Episode Notes

This week’s poem and episode explore the moment we recognize that someone loves us, whether this is a family member, partner, friend, etc.

So often we emphasize the feeling of ‘falling in love’ or loving someone else, without noting the feeling, honour, and privilege of being loved. As it relates to mental health, moments like these have power among deeply entangled struggles with body image, self-worth/esteem, anxiety, and depression, for example. And although knowing we’re loved is necessary but not sufficient, being able to confidently identify someone who loves us is a key piece of any healing journey.

Here's an excerpt of the poem (the full written & visually formatted versions can now be found & read at mikbrew.substack.com!):

My first time feeling

alive, if for a moment in time,

was because this baby breathed

with what was inside me:

the honour & privilege

of looking at someone

& being able to say

that which rips our breath away

without it being a question:

my stars, you love me.

Listen to this week's episode to hear the full poem! If you’d like to share your moment or memory on the podcast, please head to tinyurl.com/bravingthewaves.