While I was NAKED.. this healing moment happened!

When was the last time you felt fully seen?

Maybe that heartfelt late-night conversation with your BFF? When your pet just knew when to cuddle you? Or a random stranger that saw you were needing help?

These moments nourish our nervous systems.

Unfortunately, as n’betweeners we move around the world feeling UNSEEN.

We often don’t see ourselves represented anywhere... whether it’s in the media, movies or books. So we naturally start to dismiss our internal experiences, and struggle seeing our worth.

Lack of representation severely harms our mental health.

Having our identities represented regulates our bodies. Think about how great it was to see the first woman of color sworn into office? How relieving it was when gay marriage was legalized? Or any healing moment when an erased identity of yours was finally recognized!

I’m gonna give you the naked-truth (literally). You ready?

Yesterday I had one of those deep healing moments...

Ok backstory first. I’m not much of an avoidant person. Pretty direct, loooooove to swear, speak loudly, say things that are uncomfortable to hear, and oftentimes I can be too pushy.

That said, there is one thing I avoid at all costs.

DOCTORS…🙄

Yep, since moving to the States as an immigrant, I’ve gone to the doctors max 4 times in the 8 years I’ve lived here. Navigating the healthcare system in the US is an absolute nightmare: no clear directions, all written in foreign language: PPO, HMO (??!!) - all while crossing my fingers that I’ll receive coverage.

But here I was AVOIDING after 2 years [*cough* 4 years *cough*] getting my gynecology check-up.. that damn pap smear!

Any human with a uterus knows how pap smears are cringy-uh-uncomfortable.

Well let me tell you this, I was H A P P Y..!

Yep, sitting in my blue-hospital-unsexy-gown, fully NAKED underneath, I was joyful as the doctor walked in to greet me.  

Right there I had THE most healing experience.

This was not any gynecologist… 

This badass doctor was: queer + immigrant + woman of color 🤯

[until yesterday, I had only had cis-white-straight women visit my cervix]

I sighed as I looked her directly in the eyes. That somatic feeling where you finally can let go, as you feel safe and seen. 

SHE GETS ME!!

Instead of receiving questions like “Do you have a partner?” or “Are you using protection?” [assuming heteronormativity]

She asked: “What are your pronouns?”, “What genders do you have sexual intimacy with?”, “Do you practice non-ethical monogamy, polyamory...?”

So of course my-Nora-self CRIED of joooooy!! 😭

I felt seen. A part of me healed.

You deserve this too.

I wanna hear your healing moments. What’s ONE way you’ve felt seen and represented?

Much love 💕

Nora

PS. And did I mention that the receptionist was QTPOC AND the nurse was a WoC!! Anyone living in Boulder area needing a referral, hit reply ;)