Reclaiming Smart: The Part of Me I Spent Decades Shrinking (Jo Moment)

We often hide parts of ourselves that we've been told are "too much," but reclaiming these disowned aspects is key to wholeness and freedom. I share my personal journey of hiding my intelligence because it made others uncomfortable, creating compensatory behaviours and identity fragmentation.• Intelligence became something I downplayed despite teaching myself to read and finding school came easily• Developed hypervigilance about how my achievements might make others feel• Created unhealthy patterns like making things harder than necessary to "prove" I earned success• Recognized that running from these shadow parts only increases shame and proving behaviours• True freedom comes from claiming and integrating all parts of yourself• When you accept yourself fully, these aspects become just one thread in your identity tapestry• Question to consider: what part of yourself have you been hiding because it didn't feel safe?Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it today, and don't forget to subscribe to Balance and Beyond for full episodes and more of these bite-sized breakthroughs.Send a text message to JoThe Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance InstituteFor women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.If something landed today, there's more where that came from.And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast 🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne📷 @therealjostone