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The Healing Benefits of Travel: Discover the Transformative Power of Exploring the World

"Traveling is not about the destination, but the journey itself."

-unknown

Taking the time to travel in today’s fast-paced and demanding environment is not merely a luxury; rather, it is an investment in our general health and well-being. The incredible power that travel possesses to heal and transform us on various levels, encouraging mental, emotional, and physical well-being, It’s a catalyst for profound personal growth and well-being. It can help us discover how venturing beyond our comfort zones can positively transform us. It encourages us to adapt, learn, and grow. As we navigate through the unknown, we develop resilience, resourcefulness, and problem-solving skills. By embracing these challenges, we discover our inner strength and potential, fostering personal development and self-growth. It inspires us to take a step into the unknown, whether that be attempting new things, partaking in daring pursuits, or conversing with people we do not know. We learn about our capabilities, grow in confidence, and overcome self-limiting ideas when we are forced to do things that are outside of our comfort zones. This empowerment extends well beyond the confines of travel experiences and gives us the ability to take on new challenges in our day-to-day lives.

Nurturing Mental Well-being

Traveling allows us to take a break from our normal routine and reawaken our sense of adventure while simultaneously opening a whole new world of unique experiences, cultures, and perspectives. Because of this stimulus, there has been a marked improvement in the state of our mental health. Such examples include:

Stepping outside of our comfort zone which helps to stimulate our thoughts, inspires us to think in novel ways, and ignites our creative potential. 

Taking in new sights, sounds, and experiences, as well as interacting with new people, can spark original thoughts and open new creative channels, which is beneficial for creative types like authors, painters, and anybody else looking to expand their horizons. 

Getting away from the things that cause us stress every day and placing ourselves in an unfamiliar setting can result in a sizable decrease in the amount of tension we feel. This can also contribute to an improvement in our mood. Dopamine, also known as the “feel-good” hormone, is sent into the bloodstream when a person experiences pleasant emotions, such as enthusiasm and anticipation, related to an upcoming trip. 

I try not to leave a trip until I have my next one planned. It gives me something to look forward to. You are always with yourself, no matter where you go, but I have found I love myself the most when I am traveling. It brings out the best in me! The experience of being exposed to a variety of cultures and points of view forces us to reevaluate our preconceived assumptions and broadens our understanding of the world. Having a greater understanding of other cultures helps cultivate empathy, tolerance, and a more open-minded outlook on life.

Embracing emotional wellness travel has the capacity to elicit a variety of feelings, which can provide possibilities for personal development and emotional wellness. The following are some of the ways in which travel can have a positive impact on our emotional landscape:

Nourishment of the physical body

Although travel is not necessarily synonymous with strenuous physical activity, it does provide countless opportunities for refreshing and reviving the bodies of those who partake in it. The following are some of the ways that traveling can improve our physical well-being: Physical activity: traveling generally entails some form of physical activity, whether it be hiking through gorgeous landscapes, exploring historic ruins, or simply meandering around busy cities. Participating in these activities can help improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and general fitness. Spending time in natural settings has been shown to have positive effects on both a person’s physical and mental health, according to several studies. We can reestablish a connection with the restorative properties of nature when we take a trip to a natural marvel, a national park, or a tranquil beach area. This helps us feel less stressed and more relaxed. Experimenting with new cuisines and savoring regional specialties is an essential component of vacationing and traveling in general. Our nutritional well-being can be improved through the experience of a wider variety of flavors and fresh, healthy products, which can also help us develop healthier eating habits and broaden our palette.

The therapeutic benefits of travel go much beyond the typical expectations of vacationing, such as pleasure and sight-seeing. Our mental, emotional, and physical well-being are all nourished by it, and as a result, we are able to reestablish a connection with both ourselves and the world around us. There is no denying the transforming potential that travel possesses, which includes the ability to foster our creativity, alleviate stress, cultivate our resilience, and improve our physical health. Consequently, let us delight in the marvels of discovery, strike forth into the void, and discover what is beyond.

shallow focus photography of woman in white top

Introspection and self-reflection are encouraged when you are in unfamiliar surroundings. Being in an unfamiliar environment stimulates introspection and reflection. Away from the interruptions of day-to-day life, we can reevaluate our priorities, reacquaint ourselves with our interests, and acquire greater insight into the direction our lives should go. Conquering challenges helps one develop self-confidence, adaptability, and a greater capability to deal with the challenges that life throws at them. Traveling offers a plethora of possibilities for engaging in social activities and making new relationships with people from all walks of life. The act of interacting with new people, learning about their backgrounds, and exchanging life experiences might help us feel more at home in the world and improve our social well-being.

Travel is more than a destination

For me personally, travel is so much more than just a vacation. I have traveled to spread my twin boys’ ashes, who passed away after two hours of life. Hawaii is one of my favorite places on Earth. I was fortunate enough to travel there often with my family, and I hold such fond memories. It seemed like the perfect place to spread my twins’ ashes. Now, when I go back, I feel they are with me. I get to go sit at the beach and remember how much love we had for them and imagine what they would be doing if they were still alive with me on this beach.

I also traveled across the country during the pandemic to adopt a baby and got to push myself emotionally more than I ever thought was possible. Walking through an empty airport with an empty car seat was a surreal experience. I could only hope our birth mom would decide to place her baby with us to adopt and that I would fly home with a baby! The main things I have experienced while traveling are the following: stress reduction, mental and emotional renewal, personal growth, self-reflection, cultural appreciation, and global awareness.

Traveling allows us to escape the pressures and demands of everyday life. By breaking free from routine, exploring new environments, and immersing ourselves in new experiences, we can significantly reduce stress levels and promote relaxation. The change of scenery, the absence of responsibilities, and the opportunity to disconnect from work or personal challenges create a rejuvenating and calming effect. Traveling also has the power to invigorate our minds and emotions. It offers a break from the monotony of daily life and introduces us to novel experiences, cultures, and perspectives. This exposure stimulates our curiosity, ignites our creativity, and broadens our worldview. As a result, we experience a renewed sense of inspiration, motivation, and enthusiasm. 

