Awakening Worth in Childless Women

Have you ever come away from a conversation thinking "gosh, "people just don't get it"?  Either they say something insensitive or simply can't empathize with your childless circumstances.  It's definitely happened to me.  Even recently.  But the mistake I see in the childless space is the assumption that there is nothing you can do about it.  You just have to deal with the irritation or "trigger" and move on somehow. What I have noticed, in myself and my clients, is that there IS something you can do about it.  The first step is recognizing when it's happening and then taking steps to do what's in your own control instead of trying to change them.  Listen to this solo episode to find out: what lies beneath the feeling that people "just don't get it"10 different ways that your feelings might be invalidated4 steps you can take to avoid feeling this wayDM me or email me the word "empathy" if you're ready to find true connection and empathy within a community that understands you. Where to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

Anger is an emotion that comes up a lot with my childless clients who wanted kids.  Anger can be a really complicated emotion because it's not only an emotion in and of itself, but it can also disguise other emotions. What makes it even tougher to manage is that most little girls are taught not to express the tough emotions.  Anger is something boys are allowed to show, but not girls.  Yes, even in today's society.   So you might be someone who was conditioned to suppress anger, and maybe other negative emotions as well. Join me on this episode as I share:the difference between true anger and anger that disguises other emotionswhy we feel anger and the mistakes you might be making to avoid itwhat to do about anger specific to your childless pathIf you are ready to let go of anger so you can feel at peace with your path, send me a DM on Instagram or an email at sheri@sherijohnson.ca with the word "anger". References from this episode:Atlas of the Heart  by Brené BrownWhere to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

As I embark on the next 100 episodes on the Awakening Worth Podcast, I spend this session reflecting on the deeper reason I keep hitting record and why you should keep hitting the play button. I've come to realize that so many of us are stuck in this pronatalist ideology and it's impacting, well...really, all of humanity.  It's us, the childless women, who feel it the most, but it's affecting all of us. On this solo episode, I'm delving into:what pronatalism is and why you need to start paying attention to how it's affecting youthe magic that  will happen when we start dismantling itthe difference between grief and feeling like you don't belong, or like a second class citizen next to the momsthe two epidemics we're experiencing in our culture that no one is talking aboutWhat if we, the childless women, are the ones who can break down and break free of this centuries old ideology?  What if it's us, who can lead the transformation of our society and deeply impact the lives of not just other childless women, but women in general?If you want to be a part of this kind of transformation and change in the world, start by taking my Self-Worth quiz to find out how deeply pronatalism is impacting YOU.  sherijohnson.ca/quizReferences From this EpisodeEpisode 55: My So-Called Selfish Life with Therese ShechterEpisode 67: Patriarchy and Pronatalism and Their Impact on Childless Women, with Jody DayEpisode 92: How to Turn Grief Into Growth, With Kirsten FreyBook: Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk KiddWhere to Find SheriInstagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

Celebrating 100 episodes today!   My husband, Mike Johnson, and I mark this special occasion together on the podcast with a conversation that makes its way through life without children from HIS perspective.  As we share the narrative of our journey, from the heartbreak of miscarriage to the multitude of decisions along the fertility treatment path, we peel back the layers of our different perspectives.  Mike lends his voice to explore the complexities of a partner's role in facing childlessness, an area frequently overshadowed by the focus on women.  We shed light on the decision-making process behind IVF and donor eggs and dissect the influences that his own previous life-altering events had on the anticipation of parenting. This milestone episode doesn't just celebrate the podcast's growth; it honors the dance that happened while adapting our hopes for the future together.Mike gets pretty vulnerable and open during our conversation with some questions that took him off guard.  Join us for the raw and honest episode!Where to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

The moment I sat in quiet meditation with an energy healer, I never anticipated the floodgates of emotional pain that would open from my womb space. That pivotal encounter ignited a journey into womb healing, leading me to create womb healing retreats that help women to release emotions stored in the womb space. On today's episode, I replay a conversation that my sister, Jen, had on her show, Leading with Grace.  We venture into the transformative power of acknowledging and addressing womb trauma, not just for those who've grappled with infertility or sexual trauma, but for any (and we argue ALL) woman.   You are going to discover:what womb "trauma" is and how almost every woman has experienced some kind of ithow we store emotion in the womb space in much the same way that we store stress in our shouldershow and why releasing this emotion allows you to tap into purpose, self-worth, creativity and your innate intuitive gifts. This one is more than just a conversation; it's an invitation to transform your deepest wounds into unparalleled strength. To find out more about our Energetic Womb Healing Virtual Retreat, visit sherijohnson.ca/wombDeadline to sign up is Thursday, Feb. 29th. Where to find Jennifer:Instagram: @jenreimerleadershipWebsite: virtuousradicals.comReferences:Women Who Run with the Wolves By Clarissa Pinkola EstesWhere to find Sheri: Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

