talking about herpes
Less herpes shame, more self love
“Shame loves secrets. Shame cannot stand being spoken.” — Brene Brown
The shame of having herpes tends to pull us into our own scary shadows (even though just a few feet away in the light are plenty of people telling you to quit the negative fantasy BS and hear that you’re worthy of a deluge of love.) Shame has us stay blind in the darkness of our own self-defeating mind-cage to try to deal with it on our own (like any strong person should be able to do, right?). But that has us telling ourselves the (false) story that we are alone. We are not alone. YOU are NOT alone! Squash the story! The more you can really allow yourself to get that, the less shame you will have, the more likely you will be to reach out when you need it, the more love will be available to let in, the more healing and growth happens. The more you free yourself of stigmatizing labels, the more free you are to be YOU. And what’s more lovable than that? (Rhetorical question.) More >
Incoming search terms for the article:
Virtual (phone-only) herpes support group [VIDEO]
Join us for a facilitated LIVE over-the-phone support group for whoever wants to share, however you would like to share. Be there to talk or be there to listen. Be there to support or be there to be supported.
Or all the above.
Click here to grab a 50% off seat » More >
Incoming search terms for the article:
The herpes talk: What are you so ashamed of?
Scenario: You meet someone. You really like this someone. Definite connection. Definite mojo. The time for the herpes disclosure — “Hey, got a minute? I have herpes” — is here. What is this time like for you? What feelings come up? Fear? Shame? Guilt? Avoidance? Those are all common reactions, but let’s dig deeper as to why these might be showing up … More >
Incoming search terms for the article:
Herpes Opportunity radio interview
Coach Betty Live interviewed me about the Herpes Opportunity. We talk about a range of topics, including herpes shame, herpes facts and statistics and how the phone-based herpes opportunity support group can be so powerful and healing. Thanks for the interview, Betty!
Incoming search terms for the article:
Herpes interviews — you are not alone!
Five herpes interviews from people just like you are here for you to hear. It’s vitally important to get personal stories out in the world to normalize this simple virus. It proves to us that we are not alone and that there are other perspectives on how to see herpes. More >
Incoming search terms for the article:
New Man Podcast herpes interview!
The New Man Podcast interviewed me about the Herpes Opportunity. We had a blast! The underlying question is: Why do we allow herpes to have so much power in our lives? What are we really afraid of? Thanks for the interview, Tripp!
Incoming search terms for the article:
“I have herpes:” Two parts of the herpes talk
We as the herpes community have two parts to disclosing that we have herpes to potential partners. After we feel the time is right to disclose, the next part is how we disclose. Half of the disclosure we have complete control over. The other half we don’t. More >
Incoming search terms for the article:
Genital herpes (HSV1, HSV2) forums
Join us on the herpes forum discussion boards where you are free to talk about anything you like — yes, ANYTHING. Share your story, share herpes facts, share yourself and support others in doing the same.
You know, herpes shame is a sneaky thing: it causes us to isolate, to not talk about it out of fear of being rejected, fear of being judged … but the more we keep it to ourselves, the bigger the shame gets. And sharing what we feel ashamed about actually decreases shame. Posting on the herpes forums gets it out of your head and out into the world. By sharing, we all realize we’re not alone in this; and we help others really get that, too. You can be as anonymous as you would like, but whatever you do, don’t keep it to yourself! Even simply saying “I have herpes” and letting out how you feel about it can be such a freeing feeling. Share it with us and let us be there for you.
Incoming search terms for the article:
“I have herpes” … the power of acceptance
Such a simple phrase, but can you feel how much power it has? “I have herpes.” When you say these three words, what effect do they have on you? There’s a way to move past these feelings. And the only way is through. More >
Incoming search terms for the article:
The Herpes Opportunity
NEWS FLASH: There is no reason to create a burden and suffering out of herpes. Dropping the stigma means accepting that our lives are worth living in a big way. When herpes ceases to be a shameful burden, then it becomes an opportunity: an opportunity to change self-defeating beliefs, an opportunity for authentic connection, an opportunity for deeper self-acceptance. This is not about herpes. It’s about who herpes is holding you back from truly being. More >
