Yep, it took me 7 years post-retirement to let go of 70% of the programs that were running me and preventing me from fully relaxing in my soul. The luxury of not having to mask for other people did not provide the tools for recovery from CPTSD, autism trauma, racism, capitalism, and all other assaults on my authentic and beautiful existence. I had to go through and unlearn some things. The journey is ongoing.
What a powerful return, Chelsia. Your honesty about how unmasking is not just a tool to teach but a lived, ongoing process resonated deeply. So often, we assume that once we step away from the “good job” or external structures, freedom will feel instant. But your words remind us that the work of detaching from old anchors and finding grounding in ourselves is both tender and fierce.
Thank you for modeling what it means to stand in the tension between surrender and strength — to live the very truths you’ve been guiding others through. I’m grateful for this reminder that becoming is not linear, but cyclical, layered, and deeply human. Excited to see how Divergenthood continues to serve as both bridge and mirror for those of us committed to the unmasking journey.
Dr. Simone. Thank you for your words. I am sitting with them especially “the work of detaching from old anchors”. I was crafting a story describing unmasking as a voyage and I wanted to give voice to the anchor and wow you knocked it out of the park. Thank you for being here and reading my work.
I love that you’re giving voice to the anchor, Chelsia. Anchors hold us steady, but they can also keep us tethered to waters we’ve long outgrown. What you’re describing — turning unmasking into a voyage — makes me think of how we sometimes need to honor the anchor for what it gave us, even as we release it so the vessel of self can move toward new horizons.
I’m grateful that our words are weaving together in this way. I look forward to reading how you carry this imagery forward in your storytelling — it feels like medicine for so many of us navigating the same waters
And now unmasking in public feels especially dangerous in the United States - especially knowing that the first group targeted by the Nazis were the disabled.
This may sound odd, but my first image was of Shrek and the onion trying to explain to Donkey that he (Shrek) had many layers. I am working on peeling back the layers of colonialism and find what has been suppressed within me and my family history. Since I was a child I knew things weren't right, I just couldn't figure out what was right. I have a much better idea now, but know this is going to be a very messy journey. I am very much looking forward to continuing to follow your journey and learn from you as I work to find what feels right and whole.
Thank you Chelsia, so so much. I’ve been on this journey (I hate that word but I digress) to unmask and thrive since 2018 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s been 7 years, but something finally clicked last year and I’ve been trying to live honoring my authentic self ever since. The past 9 months have been filled with chaos, drama, and losing people who I thought loved me. At 41, I’m finally living for what I want and what I deserve and I refuse to compromise for others who wouldn’t dare do the same.
Yep, it took me 7 years post-retirement to let go of 70% of the programs that were running me and preventing me from fully relaxing in my soul. The luxury of not having to mask for other people did not provide the tools for recovery from CPTSD, autism trauma, racism, capitalism, and all other assaults on my authentic and beautiful existence. I had to go through and unlearn some things. The journey is ongoing.
Thank you for your words. The resonate so well and describe the reality the layers of unmasking. The journey continues.
What a powerful return, Chelsia. Your honesty about how unmasking is not just a tool to teach but a lived, ongoing process resonated deeply. So often, we assume that once we step away from the “good job” or external structures, freedom will feel instant. But your words remind us that the work of detaching from old anchors and finding grounding in ourselves is both tender and fierce.
Thank you for modeling what it means to stand in the tension between surrender and strength — to live the very truths you’ve been guiding others through. I’m grateful for this reminder that becoming is not linear, but cyclical, layered, and deeply human. Excited to see how Divergenthood continues to serve as both bridge and mirror for those of us committed to the unmasking journey.
Dr. Simone. Thank you for your words. I am sitting with them especially “the work of detaching from old anchors”. I was crafting a story describing unmasking as a voyage and I wanted to give voice to the anchor and wow you knocked it out of the park. Thank you for being here and reading my work.
I love that you’re giving voice to the anchor, Chelsia. Anchors hold us steady, but they can also keep us tethered to waters we’ve long outgrown. What you’re describing — turning unmasking into a voyage — makes me think of how we sometimes need to honor the anchor for what it gave us, even as we release it so the vessel of self can move toward new horizons.
I’m grateful that our words are weaving together in this way. I look forward to reading how you carry this imagery forward in your storytelling — it feels like medicine for so many of us navigating the same waters
And now unmasking in public feels especially dangerous in the United States - especially knowing that the first group targeted by the Nazis were the disabled.
This may sound odd, but my first image was of Shrek and the onion trying to explain to Donkey that he (Shrek) had many layers. I am working on peeling back the layers of colonialism and find what has been suppressed within me and my family history. Since I was a child I knew things weren't right, I just couldn't figure out what was right. I have a much better idea now, but know this is going to be a very messy journey. I am very much looking forward to continuing to follow your journey and learn from you as I work to find what feels right and whole.
Thank you.
Thank you Chelsia, so so much. I’ve been on this journey (I hate that word but I digress) to unmask and thrive since 2018 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s been 7 years, but something finally clicked last year and I’ve been trying to live honoring my authentic self ever since. The past 9 months have been filled with chaos, drama, and losing people who I thought loved me. At 41, I’m finally living for what I want and what I deserve and I refuse to compromise for others who wouldn’t dare do the same.