15. Navigating Puberty, with Annette & Gabe - a podcast by Sara Harris

Navigating the time of puberty can be a challenging time for many, including parents. How do we do this and what do we need to be aware of to support ourselves, if we are currently traversing this time...or if we are adults, supporting young people as they find their way in the world. I know for myself, I really struggled during these formative years and battled with the intensity of all that was going on around me and within me. This is not uncommon, in fact, I think we tend to assume that this is a kind of initiation process that all teenagers will go through. But does it really have to be like this?

My guests on today's show, have been working as relationship counsellors for many years. They are a couple and have been together close to 20 years. Their work is founded on supporting others to access the truth of their expression and to discover true love for themselves - what this means, what it looks like. They both love what they do and being able to observe and witness these changes that people make in their lives and the confidence that comes with that. Join me for a stunning conversation with the magnificent Annette & Gabe.

Topics we covered:

•The quality of the way Gabe and Annette live is a testament to the quality of their work. They are wholly and completely committed to being in service for others, showing us the way to truly live love. Super inspiring!


•Growing up and during the teen years can be very isolating because of all that is going on inside, all that you are actually feeling. There are a lot of inner thoughts and feelings about what feels true for you yet at the same time you are being dragged by everything that the world wants to influence you with.


•There are images coming in from every angle about what it means to be a woman - magazines, social media, music videos and media in all its forms. We are being shifted and shaped by all of this even if we don't know it. These images are very pervasive.


•This melting pot can be difficult to navigate. This comes with the changes in hormones as we mature and develop, and stress also affects how this all plays out. The intensity of all of this together, so many aspects that we are dealing with, can make these years quite challenging. Particularly if we don't have a foundation of really knowing ourselves.


•It is important to consider what else is going on in life that may be causing extra strain and stress which will be impacting these years as the body and being is developing.


•Very important to find adults whom you have solid relationships with, who you trust and can talk to. You can't force this to happen, but is definitely worth opening up to this kind of support.


•Gabe talks about being very expressive in her sensitivity, very confident, very open. But when puberty started to happen and being aware of the changes in her body, as well as knowing that she was gay - she started to hold it all inside and developed this dual reality where she shut down her sensitivity, her sexuality and how she was really feeling. She knew that if others knew, it would cause a huge amount of upset. This, she made normal and later felt how much this actually impacted her.


•The tidal wave of pressure from ideals and beliefs affects everyone around you, so essentially everyone is swimming in it.


•We see this with teenagers being who we want them to be. You can see them moulding themselves to exactly what you want them to be.


•It can be challenging, confusing and awkward to navigate this time. We are looking to identify ourselves but without a role model showing us to way, we struggle with knowing how to be ourselves. We...

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