I just wrapped up another episode of Good Girls and Goddesses, and my heart is so full from exploring the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders documentary and its commentary on the Good Girl and Goddess archetypes. This week's clip really hit home for me – and I have a feeling it might resonate with many of you too.
The Mother-Daughter Good Girl Mirror
We looked at what happens when a good girl is raised by a good girl, and the patterns are both heart wrenching and eye-opening. In the clip, we see a young cheerleader sharing how the hardest moments aren't just about the physical demands – they're when she's feeling vulnerable or uncertain, and her mother responds with "you're standing in your own way."
How many of us have heard some version of this when we were struggling to find ourselves?
The Permission to Feel Everything
Here's what struck me most:this young woman isn't allowed the full spectrum of her emotional experience. Our emotions – including self-doubt, uncertainty, and not feeling our strongest – are completely natural, especially as we're becoming who we're meant to be.
When I was watching this, I couldn't help but reflect on my own experience and invite you to do the same. Whether you're a mother, aunt, mentor, or simply someone who shows up for young people in your life, how do we create space for the whole human experience?
What these young people need isn't to be told their feelings are wrong or that they're "standing in their own way." They need reassurance that yes, feeling uncertain about your place in the world is completely normal. Yes, trying on different identities is part of the beautiful mess of growing up. And yes, we're here to support whatever authentic path unfolds.
When Pushing Becomes the Default
The second thing that caught my attention was her response: "I have to keep going or else I will fall behind." Oh, how deeply this resonates with the good girl archetype! That automatic reflex to push through, even when our bodies and intuition might be whispering something different.
Now, I want to be clear – this isn't about never challenging ourselves or avoiding growth opportunities. Sometimes that uncomfortable feeling IS an expansion opportunity, a chance to build new skills and step into a bigger version of ourselves.
But here's where the magic happens: learning to discern between an intuitive "no, this isn't for you" and a growth-edge "yes, but it feels scary." This discernment? It comes from getting quiet, coming into our bodies, and trusting what arises.
Breaking the Cycle with Love
What makes this particular story even more poignant is that the mother was also a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. There's this sense of walking a destined path, honoring the motherline. And while there's beauty in that connection, there's also the weight of expectation that can feel crushing.
The invitation here isn't to judge our mothers or blame anyone in our lineage. These patterns often stretch back generations. Instead, it's about conscious awareness – how can we show up differently? How can we model that it's safe to feel all of our feelings? How can we teach the young people in our lives to trust their own inner guidance?
From My Living Room to Yours
I'm actually writing this from my childhood home, visiting with my mother, and watching TV together. And let me tell you – hearing her talk to the television is giving me some real insight into where certain patterns originated! (My 18-year-old has already banned me from watching shows with him because of my own commentary habits – the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?)
This is the work. Seeing our patterns with compassion, understanding where they came from, and choosing consciously how we want to show up moving forward. (To be perfectly honest, I'm totally fine talking to the television...)
Your Invitation This Week
As we continue exploring these themes through the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders documentary, I invite you to reflect:
- Where in your life are you pushing through when your body is asking you to pause?
- How do you respond when the young people in your life express vulnerability or uncertainty?
- What would it look like to trust your inner guidance more deeply?
Remember, we're not victims of our conditioning. We're conscious beings making choices about how we want to show up in the world. Every moment of awareness is a step toward freedom.
I'll be back next week with another episode going deeper into these themes. Until then, be gentle with yourself, trust your wisest knowing, and remember that your full spectrum of emotions is not only welcome – it's necessary for your becoming.
If these themes are resonating with you, come join our Good Girl to Goddess community where we look at these patterns with even more depth and support each other in this beautiful journey of conscious awakening.