Return to Light: When You Know Who You Are, You Can’t Stay Silent
Courage Isn’t Always Loud
Over the weekend, I had to do something brave.
I showed up to a protest, but unlike times before, I went alone. No familiar faces. No one by my side. Just me, standing in what I believe in.
It wasn’t easy. I was scared. But the fear didn’t win—because I knew what mattered most to me. I knew what I stood for. And I knew that not showing up would mean betraying my own truth.
That’s what Return to Light is about.
Not just shining.
But aligning.
Even when it’s uncomfortable.
Even when it might go against what your community expects from you.
And no, being bold doesn’t mean being combative.
Being clear doesn’t mean being cruel.
And choosing your truth doesn’t mean rejecting love.
The Power of Quiet Alignment
I’ve taken many bold steps in my life, but this one reminded me: when you’re alone, it’s different. You feel it more deeply. But you also realize—the source of your strength isn’t outside of you. It’s within.
That’s what happens when you return to your light. You no longer look for approval to act. You no longer need permission to take up space.
You know who you are.
And that changes everything.
More Than a Marketing Message, a Way of Being
This path I’m walking—it’s not new. It’s not shiny. It’s not a branding pivot.
It’s a homecoming.
After 20+ years of writing, coaching, exploring, healing, and detouring—after titles that didn’t fit and boxes I couldn’t breathe in, I stopped trying to wear the labels.
Certified Peer Specialist. Recovery Mentor. Health Worker.
Like a coarse wool sweater on tender sunburned skin.
Unbearable.
Still, I honored the journey. Met incredible people. Learned valuable lessons. And I discovered something deeper than any credential could offer: the return to wholeness.
The return to me.
The Radiance You Can’t Fake
You don’t have to be “done” to feel different. You don’t have to be healed to feel hope.
Even before you reach full glow, the light starts to build. Your wings begin to stretch. You look in the mirror, and you see her again—the woman who’s been caged. Guarded. Muted.
The one who’s ready to fly.
Yes, You Can Be Soft and Strong
As your light begins to shine, it will trigger those who benefit from your silence, your roles, and your predictability. They may not say it, but they’ll feel it.
That doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong.
It means you’ve stopped betraying yourself.
And here’s the truth:
When we compromise who we are to keep the peace or avoid conflict, it creates a kind of soul friction. Over time, that turns into dissatisfaction, disconnection… even despair.
That’s when we numb.
That’s when we shrink.
That’s when we suffer.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
What You’ve Been Taught Isn’t the Whole Truth
Most women are raised to believe love is sacrifice.
That putting yourself first is selfish.
That strength looks like holding it all together, quietly.
But real love—the kind that heals and builds—starts inside.
You can’t give what you don’t have.
You can’t model confidence, balance, or discernment for your children if you’re living in quiet resignation. You can’t draw in deep, nourishing partnership if you don’t know how to hold yourself with care.
You don’t need to be perfect.
You need to be lit up from within.
That’s when the attraction begins.
A Legacy of Light
We’ve inherited systems and stories that keep us small.
Religion. Family. Culture. Performance.
But the truth is, you were never meant to fit inside those boxes. You were meant to shine.
Not perform.
Radiate.
This isn’t about changing careers, getting sober, or redefining your role in the world, though all of that may come. It’s about reclaiming who you are.
So… Who Do You Want to Be?
That’s the question.
Not, “How do I stop numbing?”
Not, “Why am I so unhappy?”
But who do I want to be?
And what am I willing to stop pretending in order to become her?
You don’t have to be loud.
You don’t have to be fearless.
But you do have to be honest.
Return to Light, and You Return to Yourself
Your glow doesn’t have to be complete to be real.
You’re allowed to feel good halfway through the transformation.
It’s like losing 30 of the 60 pounds—you’re not at your “goal,” but your jeans fit better, and your reflection is kinder. You feel it in your bones: something is shifting.
That’s what it means to return to light.
To come home to truth.
To wake up excited.
To live in devotion, not obligation.
And when you get there, you’ll know.
You’ll feel the warmth.
You’ll breathe deeper.
And you’ll see the woman in the mirror—the one who’s always been waiting.
with love & fire, Teresa
About Teresa Rodden
Teresa Rodden is a coach, author, and guide for women in their prime who are ready to stop numbing, start feeling, and live with purpose. Through her signature message, Love Yourself Back to Light, Teresa helps women reconnect with their truth, rewrite limiting narratives, and remember their brilliance. Whether through her writing, coaching programs, or live workshops, she invites women to embrace curiosity, courage, and the power of their own story.
Connect with Teresa on Instagram @i_am_teresarodden or learn more at TeresaRodden.com.