This episode is a bit controversial.  I think there's this an expectation that if you are a woman, you are onboard with everything International Women's Day stands for.  But I'm not known for just getting on board with something simply because of an expectation.  Do I want women to rise? Yes.  Do I want there to be equitable pay in the workforce? Yes.  Do I want to see more women at the top?  Absolutely! At the same time, there are some aspects of IWD that I look at from a different perspective.   I'm sharing all my thoughts on this episode and I'm curious about your reaction. You'll hear me discuss:how I won't strive for equality, but I will strive for equitythat I refuse to fight for equity and whywhy I don't expect men to solve this for ushow to actually create a world of inclusionReferences:Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom by Dr. Christiane NorthrupWhere to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

I'm doing a solo episode today and pulling back the curtain on pronatalism even further.  In this episode, I will peel away the layers of this pervasive belief system, examining how it shapes the sense of purpose and self-worth in those of us without children.  By uncovering historical and contemporary pressures from society, government, and religion, we pave the way for acceptance and a redefined sense of meaning and purpose beyond traditional expectations.Tune in to find out: what pronatalism is and how it affects our subconscious beliefs about purposehow my own sense of purpose and fulfillment unfolded over a number of yearshow your own sense of purpose might be affected by pronatalism and what to do about itWhere to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

As a leader in the childless space, Maria Hill brings a ton of wisdom to this episode. Her story of parental and societal expectations as a woman growing up in the 60's shed so much light on what we are going through now as childless women.Maria and I cover some unexpected topics in this conversation from how Ayurveda supports the grief journey to highly sensitive people to the patriarchy and how it's impacting us all. The most fascinating part of the conversation for me though, was on the topic of how our current culture perpetuates survival mode.  You'll discover: how our society and the leaders within it are keeping us from thrivingsome of the surprising ways that we can shift our mindset as women without kidsMaria's best tip for women just embarking on the childless pathWhere to find Maria:Website:  www.mariaehill.comThe Age Of The Queen webinar series: www.mariaehill.com/wcw-queen/Instagram: @mariahillReferences from this episode: The Book of Longing  by Sue Monk KiddDance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk KiddAre You A Highly Sensitive Person Test by Elaine AronSpiral Dynamics: Mastering Values, Leadership and Change by Prof. Don Edward Beck and Christopher C. Cowan Where to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

Legacy.  It's a word I hear a lot in the childless community.  What kind of legacy will I leave now that I'm not having kids?  As though having kids is the only way to leave a legacy.In this episode, I'll unpack: what legacy is and the role of ego in this need to leave a legacy behindhow to know if you're ego is coming into play and the mistakes you might be making while trying to leave a legacyhow to delink children and legacystrategies for redefining legacyTo get Sheri's FREE guide to Create Your Best Life Even Without Kids, click here.Where to Find SheriInstagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.ca

A feeling of regret and fear of future regret are two things I hear so many childless women talk about.  We regret decisions and choices we made in the past that have led to our current circumstances.  We also are afraid to make decisions in the present because we might regret them later.I'm going to unpack it all in this episode.  You'll find out: what is regret and what purpose does it servewhat happens when you stay stuck in regret or stuck in decisions because of the fear of ithow to make peace with it and truly live with no regretIt's entirely possible to step into peace and acceptance of your path without feelings of regret.  If you want that, send me a DM on Instagram with the words "ep 94" and I'll show you how.Where to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

Embarking on the path of adoption or deciding against it—either one is a journey laden with emotion and complexity. Today, I open my heart to you in a candid narrative of my own experiences with the profound choice of not adopting. We'll cover the unpredictable adoption landscape, unpack societal expectations, and contemplate the often-overlooked emotional and logistical hurdles that can steer one away from this life-altering decision.Listen to this episode and also discover:How I answer the question, "why not just adopt?"How shame and self-worth show up during the route to and away from adoptionWhat to do if you're stuck in the decisionIf you're struggling with the tangle of societal expectations, judgment, fears and your own true desires that keep people from making a decision, DM me "ep 93" on Instagram and I'll guide you through it.Where to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

