Hi u/DrMorganLevy! Thank you for the question and one I am sure to get a few times--I know I get it IRL.

As a professional counselor by training and following a very typical path for someone in their mid-thirties, I eventually made it to private practice specializing in supporting high-achieving womxn with anxiety. I spent years learning about and diving deeper into the the unique aspects of self-doubt, feeling out of control, external pressures, stick-ness, isolation/loneliness, and so much more.

Throughout this time of learning and growing within my counseling practice I realized that had completely forgotten to "bring myself into the equation," if you will. I too had spent a good portion of my early adulthood feelings these things until I had worked through it on my own, with my therapist, and through finding like minded friends.

When I allowed myself to see my journey and how that did or didn't line up with the research (at the time) on friendship, fulfillment, "purpose", and overall satisfaction the specialization became a no-brainer -- which is funny because it took a ton of brain power/hours to get there. HAHA

I have known I didn't want kids since I was 20. My parents, friends, even my doctors were unsupportive, judgmental, rude, and/or dismissive. These reactions to someone's personal choice on what to do with their life wasn't unique to me and it continues today.

Such reactions contribute heavily to the loneliness/isolation, sadness, anxiety, dissatisfaction, guilt, shame, fear, etc that plague womxn who aren't living a life free to live on their terms.

This is why it was so important for me to, again, further niche my specialization to focus on supporting these womxn in way that isn't lumping their childfree-ness into a general demographic answer but instead realizing the person beneath the responses to external pressures and societal expectations.

For me, it comes down to representation and allowing people to use a clear definer of themselves and their lives as a foundation of how they build their life. Not that the label is in itself the definition and end goal.