Episode
What Happens When You Stop Abandoning Yourself | For Parents of LGBTQ Teens
- Published
- May 29, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 604
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Summary
Join me on Substack for more tools to stay human in a complicated world. What if the exhaustion you feel has less to do with who you are and more to do with how long you’ve been pretending? In this Friday Reset: The Butterfly Effect, Heather reflects on her powerful conversation with Stef Vachon and explores what happens when survival mode slowly disconnects us from our authentic selves. So many people learn early that being fully themselves feels unsafe. We shape-shift. We perform. We shrink. We prioritize belonging over authenticity. And eventually, we lose touch with who we really are. In this deeply reflective episode, Heather explores: The difference between surviving and truly living How shame disconnects us from ourselves Why authenticity can feel unsafe The grief of abandoning parts of ourselves to fit in Reconnecting with joy, creativity, identity, and truth Why healing is often less about becoming and more about remembering This episode is for anyone who: Feels disconnected from themselves Is tired of performing for acceptance Wants to feel more grounded, authentic, and alive Is healing from shame, people-pleasing, or hiding Needs permission to take up space exactly as they are You are not broken. You adapted. And maybe now you get to come home to yourself. Press play to listen now and If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who may need the reminder that they do not have to earn the right to be themselves. Hi, I’m Heather Hester , and I’m so glad you’re here! Feeling uncertain or overwhelmed? Download my free guide to take you from Panic to Plan. Join a private community with other parents and allies just like you! Stay informed - receive my newsletter Invite me to speak at your workshop or event Read my book, Parenting with Pride . Share M…