Last year was the first time I got to know of worldchildless week. It was also the year I had to accept that I was never going to be a mother. I was childless not by choice. While grieving in such a deeply shattering and isolating way, I was longing to express myself in an environment that felt safe.

#IamME, one slide, a few sentences – was this doable? Could I let go of self-blame for just a while and reflect? Who is this woman besides experiencing an identity loss of an unexpected profoundness? I selected a background photo and carefully chose words that felt true to me...and soon I would experience the power this submission held.

Seeing my photo among the #IamME gallery, I realized that I was not alone, I belonged here. My words were equally valid as theirs. I felt the strength and the courage of the voices around me. I was in awe of how they stood tall, daring to show their faces, their smiles, their beauty despite it all. To see that wholeness and worthiness existed.

This year, I knew I didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity to reflect anew and to make a statement that we are so much more than childless not by choice. Even if my submission is anonymous this second year around, you all have encouraged me to step out of my own darkness again and reveal parts of who I am...I looked myself into the eyes and could proudly say - I am ME.

Anonymous