Additionally, I have found that stepping outside of our comfort zones and immersing ourselves in new environments fosters personal growth and self-reflection. Travel provides opportunities for self-discovery as we encounter new situations and challenge our beliefs and assumptions. By navigating unfamiliar territories, interacting with different people, and embracing novel experiences, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. It also allows us to experience the richness and diversity of cultures around the world. Through firsthand encounters with different traditions, languages, customs, and cuisines, we develop a greater appreciation and respect for cultural diversity. This exposure fosters empathy, compassion, and a sense of global awareness, nurturing our social connections and promoting harmony among diverse communities. It offers unique opportunities to connect with others and build meaningful relationships. Whether it’s bonding with fellow travelers, engaging with locals, or forging connections with people from different backgrounds, these interactions enrich our social lives and provide a sense of belonging. Cultivating new friendships and building cross-cultural connections can enhance our emotional well-being and create lasting memories.

Travel offers a holistic healing experience by reducing stress, stimulating personal growth, fostering cultural appreciation, promoting physical well-being, nurturing social connections, and enhancing our perspective and adaptability. Embracing the transformative power of travel can truly enrich our lives and contribute to our overall well-being.

“Traveling is therapy for the soul."

-unknown
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The Struggle of Identity: Letting Go to Embrace Something New

When I was growing up, there was little room for “and”. Everything in my life was an “or”; a jagged line superimposed over always seemingly opposing extremes, a frantic dance between salvation or damnation, perfection or peril. 

The thing about identity is… it’s everything while holding onto it, yet not fully understood until we let it go. Like a costume worn for a role only to be removed and hung back on the rack where it may hang lifelessly juxtaposed against other colors and textures, we don’t always realize the contrast of something until it’s over.

Our careers, our work, how we spend our days, and how much this can change and transmute if we allow the natural needs of ourselves to do so is like this. Identities perpetually being built and torn down, recycled, reworn, destroyed, reimagined, transformed…

My first iteration of college was an “or” decision. Go, earn a degree, get a job, make money and buy a sense of self OR don’t go, be less than what others perceive you as capable of, disappoint your parents, and flounder.

As it turned out, I’d flounder regardless.

College gave me plenty of experiences, but little wisdom or insight around who I was, what I wanted, or how to best live with myself each day. It was a breeding ground for my still slightly dormant struggles with mental health and while I did graduate, what was supposed to bring me clarity and orient me appropriately to the next checkpoint of a “well-lived life”, instead rendered me desperate for existential safety and riddled with debt.

Fast forward through two post-graduate career trajectories explored and abandoned before deciding to return to school to earn teaching credentials; I again felt the excitement of an affirmed choice.

This, I remember thinking emphatically. “This, is the right move. If I do this, then I’ll finally be getting it right.”

Like we tend to do, I entered this next season of my life both naive and unprepared. The daily turmoil of a middle school classroom simultaneously fueled my high functioning anxiety while destroying my physical health. I loved that each day was something new and I took pride in my ability to connect with students, yet the work consumed me. I had no way to balance my own needs against those of the job.

It took some time for me to admit, but the truth was, I didn’t love teaching like I thought I would.

I loved aspects of how it made me feel. I loved the title and sense of identity. I loved that I got to use my voice and energy to tell stories and lead.

However, I did not love many key components of the job: lesson planning, the politics, the need to essentially parent all of my students.

In 2020, the love of the field was tested for every teacher in the profession. The dawn of the pandemic and being six months pregnant with my second child – it was simply too much. My anxiety was at an all time high and I was frantically confronted with that familiar truth:

Not this…

My inner cries were deafening.

Not only did I want to leave the profession, I wanted something different for my life altogether. I wanted to be out of the fast lane and home with my young children. I wanted to have a more easeful relationship with my days. Less hustle, more rest. Less achievement, more presence.

This was not an easy hill to roll down. Admitting that I wanted to shed this role in favor of another was incredibly taxing. I surveyed and polled and grappled for several months, not allowing myself to simply exhale into the new desire.

I hung on to the bitter end, fighting impulsive email checking and other anxious behaviors that had developed in the wake of the indeterminate.

How could I just walk away from a career ten years in the making? Who would I be if I didn’t have this title to my name?

I could not see the And. I could not feel into what it would mean to be BOTH mom AND something else. Everything felt like an either/or. I knew I didn’t want to work full-time in education any longer and for reasons far beyond the strains of the pandemic.

But what next?

I wish I had a shiny one liner for what that looks like, but I’m still drafting the solution. It’s been nearly three years since I left teaching and in that time, I have had success as a recruiter and in other various freelance projects that have allowed me to work flexibly from anywhere.
Some of these roles I’ve abandoned, others I’ve reworn. Some have transformed into new opportunities both found and created as I continue to collect data on what I most want and need.

I have learned how narrowly my identity was historically tied to how I earned money. I had a hard time seeing who I was beyond my job title. I needed to reparent myself a bit and work through some of the achievement addiction that was coming from a place of shame and worthiness hustle rather than from a place of empowerment and true desire.

I am learning how to be in the And of it all.

I can be my children’s teacher AND a smart, capable woman with other skills to offer the world when I want to, not because I need its stamp of approval.

The thing about living in the And is that when we let go of something that no longer serves us, it’s not gone forever. The memory of what that costume felt like, how it draped or constricted our frame, how it made us have to stand or sit or crawl or cry… this stays with us. We get to be formerly something AND currently something else. It can all have space on the rack.

Sometimes, we have to reorient and take on a new leading role. The key here is flexibility. The resilience we desire to have to fuel us through our next big decision or hardship only comes from the act of flexing, from making a new choice, doing the hard, but necessary thing.

My life is very different now than it was in 2020. I’ve changed careers, begun to explore homeschooling, moved across the country, taken a more gentle approach with my days and still I wonder what tweaks need to be made. I am working on feeling more comfortable in this playful space and letting go of the idea that there is a penultimate place I’ll get to when I’ll earn all the approval I still sometimes seek; internally and externally.

