Coaching for Women Archives

Gratitude for The Good, The Bad, Or The Ugly

How can we feel grateful for the good, the bad or the downright ugly? Gratitude for a bad day, a bad week or a really bad month seems crazy sometimes doesn’t it?

BUT we can try to practise feeling gratitude for all of the situations in our lives. Even really challenging situations can contain important lessons that are linked to our growth and our capacity to receive abundance. Your intentions will occur in divine timing, not necessarily your timing.

When we practise gratitude, more and more magical moments and divine synchronicities can show up in our lives. By letting go of expectations and embracing appreciation for the present moment, we can experience the benefits of gratitude every day. Worrying too much about the past or future can have negative effects on our mental health, making it essential to practise letting go.

How can we let go and cultivate genuine gratitude for the good, the bad or the ugly?

We’ve all been there, clinging to things that no longer serve us, whether it’s a grudging job, a toxic relationship, or even just a negative thought pattern. But holding onto baggage weighs us down, preventing us from experiencing the joy and abundance that life has to offer.

Letting Go – Releasing the grip of what no longer serves you

Where do we begin with letting go? It’s not about pretending negativity doesn’t exist, but rather acknowledging it and gently releasing its hold on us.

Here are some ways to start:

Mindfulness – Take a moment to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Notice what brings you down and then, with conscious intention, release it. Imagine it as a balloon floating away into the sky.

Journaling – Write down your worries, fears, and frustrations. Putting them on paper can help you process and release them. Then safely burn or tear up the paper symbolically letting go.

Forgiveness – Holding onto grudges is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick. Forgive those who have wronged you, not for them, but for your own inner peace.

Acceptance – Sometimes, things just don’t go our way. Instead of fighting against reality, practise acceptance. Accept what is, and then see what possibilities open up. I have found this practice so powerful.

What would you like to let go of?
What thoughts are holding you back?
What feelings and emotions are making you feel stuck?

What practice from the ones I shared might help you? Mindfulness; Journaling; Forgiveness; Acceptance

How can you cultivate gratitude when life throws you lemons?

We all know those times when happiness feels like a distant memory, and the weight of the world seems to be on our shoulders. But even in the midst of hardship, there’s often a flicker of light, a reason to be grateful.

Let’s have a look at the power of gratitude and how it can be a source of strength and resilience even when life feels tough.

The Challenge of Gratitude in Difficult Times

Let’s be honest, feeling grateful when life is bloody hard can feel downright absurd.

When we’re facing financial struggles, relationship breakdowns, health issues, or any other kind of adversity, the last thing we want to do is count our blessings. It’s natural to feel angry, frustrated, and overwhelmed.

So, why even bother with gratitude in these moments? I’ve been there myself. A few years ago, it felt like everything was falling apart. I was putting a brave face on everything for my family, but I was in such a dark place. Just functioning really, when I look back – it was very dark.

But in the middle of all that darkness, I was recommended to start a practice that helped me so much. Every day, I’d force myself to write down three things I was grateful for, no matter how small. It could be something as simple as a warm cup of tea in bed, a beautiful sunset, or a walk with my dog.

At first, it didn’t feel real at all. But gradually, something shifted. My focus started to move away from the negativity and towards the little pockets of good that still existed in my life.

This highlights something very important – gratitude isn’t about ignoring the bad things. It’s about acknowledging them while also choosing to appreciate the good that still exists, even in very small doses.

The Science of Gratitude

But gratitude isn’t just about feeling warm and squishy. There’s a growing body of research that shows the real, tangible benefits of practising gratitude. Studies have shown that gratitude can:

boost our mood
improve our sleep
strengthen our relationships
even increase our resilience in the face of stress and adversity.

Gratitude activates a specific reward pathway in the brain, releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. This, in turn, can lead to a more positive outlook, increased motivation, and a stronger sense of well-being. Additionally, focusing on the good things in our lives can help us change the way we view challenges and setbacks, making them seem less daunting and more manageable.

