Episode Details

Who are you when nobody needs anything from you? One day you are wanted everywhere, and then almost overnight you are not.

The role becomes the identity. The one who holds the family together, keeps the plates spinning, gets the three in the morning call. Then it stops. Redundancy, a divorce, the youngest leaving, the year ending. Everyone tells you that you should be grateful, and you are, and gratitude and grief sit side by side quite happily. You cannot pour from a cup that has been empty for years. You also deserve to know who you are outside what you give.

One thing to try: Ask yourself the question and answer it honestly. What would I do today if nobody needed anything from me?

In this episode

• (2:54) One day you matter, then suddenly you do not
• (3:54) When the role ends, what is the role now
• (5:13) Three in the morning, and how it becomes your identity
• (6:32) Redundancy, divorce, the youngest leaving
• (7:46) Gratitude and grief sit side by side
• (9:02) You cannot pour from a cup empty for years
• (10:19) You are not your roles. You never were

With gratitude to

Tiffany, Fran, Caroline, Ruth, Mazdak, Cara and Sujata

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Thank you for listening.

Steven

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