What if all of life really is a stage and we get to try on as many roles as necessary until we find the ones we most want to play?

What if there is room for And?

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Moving Solo Across the Country at 30

Why am I packing up and moving across the country solo at 30-years-old?

That’s a loaded question, isn’t it? But it’s the season of my life I’m in, and it feels unaligned to write about anything else right now.

So many people have asked why. Why now? Why Los Angeles? Solo? Are you sure? And I get it; I absolutely do. It’s bold, it’s brave, it’s a big move. It’s a long drive. It’s a commitment. It’s a lot of things.

I visited a soul sister in California in March of 2020, right before the pandemic altered everything. I can still feel the feelings in my body from that trip, now two years later—a new sense of being, a feeling of home, an aliveness within my blood and bones.

Those 5 days of sunshine, ocean air, sand between my toes, and remembrance shifted something within me. I returned back to Chicago, to my corporate job that I was on the verge of leaving, and told everyone in my life “I need to move to California.” I said it to anyone who would listen, but everyone brushed it off.

Fast forward 6 months and my life looked like someone else’s. I had taken the leap I planned on making—to become a Spiritual Healer and Coach. I was living back with my parents at nearly 29, I was working on building a book of clients, I was beginning again. I felt refreshed and revived. My life started to feel full of purpose.

California was still on my mind. The ocean, the beach, the sunsets were calling. “Next spring,” my soul said. I needed to settle more, I wasn’t “ready.”

I settled in Chicago for another year. In September 2021, I made my way back to Southern California for a quick work trip and the peace I felt in my bones was deeper than before. This time I knew, it was time. No more waiting, no more excuses. I may never be fully “ready.”

“Spring 2022,” my soul said, “it’s time to make moves.” In less than 48-hours in a place I will soon call home, I had never been so sure of my decision. My mind almost couldn’t keep up with my soul and spirit. My body was moving faster than my emotions. My body was ready. I was more than ready for this change.

I had spent so much of my 20s struggling through grief, depression, and finding my footing in life. I spent so much of my life living for others, putting them first. But it was time for that to truly shift once again. To take the biggest leap of my life.

I made a declaration at the end of 2021, that in 2022 no matter how it looked, these conscious decisions were for me. It was time to live my life for myself. Truly for no one else, but me.

The drive itself represents freedom. Open road with endless time for reflection. A new city allows for new beginnings. With a move like this, there’s endless release and space for expansion. It feels as though it’s been a cycle of full moons and new moons almost daily in my life. It’s been full of every emotion possible the last two months. Intense, beautiful, draining, scary, and excitement, just to name a few. But at last, I am ready. I am READY.

And so here I am, about to set off on a cross country drive, solo, at 30. Some say it’s brave, some say it’s bold. Some say I can come back if it doesn’t work out.

What I say is, it’s living. And that’s what we’re meant to do. We’re meant to live. It looks different for all of us. It’s okay if some people don’t understand how you live your life. What matters most is that you love how you live.

So, how will you live? How can you live for yourself?

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Energy Work for Solopreneurs

Solopreneur life can be isolating and confronting—which creates the perfect storm for self-sabotage. Especially in the early-stages, solopreneurship fast-tracks the surfacing of our limiting beliefs, and if you’re not aware, self-defeating behaviours take the driver’s seat. Maybe you have a good day where you get some marketing ideas circulating, and brainstorm your next project, but somehow in the next moment, you’re on the couch numbing yourself with Netflix because procrastinating feels more tolerable than dealing with the overwhelm

Starting a business on your own can feel like one of the hardest things you’ll ever do.

But the feeling doesn’t have to bring you to the point of paralysis.

Often the solutions that circulate the business coaching community at this stage are to work on your mindset and develop strategies to get to where you want to go. However, the self-introspection is somewhat surface level and the majority of the focus quickly shifts to achieving external results.

It goes like this:
  • Create the vision.
  • Set the goals.
  • Learn a few strategies to achieve them.
  • Then look at what beliefs you hold that are preventing you from taking action.
  • Maybe try a different strategy. Adjust as necessary.

However, if your business is in the spiritual or personal development realm, there’s a layer of complexity to these steps because your business is inextricably tied to your personal growth. It becomes just as much, if not more, about your personal expansion than your bank account’s. The solopreneur (or soulpreneur, if you will) pursuit is fundamentally connected to who you are, and every step you take becomes deeply personal.

And when stuff gets deep, our subconscious defense mechanisms flare up like nobody’s business. Our egos do not like the changes that are afoot when we confront our fear of failure, our fear of what others think of us, and ironically, our fear of success. It’s at this stage, when all our inner turmoil bubbles up as we consider what the true, most authentically aligned path forward for ourselves is, that we enter what I call the Phoenix phase of the journey.

Because ego-death is imminent and it can feel like we’re about to burn up into a pile of ash. But if we charge ahead, and try to skip the phase of embracing and working with fear, inevitably what we’ve ignored will come knocking on our door…and we’ll miss the whole “being reborn and rising from the ash” thing.

For example, I’ve seen this pattern in the coaching community:

A coach is told to find a market niche. So they find a market niche, and learn to create killer content to attract their target client. They do well for a while, and tout 10k or 25k months or however much they’ve sold.

And then…

* CRASH * BANG * BOOM *

It’s like a fight scene from the original batman series. Only instead of men in tights throwing awkward fake punches, it’s a bunch of the coach’s internalized cognitive dissonance wreaking havoc in their subconscious and getting into fisticuffs with itself.

All the feelings they ignored when they created their offering, when perhaps they knew it didn’t feel authentic, or it didn’t align with their values, smack them in the face. So they burn out. And take breaks or pivot or quit because whatever they created started to feel yucky

Soul-damaging, even.

Enter more numbing with Netflix and days spent on the couch. Now you may be asking yourself, “Mmk, Julia, how do you know this pattern so well?” Ok fine, yes, I speak from experience. A similar but different experience.

