Exciting news, friends! I’m so happy to share with you that I’m in the process of formulating a new project that I’m calling The Black Sheep Society. Starting in January, The Black Sheep Society will be an ongoing, monthly, group coaching project aimed to support women/female identified/non-binary folk who feel like the black sheep in their family, in our patriarchal society, or in any space they inhabit.
Why do this? Because it’s difficult to navigate the world without feeling grounded in a secure sense of self, especially if we feel like we live outside what we’ve been taught as “normal.” It’s rare and special to take time to step out of our lives, slow down, and be listened to. Really listened to.
This in-person group is intended to provide time and space to share our experiences (both similar and different), and find connection and support as we ground ourselves in our own authenticity, integrity, and dignity.
There is something intrinsically isolating about being the black sheep. By definition, it sets people apart from the herd. But in reality, a black sheep is NOT separate. To be “different” you have to be part of something, otherwise you have nothing to be compared to. So what does that mean for a black sheep? It means that we’re simultaneously held within, but off to the side. It usually means assumptions are made about us, our potential, and our place. This is a dynamic that can be blatant or invisible, and as black sheep we feel the effects, whether or not we’re consciously aware of them.
Here’s a quote From Psychology Today that offers a bit of insight into the idea of being the black sheep:
“The [black sheep] is part of a family’s collective, unconscious psychological projection process in which they essentially defer and outsource the pain, tension, and anxiety felt within their dysfunctional system onto one person who then psychologically, and sometimes physically, “holds” the emotional energy of the family, manifesting it in symptoms and behaviors that the other members of the group can point to and say, “There’s the problem! It’s her, not us!”
But being a black sheep is not a victim role! We have a profound impact on the world around us and we have a spark inside of us that refuses to sit down and be quiet. We affect the world just by existing. We push the boundaries of the status quo by questioning it, and by creating space for ourselves, we create space for others.
If you’re a black sheep, you know you’re a black sheep. You feel it in your own unique way. And you’re not alone. Join us in the sharing, the listening, and the togetherness as we dig deep to touch into our authentic power. Here are the details:
Who: Any women, female identified, or non-binary folk who feel like the black sheep in their family, in our patriarchal society, or in any space they inhabit. (ten participants max for each meeting, three participants minimum)
When: Starting January 7th, the first Tuesday evening of each month, 7:00-8:30 pm
Where: Live and in person in the Tabor Space Library Room
5441 SE Belmont St.
Portland, Or. 97215
Cost: $50 per person, per session, billed at the time of sign-up
How to sign up: Click this link to my Calendly scheduling page, then follow the prompts to sign up and progress through billing.
And, as always, if you have any questions about this group of one-on-one coaching, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Feel free to email me at [email protected], or better yet, schedule a complimentary, 20 minute consultation to get a sense of what coaching is all about. And if you find yourself curious about supporting a trans or non-binary person in your life, check out my other website, coachbekooy.com. However you find your way to coaching, I’ll be happy to connect!
In the meantime, be well, my friends, and may we all find value in ourselves and each other.