It’s good to know that there is actual science behind why feeling grateful makes us feel better!

How To Cultivate Gratitude in Hard Times

Okay, so we know that gratitude is good for us, even when life is hard. But how do we actually cultivate it when negativity feels like it’s taking over?

Here are a few practical tips:

Start Small

Don’t try to force yourself to be grateful for really big things. Begin with simple things, like the taste of your favourite food, your morning shower, or the feeling of sunlight on your face.

A gratitude meditation might be a helpful way to start small. There are an awful lot of guided Gratitude meditations out there. I have one on Insight Timer, and it also incorporates the teachings of Louise Hay so even more to love! It’s called Louise Hay Gratitude Meditation, would you believe!

Here’s the link for you to access it

Keep A Gratitude Journal

Spend a few minutes each day writing down three things you’re grateful for. This can be a powerful way to train your brain to focus on the positive. If it helps, you can join my group on Insight Timer – Liz Doyle’s Gratitude & Support Group and here’s the link to join. It helps me to keep to a daily gratitude practice.

Express Your Gratitude

Tell the people you care about what you appreciate about them. Not only will this make you feel good, but it will also strengthen your relationships. The power of a simple “thank you” can be quite incredible.

Focus On The Small Wins

Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how big or small. This will help you build a sense of confidence and optimism.

Maybe you already practise gratitude on a daily basis. If so, I’d love to hear what your practice is. Why not drop me an email and let me know; hello@lizdoyle.net. And if you don’t, has this article inspired to start? Again, let me know.

A Message of Hope

Remember, it’s okay not to feel grateful all the time. Life can be messy and it’s perfectly normal to experience a range of emotions. But when you’re feeling down, try to give gratitude a chance. You might be surprised at the difference it can make. Even the smallest spark of appreciation can be a powerful source of strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

When we focus on what we’re thankful for, even in the midst of challenges, our outlook starts to shift. We start to see the beauty and abundance that surrounds us. Because it really does.

Remember, letting go and cultivating gratitude are not one-time events, but ongoing practices. The more we do them, the easier they become and the more joy and peace we experience in our lives.

I Have A Call To Action For You

I encourage you to take some time to really experience letting go and cultivating gratitude. By doing so, not only will you lift yourself up, you will lift others up. You will be creating a ripple effect of positivity in the world!

And this affirmation is something I live by:

Gratitude brings more to be grateful about. Today I am grateful
Louise Hay

I hope you found some inspiration in cultivating gratitude for the good in your life, the bad and maybe even the ugly.

It might be that although this is all very inspiring, you feel you need some deeper work to help you to truly love and accept yourself which you know is what is holding you back in life. If so, why not have a look at how you can work with me, here.

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End Of Year Ritual

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As the year draws to a close, I invite you to join my End Of Year Ritual which I want to be both meaningful and memorable for you.

Many cultures and traditions hold special rituals to honour the end of one year and the beginning of another. These rituals provide a way for us to express gratitude for the good things that have happened and to learn from the difficult experiences. AND to connect with your soul and your dreams for 2024.

What is the purpose of an End Of Rear Ritual?

First of all, it’s an opportunity to reflect and show your gratitude for what has been and for what you have. Rituals can help us to reflect on the past year, both the positive and negative experiences.

Rituals can also help us to accept where we are, and to let go of negative emotions and forgive ourselves and others. This can be so liberating and free up space for new positive experiences to enter our lives.

An end of year ritual can help us to set intentions for the new year where we can completely focus on what we want to bring into our lives.

Here are some examples of different End Of Year Rituals:

Ceremonies: Ceremonies can be formal or informal, but they typically involve a gathering of people to perform a ritual together. Some common ceremonies include burning incense, lighting candles, or making offerings.

Journaling: Journaling can be a powerful way to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the future. You can write about your accomplishments, challenges, and intentions for the coming year.

