I am coming to you today as a retiring psychotherapist.   Being a relationship therapist has been my identity for a long time, but back in January of 2020 (we all know what happened in 2020) I decided to transition from being a relationship therapist into my coaching and consulting business full time.  This is a huge change, and change is hard. Why? The answer always comes down to the ways that we have internalized systems of supremacy and oppression. So, if you have been struggling with change, it is purely because of the systems under which we reside; the systems under which our brains, our bodies, our nervous systems have been programmed for millennia.   And in today’s episode, I am giving you the permission to change!    In today’s episode, we cover:   Why I am retiring as a psychotherapist  Making the decision to change and being fiercely authentic   How supremacy culture is keeping us in status quo Why it’s so hard to change How to give yourself permission to change    Quotes   [00:11:49] Go ahead and, if that feels right to you, just turn inwards for a moment and see - is there something that has been on your heart, that every time you close your eyes, you see a certain vision and you not been giving yourself permission to go there? Have you been withholding that permission? Or have you been denying yourself that which is truly on your heart, that which you truly desire?   [00:13:39] Why is it that supremacy culture has made it such that we deny that which we truly desire, that we don't give ourselves permission, that we withhold what it is that we really want? And well, the answer to that is, because it wants you to stay in the status quo.  [00:19:20] Fear and shame - those are the two biggest things that supremacy culture uses to oppress us. And what do each of those do? They often keep us stuck and frozen, especially shame - it keeps us small; it keeps us hidden, and it keeps us not wanting to be seen.  [00:19:51] This isn't even about me. There's no lack in me. There's nothing wrong with me that it is so hard for me to make change. This is literally the way the system is designed.  [00:20:02] When you remove the element of shame, what ends up happening is, because shame isn't shutting you down, you end up being better able to make micro actions and take steps towards that change that you are aspiring to make.    Links:  To connect with us on the complimentary private newsletter community, be sure to visit www.shiranimpathak.com/connect  Find Me on Social Media:  Our hashtags are #fierceauthenticity and #showupbeseengetlove  If you're loving the episode, take a screenshot, share it on social, and tag me in your post!  Instagram: @shiranimpathak  Facebook: @ShiraniMPathak  For a transcript of this episode visit www.shiranimpathak.com/podcast  Donate to the work:  Shirani on PayPal  *Some of the links used may be affiliate links. It will cost you nothing extra to use my links, but I may earn a commission if you use one of my links. This is one way to financially support the podcast.