Shannon Ethridge's Blog

The fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays for many reasons – the fireworks, the family picnics, the pool parties, all that fun stuff.  While celebrating the independence of our country is certainly a big deal, I usually do some soul-searching around this time of year to reflect on and celebrate my OWN independence as well!

What kind of independence am I referring to?  I’ll share a few examples from my own life and from the lives of many women I talk with each week through my coaching practice (whose names have been changed, of course!)…

• It’s been 12 years since an extramarital emotional entanglement loomed large over my life, threatening my marriage, my family, and my own sanity!   We just celebrated our 20^th wedding anniversary, and I’m thrilled that we made it through that season and learned how to not just survive, but to THRIVE in our marriage!
• Obsessions with how I look and what others think of me have dissipated such that I can concentrate on the millions of other, more important things in life!
• After a 3-year sexual affair with a married man, Katrina has had ZERO contact with her ex-lover for 18 months, proving to herself that she does NOT need a man to feel complete and live a fulfilling life!
• After years of bitterness and resentment toward her dad, Beth has been able to choose forgiveness and move on without feeling the desperate need to search for an alternative “father figure” to fill the void.
• Sarah just celebrated 4 years of sobriety from a pornography addiction that plagued her from the ages of 8 through 30, claiming “Freedom feels far better than slavery!”
• After suffering through the sexual advances of a co-worker for over 6 months (and admittedly almost “caving in” under the pressure), Mindy finally found the courage to leave her job and find a new one, resulting in a healthier work environment, a shorter commute, AND a 10% increase in pay!

It feels so great to be INDEPENDENT rather than CO-DEPENDANT, doesn’t it Ladies?!!

Have YOU taken time to celebrate YOUR independence as a sexual woman who maintains healthy boundaries and a positive self-esteem?  What better time than Independence Day to press the “pause” button and do exactly that!

Or if you’re in need of life coaching to overcome sexual addictions or unpack some emotional baggage that’s dragging you down, go to www.shannonethridge.com/coaching to learn more!