Finding unapologetic self worth in sex, shame, & secrets | Nselaa Ward, Juris Doctor | TEDxAsheville

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Personal Journey of Redemption

The speaker, an attorney, shares their personal journey of overcoming past secrets and trauma, including their mother's addiction and involvement in sex work, to find redemption and self-worth.
Despite a successful career, their past secrets led to public scrutiny, loss of business, law degree, and personal relationships.

The speaker discovered the concept of the "Prostitute Archetype" in psychology, representing survival, self-esteem, self-worth, and shame.
The Prostitute Archetype extends beyond traditional prostitution, encompassing the exchange of value for personal or financial gain in various life aspects.
It acts as a gatekeeper to self-esteem and security.

The speaker encourages examining how individuals use the power of the Prostitute Archetype and recognizing the unique, unforgiving shame associated with it.
They advocate for a shift in societal attitudes towards mistakes and failures, promoting learning and growth instead of perpetuating shame and judgment.

The prostitute archetype has both positive and negative aspects, but society only embraces the negative.
Institutional shame, resulting from embracing only the negative side, leads to psychological trauma, depression, anxiety, and high recidivism rates.
The prostitute archetype involves exchanging personal power, and avoiding or condemning it compromises one's power for perceived peace.
Shame and regret can be transformed into power by embracing the archetype and changing the lens from negative to positive.

Forgiving oneself and taking inventory of one's talents and value, even the negative aspects, can empower individuals and help them walk in their truth.
Choosing to stop hiding secrets and regrets and instead embracing them can transform shame into unapologetic self-worth and success.