We did it y'all! I just submitted my week 1 assignment answers. Not going to lie, I had to stop mid-week and send what I had to the instructor for some feedback. Anxiety was entering the chat, and I had to change the conversation. However, I couldn't do it on my own. And that is okay. Perfect segway into what I wanted to talk about this time and that is, "What is a youth life coach"?
What it is NOT is a mental health professional. We are not counselors, therapists or psychologists. Even though life coaching in general takes a lot of its cues from the mental health world, we have to be clear in what we can and cannot do. Not just for the sake of our clients, but for obvious legal reasons as well.
Therapists and counselors usually focus on the past - past pains and trauma and the "why". Coaches focus on today and the future - "What do you want and how do we get you there." It's ideal if we as coaches have professionals we can reach out to and collaborate with for the benefit of our clients. (It takes a village remember?)
Why specifically a YOUTH life coach? Well hell, I am still learning how to be a successful adult myself, but I survived my teenage years and came out on the other side. So that's where my strengths are. If I would have a 39-year-old Lindsey as a coach when I was younger, who knows where I would be now. Let me stop - I do not think I am "all that" LOL!! I just know what I have to offer kids (well, everyone) and I am offering it.
It took me almost 40 years to believe in myself, who I actually am, and what I offer the world. Thanks to a lot of therapy, medications in some instances (no shame), my village, a couple failed relationships and a new, thriving, healthy forever kind of relationship I am currently in with my best friend. Never underestimate the power of finding someone who loves you, all of you, all the time. Messy bun and all.
That is what I envision as being a youth life coach. All the kiddos I have worked with, I have loved unconditionally while helping them realize their potential and set them up for success. Most of them have never experienced that kind of love or know what it is, let alone know how to love themselves. Imagine a future world where love (including self-love) TRULY is the most prominent emotion in people? Can you even imagine it? That's the world I want my kids and (future) grandkids to live in!
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