I hate the word “strong” some days.
There. I said it.
Some days, it feels empowering—like a badge I’m proud to wear.
I designed socks that literally said STRONG, and I wore them like armor. It made me feel like I was doing something right. Like I was legitimate.
But other days?
Strong feels like trauma.
It feels like hustle.
It feels like over-giving.
It feels like holding up the world while your own heart quietly breaks.
It feels like tolerating other people’s chaos and calling it “normal.”
It feels like exhaustion wrapped up in a smile.
It looks like pushing through.
Saying yes when your whole body is whispering no.
Swallowing your truth to keep the peace.
Pleasing people while you disappear.
And I’ve started to realize…
maybe that’s not strong at all.
The Buzzword We’re All Tired Of
Have you noticed how often we see the word trauma now?
It’s on every reel, podcast, and post. And while I love that we’re finally talking about healing and nervous system regulation and breaking generational patterns… it’s also become heavy.
It’s like we’ve started wearing our trauma as an identity.
And in the process, strong became survival.
It became the mask.
The performance.
So I’ve been asking myself…
What if we redefined strength altogether?
Strong Isn’t My CEO Anymore
Because the version of strong the world celebrates?
It doesn’t lead my life anymore.
What feels better—what feels true—is resilient.
Resilient is honest.
It’s not performative.
It’s rooted.
It’s gentle.
It’s wise.
Resilient Sounds Like This:
• “I can show up with love and also rest when I’m tired.”
• “I don’t have to prove anything to be enough.”
• “I can give my best and then go lie down without guilt.”
Resilient doesn’t chase outside validation.
Resilient honors capacity.
Resilient makes room for grace.
And maybe that’s what this season of life is really about—
Reframing. Rewriting. Reclaiming.
Letting go of the old definitions that kept us stuck in survival…
…and choosing new ones that allow us to thrive.
You’re Allowed to Be a New Kind of Strong
If the word “strong” has started to feel heavy on your shoulders too,
I want you to know—you’re not alone.
You’re not wrong for wanting something softer.
Something kinder.
Something rooted in truth, not pressure.
Let resilient lead.
Let gentle be the way.
You can still be powerful without being hard.
You can still be holy without being perfect.
You can still be whole without holding everything together.
Ready to Heal at the Root?
If this stirred something in you, I invite you to my signature session:
Healing at the Root
• A 60-minute 1:1 session where we uncover the deeper root of what’s keeping you in the cycle of exhaustion, over-giving, or chronic symptoms.
• You’ll walk away knowing what’s really going on—physically, emotionally, spiritually, and energetically—so you can stop guessing and start healing with confidence.
• Plus, 7 days of private message support after our session to help you integrate, process, and move forward with clarity.
You don’t have to carry it all anymore.
Let’s get to the root—together.
With Love,
Amanda
Faith-Driven Chronic Illness Healer
Book your session here:
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