On Sharing and Sustaining Space with Other Women

March 4, 2024

I went to a women's retreat recently, and apart from reconnecting with myself, disconnecting from the challenges and the distractions of the very-in-demand-world, I was also reminded of the importance of the women's circles.

If you've never participated in one, a women's circle, although it can take many forms and structures, is a space for women to come together, talk, share, be vulnerable with each other, heal, sustain each other, and resurface soothed and reconnected with themselves and the world around.

Although one women can guide the circle, it is usually a space where everyone leads, where everyone's needs and voice are heard, and judgment is left outside.

Oh, the magic of it! In my next newsletters I will share a bit more about some of the practices, ceremonies, learnings and insights from it, however, I thought it so important to share about the space of power and healing that appears when women sit down with each other to talk, share and sustain one another.

If you've never participated in a circle, I invite you to join one locally - you can start with an online search, or ask your friends, your therapist, your coach for recommendations. Try different circles if need be, however, I deeply encourage you to gift that space and time to YOU.

If you say to yourself now: but there is never time/ now is not the right time, etc., this is a reminder that there is NEVER time for these moments, and time is NEVER right if we wait for that perfect one. Just do it. You really are worth it.

With love, gratitude and appreciation, I look forward to hearing your thoughts, and to hearing about your experience and learning. Can't wait for you to be sustained in this way.

On Abundance

February 12, 2024

Inspiration hit me - and I felt moved to share.

I come from a humble home. And when I say "humble", I mean there were times we couldn't eat what we wanted, fruit was scarce, chocolate was a luxury, and I had two pairs of pants and two sweaters all through my last year of primary school. I don't have bad memories of it. I grew up believing that chocolate WAS a luxury, and that was it. We managed and I am grateful for it.

Being brought up by two hard-working parents who did their best to get us access to the opportunities and the best education out there, I struggled with the notion of "abundance" throughout my early independent years. It was a journey of challenges, depreciation of money, and a life of making ends meet.

But then, I decided that maybe a different perspective is possible. I worked on it, I looked at my patterns, re-thought the rights and wrongs I had learned as a child, and my own definition of "abundance". I worked on defining goals that would take me there, and I can confidently say that I am abundant now.

Coincidentally (or not), during that process, my parents became more abundant as well, my brother's family is abundant and prosperous, and I am surrounded by people who are comfortable with their own abundance.

So today, my question today is: What is Abudance to you? When you define it: Do you consider you live in the Abundance of YOUR OWN definition? Does it bring you joy, fulfillment? Does it bring opportunities to grow, make an impact, drive change?

My own definition of Abundance is: Internally, as a way of being in the world, a sense of being centered, grateful and anchored in my own worth and power. Externally, it is having health, feeling at ease with myself and life, financial stability and opportunity to rest when needed without guilt, healthy and fulfilling relationships, and a sense of Love and appreciation.

I do consider I live in Abundance, and it brings me joy and fulfillment. From this place of health, love and financial stability - I can create, I can contribute to my community, help others, support them with my knowledge and time, and pursue growth opportunities that make me a better Coach, a better writer, and a more round human being, so I can add even more value and contribution out there.

It wasn't an easy, particularly pleasant or quick journey here. And the journey is not done, instead, it is an ever-evolving process. However, I am grateful for the chance to take it, grateful for the support I received, and for the Abundance the Universe has shown me every step of the way.

If you, or someone you know, struggle with creating Abudance in life, and you want to redifine it for yourself, please reach out. I am here to serve and accompany you on your own journey, so together we can support and accompany others on theirs.

SELF Love in the air

February 7, 2024

It’s already February, and all I am thinking about is – when did January fly by? Is anyone else with this feeling?

I like February, we are halfway across the winter, there is a tiny promise of spring in the air, and the days are getting longer. 

It is also a month of love, with Valentine’s Day in the middle of it. I like celebrating love. And I love celebrating self-love. So, this February, regardless if you have a significant other or not, I invite you to celebrate Love. The Love of self as a celebration of the grandest version of who You are, and who you are Being. 

For me, self-love is not arrogance or egoism. As long as it doesn’t make me believe I am “more of” than anyone else. Self-love is about acceptance, joy, and celebration, which includes everyone else as well. 

What is self-love for you? How does it manifest? What does it mean? How good are you at it?

Below I created a list of 7 things I do to feed and show self-love and appreciation for myself. I share it here, in case you find it inspiring – feel free to copy, add, change the below for yourself, and discover your own way to love, appreciate, accept, and celebrate your own radiance. 

7 things I do to pamper and love myself.