I continue to be enlightened and inspired by my good friend, Kirsten Frey.  She returns for a second time on this episode to share her expertise on recovering from grief and opens us up to the multitude of different kinds of loss. We tend to think of the acute sense of loss after a loved one has passed as the primary type of grief, but there are 40 other kinds of valid loss that may not have anything to do with physical death.  The realization that you're never going to be a mother is one of them. If you're a woman without kids, or even if you're a mother, this episode is going to blow your mind.  Kirsten and I discuss:what "completing" grief is and we answer the question as to whether grief can ever be fully processed and healedthe difference between tangible and intangible lossthe importance of acknowledging and feeling your emotionswhy taking action is imperative for moving through griefKirsten Frey is a Transitional Life Coach, Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist and Reiki Guide.  Where to find Kirsten and get her free e-book:Instagram: @tlclifecoachingWebsite: Transitions Life Coaching E-book: 61 Tips for Moving Through Grief Where to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caReferences from this episode: Awakening Worth Podcast Episode 16: 6 Myths that Prevent Healing from MiscarriageIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

I used to start every year during my pursuit of motherhood thinking, "this is going to be my year".   And it never was.  Once I came to terms that my future was going to be childless, it started to look pretty dismal.   And  yet, I wanted to feel optimistic about the year ahead.  What I didn't realize was that I had some obstacles in my way that needed breaking down.  Consciously. In this solo episode, you'll discover: what those 5 obstacles are how to identify if they're standing in the way of your joyful 2024what to do if they areJoin me, and let's step into 2024 with courage, grace, and the freedom to craft a life of meaning, motherhood aside.If you are ready to create a joyful 2024, DM me "episode 91" on Instagram.Where to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caOther References from this Episode:Awakening Worth Podcast Episode 73: Letting Go Of Your Childless Identity is Crucial for Embracing Your FutureKate Northrup's Plenty podcast, Episode 17: How to Increase your Capacity to Receive Love

It's pretty normal to feel like you don't belong when you're a childless woman.   We grow up thinking that eventually, we'll belong to the mom club.  And then it leaves us with a pretty big feeling of exclusion when we don't get to join.  Most people in the childless space, assume that this feeling of not fitting in is a part of the grief and that once the grief starts to lift, we'll also start to feel more included.  But that is not the case.  In this episode, I'm going to share  :why belonging is actually a deeply seated survival need how and why does this survival instinct show up when our basic needs for survival are already met3 ways to hone your own sense of belonging without relying on the people around you to include youIf you are ready to start taking action toward developing your own sense of belonging, DM me "ep 89" and I'll share how you can take this deeper!  Where to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caReferences from this Episode:Work by Dr. Kelly-Ann Allen : Making Sense of BelongingIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

When we want something, it's not actually that thing that we want.  It's the feeling that we imagine we'll have when we have the thing.   When I wrapped my head around this concept, I could use it to determine exactly what I wanted to feel and how to bring those positive emotions into the holidays.The holidays don't have to be full of dread.  They used to be for me.  I'd avoid anything that had to do with kids and stuck to the adults-only parties and activities as much as I could.  And then I suffered through the rest.But then I found a way to intentionally create the holidays I wanted.   For me, that was a season full of peace, joy, beauty and a little excitement and anticipation sprinkled in. In this episode, I share: exactly how I shifted my mindset around the holidays and now, dare I say, love the seasonhow I was able to tap into my true desires and the feelings I imagined they would bringthe holiday traditions that bring me those exact feelingsIf you want to find out more about how you can find Meaning Beyond Motherhood, DM me "focus group" to join my free focus group for childless women.Where to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caReferences from this Episode:85: 10 Tips to Get You Through the Holidays as a Childless Woman86:  How to Prepare Emotionally for Holiday GatheringsThe Worthy Project by Meadow DeVorIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