When I was at wit’s end with creating my intuitive healing and coaching business, and flailing around trying to figure out my next steps, I hired a business coach. And even though this coach was well-versed in how fear shows up in entrepreneurs, the focus was largely external. Which makes sense. It was business coaching, after all. We would do some introspection but the emphasis was on strategy and getting clients.

In hindsight, what I really needed at the time was space to simply work with this intense fear-based energy that was arising within me as I started to expand my business. Because even after years of personal development work, the fear that came up when I thought of taking the leap into full-on entrepreneur life was too overwhelming. I would shut down at the idea of marketing myself and I couldn’t implement any of the strategies my coach was offering.

And then it dawned on me, as my work with the coach was winding down...Why the @#&% wasn’t I taking my own advice that I give my clients?!

I was literally helping women through fear-based overwhelm throughout the entire year in my energy work sessions, but because I had made this big investment into business coaching that I wanted to stay accountable to, I wasn’t taking as much time and space to address my energetic state. If I could go back, I would have given myself permission to work on embracing my fear for a couple of months. I would have taken ample time to apply my energy practices to get into a more regulated state and to get my energy flowing.

I eventually did. I finally found a permanent place to live (I had been bouncing around vacation rentals after moving to a new city) and I put the biz stuff on hold.

I found an amazing acupuncturist, I did yoga daily, I dove deep into my meditation practice, I hung out alone in the forest, and salsa danced whenever I could. I nurtured the shit out of my personal energy by doing things I love to do, and by taking things slow and focusing inward. I started to feel my energy come alive again, and I felt myself evolving beyond the fear I had associated with solopreneur life.

I found a fervour for my life and my business that I hadn’t felt before. And after the flame had been burning for about a month, I created my first group program. The concept and sales seemed to just happen. Not without effort, of course, but the process didn’t feel as terrifying as it would have before. It felt surprisingly easeful, actually. I approached it from a place of feeling grounded and solid in myself—because I was.

So what are the energy work practices that helped me get to a place of groundedness and ease?

Well, first let’s start with an Energy Work 101.

I take a fairly liberal stance and I consider Energy Work to be an umbrella term. You may have heard of Reiki, or other energy healing modalities, or breathwork. Other practices that I would put under the umbrella include acupuncture, yoga, tai chi, chi gong, some forms of meditation, and even intuitive or psychic work. These practices focus on creating an optimal flow of energy within our energetic fields, either through physically working with the body, as is the case with acupuncture, movement practices, and breathwork, or through the power of conscious intention, as is the case with some intuitive healing practices. The idea with the latter is that we can influence the flow of our vital energy via our intentions, or I what I would term “a combination of a very potent thought and feeling”.

One definition of intuition is “to read energy data in the present moment” (that insight comes from Caroline Myss, a famous Medical Intuitive, if you’re curious). If you’ve ever been to a psychic, what I believe they’re doing is tapping into your energetic field via conscious awareness and reading the “energy data.” This is what I do in my own work and I believe that anyone is capable of doing this. In fact, I think we are constantly reading energy data subconsciously and we’re just not aware of it.

When we set an intention to receive information that will help increase optimal energy flow, we can tap into life experiences that have created energy “gaps” or “blocks” in the energy field. These gaps can influence our physical, mental, and emotional health. However, when we bring conscious awareness to our experiences that have not been processed emotionally (and ultimately, energetically), we are then priming the energy to shift. What’s needed next is to apply compassionate awareness and other energy work practices. In my practice, I work with breath and movement, and train clients in how to work with the energy of compassion to embrace and shift stagnant energies within their systems.

Information that comes up in my sessions also pertains to what a person needs to do in order to get their energy flowing again. Like, for fun.

I realized after several sessions with clients that this was my forte, so to speak. I can see what a client’s artistic and creative aptitudes are, and what they need to do to feel authentically expressed.

You see, hobbies aren’t just hobbies, they’re life-force-amplifiers. Self-expression is soul food. When we express ourselves, we get an energetic enhancement that takes us to the next best thing in life. Our personal passions are like little battery packs, and when we plug in, they give us fuel for life and keep our energy healthy. Engaging with our passions brings out parts of our energy that are ready to be uncovered and amplified.

So anyway, I took a couple months to “tap into” my energy daily, ask what it needed to get flowing, and then I went out and did those things.

This naturally helped my fear subside, and eventually ideas started flowing for programs I wanted to create, funnily enough, by not focusing on my business at all.

If you’re an aspiring or early-stage solopreneur, I highly recommend taking time for yourself first, right at the stage of when you’re brainstorming what you want your business to look like and starting to feel overwhelmed. Because another Energy Work 101 tidbit is that “where attention goes, energy flows,” and if we charge ahead with focusing a ton on our businesses, while shrugging off the fear and self-worth issues that arise, we’re sending a lot of fear-based energy outward into our creations within our business.

If I were to create a list for the steps to take at this stage of solopreneurship, this would be it:

  1. Acknowledge that a transition phase is needed. If you put a lot of financial pressure on your business, fear is going to ramp up in your energy field—which is super no bueno. Either keep your 9-5 for a little longer (while shifting most of your focus on yourself, you probably won’t get in line for a promotion but at least you’ll have an income), or get a part-time job that you might not be thrilled about but will pay bills, or budget for a few months if you have savings. Our financial stability is extremely important for our energetic health.

  2. Learn to cultivate compassionate energy from within. This is the most important step. Practice “Metta” meditations or loving-kindness meditations. These are Buddhist meditations that teach us to send ourselves and others feelings of kindness and open-heartedness. Without our ability to be kind to ourselves, we cannot see our shadows, or the energies that feel uncomfortable. Our subconscious minds have powerful defense mechanisms that will prevent us from becoming aware if we’re wrestling with ourselves. Compassion opens our awareness.

  3. Begin working with your energy daily. Put the biz tasks down. Practice meditations, particularly body scan meditations and learn to sense your personal energy. Where do you feel tension or feelings of unease? Ask these areas of your body what’s needed to help it feel lighter. Do you need to move? Dance? Get into the forest? Breath? Send it love? All of the above?