Meditation and mindfulness: Meditation and mindfulness can help us to connect with our inner selves and release negative emotions which can make space for the new year.

Creative activities: Creative activities such as painting, drawing, or writing can be a way to express our emotions and intentions for the future.

Here are a few ideas for creating your own End Of Year Ritual

Choose a time and place that is sacred and meaningful to you. This could be your home, a place in nature, or even a spiritual centre of some kind.

Gather any materials that you need for your ritual, such as candles, incense, writing materials or Palo Santo to burn.

You can also create a vision board or write down your intentions for the new year. You may wish to create an Abundance Altar.

Spend some time reflecting on the past year. Take time to think about the things you are grateful for, the challenges you have faced, and the lessons you have learned.

Let go of what no longer serves you. If there are any negative emotions, limiting beliefs, or people in your life that are holding you back, write them down on a piece of paper and burn it.

You can set a specific intention for your ritual. This could be to let go of the past, welcome the new year, or set intentions for the coming year.

Follow your intuition and create a ritual that feels right for you. There are no rules, so feel free to experiment and find what resonates with you. You want it to help you feel centred and connected to your vision for the future.

Here is your invitation to my End Of Year Ritual

If this all seems quite a lot of work and you’re a member of the amazing Insight Timer, then why not join my very special End Of Year Ritual on Friday 29th December at 5:00m (UK time). Here is the link to register.

Insight Timer is home to meditations, live events and courses run by coaches and other mental health care professionals from around the world. It is free for the vast majority of their meditations but this kind of event is a member only option but at approximately £8 a month, the app has an absolute treasure trove of content to offer from the most amazing teachers, not just me!!!

Although I won’t be able to see you for the Ritual, I would encourage you to dress in your most favourite or sparkly or abundant feeling attire for the occasion.

When we come together in this sacred space, we are able to tap into a collective field that can inspire and supercharge your vision for next year. It can then give you the power to take the next steps. Together we are so much stronger!

Whether 2023 has been challenging or completely expansive or just a bit meh, the end of the year is a perfect time to go inwards and listen to the whispers of your soul. Because it is always whispering to you.

This End Of Year Ritual offers you the opportunity pause, be still and deeply listen to the wisdom of your body and your heart. I would love to have you join me.

Want to find out a little more about me? Then follow this link for an introduction.

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“ As I say yes to life, life says yes to me! ” Louise Hay

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How do you feel when you say or just read this affirmation from the legendary and so inspirational Louise Hay, “ As I say yes to life, life says yes to me! ”?

Does it feel true for you? I know with all the stuff that goes on in life and everything going on around us, life doesn’t feel like it’s saying yes to us. I mean, did you read my last blog (link is here)?!!!! But then, are we always saying yes to life? 🤔

Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a place of complete surrender, a place where you profoundly trust that you’re being taken care of by a Universal power at every moment?

To live with certainty that the Universe is really out to support you. That it’s on your side and has your back.

I know that seems like a big stretch to believe 24hours a day / 7 days a week / 365 or even 366 days a year. But let’s lean into it just for the moment.

We often try so hard to control everything in our lives that we forget the power of putting our faith in the Universe, and in letting go.

But once you get into the habit of doing all that you can from your human experience and trusting when you get that intuitive message “it’s time to let go and surrender to a Higher Power that is also a part of us” and you actually do it, you’ll begin experiencing a deep sense of peace and of well-being.

Our highest good can come from surrender.

I don’t mean the kind of surrender as in losing a battle surrender, but as in letting go of our own personal limitations and aligning totally with an intelligence and an energy that’s greater than ourselves and yet, that is also part of us.

If we can do this, we can be in a state of saying yes to the Universe.

When we say yes to the Universe, we enter into a state of trust that whatever our situation is, we can work with it. We express confidence in ourselves, and the Universe, and we also express a willingness to learn from whatever comes our way, rather than running and hiding when we don’t like what we see.

Basically, instead of saying no and resisting everything that’s happening, simply say “yes”.

