As I sit here on the eve of my website and podcast launch, I am filled with emotions from pride to trepidation. My heart is full when I look at the project as a whole. I am humbly pleased. As I see the pictures of my beautiful family displayed, I am tearful. Especially the pictures of my young nieces, the women who will be carrying our positive messages and vibes into the next generation. 

But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I have shared some of the most intimate details of my life with you in order to prove that being honest, vulnerable, and authentic leads to a more fulfilling life through the connections we make with others, and more importantly, ourselves. You may judge me. You will talk about me, and maybe not in a flattering way. And that’s OK. You can’t put yourself out there and expect everyone to love you. And that is precisely one of the points of this project, and why I will smile to myself and confidently hit the “publish” button in a few hours.

I have a few people to thank. First my husband, Michael. Thank you for being gracious about the time I have taken away from our family to do this, and for letting me share details of your life as well, some not so pretty. I appreciate you, I am proud of you and I love you. Thank you for taking care of us during my distraction. 

Second, to Lisa Churakos, my coach, web designer and digital goddess. You have been beyond generous with your heart, your time, and your talent, and I seriously could not have pulled this off without you. You pushed me in ways I never saw coming, and you believed in me. As if that weren’t enough, I found a beautiful friend in you. Thank you will never be a big enough word.

To my friends, both new and old, who contributed to the maiden launch of This Girl Puts Out with their written stories and interviews. You are also taking a huge risk, and you too believed in me. You are brave and generous, and I feel so lucky to have you along with me as we birth this thing. I know for sure that there is a girl out there who needs to hear exactly what you’ve shared. You are making a difference. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. 

Lastly, a message for @brenebrown. You don’t know me. But you were most definitely an inspiration during the development of this project. Reading “The Gifts of Imperfection” truly helped me to articulate what I wanted and needed to say. Thank you for your work, for sharing it with the world and for making qualitative research cool. You’ve made a difference for me, and millions of others. 

I don’t really know how this is all going to land, and I’m trying hard not to be tied to the outcome. If nothing else, I have made something. I have finished something important to me. Something that came from my heart. I do know this, I will take real, honest and vulnerable people and experiences any day over the alternative. Thank you for being here with me. Let’s do this. 

xo Karm

Photo Credit: Chelsea Sears http://chelseamodernimages.com/

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