Shifter Introduces Monthly Column — “Expectations Of...”

Welcome to 'Expectations of…' In this monthly series, we’ll be taking a deep dive into our deepest darkest desires, and envisioning our most authentic selves free from the shackles, from societal perception and expectations.

From political figures to media representation, the explicit and implicit demonstrations of what is “acceptable” and what deserves a platform or a voice have profound implications on us all. Even the idea of an “underdog” is based on the assumption of those who aren’t underdogs, those that are widely embraced and represented in the media.

Throughout the series, as a queer writer, I’d like to dissect parts of myself and interview folks to speak about their experiences with the pressure they’ve felt in their respective fields and lifestyles, how they overcome adversity and misconceptions around surpassing expectations.

I want a lot of what we talk about to be about practices that promote self-love and the power that lies within, because, at the end of the day, that’s where the real radical change will come from. It’s not going to come from a social media feed or a lawmaker that doesn’t have your best interest at heart, but it will come from you. It will come from you leading yourself out of this corner that everybody backs you into. You need to write your own story without that societal perception; pioneer your own journey.

Self-care is group care! For those of you who consider yourself an empath, sometimes keeping that explicit motivation in mind is a great catalyst for the journey of digging deeper.

Let’s say nobody expects anything from you -- take out the fear of failing, what my parents want me to be, what my friends expect of me; what am I passionate about? What do I want to do? What am I good at doing and what do I see myself continuing to choose every day?

We can unlock these answers with different practices that allow us to come back to our true selves. Things like meditation, grounding, shadow work, etc.

This column will be released on a monthly basis. Please keep an eye out on our social media and blog to read more.