't need another polished performance – it needs women who are brave enough to show up exactly as they are.
I recently heard Alexandra Burke's "Broken Heels" and damn if those lyrics didn't resonate: "Anything you can do we can do better and we can do it even better in broken heels."
Every morning when I wake up, my first thought is literally "what the ever-loving fuck?" How did we land here?
This moment in time feels exactly like walking in broken heels – wobbling, off-balance, but somehow still moving forward. And as women? We're out here doing what we've always done... everything.
So let me tell you what I've been telling myself through gritted teeth:
You are a fucking badass.
You've survived storms that would have broken others. Not just cute little rain showers, but the kind of hurricanes that leave your entire life a complete shitshow. Yet here you stand, still shining.
You might be exhausted. Maybe even cynical. But that magnificent heart of yours? Still open. Still beating. Still beautiful.
Women are going to drive the future. Full stop.
Make no mistake – women like you and me? We’re not just participating in what comes next, we’re creating it. We are reclaiming and transforming every broken system, every outdated structure, every space that wasn't built for us – if we stay the course.
YOU are a critical piece of this transformation. The world needs your voice, your vision, your wisdom now more than ever before. This isn't just motivational bullshit – it's the truth that keeps me up at night.
It doesn't matter what chaos is happening around you, What your well-meaning friends are advising, Or what that inner critic is whispering at 3am. You've. Got. This.
I invite you to…
Know your values like you know your own name.
When everything goes sideways – and trust me, it will – your values become your North Star. They'll guide every difficult decision, illuminate your path when it seems darkest, and lead you toward the life you're actually meant for, not the one you've been conditioned to want.
But I'll be straight with you: aligning your life with your values isn't for the faint of heart. Some relationships will fall away. Opportunities that look perfect on paper will need to be declined. The shiny exterior of success might crack a little. Let it.
They don't have to understand your vision. You don't need to have every step mapped out. And hear me when I say this: you can be, do, or create whatever the fuck you want.
Stay kind, but don't let anyone push you around. Be generous, but never in ways that drain your spirit.
Lead with love, even when dealing with the worst kind of people. Their behavior speaks for itself – you just focus on showing up with integrity. It always pays off, even when nobody's watching.
Befriend grief. It's not going anywhere.
We need to develop a healthy relationship with grief and loss. Not just tolerate it or push through it, but actually know how to feel it without being consumed by it. The ability to sit with profound discomfort while continuing to move forward isn't just helpful – it's essential.
You'll need to soothe yourself and comfort others, sometimes simultaneously. The depth of your strength will shock you – I've watched women tap into reserves of resilience they never knew existed, myself included.
So…
Stop waiting for validation. Just be proud of yourself – you are worth celebrating. So go out and celebrate!
Surround yourself with people who see your brilliance, who lift you up instead of projecting their fears onto you. Quiet the noise – especially that inner voice telling you you're not enough.
Stop waiting for permission or invitations. Go out and claim what's yours. Yes, it's uncomfortable. No, you won't die from the discomfort. And yes, it's absolutely worth it.
You've lived through enough to fill several lifetimes. The wisdom you carry doesn't need fancy credentials or another certificate to validate it. Just use it.
Share your truth unapologetically. Keep those who love you enough to call you on your bullshit close. And when they do, thank them instead of getting defensive.
Stay humble.
Stay curious.
Stay open.
And remember, your words carry power – wield them thoughtfully.
Be kind, even when delivering hard truths. Believe in yourself, or don't expect others to believe in you. Be vulnerable, even when it terrifies you.
Rest when you need to.
Take care of your body.
Sleep like it's your job.
Eat food that nourishes you.
Move your body daily.
And don't you dare give up.
Not on yourself. Not on your community. Not on humanity.
You can withstand anything. There's always beauty hiding in the wreckage if you're brave enough to look for it.
We're in this together – creating what comes next. And nothing – not even this – lasts forever.
The broken heel won't always be broken. But until then? We'll make it look damn good anyway. Because that's what we do. That's who we are. And the future belongs to us if we claim it.
Say this to yourself every damn morning, just like I do – because we can never hear enough times that we're fucking amazing women who can get it done even in broken heels.
