As I reflect on my journey over the past decade, I am struck by the realization that I have always been living in my Hera era, even if I didn't fully recognize it at the time. Named after the goddess Hera, known for her devotion to marriage, family values, and domestic life, my jewelry line, Hera Jewels, embodies the essence of this powerful archetype—a symbol of strength, resilience, and unwavering love.
For much of my life, I held onto a deeply ingrained belief that my happiness and fulfillment were contingent upon finding the man of my dreams, getting married, and building a beautiful life and family together. It was a vision that I had carried with me since childhood, nurtured by fairy tales and societal expectations, and reinforced by my own longing for love and connection.
Yet, life had other plans for me. Trauma from an abusive relationship left me with a wounded heart and a deep fear of abandonment, leading me to close myself off to love and pursue a path of independence and self-sufficiency. For years, I unconsciously pushed away the very thing I desired most, believing that I was unworthy of the love I so deeply desired.
But life has a way of guiding us back to ourselves, even in the midst of our darkest moments. Through a transformative healing journey, I found my way back to my heart and rediscovered the power of love—both for myself and for others. Along the way, I realized that my journey to motherhood would take a different path than the one I had envisioned.
For the past twelve years, I have poured my maternal energy into my beloved dog, finding solace and fulfillment in her unwavering companionship and unconditional love. In her, I found a source of comfort and joy that filled the deep maternal longing within me in ways I never imagined possible.
In embracing my Hera era, I have come to realize that motherhood is not limited to biological children or traditional family structures. It is a state of being—a way of nurturing and caring for those we love, whether they walk on two legs or four. It is about cultivating deep connections, creating beauty and meaning in the world, and embracing the fullness of life in all its complexities.
Through Hera Jewels, I have birthed not only a business but a creative outlet, a platform for connection, and a source of inspiration and empowerment for women everywhere. It is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and love—a reflection of my journey to reclaiming my inner Hera and embracing the fullness of my maternal energy.
While my life may not look like what I once imagined, I am grateful for the journey that has brought me to this moment. In my Hera era, I stand tall and proud, a beacon of strength and love, ready to embrace whatever the future may hold. And though I may not have the husband, the life, or the children I once dreamed of, I am reminded that motherhood comes in many forms, and love knows no bounds.
In reading this blog series, I hope you feel a sense of validation in the deepest desires of your heart as a woman, and also, I hope that you feel inspired and optimistic about where you’re at in your life when it doesn’t look like how you thought or expected it to look.
Having a blank canvas and the freedom to create our life exactly as we want is such a beautiful gift we often take for granted when we’re focused on what our life is lacking or what we think it’s supposed to look like.
Through my healing journey, I’ve learned to not only genuinely appreciate my child-free life, I’m excited to create a fulfilling and magical life even if that means without the husband. My happiness is not tied to a man. I finally feel so empowered in my own energy, so full of love, it’s overflowing out of me. And now, if he does happen to show up, it will be because he’s a vibration match to me, not because I’m trying to make a square peg fit in a round hole.
I’m excited to officially embark on the “Mother/Empress chapter of my life. This is the chapter of softness, surrender, trust, sharing my medicine, and harnessing my maternal energy for how I can make the greatest impact for future generations of women. There are so many young girls that need positive role models now more than ever. If you’re a natural born mama like me without kids of your own, the world needs us. The world needs our love, the world needs our nurturing, the world needs our compassion, and more than anything, the world needs our wisdom and our guidance.
Sending you love sisters. May you live your most vibrant life in alignment with your truest self. You are the writer, the director, the producer, and actor of your own movie known as life. You’re the leading lady of this story, you are the narrator, you decide who you’re going to be and how you show up in the world. It’s time to do some main character shit. 💕
Xo,
Saddaf