  4. Acknowledge what you love to do. This can be hard at first, especially when we realize how long we’ve been ignoring our passions. If feelings of guilt or anger arise, work on accepting those emotions with kindness (bring on the Metta meditations!). Then go out and do the things you love. This helps us dance with our fear, by the way. Because at the core, it’s fear that prevented us from doing what we love in the first place. On days when you feel drained, and can’t muster the energy to do what you’re passionate about, again, send yourself kindness and love, even if it’s from the couch watching Netflix.

With enough focused attention on these steps, even after a few weeks, your energy will start to flow again. You’ll feel more creative and joyful, and it will naturally start to bleed into your business. Your business won’t feel like a chore anymore, and if it starts to again, then you know what you need to do to shift out of it.

My journey with solopreneurship taught me invaluable lessons, with the main one being to always focus inward first when life doesn’t feel like it’s flowing, and to give my inner world a ton of compassionate attention.

When we put down expectations, and the perceived external pressure to be successful, we realize the most important thing in life is to know ourselves and to feel authentically expressed. Feeling comfortable and at ease with ourselves is the first step to creating a life well lived, and yes, a thriving business as well.

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Navigating Not Knowing What to Do with Your Life, and Feeling Fine with It

Career planning class in high school; Our teacher made us go through a pile of different personality tests that we’re supposed to unfold my true calling in life (yes, at 16 years old). I immediately felt this panic taking over my body as I realized I had the classic “Will never truly know what they want to do” personality type. The Myers Briggs, the psychological inventory, the enneagram, the 16 personalities, they were all agreeing; for me, there would be many forks on the road, and it would be chaotic.

It seemed that everyone around me had it figured out—certainly more than me. My anxious brain came to the conclusion that all failures and unhappiness in my life must be directly related to this career thing. It has to be the key to a perfect life right? This feeling lurked in the back of my brain and pitched its tent there for a long time, greatly affecting my self-esteem (and my wallet) as I would try too many different new ventures, studies, and classes without really feeling like doing the work. This would all lead to quickly dissociating and having a negative outlook on life. I would blank when people would ask: What do you do? What do you want to be? What are your skills? I just didn’t have a simple answer, and it made me realize that it is hard to feel whole when all those questions are unanswered.

However, through many nights of crying, panicking over my life, and putting all my personal value into careers, starting a business, or daydreaming of this super cool fictional job where there would be huge windows and monstera plants and cool people with funky glasses that would drink third wave coffee in my brick-walled office, I’ve come to realize through conversations with people who seemed to have those things, that it didn’t fill any of the voids, stress, loneliness, depression, trauma, or grief that life can bring in your life. Even if it takes a lot of work and personal soul-searching, it is crucial to try to find peace and be comfortable with ourselves even in seasons of uncertainty—when we do not have much going on.

I started to ask myself questions like:
Do I love my friends and loved ones because of their jobs?
Do I really believe one needs to make money out of a passion for it to be valid?
Does one’s personal value shift to nothing past their 9 to 5?

Once I checked the “no” box to all those questions, I realized that none of these statements reflected my personal values—and from conversations with many humans I believe I am not alone in this situation.

Overtime, I have met a couple people like me who also can’t define themselves and are still starting to figure out what they want to do with their life. A metaphor that illustrates this well is the piece of a puzzle that is only one plain color on a very complex Monet painting. Some pieces seem really easy to place as they appear to have a clear design, something noticeable, a specific quality, a connection with another one. However the whole picture would never be complete without all components and the complexity and beauty of an image is attributed to all its pieces whether they are easy or hard to place.

At the end, our natural desire to anchor in our identity and find who we truly are is a perfectly normal and very intrinsec force in our life and we all link it to our own things and patterns. We all actualize ourselves in various ways. It is of the most importance however, to be able to meet yourself where you are, to sit down in the chaos, take a deep breath and be fine with not really knowing in the moment.

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Redefining Success: One Size Does Not Fit All

How does success look for you? In fact, let’s try this out—think about how you envisioned a successful life 10 or 15 years ago, and compare it to your vision of success today. Did it change? While you think about that one, let me share mine.

Fifteen years ago, my definition of success wasn’t really mine. I borrowed it from my parents’, and it went something like this: “Success means finding a good job in a good company, making good money, and retiring gracefully after 40 years of job security.” And folks—‘good’ is always relative.

Today, my definition of success is lighter. It’s more flexible, it makes sense for me and for the life I’m building, and it can be summed up in four words: purpose, profit, peace, and joy. If the work I do today grants me these, then you’ll find me swimming in the pool of success. Scratch that – you’ll find me floating. On a rainbow-colored unicorn floatie, holding an ice-cold bottle of kombucha.

Finding Inspiration

As much as I love me a Pinterest board, the inspiration I’m talking about goes beyond a mood or a vision board. If I ask you what inspires you the most, could you answer as quickly and automatically as Netflix plays the next episode?

Self-confidence inspires me. I’m especially inspired by women who believe in themselves with such conviction, that the only thing on hold is another call (you know, vs. their dreams). Some are entrepreneurs, some are side-hustlers, some are full-timers working a 9-to-5. And all are trying to find the kind of balance that will allow them to do everything to achieve their own version of success.

Because—you can do everything—just not at the same time. I learned this after over a decade of working in marketing and PR, holding my productivity hostage to never-ending to-do lists with boxes waiting to be checked, and non-personal goals to attend to. I wasn’t born with the this-is-what-you’ll-do-for-the-rest-of-your-life chip. I always felt like there was something more; that I wasn’t meant to do just one thing or stay in one corporate job forever. Most of my professional life I’ve been working the good jobs, at the good companies, making decent money, and following someone else’s definition of success.

Until I realized I could do anything. I could be anything. And still work the good jobs. Somewhere in the middle, I found the way to complete a yoga teacher training and get certified as a health coach. Do I make a living doing the latter? No. Do these practices bring me immense joy? Heck yes.

