If like me, you have a fetish for books and you would spend your last penny on a book rather than food or lipstick then by now, you must be anticipating former #Flotus new book- BECOMING. The book- a memoir which will be debuting this month has Michelle on a tour. Very recently, Michelle shared with Robin Roberts of ABC News in an exclusive interview, the writing process, and some very private moments/challenges she encountered while trying to conceive and then went further to ‘spill the tea’ on several other topics, we (Africans) consider a taboo of some sort.
The interview was very revealing and insightful and it just shows how much we have evolved as African women. How much our sensibilities which hitherto have been shaped and doctored by expectations dictated by society are now giving way for a new wave of vulnerability and authenticity. The interview will do a lot for you as Michelle sincerely shares from the heart her story. This just goes to show how as women we need each other, we need each other’s stories, and while we celebrate the fact that women, more African women are beginning to open up, we must also encourage others to speak up and share their stories. Why? Our stories unites us, it harmonises us, it teaches us that on the spectrum of humanity we are all the same- emotions and all. If you are in that phase of your life you feel alone, or are going through something- recovering from a miscarriage, trying to conceive, worried about your life; lean in to this relatable interview and let the wisdom Michelle share serve as a compass of some sort as you navigate your journey.
See lessons learned from the interview below.
- Your happiness is up to you. This sounds cliche but no one owes you happiness. Your happiness is 100% your responsibility.
- Prioritise self-care and don’t feel guilty about it. It is okay to take of yourself.
- No marriage is perfect. Marriage is hard work. “We had to undergo marriage counselling at some point. For those young people out there who think marriage is supposed to be easy I want them to know, Michelle and Barack who have a phenomenal marriage work on their marriage and get help when they need it. “
- Find an outlet for that pain. Speak to someone about it. Do not walk alone. “We sit in our own pain, thinking that somehow we’re broken…That’s one of the reasons why I think it’s important to talk to young mothers about the fact that miscarriages happen.”
See link to the interview below.
