The Costume I Chose Not to Wear
🌤️ When Strength Means Choosing Stillness
I’ve always been drawn to shows and movies that stir something — the ones rooted in truth, resilience, and the what-ifs of humanity.
True stories like Hidden Figures, Nyad, Soul Surfer, and Sound of Freedom.
Natural disasters like Poseidon, Deep Impact, and Twister.
And dystopian or post-apocalyptic tales like I Am Legend, The Walking Dead, Silo, and The Handmaid’s Tale.
When a story resonates, you often find yourself rooting for a character who reflects something you value — for me, it was her courage, perseverance, and quiet strength. I’m talking about June Osborne from The Handmaid’s Tale.
Her endurance. Her quiet wins. Her calculated steps forward — all reminded me that strength doesn’t always have to be loud to make an impact.
But at the end of the day, it’s a fictional story based on a book written by Margaret Atwood.
So, this Halloween, I bought the costume.
The infamous red cloak. The white bonnet. Ready to channel my inner June Osborne for a fun Halloween work gathering.
That’s what Halloween costumes are for, right?
Playing a role or part, you don’t normally play. Children and adults go as witches, superheroes, princesses, or sumo wrestlers. It’s fun. It’s make-believe. It’s one day to pretend.
But as I reflected on the timing of things in our country — and what The Handmaid’s Tale costume has come to symbolize — it struck me.
Fresh off participating in our company’s training on being a good teammate, fostering self-awareness, and strengthening collaboration, I found myself connecting the dots in an unexpected way.
Intent and impact don’t always match.
What I saw as a nod to a fictional character could easily be seen by others as a statement — one that might carry meaning I never intended.
And while my heart was simply inspired by storytelling and strength, I decided to pause.
That’s the essence of emotional intelligence — learning to pause, reflect, and consider how your choices might affect others.
So instead of wearing the red cloak and portraying a fictional character, I wore something else that day: perspective.
Because leadership — and being a good teammate, a good colleague, and ultimately a good human — isn’t always about what we do.
Sometimes, it’s about what we choose not to do.
❤️🤍 Maybe next year, June Osborne.
I did end up with a last-minute costume by pinning numbers across my shirt and called it “Someone You Can Count On.”
It sparked laughter, connection, and conversation — a lighthearted reminder that we can still show up authentically and thoughtfully at the same time.
✨ “Awareness doesn’t silence your voice — it strengthens your presence.”
— Sunny Seas Coaching
🌊 Lessons from the Tide
Intent and impact aren’t the same. True emotional intelligence lives in the space between the two — where awareness turns into empathy.
Quiet choices speak loudly. Often, the most meaningful leadership moments happen in stillness, not the spotlight.
🏖️ Messages in the Sand (reflections for your journal)
When was the last time you chose awareness over action?
How did that decision shift your energy — or the energy of those around you?
I’d love to hear what surfaced for you.
If you’d like to share your reflections or simply connect, you can reach me at sunnyseascoaching@gmail.com 💌
October 29, 2025
Christina Poehlein, CPC
Founder of Sunny Seas Coaching