When you say yes, it’s like being a trapeze artist – you’re able to let go of the trapeze you’re holding on to, and sail through the air towards the next one. Without letting go and trusting the next one is there, forward motion just isn’t impossible.

It’s surrender and trust that creates a feeling of flow in every moment.

Now, I know that sometimes things happen that are NOT the way we want them, and believe me, that happens to me too. It’s as if we have to let go a bit before the hands of the other trapeze artist are there to catch us, but I also know that there’s an intelligence in the Universe that’s bigger than us and yet part of us.

An intelligence that can see things in ways that we can’t.

An intelligence that just wants you to hear it when it’s telling you, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this one.”

I now invite you to try this exercise.

It’s an exercise of acting from saying yes to what the Universe brings you and being led by your soul surrendering throughout the day.

This is an exercise that has been adapted from A Course in Miracles, and here’s what you do:

At the beginning of your day, close your eyes for just a moment, and take a few deep breaths, and offer these three questions to the Universe:

What would spirit have me do today?

Where would spirit have me go today?

What would spirit have me say and to whom?

And then, as you move through your day, use the answers that come to you as your inspiration from spirit, and simply say yes to whatever those answers are, trusting life’s unfolding.

And if you get stuck, ask the questions again.

When you act on the intuitive answers that show up and follow them trusting that spirit is guiding you and has your back, you’ll find yourself living more and more in a state of flow.

I’m reminding myself that it’s safe for me to say “yes” to the Universe more and more in my life and well, it has been miraculous sometimes. I’m not saying I always manage it. After all, I am human!

If you haven’t come across Louise Hay before, why not have a look at this video?

Let me know when you have said yes to the Universe and just surrendered, and how the Universe had your back. Email me via my contact page, I would love to hear about the beautiful synchronicities that have happened when you used Louise Hay‘s affirmation; “ As I say yes to life, life says yes to me! ”.

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Brené Brown: The Call to Courage

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Who is Brené Brown and what is The Call to Courage?

If you have read any of my previous blogs, then you will know that I deeply admire Brené Brown. Brené is a research professor at the University of Houston, and a leading expert on vulnerability, courage, shame, and empathy. Her TED Talk on the power of vulnerability has been viewed over 50 million times, and her books have sold millions of copies.

Last night I watched Brené Brown: The Call to Courage which is on Netflix here in the UK, and it left me so uplifted. Brené explores the importance of choosing courage over comfort in a world that is often defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty. She shared her often very funny but poignant personal stories, research findings, and insights from her work with leaders, organisations, and individuals around the world.

One of the key messages of the documentary is that courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to move forward in spite of it and only by showing up with our vulnerability, can we be truly courageous. She argues that courage is essential for living a full and meaningful life. It allows us to connect with others, take risks, and achieve our goals.

The documentary went into a lot of detail with exploring the link between courage and vulnerability. Brené defines vulnerability as “uncertainty, exposure, and emotional risk.” Vulnerability is not weakness, but strength. It is the willingness to show up and be seen, even when we are afraid.

The Call to Courage is a timely and important documentary that challenges us to choose courage over comfort in our own lives. It is a reminder that we are all capable of great things, if we are willing to be vulnerable and open ourselves up to connection.

Here are some of my main key takeaways from The Call to Courage:

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to move forward in spite of it.
Vulnerability is not weakness, but strength. It is the willingness to show up and be seen, even when we are afraid.
Shame is the fear of disconnection. It is the fear of not being good enough.
Empathy is the ability to connect with the feelings of another person. It is the ability to walk in someone else’s shoes.
Connection is the antidote to shame. It is the feeling of being seen, heard, and understood.

If you are looking for a film that will challenge you, inspire you, and help you live a more courageous life, then I highly recommend The Call to Courage.

