At a Crossroads

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Are you at a crossroads in your life, where you feel like you need to make a BIG decision?

Perhaps you’re at the tail end of your parental leave and you’ve got to decide whether you go back to a job that didn’t really fill your bucket, or you try something new?

Perhaps the job doesn’t feel like this new version of you that has evolved with motherhood?

Perhaps your dreams and values have shifted?

Whatever the case, you know you’ve got some big decisions on your hands.

I have been in your shoes, and I understand how isolating, overwhelming, confusing, and just downright scary it can feel.

About 9 months after having our firstborn, I was faced with the big decision of going back to my 6-figure corporate HR role or finding another way to earn some income in a way that would allow me to spend more time at home with our son (my new goal). The decision felt HUGE and SO uncomfortable. There were so many things to consider!

Over 8 years on (and a set of twins later), and I can still easily recall the day that I made and communicated the decision to leave my job and create my own business.

I was relieved that I didn’t have to leave my son each day to go to an environment that I knew would not make me happy.

I was overjoyed that I had made a decision that felt right for me and my family.

I felt confident and clear on my new path.

And I was also super proud of myself for tuning into my own wants and needs and putting aside the fears and expectations of others.

I’ve made many big decisions since then, and now as a transformational coach, I have the pleasure of supporting so many other beautiful people making BIG decisions feel more comfortable, effortless, and enjoyable!

If you need support with making a big decision in your life, book in a free 10-minute call with me to chat about how I can support you from a place of someone who gets it and has been in your shoes.

New Chapter

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It’s been three months since our new chapter began, with hubby coming home to be with the kids & invest more energy into his business, and I jumped back into a full time role in the corporate space.

Three months of adjusting, three months of working out our new normal, three months of finding our feet (& still counting)…

Three months of me…

Learning a new role, a new company, new people, new systems & processes

Learning how to switch from Mum mode to work mode & back

Learning what it’s like to arrive home each evening at the peak of witching hour(s) & being thrust into the kids nighttime routine before winding down

Learning the importance of the train ride & walks home to support switching modes & resetting

Learning to let go of expectations on getting all the things done, or things being done differently to how I would do them

Learning to deal with the real FOMO that comes from not being available as much for family & friends, or being part of the regular school routine

Learning to share the opportunities

Learning to prioritise even more & learning to let go of the guilt that comes from not being able to get to everyone or everything

Learning to appreciate the weekends in a new way

Learning how to keep my passions (quality family time, & my creating & sharing through my business) alive, & to keep those promises to myself that I wouldn’t let those passions slip…

And whilst I can’t & won’t speak entirely on hubby’s behalf –

Three months of him…

Learning a new role & new processes in the same house, with the same little people (for a whole lot more time), with less other people

Learning what it’s like to be a stay at home Dad, juggling 3 kids & their needs, whilst running a business

Learning what it’s like to eagerly wait the arrival of that second pair of hands

Learning of the special bond that deepens

Learning to let go of expectations to get all the things done whilst having little ones as your number 1 priority

Learning how quickly plans can change, & how to steal little bits of time where you can

Learning to prioritise in a new way, with new activities and responsibilities

Two roles

Equally as important

Equally as new

Equally as many challenges

Equally as many milestones

Equally offering a new perspective on the other

All of our triumphs & challenges to date have set us on this path & brought us to where we are today, & I am so grateful for this new chapter, however short or long it lasts, & for what we are both learning, & equally as important, for what our children our learning too

We have a new found appreciation & respect for the roles we held before & for the roles we each hold now. We both understand & have experienced the challenges of each role, & we have both experienced the joys that come with each role.

Never under estimate the opportunity to see another perspective

To embrace a new experience

And to go where the universe is guiding you 💛

Mum Friends

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Motherhood changes friendships.

Whilst there can be a lot of emphasis on finding our tribe & connections with our mum friends, the reality is that motherhood can both strengthen and create new friendships, and create distance and cause friendships to end.

Motherhood really tests our friendships.

It tests for strength, compromise, compassion, trust, support, patience, quality, honesty, understanding, objectivity, love, resilience, loyalty, equality, heart, soul, & more.

Motherhood creates barriers.

Barriers of sleep deprivation, rollercoaster hormones, isolation, overwhelm, judgement, expectations, time, presence, parenting styles and choices, comparison, exhaustion, loss of identity, etc… All of which can affect our friendships.

Motherhood creates opportunities.

The opportunity to connect with our friends on a deeper level when we trust & share openly,

to let go of some friendships,

to rekindle old friendships,

to create new friendships,

to bond over something entirely new,

to learn a new approach or a new way of looking at things,

to reassess priorities,

to make changes.

As mothers (and fathers), we are changed from the moment we are blessed with the title.

We are different.

So, how can we expect everything else to remain the same?

It is not unusual for our relationships to be affected.

How can they not be when we are not the same?

When we are navigating our way through all the changes & the ups & downs of parenthood,

rediscovering ourselves & trying to find our new ‘normal’ when the goal posts keep changing with each milestone or each precious addition to the family, not to mention other pressures of work, finances, health, etc.

We are not alone when a friendship is tested, or lost.

We are not alone when we feel like we don’t have a ‘tribe’.

We are not alone when we feel like we no longer fit in with our circle.

We are not alone when we find it difficult to make new friends.

