creating your best life: the power of renewal
Hello my lovelies!
It's spring here in the UK- one of my favorite seasons. For me it represents hope. It reminds us that no matter how hard or long the winter, spring always comes. Everything renews itself and being cyclical beings, it's our chance to become more- to grow and blossom and expand.
Spring is the perfect time for creation; I am always inspired and I've been working away in my she-den (often accompanied by the chickens and the chihuahua who refuse to be left out!!)
I know a lot of you have been with me on this journey for a long time and I wouldn't be able to do what I'm doing without your support. So out of gratitude I wanted to give you something back and celebrate the next chapter.
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom" - Anais Nin
This quote sums up last year for me. As you know, it was a huge transition for me, both professionally and personally. It was a time of soul-searching and letting go. I let go of the structure of my existing business and way of working, my only income, a relationship and all our future plans together, my offices in central Bristol, and a lot of who I thought I was and what I wanted/needed. During that time I had to get really honest, dig deep and make decisions that have taken a lot of strength and bravery.
There have been so many times during that transition that I've thought, "what the hell am I doing/ have I done?" I'm talking: sitting on the kitchen floor crying thinking I can't do it, waking up at 3am worrying I'm not going to be able to pay my mortgage and loose my house, and feeling so overwhelmed with my to-do list that I haven't done anything at all.
During transition, we can feel like a failure, like we aren't getting it right, become very focused on the loss or we are having an identity crisis.
But. Remember.
You aren't getting it wrong. It's part of a bigger story that you might not understand yet. It's just a stage. And all stages pass.
Renewal
Whatever is lost, is always renewed, bigger and better than before.
Loss and letting go is simply part of the renewal process, spring always follows winter, even if we can't see it in those moments on the kitchen floor; it's part of your growth.
We aren't always meant to be happy, or always "succeeding" in the traditional sense. The contrast in life; knowing what you don't want, gives you clarity on what you do. Loss makes space for the new. Our anger, frustration, grief, sadness, fuels transformation. All my greatest RISINGS have come out of my deepest holes; they were just part of the next chapter.
It only feels terrifying because we can't often see the horizon. We find it difficult to believe that it is going to be ok; we want certainty.
But if we can see every experience as not stand alone, and simply another step preparing us for bigger things ahead, we can transform suffering into meaning. We begin to move away from life happening "to us" and see it as an invitation to grow and develop into a bigger, expanded version of ourselves.
Here is what renewal has meant for me...
The she-den
After many, many, many, hours of painting the she-den and never feeling feeling like it was going to be completed- it is now finished! It makes me so happy after all the years I rented therapy rooms to have my own space to work and see clients.
I was able to run my first mediation class in candle light- complete with bonfire in the garden under the supermoon, which was pretty damn magical! I also facilitated my first self-love workshop which had us walking out in the fields foraging for our self-love altar (never a dull moment haha)
Transforming my business- the next chapter
When I decided to change my website/ business and go through a re-brand, I didn't expect it to be such a journey!
It ended up being a serious, full on, call-up-your-friends -for-back-up kind of self-discovery. A big thank you to these gorgeous woman for holding deadlines, emergency wine sessions, believing in me and dealing with my perfectionist tendencies. Thank goodness for other people :)
However, as with any self- discovery, I learnt so much about myself. The process took me back to basics and connecting with who I am and what I believe in. Whilst I continue tweak and develop, I have created something I'm very proud of. I've been able to interweave what I know works, is effective and what I'm passionate about. I've brought together love my love of counselling, coaching and mediation, and created experiences where self-discovery, transformation and lasting change can be birthed.
To see my shinny new website and book your free consultation see here
Throughout the year I will be offering discounts and special offers on the packages, so keep your eyes peeled.. Every little bit helps as they say...
Thank you, as ever, for your support, I love sharing my journey with you and it is always appreciated.
Much Love, Ismene xxx