When I  was going through a particularly challenging time as a young adult, I turned to creativity- mainly painting, dancing, and writing, to help me through it.  

This included grappling with my own sense of identity and belonging as a biracial female living in a very "black and white" world, as well as healing the pain of feeling like an 'Other'. As a child, I checked that box on forms asking about my racial identity.  I understand now that the feeling of being separate or different from everyone else is actually something that connects all of us. 

 

As an adult, I met and married another 'Other'. We now have two children with a different lived racial and cultural experience than either of us.

 

Every day, each of us navigates the intersection of gender, ethnicity, culture, class, sexuality, spirituality, ability...how we show up physically, mentally, and emotionally is influenced by all these things, and it can be overwhelming. The gift of therapy is taking the time to think about and look at these things in a safe and supportive environment. Taking the initial step of simply acknowledging that there is something in us that needs deeper time and attention is a good place to start.