Motherhood changes our friendships, but it also creates many opportunities.

We can decide what we need.

We can decide what our priorities are.

We can decide when it’s time to make changes.

We can decide how we are going to show up.

We can decide what we are worthy of.

And only we can make the changes that are right for us.

Here’s to our mum friends (including our wonderful friends without their own children)

To our friendships that have weathered the storms,

To our friendships that have taught us a lot,

To our new friendships just beginning,

To our friendships yet to be sparked 💛

Intuitive Reiki Energy Healing and Reading Sessions with Embarked with Simone in Atwell, South of Perth Western Australia

Savouring

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The act of savouring appears to be a lost art for so many of us.

What do I mean by savouring?

The pure joy within when we truly drink something in. When we give it our full focus & attention without a single distraction. When we feel it with all of our senses. When there is no room in our hearts or minds for anything else in that moment.

When was the last time you truly savoured something?

That bath

That book

That cup of tea or coffee

That sunset

That conversation

That embrace

That chocolate

That walk or run

That song

That bunch of flowers

That view…

We’ve become so focused on this need to be doing all the time, & doing so much, that we’ve forgotten how to savour.

We’ve become so attached to being connected & plugged in that we aren’t switching off enough.

We’re not savouring the little things, that really aren’t so little at all.

Give yourself the gift of savouring.

Make time to sit quietly with that coffee. Feel the warmth of the cup. Breathe in the strong aromas. Notice the marks being made on the cup with every enjoyable sip.

Run that relaxing bath. Notice the softness of your skin as the warm water washes over it. Enjoy the quiet calm without reaching for the distracting phone. Soak in the smells of soap suds or oils or candles burning.

Really absorb that cuddle. Feel the points at which you both connect, soft t-shirts, or their little arms around your neck. Notice the smells of washed hair, perfumes, fresh breath or sweets consumed. Spy each little freckle on scrunched up noses.

Savour.

It’s so important that we remember this simple art, & that we practice regularly so as not to forget. For in savouring, we can find joy & inner peace from the smallest of things, that really aren’t so small at all 💛

Group Acrylic Mandala Painting Intuitive Art Therapy Workshop with Embarked with Simone in Atwell, South of Perth Western Australia

More Magnificent Mandalas

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What an amazing day yesterday, working with this wonderful group to create their masterpieces 😍

To start, they were all nervous, unsure of what they wanted to create, & then they trusted the process, followed what they were drawn to, let go of fears, & created stunning pieces that they were so proud of & did not expect to create – I LOVE it!! ❤️

A year ago today, I painted my very first Mandala at the inspirational Karen Scott’s Mandala Magic workshop in Victoria. Less than 5 months later I started my first evening workshop, sharing my space with others, & one day short of 12 months later, I ran my first full day workshop.

When you know, you know 💛

I went to bed last night with so much gratitude in my heart for having been introduced to Karen & Gary & the amazing work they do.

For being able to create my own space to share this beautiful tool of creative self exploration & care.

To give so many the much needed opportunity to take time out of their busy lives to calm their minds & create.

For the support I have to enable me to do what I love so much!

If you’d love to join me on this journey, my next evening series will start on Tues 12th Feb & my next full day workshop is on Sunday 17th Feb in Atwell.

Looking forward to supporting you through this beautiful process 💛

Simone xx

Group Acrylic Mandala Painting Intuitive Art Therapy Workshop with Embarked with Simone in Atwell, South of Perth Western Australia

Creating space

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Last night, I was reflecting on the beautiful spaces I have, how they came about, & what inspired them.

They didn’t just come out of the blue, in fact, my painting room would seem it was 4 years in the making, but they both started from creating space for the things I have come to love.

Back when setting up our home & nesting whilst due with our firstborn, I wanted to create a relaxation haven in our then theatre room. I had just had an amazing pregnancy massage at the beautiful at endota day spa, a place that hubby & would treat ourselves to on special occasions back in our Melbourne days, & so I was inspired to recreate the feeling of being there, opting for a shade of Endota green on the walls. The room then changed as it became an office space for hubby’s business, but after having set up a painting corner for me in a spare room, we soon realised that this was only the start, & that my relaxation haven that I had created all those years ago would be the perfect space to share my love of painting mandalas with others 🎨💛

Before finding my passion for painting, I found my passion for writing. I decided I wanted to create a beautiful space to further inspire my writings so I set up a corner in our bedroom, bought a desk & a chair, & decorated it to make it my own. Again, after creating space for something I loved, that space evolved as I revisited my Reiki practice at Angel Light Heart and Soul Healing, & we decided to convert our study (which was our much loved dressing room) into a Reiki room / writing space / meditation space, initially for personal use, but now for much more ✨

In doing all these things, in making all these changes, I didn’t knowingly set out to create a room to now be seeing clients for relaxing Reiki / Intuitive Coaching sessions.

I didn’t set out to create a space to be running soulful Mandala Painting Workshops.

It started with a little corner in a room or 2.

It started with being inspired by a place I visited.

It started with recreating a feeling I wanted to feel.

It started with creating space for the things that set my soul on fire.

It doesn’t have to be big, you just need to make space 💛

How can you create a little space for something you love?

A sewing corner, perhaps?

Or a reading nook?

You never know what journey that little space could take you on ✨