From Strength to Wholeness: The New Inner Empowerment

For years, empowerment was a performance. It meant showing strength, pushing through challenges, and wearing resilience like a suit of armour, especially in the corporate world. But what if true, lasting power isn’t found in how much you can endure, but in how deeply you can heal and connect with your authentic self?

Is "empowerment" just another buzzword? On my video podcast, Executive Encore, guest Ellen Benfatti shared a thought-provoking perspective: we often view empowerment as a gift bestowed upon us by others, rather than an inherent power we cultivate ourselves. The following stream of thought culminated in my questioning of superficial empowerment. It starts with questioning the old definition of strength.

For many visionary women navigating their encore years, the old definition of strength feels hollow. The constant pressure to perform and prove yourself is exhausting. Now is the time for a profound shift; from the performance of strength to the liberating power of wholeness. It’s about more than just starting a new chapter; it's about a true awakening.

The Myth of Performed Strength

Many of us were taught that to succeed, we had to be "strong." We learned to suppress vulnerability and put on a brave face, even when we were struggling. This approach may have helped us advance our careers, but it often came at a cost, leading to burnout and a sense of disconnection from our true selves.

The truth is, performing strength is not the same as being empowered. Real empowerment comes from within. It is rooted in self-awareness, authenticity, and the courage to heal (thyself). When you stop working so hard to appear strong and give more energy to becoming whole, you unlock a more sustainable and fulfilling kind of power. This is the foundation for creating an encore that is not just successful but deeply meaningful.

Your Awakening Story: Transformation Through Art

One of the most powerful tools for this journey is creativity. Ellen Benfatti, founder of The Awakening Story, shared on the Executive Encore video podcast how art and storytelling became her pathway to healing and self-discovery. After years in structured environments, reconnecting with your creative side can feel like coming home to yourself.

• Art as a Mirror: Creative expression allows you to explore your inner world without judgment or self-doubt. Whether through journaling, painting, or another medium, it gives your emotions a voice and helps you see yourself more clearly. It trains your voice to quiet your inner-critic. This is empowerment within, or more accurately, your power within.
• Storytelling as Healing: Your life is a collection of stories. By examining and reframing your personal narrative, you can release old patterns and reclaim your power. You are the author of your next chapter, your encore, and you get to decide what it will look like.

The journey of awakening is a process, not an event. Your journey of awakening often unfolds in stages, guiding you from a place of feeling lost to one of clear purpose and alignment. Ellen described her awakening as "explosive", but still a journey with several signposts. Recognizing these stages of your journey can make the transition feel more manageable and less overwhelming. It’s a path of rediscovering the parts of you that may have been set aside during your demanding career.

Redefine Your Power: From Healing to Wholeness

Shifting from strength to wholeness changes everything. It’s about integrating all parts of yourself, your ambitions, your vulnerabilities, your wisdom, and your creativity, into a cohesive whole.

This new definition of empowerment is not about external validation but internal alignment. It’s the quiet sense of competence and self-trust that comes from knowing who you are and what you stand for. As you embrace this shift, you'll notice profound changes in how you approach your life and work.

• You will lead with more authenticity and empathy.
• You will build connections based on genuine shared values.
• You will pursue opportunities that truly resonate with your soul.
• You don't worry!

This is the essence of a thriving encore. It’s about using your lifetime of experience not just to achieve more, but to be more. And, you will come to realize that your successful encore is all about the money.

Start Your Journey to Wholeness Today

Are you ready to move beyond the performance of strength and embrace a more authentic, fulfilling way of living and leading? Your journey to wholeness is the most important work you will ever do.

The Executive Encore Network for Women and a suite of coaching programs are designed to support you every step of the way. We provide the community, resources, and guidance to help you navigate your transition with confidence and purpose.

Explore our programs and discover how you can thrive in your next chapter. Your awakening story is waiting to be written, painted, or in any other creative form that amplifies your voice and quiets your inner critic.

Be inspired and check out Ellen's website to learn more about Resonance By Ellie ™ and visit her Paintings Shop.