And here are some of the lessons I learned from the documentary:

Courage is not something that we have or don’t have. It is a muscle that we can build through practice.
Vulnerability is not weakness. It is the strength to be open and authentic, even when we are afraid.
Shame is a universal emotion, but it doesn’t have to define us. We can overcome shame by cultivating courage and vulnerability.
Connection is the antidote to shame. When we feel connected to others, we feel less alone and less afraid.

In her work, Brené Brown has found that vulnerability is the only way to truly connect with others and experience joy, love, and belonging.

What is vulnerability?

Vulnerability is the willingness to show up and be seen, even when there is the risk of being hurt. It is the courage to be imperfect, to be honest, and to be open to feedback.

Why is vulnerability important?

Vulnerability is important because it is the foundation of all meaningful relationships. When we are vulnerable, we allow others to see us for who we really are, and this can create a deep sense of connection. Vulnerability also allows us to experience the full range of human emotions, both positive and negative.

What are the three elements of vulnerability?

Brené identifies three key elements of vulnerability – uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.

Uncertainty: When we are vulnerable, we are opening ourselves up to the unknown. We don’t know how others will react to us, and this can be a scary feeling.
Risk: Vulnerability also involves risk. When we put ourselves out there, we are opening ourselves up to the possibility of getting hurt.
Emotional exposure: Vulnerability involves emotional exposure. When we are vulnerable, we are sharing our true feelings, and this can be a very exposing experience.

How can we be more vulnerable?

Leaning into vulnerability is not easy, but so worth it. Here are some ideas:

Start small: If you’re not used to being vulnerable, start by sharing small things with people you trust. This will help you build your confidence and get used to the feeling of being exposed.
Be mindful of your thoughts and feelings: When you’re feeling vulnerable, pay attention to your thoughts and feelings. What are you afraid of? What are you hoping for?
Practise self-compassion: When you make a mistake or get hurt, be kind to yourself. Remember that everyone makes mistakes, and that vulnerability is a part of being human.

The benefits of vulnerability

The benefits of vulnerability are many. When we are vulnerable, we can:

Experience deeper connections: When we open ourselves up to others, we can create deeper connections with them.
Experience more joy: Vulnerability allows us to experience the full range of human emotions, including joy.
Be more authentic: When we are vulnerable, we are being more authentic. We are showing our true selves to the world, and this can be a very freeing experience.
Be more resilient: When we experience vulnerability, we learn to be more resilient. We learn how to cope with difficult emotions and how to bounce back from setbacks.

Vulnerability is the foundation of all meaningful relationships, and it is the key to experiencing joy, love, and belonging. And isn’t that a wonderful thing?

If you’re looking to connect with others on a deeper level, or if you want to experience more joy in your life, I encourage you to embrace vulnerability and all that it entails.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful after watching The Call to Courage:

Brené Brown’s website: https://brenebrown.com
Brené Brown’s TED Talk which she talked at length about during the film:

And here are Brené Brown’s books:

Daring Greatly

Rising Strong

Braving the Wilderness

Atlas of the Heart

I highly recommend watching Brené Brown: The Call to Courage if you are interested in learning more about courage, vulnerability, and shame. It is an inspiring and thought-provoking documentary that challenges us all to live a more courageous life.

And to find out more about me, here is my Meet Liz Page!

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Breaking Family Patterns

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Images of a house with text saying "where my mum was born"

Here is the house where my mum was born, in rural West Cork, Ireland. On walking around there recently, I was suddenly struck with what she had gone through in life to become the woman she was. I am still working on breaking those family patterns that have been passed down. It’s a journey like life itself and whilst sometimes it can be so frustrating and distressing, I am now in a place where I understand who she was and am at peace with it.

If you are able to see then it is clear that the house is a ruin now but I own the land it’s on and my dream is to rebuild it one day – you never know that dream might come true. It was a simple house, but it was home to my mum and her family.

The fourth of five daughters, my mum lost her dad when she was only 7. That loss must have been terrible for her but she never spoke of it but it explains a lot of her later behaviour in life. She didn’t share many stories about growing up in that house but she remembered the smell of the peat fire and the sound of the wind in the trees as well as the garden her father planted before he passed away.