No one likes to be pitied.  And childless women who wanted kids are no different.   I certainly don't like it and I did feel as though people pitied me when I first began to accept that I would never be a mom.   But when my clients started asking how to get past pity, I realized that I didn't feel it at all anymore and had to really dig into how I shifted my perception.  Because the people around me certainly haven't changed.  I did.On this episode, you're going to find out:what pity really is and why it feels so isolatinghow to know if you are actually being pitied and how self-pity comes into playhow to shift your mindset so that you never feel pity againI’m really curious to hear how this episode lands for you.  It’s a tough topic and one that comes up a lot.  If it has for you, then my next question for you is this:  are you going to continue to just plow through and hope that you just wake up on the other side of it all ?  Or will you take some action, and figure out a way to let go of feeling pitied?  If you are the latter, head over to Instagram and send me a DM at @sherijohnsoncoaching with the words “ep. 87” .  I’ll give you the step by step.  Where to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caReferences from this episode:Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown If you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

If you’re already worried about feeling grief and triggers while at a family gathering or social event through the holidays, this episode is for you.  I’m going to give you some solid steps for preparing yourself before, during and after so you can breeze through them like a woman of grace.You'll discover:the mistakes I (and many childless women) make when planning for the holidayshow to avoid resentment and maintain your boundariesthe steps you can take before, during and after a gathering so you can actually enjoy socializing, even when there are kids aroundIf you want to go deeper, head over to my Instagram account and send me a DM with the words "episode 86" to get a copy of my holiday guide for childless women. Where to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caReferences from this episode: 85: 10 Tips to Get You Through the Holidays as a Childless WomanIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

The holidays are probably one of the toughest times for childless women.  Grief can hit at unexpected moments and the triggers seem to be all over the place.  They hit our social media feeds, our shopping excursions,  and the middle of the football game on TV.  Even a quick trip to the grocery store can seem daunting. One of the hardest things about it might be imagining how futures holidays might look without all the traditions you thought you'd be creating with your kids. I know how this all feels and yet, I've managed to create a holiday season that I absolutely love.  On this episode, I share my best 10 tips for you to create yours. You'll find out:how to process the grief that comes uphow to prepare for the potential triggers and release themwhat to do if you want to redesign your holidays in a way that feels good for youHead to Sheri's Instagram Account and DM her "ep 85" if you'd like a copy of the free guide that goes along with this episode. Where to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caReferences from this episode:Atlas of the Heart by Brene BrownIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

If you are a childless woman who feels triggered by how mom-focused and kid-centric our society seems to be, you might be stuck in the pronatalist ideology.  If you're stuck here, you often feel like you are somehow worth less than mothers, you get irritated when someone asks if you have children, you feel  as though you're treated differently at work, at church or even in your social circles. Breaking free of the societal norms and expectations that stem from pronatalism is a key piece to feeling worthy in the world.  This is why I do what I do.  Ultimately, when we are able to shift our mindset as childless women, the world we see begins to change. On this solo episode, I am going to unpack pronatalism and its influence on how we feel about ourselves as childless women.  You'll discover:what pronatalism ismy own story about how it affected my decisions on the childless paththe mistakes I was making while trying to navigate pronatalismhow pronatalism negatively affects mothers as wellwhat do to about it allMy journey is not just about sharing experiences but also about extending an invitation to you. Together, we can challenge these outdated ideologies and empower ourselves to define our worth.  If you want me to show you how, DM me "episode 84" on Instagram. Where to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caReferences from this episode:Episode 55: My So-Called Selfish Life with Therese ShechterEpisode 67: Patriarchy and Pronatalism and Their Impact on Childless Women, with Jody DayEpisode 75: Who Will Take Care of Me When I Get Old? With Jody DayIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide

If you’re grieving your dream of becoming a parent, you probably assumed at least someone amongst your family and friends would provide you with the support and empathy you need.  And yet, my own experience, and that of most of my clients, is that their closest friends and family - and sometimes even their partner - are not able to offer empathy or understanding.  This is why looking for support among those closest to you – or worse, expecting it from them – might not be the best way to get the support you need.  Here's what you'll discover in this episode:Why support may not come from your loved onesWhy childless women tend to minimize or invalidate their feelings and strugglesHow to source genuine supportWhat to do to truly accept and receive supportImpact Question: Have you deemed yourself, or your grief, not worthy of receiving support? If you've answered yes, send me a DM with the word "support" and I'll show you how to get the support you need, whenever you need it.Where to find Sheri:Instagram: @sherijohnsoncoachingWebsite: sherijohnson.caIf you want to create your best life in 2024, even without kids, download my free guide.  You'll discover how to find purpose, joy and fulfillment and what might be standing in the way. Click here for your free guide