The Introduction to The Makings of She

I am Shannon, the founder & writer behind, The Makings of She. It’s an

unapologetic blog that dives into the journeys of healing, self-discovery, and

reflection through words. I am from Rockville, MD & attended the Illustrious

Morgan State University.

1. Identity-

• I began this journey of writing and becoming a motivational speaker back in

2018. Growing up, I was taught that speaking up was a sign of disrespect

towards your elders so I kept everything in. I learned that over time and with the

things I’ve experienced, it wasn’t healthy. I needed an outlet, so I turned to

writing every thought and feeling that crossed my mind. It wasn’t until

personal issues took hold of me through 2020-2024 that I truly began diving

into my passion. My words and my journey through therapy & healing

became a mirror for those around me. My voice became an outlet for those

who felt they didn’t have the courage to or were stuck. God gave me this gift

to be a vessel of him. I feel my best when I’m serving my community and

sisterhood.

• What draws me back to writing when I feel astray? The ability to have this gift.

God wouldn’t want me to waste it & it’s a practice of release for me.

I feel free when I write. I feel at ease.

2. Narrative –

• I tell my story as a testimony to who I am, how I currently honor her, and what

my journey has taught me/looked like leading up to this moment. I do it a

manner that dives into my personal life without giving a full detail of it all. Like

a summary. I reframe the past in a way that it’s now a lesson and can be of

guide to those reading my work or simply needing a listening ear.

3. Healing -

• Generational healing to me is reframing the way in which I was raised, taught

to subscribe to the standards of the world, family, and who I should be as a

woman. I’m learning that I can live life unapologetically & make my own

rules. The trauma that has been passed down generation to generation

stopped with me. I no longer carry the weight and issues of family with me

and into my household. I communicate with my six-year-old, I speak openly

and freely to him. I’m learning to respect his openness and boundaries as

he’s doing the same with me. I want him to know that he can whoever he

wants to in this life and I’ll be here to forever cheer him on. The way I’m raising

him is totally different from how I was raised.

• Soothing my inner child is me doing things that simply bring me joy and

comfort. Watching a favorite show or movie from my childhood. Giving

myself affirmations. Talking to a younger picture of myself. Indulging in great

food that I loved as a child. Participating in activities I once loved: reading,

drawing, crossword puzzles, etc.

• I redefined the aspect of healing when I realized that it doesn’t just affect me

but my lineage. If I’m not whole and able neither will my child be. This is more

about me and what I’m teaching him. I can’t give him my all if I’m not whole.

He sees and feels everything.

4. Rebuilding -

• The journey is bigger than the setback. Whenever I’m falling short somewhere

in life or need a bit of change, I surrender to God. My faith & relationship with

God restores my mindset. I can’t afford to give up because I pushed through

this far. The journey is far from over & there will always be trials that I go

through. I just can’t allow it to bend or define who I am & where I’m headed.

Growth is a series of ebbs and flows. I’m learning & relearning the same things

repeatedly. It’s a part of the process. No one will ever be fully

healed. It’s simply taking what I’ve learned and applying it to this next step in

life.

5. Faith -

• My relationship with Christ & faith is a daily one that continues to grow. As I’m

learning more & more about myself, I gravitate to him to receive clarity, his

way of the world and being obedient to him. There was a time in my life

where I couldn’t turn to anyone and didn’t have the answers for the

whirlwind taking place in my life. That’s when I knew, I had to seek him for

answers and comfort. It was constant blow after blow, and I felt defeated. So,

I fasted for about 30 days or more. Daily scriptures, journaled, prayed, only

ate during a specific timeframe. This allowed me to fully let go of what I

thought was control and allowed him to simply guide me. I came out on the

other side of fasting with so much clarity and strength. I felt refreshed.

Mentally, physically, and emotionally. Now it’s something I try to incorporate

every quarter of the year. Faith is all we have.

6. Community -

• I think this may come off controversial to some, well family lol. The people

who make up my community right now are my good, good girlfriends. I get

the familiar saying of family is your blood. However, I feel that family is

whoever you choose to create it with. And don’t get me wrong, I love my

family, but being with my sisterhood brings out a sense of freedom and liberation

within me.

• Boundaries, trust and shared healing is sacred to me. I must align myself

who are on this journey or similar path as me. For those who aren’t, I don’t

think of them any less but our frequencies would be off. I want to be around

those who I can trust with not my words, my way of thinking, those who can

hold me accountable but still teach me. Those who God has seen fit to be on

my journey with me. Being aligned with the wrong people who hold different

values can set you back in many ways.

7. Purpose -

• Purpose in my current season looks like stepping out of my comfort zone and

using my power (writing) to instill healing, growth, & the journey of

being internally free from the people and things that hold you hostage.

My purpose (gift) is to always be a voice of comfort and an outlet for those

who may not have the courage (at the moment) to do so. My purpose is

community. And I feel that within community, we must stick together and

hold each other’s hands through everyone’s journey. Though a particular

journey may not be mine, I can still be a place of comfort and guidance

through my words.

• What keeps me coming back to a place of rediscovering my love for writing,

is the reminder that it gotten me out of a dark place that I felt I’d never leave.

Also, my faith and growing relationship with God. I remind myself, even during

seasons of rest & uncertainty, that God didn’t give me this gift to just sit on it.

He’s using me as a vessel to relay a message greater than I can

imagine.

Join the Conversation

This reflection was shared by Shannon.

You can connect with her here:

https://www.instagram.com/themakingsofshe?igsh=MW5ibGllbGxrbW1sdQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

We’d love to hear from you,what stood out to you in this piece? Drop your thoughts, questions, or experiences in the comments below. Let’s keep the conversation going—Rooted and Radiant

grows through dialogue, not monologue.