11/06/2026
Back in 2009, I worked as a key worker for a dementia and Alzheimer’s day centre.
🤥 I lied about my sexuality, so everyone thought I was married to a Portuguese man called Mario, as opposed to the woman I had married, who was called Nicky.
😓 I worked there for five years, and those five years were filled with anxiety, asking Nicky to collect me after everyone had been, numerous made up stories and a sense of dread that I met everyday before going to work.
And guess what?
I still didn’t belong, I still didn’t feel part of the group of women I worked with and I still felt segregated at times.
I was no more “likeable” because I pretended to be a straight woman.
These were years I tried to be more like everyone else. I was in my 20’s.
🫥 This example is one of many, where I tried to “blend in”, be more like those around me so that they wouldn’t recognise how different I was.
☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
🏳️🌈 Now in my 40s, I know the power of being me, fully.
I know that my authenticity, my colourful nature, my words spoken from the heart, my voice, my quirks and all that is me is what draws people to me.
Nothing else.
🪄 So I no longer try to be anyone else but me.
This means that I am not “palatable”.
And I’m not for everyone. And I’m okay with that.
And yes, sometimes I still fall back into moments where I may slide into a more “palatable” version of me.
And every time that happens, I know that I’m either around misaligned situations, moments or people.
🫂 So I bring a LOT of compassion to all past versions of me that felt that belonging was conditional.
How about you?
What parts of you are you wanting to call back with compassion?
Perhaps even place one hand on your heart and one hand on your tummy, and repeat out loud or to yourself the words above.
So much love,
Maria Venusa 🏳️🌈🫶🏻💚
