external expectations — Blog Posts

I experienced two really different and difficult moments that completely changed the way that I saw things…and changed the trajectory of my life. My path would require me to listen and cry and scream and speak and write and draw and sit and fight - fight for who I was beneath the layers of expectations and fear.

Relationships, GrowthJacqueline Misla, MSWJanuary 25, 2022Crafting Your Pathtransition, inner critic, external expectations, stuck, fear, lonely, ambivalence, imprisoned, perception, April 2019, growth

I Fell Off the Vulnerability Wagon

I hid behind perfectionism in order to not be seen. My particular brand of perfectionism was made up of self-righteous overachievement combined with a healthy dose of internal shame and contempt. Flawless and selfless on the outside, and indignant and sad on the inside. I found a way out through the practice of vulnerability…and then I fell off the vulnerability wagon.

GrowthJacqueline Misla, MSWJune 1, 2019Crafting Your Pathperfectionism, vulnerability, change, validation, fear, beginnings, perception, inner critic, external expectations, personal growth, lonely

Living A Creative Life for an Audience of One: You

To craft a path that is in alignment with your creative calling, you may need to ignore convention and external validation. How can you still find joy with an audience of one?

CreativityHaley Hoffman SmithMay 3, 2019Crafting Your Pathcreativity, validation, fear, ambivalence, external expectations, beginnings, inner critic, perception, growth, Growth

Icy Cone

Lessons learned from a seven year old: Ignore the doubters and ask for what you want.

ParentingJacqueline Misla, MSWMay 3, 2019Crafting Your Pathparenting, children, summer, ambivalence, relationships, perception, external expectations, love

Something Needed to End, So That I Could Begin Again

I stayed in an abusive relationship for too long, and slowly became a shadow of the woman I wanted to be. When I finally began to focus on building myself back up, people were unhappy with the new me. The truth is, it was never a new me, it was the me who was buried so I could make other people feel more comfortable.

Relationships, GrowthCraft Your Path ContributorApril 18, 2019beginnings, relationships, external expectations, transition, fear, stuck, perception, ambivalence, validation, love, inner critic, growth

When Feeling Seen Doesn't Translate to Being Liked

In the middle of my talk in front of 300 high school girls, I noticed a man in the audience staring at me with disdain. Despite the fact that the audience was engaged - laughing, nodding, ferociously taking notes - I couldn’t stop being distracted by this man. Was this the price of being seen? We are all struggling to feel seen, but what if people don’t like what they see?

GrowthHaley Hoffman SmithFebruary 28, 2019Crafting Your Pathvalidation, fear, perception, inner critic, external expectations, growth

5 Tips for Finding the Right Coach For You

Experts agree that the right coach can accelerate your personal and professional success. But how can you be sure that you are getting the best coaching experience? Learn the 5 tips for choosing the right coach and making the most out of your coaching experience.

Growth, CareerJacqueline Misla, MSWFebruary 28, 2019Crafting Your Pathcoaching, ambivalence, transition, fear, external expectations, beginnings, perception, stuck, inner critic, imprisoned, love, relationships, growth

The Magic of Beginnings

Many beginnings can feel exhilarating…this one did not. This beginning was devastating; and only one thing was able to pull me out of it.

GrowthJacqueline MislaFebruary 28, 2019Crafting Your Pathbeginnings, ambivalence, validation, transition, fear, perception, stuck, external expectations, inner critic, growth

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