Kick starting the premiere of Wine Down Wednesdays was the lovely Irma Ihumure.
On this episode of we sip and share with Irma Ihumure who takes us through her healing journey, professional coaching and more.
Despite being orphaned at the age of three, Irma describes her childhood as a happy one, which she credits to the love her foster family surrounded her with.
Upbringing plays significantly into what kind of person one grows up to become and the choices they are bound to make and for Irma, the environment she was brought up in gave her space to live a happy life, up until she found out she was different.
Hushed whispers eventually find their way to the light, and when Irma asked her sister about the odd comparisons people make to a “mother she doesn’t know” she found out that she was adopted. She found out the history of her parents and the realization that the people that were close enough to bring her into the world suffered to that extent broke something in her, and stifled her confidence and her image of self.
In an attempt to regain some of the confidence she lost, she chose to live in denial and her happy go lucky personality hid her pain all too well. She always chose to be surrounded by friends that come from a two parent home and blending in with them kept her insecurity at a distance.
Irma went as far as disregarding the survivor support groups in high school, but when she moved to China in pursuit of a college education, she couldn’t hide from her truth any longer, and being out of an environment that her upbeat personality could maneuver created space for introspection, which is how she started journaling which unknowingly became the opening scene of her healing journey.
Most people dealing with trauma tend to turn to addiction to fuel their denial but thanks to the solid relationship she established with Christ at the age of 18, Irma’s journey unfolded differently.
“Knowing I have a father in heaven was like my support system.” She says.
Irma first opened up about her past with friends in April 2019 and later shared her story on her social media platforms, an experience she recalls to be soothing. Opening up came with a sense of relief and doing it felt freeing.
One of the most outstanding beliefs Irma stands by is dismantling the notion that victims of the genocide against the Tutsi can only be remembered in April. She feels strongly that remembering one’s loved ones shouldn’t be constrained to time and the act of remembrance with grief, for her it also represents that her life is serving a divine purpose.
The desire to become a professional life coach was derived from the freedom she received while on her healing journey, and being a lover of words and freedom, Irma wanted to help others achieve the sense of fulfillment she found when she rediscovered her confidence.
Irma shared some intriguing tips on how to shut down the critics in our minds and swap them for a confidence boost. First, she expressed that who you are and what you do are separate entities, and defining yourself by your passions trumps letting what you do for work become the most definitive factor about you.
With the recently launched “Lady Irma” podcast she intends to foster a community that learns from one another as they transform into their full potential. Irma is also a founding member of a fashion and interior design brand “IMY” that will be launching soon.
According to Irma, one of the most effective ways to get through a trigger is to focus on the positive aspects of life to keep you grounded. She in addition shared that letting yourself go through every emotion is the best way to move forward and choosing light is the best form of self-love.
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