Finding unapologetic self worth in sex, shame, & secrets | Nselaa Ward, Juris Doctor | TEDxAsheville

Personal Journey of Redemption

• The speaker, an attorney, shares their personal journey of overcoming past secrets and trauma, including their mother's addiction and involvement in sex work, to find redemption and self-worth.
• Despite a successful career, their past secrets led to public scrutiny, loss of business, law degree, and personal relationships.

The Prostitute Archetype

• The speaker discovered the concept of the "Prostitute Archetype" in psychology, representing survival, self-esteem, self-worth, and shame.
• The Prostitute Archetype extends beyond traditional prostitution, encompassing the exchange of value for personal or financial gain in various life aspects.
• It acts as a gatekeeper to self-esteem and security.

Societal Attitudes and Shame

• The speaker encourages examining how individuals use the power of the Prostitute Archetype and recognizing the unique, unforgiving shame associated with it.
• They advocate for a shift in societal attitudes towards mistakes and failures, promoting learning and growth instead of perpetuating shame and judgment.

Embracing the Prostitute Archetype

• The prostitute archetype has both positive and negative aspects, but society only embraces the negative.
• Institutional shame, resulting from embracing only the negative side, leads to psychological trauma, depression, anxiety, and high recidivism rates.
• The prostitute archetype involves exchanging personal power, and avoiding or condemning it compromises one's power for perceived peace.
• Shame and regret can be transformed into power by embracing the archetype and changing the lens from negative to positive.

Empowerment and Self-Worth

• Forgiving oneself and taking inventory of one's talents and value, even the negative aspects, can empower individuals and help them walk in their truth.
• Choosing to stop hiding secrets and regrets and instead embracing them can transform shame into unapologetic self-worth and success.