In this week’s episode 88 of Gent’s Talk, presented by BULOVA Canada, we had the pleasure of hosting Najwa Zebian, an influential author, poet, and speaker. Known for her profound writings on emotional healing and self-discovery, Najwa shared her insights on the grieving process, the importance of authenticity, and her latest book, The Only Constant. Her conversation with us was filled with wisdom, offering valuable guidance on how to navigate life’s challenges while staying true to oneself.
Understanding and embracing grief
Najwa Zebian delved into the complex emotions surrounding grief, emphasizing the necessity of allowing oneself to fully experience and process these feelings. She shared a poignant personal story about the loss of her grandmother and the denial she initially felt. “I cried a little bit later that day and the day after, just seeing how my dad was dealing with it and seeing all the people who came over to our house and seeing their emotions, my aunts. But it didn’t really click in. Somewhere in the back of my head and my heart and my soul, she was still alive,” she recounted. Najwa highlighted that moving past denial involves sitting with oneself and acknowledging the reality of the loss, no matter how painful it may be.
The journey to self-discovery
Najwa’s path to self-discovery began with writing, which she described as her therapeutic outlet. “Writing to me is all the therapy that I would ever need. Writing is what led me to go to the therapy that I actually need. Writing is what led me to discover who I actually am and how much power I have,” she said. Her dedication to writing helped her find her voice and navigate through various life challenges, ultimately leading her to embrace her true self.
Healing from past relationships
Discussing the aftermath of difficult relationships, Najwa emphasized the importance of healing before moving on to new connections. She warned against carrying unresolved pain into new relationships, saying, “If you don’t grieve the person that you were in that relationship and the person that you lost in that relationship…you’re going to carry all of that with you.” Najwa underscored the need to grieve not only the loss of a partner but also the person one was in that relationship, to prevent past wounds from affecting future relationships.
Authenticity in relationships
Najwa stressed the significance of authenticity in relationships, advising against compromising one’s true self to maintain a connection. “If the connection you’re going for is based on you pretending, hiding certain needs of yours, pretending like there are certain things you don’t actually want…then that connection doesn’t feel like a connection to you,” she explained. Najwa encouraged listeners to present their true selves from the beginning of a relationship, allowing the right person to appreciate and accept them as they are.
The impact of societal conditioning
Najwa also explored how societal conditioning influences our behaviors and beliefs. She emphasized the importance of questioning these conditioned responses and making conscious choices that align with our authentic selves. “Your body’s not choosing to betray you. Your body is doing what it thinks is in your best interest, which is your survival mode,” she noted. Najwa encouraged individuals to ask their bodies what they need and to soothe these survival responses through self-compassion and understanding.
The message of The Only Constant
Najwa’s upcoming book, The Only Constant, aims to empower readers to lead their lives with authenticity and self-trust. “I want you to know that you are the leader of your life, that you can trust yourself in leading your life forward, and that you have the ability to come back to yourself and love yourself exactly as you are,” she expressed. The book is designed to inspire readers to embrace their true selves and to make changes from within, fostering a sense of inner alignment and genuine self-acceptance.
Najwa Zebian’s conversation on Gent’s Talk was a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing one’s emotions, healing from past wounds, and living authentically. Her insights offer a roadmap for navigating life’s challenges while staying true to oneself, making her an inspiring figure for anyone on a journey of self-discovery and emotional healing.
Gent’s Talk, presented by BULOVA
The Gent’s Talk podcast is proudly presented by BULOVA Canada. Season 6, episode 88 is now available to stream on all podcast platforms including, Youtube, Spotify, Apple iTunes/Podcasts, Goodpods, iHeartRadio, Audible, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts! Seasons 1-6 are all on board Air Canada flights via the in-flight entertainment system. Please make sure to like, follow and subscribe. Your continued support throughout this journey is greatly appreciated.