Staying True to You

There is not one way to live your life; not one way to do anything. Yet, there’s a shared misconception that every adult should have everything figured out by a certain age (ahem, 30). That there’s a sequence of events that need to happen before you’re too late, or too old but definitely not while it’s too early or you’re too young. It’s like we live under a predetermined, collectively accepted norm stating that if you specialize in one subject you must make it your life’s work. As if choosing to focus on one of your passions, instantly bans you from pursuing another one.

In case no one ever told you: You are free to fulfill as many interests as you can handle, regardless of what you do for a living. Neither your profession, job, title, nor salary define who you are. And above all—they don’t determine your value.

Living Wholeheartedly

I had to pull over and stop my car mid-listen to playback and write down what I’d just heard. I was deep in Brené Brown’s The Power of Vulnerability, having all sorts of ‘aha’ moments listening to Guidepost #9, from her “10 Guideposts for Wholehearted Living.” Something in me clicked and my perspective was forever changed. The car-stopping, life-altering, relatable nugget of wisdom is called: “Cultivating meaningful work, letting go of self-doubt and ‘supposed to’.”

In case you’re unfamiliar with Dr. Brené Brown and her work, I’ll do my best to illustrate. She’s a researcher and storyteller who began studying emotions like vulnerability, shame, and guilt. This led her to shift the focus to what happens after we overcome limiting beliefs associated with the feelings above, and we start owning our story. Spoiler alert: We let joy in, and start living a wholehearted life. Through her research, Brown found that wholehearted people do work that they care about, that they’re passionate about and that generates a sense of purpose.

Recognizing Your Passion and Purpose

She mentions a variety of scenarios and groups of people, that I summarize below (I’m using my own terminology for naming them here):

  • The Side-Hustlers with Purpose: people with a 9-to-5 job that doesn’t necessarily have them bursting with passion, but it pays the bills. However, they have an on-the-side (a side-hustle, or passion project) enabling that feeling of joy and purpose for them.

  • The Unicorns: the fortunate folks who have that one job with which they feed their families, themselves and their souls. They are fulfilled.

  • The Naturals: People fulfilled by their job, who find some purpose and meaning in it, but mostly because it’s a good job and they do it well.

What I find interesting about the last group, is that on top of having a job that doesn’t make them miserable, they have an on-the-side something that fills whatever void is left by their day job, and it can either generate extra income, or—listen closely—not. Or, they do volunteer work.

Through a series of stories stemming from her research, Brené Brown argues that we live in a society where it’s frowned upon to invest your time in something that feeds your soul, but doesn’t thicken your wallet. I agree.

There are people who are fortunate enough to find their passion early in life, and make a living out of it, or who ditch their 9-to-5 to pursue what genuinely feeds their soul. And there are some who desperately dream of quitting a job that is not fulfilling, or following a passion out of pure enjoyment, but due to their current situation that isn’t an immediate possibility.

If you relate to the first group: kudos for the clarity. Rooting for you.

And if you’re relating to that second group, I leave you with what I consider is the most powerful segment of Guidepost #9:

From The Power of Vulnerability

“…So, if you’re on the fence about if you have the ability to feed your soul or feed your family or feed yourself with work you love, it’s worth whatever you have to do, to make that happen.

It’s really worth that leap.

If you don’t have that option, it is absolutely worth the leap of finding a way to express yourself, and work in some contribution that reflects who you are. And you have the right to do that even if you don’t make any money and you have to carve away time from the rest of your life to do it.

…It’s important, it’s part of who we are.”

May you continue believing in yourself, redefining your meaning of success, and doing more of what feeds your soul.

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How Entrepreneurs Can Effect Change in Local Communities

I’m sure you saw that Jeff Bezos launched himself into outer space a few weeks ago (who could have missed that rocket?). But today, I want to talk about the real hero of the Amazon story: MacKenzie Scott. Why? Simply put, I think she offers a really great glimpse into what it really means to be a leader. MacKenzie now owns 4% of Amazon and has a net-worth of over $50 billion USD. But instead of shooting herself into space, you know what she’s doing with that money? She’s giving it away.

Which got me thinking: What would it look like if people actually started investing in their communities? We talk about systemic change all the time, but that can feel paralyzing. What if, instead, we talked about change in a more tangible, actionable way. We can’t all be MacKenzie Scott, but we can all do something to make our communities a better, safer place for everyone.

How to Create Change in Your Own Community as an Entrepreneur

  1. Sponsor a local event or fundraiser by donating through your business.

    Are there any local non-profits or organizations that are raising money for your local community? For example, events like 5k runs, fundraising dinners, and other community events are always looking for sponsors. You don’t have to be a large corporation to make a donation for events like this!

  2. Give a portion of your company’s monthly profit to a local organization that is making real change in your community.

    This is something I’ve enacted in my own business. Each month, I donate a set amount of money to a different local organization that’s doing good work in my community. I ask for recommendations from friends and then vet the organizations to make sure they are aligned with my values. You can decide to donate a set amount or a percentage of your overall profits. It’s up to you!

  3. Organize a volunteer day during the week with a few of your peers.

    This is a fun one that I haven’t implemented yet, but I’m looking forward to! If you’re an entrepreneur, chances are you have a more flexible schedule than someone working 9-5. Check to see if there are any local organizations that need volunteer support during the week. They’ll most likely be extremely grateful, as they may not typically receive as much support during those hours.

  4. Shout-out community organizations that you have relationships with on social media + tell your followers why you work with them.

    If you cannot donate monetarily, you can always support local community organizations by sharing their information on social media. Know a good organization that’s making a difference in your local community? Share their story on your social media channel and encourage your followers to follow and engage with them!

  5. Use your platform as a business owner to direct local legislative change by signing petitions, attending council meetings, sitting on leadership boards, etc.

    Recently, I was asked to sign a petition for redistricting for local elections in my area. On the petition, it asked what business or organization I was representing—and I realized I could sign the petition on my own company’s behalf! As a business owner, you have a lot more power than you realize. Learn about the causes that you feel passionate about and use your position of leadership to push for the change you want to see.