1. I take myself on a date. To a nice restaurant, to a park, to a theatre show, the movies, or to an exhibition. I put my fancy dress on, red lipstick, I go all out there. I even wash my hair:) I've done all these things (and more!) for the people I've dated, and God knows some of them didn't deserve a second of that version of me. But I do. I deserve it all. So, I take myself on a date, from time to time, and enjoy every second of it.
    

2. I look for people who share my hobbies, interest, passions. I go to the book presentation I want to hear and make an effort to stay after and chat to people. I go to a women's circle gathering and share with others. I sign up for a writing workshop and I share my writing with others. I don't expect for a friend or my partner to join me. It is a food for my soul getting in touch with others who share these interests with me, and it makes me extremely happy.
    

3. I take a short trip by myself, at least once a year. It can be a day or two, or a week. Somewhere I've never been before, or to a place I know and love, it doesn't matter. Travelling alone has always put me outside of my comfort zone, it challenges me, and forces me to see the world with fresh eyes. It makes me grow as a person, as a woman, as a writer, and as a partner. And it always, always brings me back to myself.
    

4. I treat myself to small presents. I buy the book I've been wanting to read for years. I find a cute notebook with a matching pen and get them. I splurge and get that nice shirt I've had my eye on for a while. And once a year, I get a big bouquet of flowers. Just like Mrs. Dalloway, I do get the flowers myself. And it's not because I NEED these items, but because they bring beauty and joy to my life, and I want to gift them to myself the same way I enjoy gifting beautiful gifts to people I love.
    

5. I treat myself to a lovely meal. When I am alone, and I can get by with a pizza, a healthy, delicious, slowly cooked, beautiful meal is what makes me feel better. It shows that I take care for myself, and that taking care of my body is also important. And taking time to do that, is one of the best gifts I can give myself.
    

6. Dance. Just that. When I don't have time and I am stressed at work, when I am anxious, when I am low on energy, when I am sad, when I am on my period and feel lonely and puffed.. I put music on and dance. It can be a slow dance, a wild dance, a sensual dance, or just a silly jump around the room dance - my body and my soul are so grateful for those few min of silliness. And it brings back a smile to my face, and suddenly I DO have time, and that work project is not as stressful as it seemed a few moments ago, and my period cramps are still there, but at least now I am smiling.
    

7. I tell myself I love me. And hug myself, and pat myself on the shoulders for a job well done, and say goodnight to myself. I do all these things for my partner - why wouldn't I do it for me?:) 

I would like to hear from you: in the spirit of sharing and love: What are some of the things you do to appreciate, enjoy, celebrate the unique, marvellous self? Send me an email, and let me know!
 

Food for thought...

January 19, 2024

Today I heard something I loved, it got me thinking, and wanted to share with all of you:

What is confusing us is when we let a short term negative feeling get in the way of our long term plans and objectives.

At times we all confuse a fleeting feeling with our long term plans: we may even allow one of these feelings to convince us our long term plans and desires our unobtainable/ unrealistic/ out of reach/ we are not good enough to achieve them.

So, I invite you to do the following:
When a negative/ disempowering emotion comes up, ask yourself: is this a fleeting emotional reaction? What do I need right here and right now? How can I sit with this emotion and NOT get into the mental narrative of evaluating everything in my life from this place?

New Year - new me?

January 2, 2024

Happy 2024! 

Hello friends! It's been a while since I've stopped by to say Hi, and 2023 has been a challenging year.

As we turn the page, and step into 2024, I want to celebrate with you, close the year with gratitude, and set the intention for the year to come. Are you interested? Let's go!
 
I love doing a closing and gratitude ritual for the year that is ending – at the end of Dec/beginning of January, I usually write an entry in my journal, putting in everything I am grateful for, from the year behind me: all the accomplishments, all the wins, but also all the learnings, the challenges that allowed for a fresh perspective, and the fights that took me somewhere new. I put a bow to it, and with a huge gratitude, I close that page.
 
Then, at the cusp of the new year, I open a new entry - where I put down everything I invite in my life for the new year: all the goals I choose to play for, all the intentions I put out there, all the people I invite in my life, and the version of myself I am ready to welcome! It gets me excited for the year ahead and shows me what and who I play for.
 
I invite you to try it and see what comes out for you. Don't overthink it, but rather, let is flow, and allow yourself to be surprised by your own thoughts and feelings.

Call to action: My intention for 2024 is that I send a few short monthly newsletters out, so lookout for these! And if you like receiving these snippets of rumblings and motivation, feel free to pass it on to your friends or someone you believe might benefit from it. Check out my new, beautifully imperfect landing page, where they can sign up for my irregular inspirational newsletter HERE.
 
Wishing you a most beautiful, fun, inspiring, wonderous year, and may 2024 bring all that you set your heart on! Here's to all of you!