One day, you will fully embody your transformed self. You will confidently fly into your new life, one you never dreamt was possible.

The butterfly is a major symbol of transformation. We all know the story - the caterpillar spins its chrysalis, and then emerges as a beautiful butterfly. Seems so simple right? But there is a lot that happens during the lifecycle of the butterfly.

First, a butterfly egg is laid. Not a caterpillar egg, but a butterfly egg. The caterpillar subconsciously knows it is destined to become a butterfly, although it does not start in this form. Just as we subconsciously know our Higher Self innately lives within us, and we feel our soul calling to embody this version of ourselves. It might not be a loud calling, but instead, just a subtle longing to be something more than who we currently know ourselves to be.  

Then the caterpillar is born, and it lives its life in this form for some time. It is believed that the caterpillar stage is the most dangerous in the life cycle of a butterfly as the mortality rates are very high. Caterpillars are subject to weather conditions, disease, parasites, and predators. Many adult butterfly species lay hundreds of eggs with only a few surviving to become adults. Many of us also lose ourselves in childhood. We become numb to ourselves, to life. We are just going through the motions, trying to survive each day. But some of us get tired of being stomped on and beaten down by life and choose to start to spin our own chrysalis. We know that we can’t go on any longer as things are, so we start on the transformation journey.

Now, the caterpillar isn’t resting in this chrysalis for a few weeks until one morning it wakes up as a butterfly. No, it completely dissolves itself as a caterpillar by digesting itself from the inside out. The same juices it used to digest food as a larva it now uses to break down its own body! The fluid breaks down the old caterpillar body into cells called imaginal cells. Imaginal cells are undifferentiated cells, which means they can become any type of cell. Many of these imaginal cells are used to form the new body.

So basically, the caterpillar is just a pile of goo in the chrysalis until it starts forming its new butterfly form. You will have to go through the goo stage too before you transform into a butterfly. You have to break down all beliefs and behaviors that no longer serve you. You may have to let go of relationships. You will have to let go of your old ways of being. And this will hurt for a time. There will be tears shed, emotional outbursts, and times you may feel like you are dying. Because you are dying. The old self is dying away. But then slowly, you will start embodying the Higher Self that has been within you since your inception.  

You will start to have new beliefs about yourself. You will remember that you were born worthy, enough, deserving, and lovable. You will start to imagine a whole new life for yourself. Now there is a lightness about you. You sense freedom. Freedom to be who you really are, freedom to live your life on your terms, and freedom to break out of the chrysalis and start your new life.

When a butterfly emerges from a chrysalis its wings are crumpled. The butterfly will hang with its wings down and will begin pumping the wings full of fluids from their body to straighten them out. Then the butterfly must wait several hours for the wings to harden and dry before it can fly away. This will also be true for you too. You will need to take time to become stronger in this new version of yourself. It takes a little time to strengthen the new neural pathways, integrate the new behaviors in your life, and relate to others as your transformed self. You won’t fit into your old life anymore because you are not that woman anymore. You will not be available for things anymore that do not feel good to you. Be patient with yourself during this time as you strengthen your wings.

One day, you will fully embody your transformed self. You will confidently fly into your new life, one you never dreamt was possible. You left your old life for good. You are completely transformed and couldn’t go back to your old life even if you wanted to for some reason. Isn’t that great news?!

Break the chains of abuse in your life. It is time to spin your chrysalis, your new life is waiting for you. For more information on Jillian’s coaching programs and to learn how she can be your guide through this transformational process, please visit www.JillianDeamer.com.