I won’t go into my relationship with my mother here as I have shared some of the details in a previous blog – here’s the link if you want to find out more

What I do want to talk about is how we can break those family patterns, however they manifest for you.

Breaking family patterns may be the most important work you do and the most challenging.

There is an expression “no one gets out of childhood unscathed”. For a long time, I didn’t really understand that it doesn’t mean you have to have gone through major trauma as a child to be traumatised.

As I keep diving deeper into my own healing journey, I’m discovering that so many of my unhelpful patterns originate in childhood as a response to wounds and traumas or even TRAUMAs. The little Liz or Elizabeth created some survival strategies for self protection.

As I grew up those patterns became really embedded and, of course, I had no conscious awareness that they were running the show.

It is NOT about blame

It’s about understanding yourself so you can break free from those patterns and live the life you want – authentic, safe and content.

It is easy to believe that in leaving our childhood homes and becoming adults, we have removed ourselves from harmful and self-perpetuating family patterns. But our behaviours and beliefs are still those that were impressed upon us during our youth by our parents, grandparents, teachers, other care givers and the generations that went before them.

We may find ourselves unconsciously repeating cycles of the previous generations, such as fear of having enough, not showing affection, and trust and abandonment issues. Passing on of negative patterns from one generation to the next is not a done deal. It is possible to break any negative family cycle so they cannot exert their influence any more. Letting that pattern go is just a matter of overcoming those values imprinted upon us long ago by replacing them with pure love, tolerance, and conscious awareness.

Just think of another expression – “it runs in the family” Here is where it can run out!

Even if you have struggled with the effects of family cycles that were a reflection of the struggle previous generations were forced to endure, you can still free yourself from the effects of your family history.

The will to rid yourself of old, dark forms of energy and introduce a new loving energy may come in the form of an epiphany, like me while I was wandering near the house my mum was born in. That awareness has come after my journey of personal development and much forgiveness for my mother. I am now in a place where I totally understand her and I feel closer to her now than I ever did when she was on this earth.

You may one day simply realise that certain aspects of your early life have negatively affected your health, wealth, happiness, and ability to live the way you want.

Only when we understand how family cycles have influenced us can we gain freedom from those cycles.

In order to truly change, you must give yourself permission to change. Breaking family patterns is not betrayal but the discovery that your ability to express your feelings and your needs grows. You will embark upon a journey towards greater well-being that can positively impact generations to come. Imagine that!

Here are some additional suggestions for breaking family patterns:

Become aware of your family patterns. The first step to breaking a pattern is to become aware of it. Pay attention to the ways in which your family’s past is impacting your present. What behaviours, beliefs, and attitudes have you inherited from your parents, grandparents, and other ancestors? Why not put on some quiet music and write everything down?
Choose to change. Once you are aware of your family patterns, you can choose to change them. This doesn’t mean that you have to forget your past or pretend that it didn’t happen. It simply means that you can choose to create a new future for yourself.
Get support. Breaking family patterns can be challenging, so it’s important to get support. Talk to a coach, counsellor, or other trusted professional. You can also find support groups and online forums for people who are working to break family patterns.
Be willing to forgive. Here is a Louise Hay affirmation that might help, “I forgive you for not being the way I wanted you to be. I forgive you and I set you free.” Remember that forgiveness also sets you free.
Be patient. Don’t expect to change overnight. Just keep moving forward, one step at a time.

Breaking family patterns is possible. With time and support, you can create a new life for yourself that is free from the limitations of your past.

I am so grateful that I now truly understand my mum and to continue to forgive her and myself!

Standing in the same spot where my mum stood as a child and to imagine her life there was a powerful and loving way to break those family patterns.

If you also have or had a difficult relationship with your mother, then my Mother Wound Healing session may help you – opening the door to understanding, accepting and healing the (sometimes) complicated relationship with our mothers.

