For Women Who’ve Fallen and Risen: Lessons from Trish in "Trip"
Women often find themselves balancing the weight of obligations with the quiet voice of personal desire. In Trip: The Sensual Portal, author Cheril N. Clarke brings to life the raw, personal journey of Trish, a woman standing at the crossroads of her marriage, career, and deeper, unmet needs. Trish’s experiences, including emotional numbness and rediscovering her power, mirror many women's struggles while wrestling with roles society often imposes on them. This blog explores the themes of female empowerment and self-discovery in Trip. It discusses how Trish’s journey can be a metaphor for women reclaiming their passion and power--even if they make mistakes along the way.
The Struggle Between Obligation and Desire
Many middle-aged women know this struggle well. You have built a successful career, cultivated a family, and perhaps ticked off all the boxes on society’s checklist. But what happens when (like Trish) you find yourself unfulfilled, your soul famished for something more?
In Trip, Trish’s journey is sparked by this internal conflict. She feels trapped in what looks like a picture-perfect life, but she can’t shake the feeling of disconnect. Clarke masterfully portrays this emotional dichotomy:
“I should be happy, shouldn’t I? A beautiful home, a successful husband, and a gorgeous career and business that I built from the ground up... But why did it feel like I was living a life tailored for someone else?”
This question resonates with many women who have lost touch with their inner desires. Women who carry the boulders of others' constant expectations of being the "perfect" wife, mother, or career woman. Trip teaches us that acknowledging this yearning for more is the first step toward reclaiming our power.
Female Empowerment Through Self-Discovery
At the heart of Trip is Trish’s realization that her life isn't aligned with her true self. The novel is an unflinching reminder that self-discovery is often a difficult but required journey for women seeking empowerment. Tales like Trish’s are part of a growing collection of female empowerment stories that resonate deeply with readers in search of their own liberation.
Despite the risks, Trish’s eventual decision to explore her own desires is a courageous act of self-love and empowerment, although she seeds some decisions could have been made better. She's not perfect, but she wants to do better. The novel suggests that breaking free from the molds society places us in requires stepping into the unknown and embracing our emotional and sensual needs.
“I needed to break free. This can’t be life, I thought. It’s too predictable. Too safe. Too... boring.”
This moment in Trip serves as a critical turning point for Trish. She’s no longer willing to suppress her desires for safety or comfort. It’s an empowering lesson for women who have similarly pushed aside their passions in favor of what seems more practical.
Rediscovering Sensuality as a Form of Power
One of the most striking aspects of Trip is how it ties sensuality to personal power. Trish’s journey into psychedelic realms, represented through her “Jump” into alternate realities, symbolizes her gradual reconnection with her sensual self. In today’s world, women are often told to suppress their sexuality as they age, but Trip reminds us that sensuality can be a powerful source of energy and fulfillment, no matter our age.
The first Jump is a vivid, visceral experience for Trish:
“My soul cracked open to a shaft of startling and seductive light. It pulled me in... pulled me in... like a sensual guide to an ethereal dimension—far away from the superficial, competitive, and materialistic home I knew.”
Through this experience, Trish begins to reclaim her body and her desires. It’s a form of emotional liberation that speaks directly to the experiences of women standing at the threshold of midlife—women who are looking for ways to rediscover passion in midlife.
Emotional Liberation: Lessons from Trip
Emotional liberation is at the core of Trish’s journey in Trip. Her introspection and exploration of new, surreal dimensions aren’t just metaphysical—they are deeply emotional. Trish learns that to reclaim her sense of self, she must first confront the emotional barriers she has built over time. These barriers include the weight of her marriage, societal expectations, and her own fears of what happens if she dares to be fully herself.
For many readers, Trish’s ability to embrace her emotional vulnerability is a striking lesson in empowerment. She's ready to risk it all, and that's incredibly unique. Emotional strength doesn’t come from being invulnerable; it comes from being willing to face your truth--even if you initially don't appreciate what it looks like.
As Trish’s relationship with her husband, Jamie, grows increasingly strained, she is forced to reconcile the reality of her life with the woman she knows she wants to become:
“I knew he’d be down, but I didn’t think he’d stay there. He barely touches me beyond a morning hug and kiss. His passion for life is gone.”
These moments in the book reflect the quiet grief many women experience when they feel emotionally disconnected from their partners. Trish’s story encourages readers to seek emotional fulfillment within themselves rather than relying on others to provide it. Though there are morally gray moments for Trish, she learns from them.
How Women Can Reclaim Their Passion and Power
If you find yourself identifying with Trish—feeling stuck, disconnected, or longing for something deeper—Trip offers atypical lessons for moving forward. Reclaiming your passion and power doesn’t happen overnight. It begins with small, intentional steps. Sometimes you may even stumble backwards before leaping forward.
- Acknowledge Your Desires: Much like Trish, the first step in any journey of self-discovery is accepting that your current life may not align with your deeper desires. Don’t be afraid to admit that you want more—whether it’s passion, adventure, or emotional fulfillment.
- Take Risks: In Trip, Trish takes a massive leap (literally and metaphorically) when she embarks on her psychedelic journey. For you, that leap might look like stepping out of your comfort zone, trying something new, or having difficult conversations about what you need from your relationships and yourself. Remember, however, to do so responsibly and care for others' feelings as much as possible.
- Reconnect with Sensuality: Sensuality is vital to feeling alive and empowered. Whether it’s through self-care, body positivity, or even exploring new forms of intimacy, reclaim your right to pleasure and connection with your body.
- Embrace Emotional Vulnerability: Allow yourself to feel, even if it’s uncomfortable. Experience the bliss. Feel the fear. Sink into the awareness and every tingle that comes with it. Vulnerability is strength, and it’s through facing your emotions—just as Trish does in Trip—you’ll find true liberation.
Every woman’s journey toward empowerment and self-discovery is unique, but Trish’s experiences in Trip can serve as a powerful metaphor for reclaiming passion and control in your life. Look out for your "hummingbirds" in life (a symbolic guide throughout Clarke's novel) What lessons have you learned in your journey? Share your story in the comments below to connect with others on a similar path.
Haven't read Trip yet? Check it out here.
