Blog # 1: Shoutout Colorado
Attending the Southern Colorado Doula Collective Motherhood Celebration in Pueblo, CO was life changing in many ways. I am so thankful to have met a beautiful community of women who serve the birthing community and beyond in Southern Colorado. Meeting and chatting with midwives, doulas, lactation consultants, photographers, reiki masters, counselors, therapists, health coaches, nurse practitioners, and more was such a fun experience that I will cherish forever. Thank you to Southern Colorado Doula Collective for hosting such a wonderful event!
A special thank you to Maggie with Wellness Lane Counseling - who is one of the beautiful women I met during the Motherhood Celebration - for doing what you do, helping others, and for nominating me for the Shoutout Colorado article! (article linked at the end of this page). I have been quite shy while slowly but surely starting my business whilst also healing from POTS and Longhaul Covid (LHC). I held back sharing my story with clients because I thought it made me look weak. But I realize now that it is all part of my journey, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. I do what I can with the energy I have, and that is enough. Thank you Maggie for giving me the opportunity and helping me feel comfortable sharing my story.
As some of you know, I sometimes struggle with words, grammar, speaking and writing in general (made worse by getting covid three times and the v@cc!ne, brain fog is real and it’s annoying). Which all made me even more nervous for this shoutout interview… I didn’t want to sound stupid or be misunderstood. And sure, there are some edits I would make (you’ll notice some quotes in there that are not cited, well, when I talk I don’t cite things, I just talk and that is also how I type most of the time. So if a quote sounds familiar or you’re curious where it came from - Google it and you’ll find out ;)
One thing I didn’t talk much about was my spiritual beliefs. That is because I think it is important not to shove information at people. Everyone has their own personal beliefs and relationship with God, Spirit, the divine, higher power, and I respect that, so I don’t really want to go too in depth on forms like that. I am eternally grateful for all the blessings from God, I would not be here today without the love, support, and grace of the Creator, family, friends, and soul fam. But, I am not sure where I stand when it comes to talking about it on public forums/articles because often times I feel that people take things in such a black and white/matter of fact way that I shy away from speaking and am unable to explain the depth of my spirituality, because it is very much not black and white. My lack of confidence in my ability to use words instead of feeling has held me back in the past, but perhaps times are changing and I will be more vocal about what I believe. We shall see! If you’d like to learn more about my relationship with God/Creator/Spirit/Mother Nature/Divine, I’ll be posting more in future blogs and you can find tid bits on my social media pages.
I would like to thank my doula mentors Penny and Geneva for their guidance and support as well. Penny called me the day before I was supposed to start a nursing position in Fort Collins in May of 2022 - she asked how I was and how I felt about it - I was honest and said I really didn’t like Fort Collins and would rather be in a mountain town somewhere in Southern Colorado. She immediately knew a doula to connect me with in Salida (one of my dream mountain towns), and within an hour I found a nursing job and housing in Salida as well. The beautiful synchronicities of that day still have me in awe. And Geneva - I have learned so much from her birth course, holistic postpartum course, and healing sessions. I have been so blessed with meeting real life angel’s throughout this journey. Speaking of angels, I didn’t mention my amazing fur loves, and spirit animals in the original article either - Jerry the corgi and Gertrude the cat! How could I forget them?! They have been by my side through every flare-up, tear, sob fest, high energy day, low energy day, and everything in between. I am so thankful to have my little spirit animals by my side as well.
All that aside, I think the meaning behind all of it was expressed; although challenging, I am so thankful for this healing journey and the time it has given me to slow down, strengthen my relationship with God, and myself - learning to turn inward and heal from the inside out; while cultivating a small business that I am passionate about so I can serve others while managing my POTS and LHC symptoms.
As you read this blog and blogs to come, just know that I have held off for a long, long time because I was afraid to be vulnerable and write something that didn’t have immaculate grammar or syntax… but now I realize that it doesn’t really matter - words, dashes, commas, and periods will still get the point across and hopefully the meaning and feelings behind the words are felt by others as well.
When I first opened up this blog page - Squarespace had a beautiful message waiting - and I am so thankful fot their words of encouragement found below:
“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.” ~ Squarespace
Cheers to the beauty in the journey!
All the best, all the love,
Lauren
Shoutout Colorado Article:
https://shoutoutcolorado.com/meet-lauren-young-rn-doula/
My Healing Journey:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-help-a-nurse-in-need?qid=72cd1d089a2e9450dd9e973a356fe25a
Shoutouts:
Aceso Total Healthcare
Mandala Collective
Southern Colorado Doula Collective:
Wellness Lane Counseling:
Zippity Doula
Quotes:
“It's always darkest before the dawn” ~ Thomas Fuller
“Be the change you wish to see in the world” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
“We’re all just walking each other home.” ~ Ram Dass
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40: 29-31
My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2