As an entrepreneur—whether you like it or not—you are a leader. How can you step into that leadership role with confidence? What can you do to effect change in your community?

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Our Thoughts Create Our Reality…Even in Business

As an entrepreneur, it can often feel scary to step out into the Wild West that is building a business. For hundreds of years, society has been structured in such a way that certain people and ideas will automatically be set up for more success than others. Since starting my own business, I have too often noticed that the people I work with come to me with all sorts of limiting beliefs about their ability to grow their business with ease and clarity.

When I chat with new clients about why they want to work with me, inevitably one of the following beliefs will surface:

“I’m not good at [insert skill set].”⁠

“I hate social media. It’s so draining.”⁠

“I’m scared to create [insert specific project], I have no idea where to start.”⁠

And while I understand that business strategies like building a social media campaign can feel extremely overwhelming, especially as a new business owner, it’s important to understand that our thoughts create our reality. If you describe your relationship with marketing and sales as “complicated”, it’s going to continue to manifest that way.

So, then, what can you do when these thoughts appear? In the same way that you reframe your limiting beliefs about yourself, you can reframe the limiting beliefs you hold about your success as a business owner. Because, whether you want to believe it or not, marketing and sales strategies are skills that can be learned by anyone.

Many of my clients are creative artists and spiritual or holistic entrepreneurs. They come to me equating things like sales calls or social media with words like “icky,” “gross,” or “deceptive.” Yes, that used car salesman definitely gives the word “sales” a bad rap, but that doesn’t mean you should throw the baby out with the bathwater.

For too long, people who dare to push outside the limits of what society deems as an acceptable career path have been shamed into thinking their business models “won’t be successful.” These deeply ingrained societal norms keep many of us playing for pennies and force us back into the tiny boxes we want so desperately to escape.

My philosophy is simple: Learning these strategies will help you use them to kick the old systems in the pants.

Learn how to structure a kick-butt sales call, and then use those strategies to change lives with your services. Learn how to talk about yourself on social media so that you gain the visibility you deserve (after all, your work is needed in this new reality). Learn how to build a beautiful, functional website so more and more people are attracted to you and willing to partake in what you have to offer them.

The time for playing small has ended, my friend. It is no longer enough to just be able to pay your bills each month. You deserve to live a comfortable life — own it! After all, when our most basic needs are met, we are then able to meet the needs of others (see Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs).

 

So, then, what type of reality do you want to manifest? Pay attention to how you’re speaking to yourself. Consider reframing these limiting beliefs:⁠

“I’m not good at [insert skill set].”⁠ turns into “[Insert skill set] makes me uncomfortable, but I know I can do hard things.”⁠

“I hate social media. It’s so draining.”⁠ turns into “Social media can be draining. That’s why I’m setting boundaries for myself around using it.”⁠

“I’m scared to create [insert specific project], I have no idea where to start.”⁠ turns into “I don’t know how to create [insert specific project]. Maybe I should find someone who can help me.”⁠

I encourage you to try reframing these beliefs over the next few days, in the same way that you journal and practice mindfulness in your everyday life. We need you and your unique gifts in this new reality we are manifesting…are you ready to step into your calling?

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Aligning Your Workday with Cosmic Energy

Did you know each day of the week corresponds to a planet in our solar system?

Cosmic energy is all around us. From the tides of the ocean, influenced by the moon, to the way animals instinctually react to eclipses, there are many real-life examples of how the energy of our solar system impacts our own energetic fields every day.

But, what does it mean to have your energy influenced by an external force? How is that even possible?

In A Brief Tour of Higher Consciousness, scientist Itzhak Bentov posits that the entire universe is shaped like a toroidal sphere. Ancient Vedic scholars (some of whom were astrologers) understood this, in human form, as the alignments of the chakras in our bodies. Essentially, energy is at its most concentrated at the center of our body — exactly where each of the 7 main chakras are located. From there it radiates out on both sides of the body and then sweeps back in, forming the shape of a doughnut.

Ancient philosophy and science alike recognize that the energy of our bodies can be influenced by the energy of other things around us. Take the Moon as an example. We know, scientifically, that the Moon influences the tides of the ocean. We also know, scientifically, that human bodies are made of mostly water. Is it so far-fetched, then, to believe that the Moon must also influence us?

In the same way, each planetary body in our solar system has its own energetic force, similar to the toroidal spheres. Ancient scholars named each of these planets after a god or goddess that exhibited certain qualities they found to be relative to the planet they were observing. Today, we can use these studies to help us understand how to structure our day in alignment with each of these celestial bodies.

Planet's Associated with Week Days

Here’s How it Shakes Out

Monday = the Moon

The energy of the moon is fluid, deep feeling, nurturing and can sometimes be intense. Think waking up slowly, making a delicious cup of tea or coffee and spending an hour in deep meditation. Mondays are meant to be slow days and are best for reflection and introspection. It’s an excellent day to reflect on the previous week.

If you can, take your time waking up on Mondays. Start the day with a yummy ritual like meditation or mindful breathing. If you have the ability to create a flexible schedule, I’d highly suggest waiting until Tuesday to schedule meetings. Because the moon can sometimes cause us to feel deeply, we may not be in the right headspace to soak up 50 action items in a 2-hour long meeting. If you don’t have any flexibility, I’d highly encourage you to take 5 minutes before your meeting to do some mindful breathing exercises (you can easily do those at your desk!). This will ground you and help you feel a little more at ease while listening to your colleague’s 40-page slide deck presentation.

Tuesday = Mars

Tuesday is a day for ACTION! Whether it’s starting a new project that’s already been planned out, meeting with new clients, or even starting a business, the energy of the planet Mars is behind you this day. In some ways, Tuesday should really be the first day of the week because we often feel incredibly motivated and high energy. Mars brings clarity, fire, action, and drive. But be careful, you can also feel incredibly impatient on this day and your temper might just flare.

Tuesdays are great days to start new things – plain and simple. Use the fiery, strong-willed energy of the planet Mars to (in the words of JVN) GET THINGS DONE, HUNNY.

