Starting law school as a first-year student is a massive pivot for me, but it’s not a solo journey. Mom is such a trouper. I am learning Love and belonging are non-negotiable on every journey. So, I strategize connection ensuring both of us feel connected, supported, and seen.
Who belongs? I look around the classroom saw stories behind the faces. We’re all carrying something, aren’t we? – our vulnerabilities could be our greatest strength if we dare to share them.
I started a study group, and my first picks were not just based on academic prowess, but on the richness of our life experiences.
→ Young mother with two children under five Strength: Understanding the juggling act of caregiving
→ Formerly incarcerated student Strength: Firsthand knowledge of the transformative power of community and the essence of rehabilitation
→ Soldier grappling with self-doubt Strength: Inherent understanding of what it means to protect and defend, caregiver to his mother
We can be more than a study group; we can build a space of courage. A place where we can show up, be seen, and lean into our discomfort together. It’s in this vulnerability that we find our true strength.
→ Young mother Superpower: Caregiving
→ Formerly incarcerated student Strengths: Resilience, appreciation for second chances
→ Soldier Developing strength: Courage to ask for help Innate strength: Leadership
We’re not just studying law; we’re learning about humanity. We’re discovering that our struggles don’t define us – they connect us. And in connecting, we’re building a community that’s far stronger than any of us could be alone.
To all those juggling multiple roles, facing unseen battles, or feeling like they don’t quite fit in: your experiences are your strength. Your struggles are your wisdom. And your willingness to show up, despite it all, is your superpower.
Let’s continue to build these spaces of belonging. Let’s challenge the notion that vulnerability is weakness. Because when we bring our whole selves to the table – caregiver, student, survivor, leader – that’s when we truly begin to thrive. And that, my friends, is how we build not just careers, but a community that can change the world.
