Hey friends!
I'm so excited to share the very first "Sam's History Corner" with you! As many of you know, I'm a total history nerd (and proud of it). In a world where scrolling through political news can feel downright depressing, I decided to channel my love of history into something positive that connects to our mental health journeys.
For this first installment, I absolutely had to talk about my ultimate historical hero: Eleanor Roosevelt.
Why Eleanor? Because She Was Gloriously Human
Here's what strikes me most about Eleanor – she was deeply, painfully insecure for most of her life. She hated her height, the shape of her face, her voice... pretty much everything about her appearance. Her childhood was marked by devastating losses and emotional abuse (her own mother called her "Granny" because she thought Eleanor looked "old and ugly" – can you even imagine?!).
But here's the thing that floors me: Eleanor never let those insecurities stop her from showing up.
When faced with her husband's affair, she could have crumbled. Instead, she negotiated a partnership that allowed her to channel her pain into purpose. While FDR was president, she became his eyes and ears across America during the Great Depression, directly influencing New Deal policies that helped millions.
What This Means For You (And Me)
I share Eleanor's story because it speaks directly to where so many of us get stuck. We think we need to feel confident before we can make an impact. We believe our insecurities disqualify us from doing meaningful work.
Eleanor shows us a different path: You don't have to wait until you feel "enough" to start making a difference.
Her life reminds me that:
Our painful experiences can give us deeper empathy
Our challenges can become our greatest strengths
We can acknowledge our insecurities without being ruled by them
Small, consistent actions matter more than grand gestures
Starting Where You Are
When I look around at everything happening in the world, I sometimes feel paralyzed. What could I possibly do that would make any difference? Eleanor's approach offers wisdom here too.
You start where you are. Maybe that's:
Tending to your immediate family's needs
Showing up for a friend going through a hard time
Getting involved in your local community
Advocating for an issue you care deeply about
The key is taking action despite your doubts. Screaming into the void of social media doesn't create change – showing up consistently in whatever capacity you can does.
My Challenge To You
This week, I invite you to channel your inner Eleanor Roosevelt. Pay attention to the issue that sparks the most passion in you, and take one small step towards addressing it.
And remember – you don't have to fix everything. None of us can. We're simply meant to do what we can, where we can, with what we have.
I'd love to hear which historical figures inspire you and why!
With love, Sam
As a paid subscriber to Nuance Needed, you'll get access to all future Sam's History Corner installments plus:
Monthly bonus podcast episodes from both of us
Weekly episode deep dives with homework and reflection questions
At least 2x monthly pep talks with me
Community access where complex emotions are welcomed, not simplified
Ability to suggest topics for future episodes and pep talks
Other bonus episodes from us!
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