Wednesday = Mercury

Wednesdays are a day for communication. Thinking about trying a new email strategy? Today is a good day to give it a whirl. Folks are more likely to be open to new forms of communication on this day. Want to know why Wednesdays are typically one of the highest engagement days on social media? Mercury. Embrace your social butterfly today. Attend a networking event, share a new idea with a colleague, it might even be a good day to talk about something that’s a little uncomfortable — personally or professionally.

Mercury is encouraging us to talk it out, share our ideas, and build social bonds.

Thursday = Jupiter

Thursday is a day of joy, abundance, expansion, and adventure. All of these words describe the planet Jupiter and the energy it supports. Book a vacation and/or start your trip on Thursdays. Ask for a raise (or raise your prices or billable rate) on Thursdays. Brainstorm a new idea or plan that will take your business to the next level. Because Jupiter is curious, Thursdays are also a great day for learning something new — be it professional development in your field or learning a new skill.

The energy of Jupiter encourages us to think big, chase after our wildest dreams, and build a connection with ideas and people that encourage us to step outside of our comfort zone.

Friday = Venus

Ever heard of Feel Good Friday? Yeah, that’s the energy of Venus at work. Venus is the planet of yummy, feel-good, warm, sensual experiences. It’s also the planet of stability — think family, home, and finances.

Fridays, just like Mondays, are a great day to slow down. Save those client meetings (if you can) for Tuesday-Thursday. If you have the ability to, Fridays are a great day to take the day off, or work at a super cozy coffee shop. Because Venus is also related to financial stability, you could open a new savings account and then transfer a little bit of money into the account every Friday.

Saturday = Saturn

Saturday is all about taking practical steps toward what you want to achieve. Saturdays are great days to plan out your next email or social media campaign strategy. They’re also a really great day to do research — think market analysis.

Saturdays are great days to make a list for the week ahead. Because the energy of Saturn is practical and mission-oriented, you’ll have that energy backing you — making sure that no stone goes unturned! Saturdays would also be great days to draft up client contracts (but don’t necessarily send them! I’d revisit that on Wednesday).

Sunday = The Sun

Sunday Funday, anyone? Yup — you can thank the energy of the Sun for that. What do you think of when you think of the Sun? Big, bright, bold, powerful? That’s exactly how we’re encouraged to feel today.

Sundays are great days, much like Thursdays, to think big. Because the Sun is more action-oriented than Jupiter, today can be a great day to try out a new, bold idea. Perhaps a new social media ad or a revamp to your website. Today, look at things a little more selfishly that will ultimately lead you toward more fulfillment in your business.

I hope you found these tips useful — try them out for yourself and see what you think! Are you already doing some of these things? What new things will you incorporate into your routine?

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How Nature Can Support Your Business Development

If we’ve learned anything over the last year, we’ve seen first hand how, when humans get out of the way, Nature can flourish. Did you notice how, when given the chance to slow down, the Earth began to regenerate and heal? You can do the same.

Ayurveda is the ancient sister science of Yoga. In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “life knowledge.” Ayurveda teaches us how to connect with the natural world in order to live a happier, healthier life. While most people think about food and digestion when they think about Ayurveda, it can also be a helpful tool for overall wellness — including work/life balance. You can harness the energies of Nature to help you find success in your career and business!⁠

Ayurveda describes three constitutional energies (doshas) present all around us:⁠

Kapha – the Reflective Energy⁠ 

Pitta – the Active Energy⁠

Vata – the Creative Energy⁠

It is no surprise, then, that each of these doshas can naturally support our professional practices. Here are a few ways these three energies can manifest themselves.

Time of Day

Certain times of day correspond to each of the doshas and can, therefore, support us in different projects and activities.

6am-10am, 6pm-10pm: KAPHA TIME

During Kapha time, the energy is slower and more downward moving. Ayurveda encourages us to wake before Kapha time and then use those early morning hours to start our day slowly and intentionally.

Use this time to do things like follow an easy morning routine. Try things like:

  • Make yourself a warm cup of citrus water (lemon or lime)

  • Take a short walk around the block to clear your mind

  • Do quiet work that requires diligence, like data collection

10am-2pm, 10pm-2am: PITTA TIME

Pitta is fast, outward moving energy. You will have the most motivation during Pitta time — use it to your advantage! Ever notice that you get anxiety about your to-do list in the middle of the night? That’s probably because you’re awake during Pitta time!

Try things like:

  • Take all your meetings from 10am-2pm

  • Work on a project that requires more motivation or grit

  • Eat your biggest meal! Your digestive system is most active at noon

2pm-6pm, 2am-6am: VATA TIME

Vata is quick, upward moving energy. Vata is extremely creative so use this time to work on things that require an outside-the-box mentality.

Try things like:

  • Create your social media graphics

  • Content batching

  • Brainstorming or mind-mapping new business ideas

Natural Development Cycles

We all have natural cycles of creation, execution, and reflection — whether we’re working on a corporate marketing team or creating a sales strategy for our own business. You can lean into the doshas to help you make this process more fluid, too!

When starting something new, lean into the creative energy of Vata to get your juices flowing and to move through stagnation.⁠ Have a dance party to loosen up and tap into your creativity! If that doesn’t feel good, try listening to classical music while you’re working on a new idea.

Once you’ve decided on a plan, harness Pitta to get it off the ground!⁠ Use time blocking to find time to focus on what needs to get done next. Pitta people get.it.done. Know someone like that on your team? I bet they’d be the perfect person to lead your next project.

When you’ve reached the end of a launch, use the energy of Kapha to reflect and rest.⁠ Sip on a yummy cup of tea and journal about the experience so that you can learn what to do and not do next time. Ask your team to reflect and bring their thoughts to a recap meeting.

In all the training I’ve participated in and led about Ayurveda, it is fascinating to me that so many people say they already naturally lean into these energies. So many of us have never heard of Ayurveda, yet we instinctively choose to live our lives in harmony with its practices. Have you ever done anything like this naturally without realizing it was linked to Ayurveda?

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