If you need to dive deeper to understand the family patterns from the past that are affecting you now, I would recommend my 6 session Love Yourself Package. It’s a journey that will give you the freedom you have been looking for.

If this touches something in you, do book a complimentary call with me to get clear on where you are now, where you are desiring to be and what is possible for you. Here is the link to book a call.

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Are You Worthy?

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Or do you every feel unworthy? Do you tell yourself that you’re just not worthy or not deserving?

Such a big, sticky, messy subject – our feelings around worthiness…

Let’s go through this, step by step.

Feeling worthy is a state of mind in which you believe that you are valuable and deserving of good things. It is a sense of self-acceptance and self-love. When you feel worthy, you are more likely to take care of yourself, set and achieve goals, and build healthy relationships.

Maybe that can explain why we can subconsciously block what we want – because deep down, we just don’t think we’re worthy of it.

There are many things that can contribute to feeling unworthy.

These can include and of course are not exclusive:

Negative self-talk
Trauma or abuse
Low self-esteem
Depression or anxiety

This is an ongoing journey and now again, it still hits me and I need to gently and with a lot of self-compassion, bring myself back to those feelings of innate worthiness. It’s not always easy!!

I remember the first time it dawned on me and where part of my story came from. Because it all starts with self-awareness, otherwise, how can we change?

I was walking the dog one day…. and I was questioning myself (again…) about why I didn’t feel deserving. I had been cogitating this and wondering why saying to myself Louise Hay’s fab affirmation “I deserve the best and accept it now” just didn’t feel true for me…..

Obviously, what I do is to help women see that they are always good enough and deserve the best life has to give and I thought that if I don’t feel it how can I help them. But that’s another blog for another day 😂😂

Then I went back to my simple “I am worthy” and it hit me!!

Growing up as a child, every day at school and at mass each week, we would recite all these prayers and one line that would be repeated over and over again was “I am not worthy”.

Well blow me down with a feather – no wonder I had never felt worthy…. I had been saying it to myself for frigging years, almost my whole life.

So my new walking mantra whenever I feel slightly doubtful about myself or any situation for that matter is, guess what – yes….

“I AM WORTHY”

Say it with me…

It covers everything – that I am good enough and that I am worthy just because I exist…..

If you are struggling with feeling unworthy, there are things you can do to improve your self-worth in addition to the above walking mantra “I am worthy”.

Try any or all of these:

Challenge negative self-talk. When you catch yourself thinking negative things about yourself, challenge those thoughts. Ask yourself if they are really true (most of them are definitely not). If not, try to replace them with more positive thoughts.
Set realistic expectations. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect. Everyone makes mistakes, and that’s okay. Learn to accept yourself for who you are.
Surround yourself with positive people. The people you spend time with have a big impact on your self-esteem. Make sure you are surrounding yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself. If this isn’t always possible then try to limit your time with them!
Take care of yourself. Make sure you are eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and moving your body regularly. Taking care of your physical health will help you feel better about yourself and your self-worth..
Forgive yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. If you’ve done something wrong, forgive yourself and try to move on. Holding on to guilt and shame will only make you feel worse.
Focus on your strengths. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Make a list of your strengths and focus on developing them. When you focus on your strengths, you’ll feel more confident and worthy.
Do things that make you happy. When you do things that make you happy, you’ll feel better about yourself. Make time for activities that you enjoy, such as spending time with the people you love, pursuing hobbies, or giving back to your local community.
Seek professional help. If you’re struggling to feel worthy on your own, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. A therapist or a coach can help you identify the root of your low self-worth so that you can let them go and develop new beliefs about yourself.

The most important thing to remember is that it takes time and and some effort to build a strong sense of self-worth. But it’s SO worth it (pardon the pun 🤪). When you feel worthy, you’ll live a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life but it can take small steps to get there.

Here is a link to one of my previous blogs with some very wise words from Brené Brown“

You were born worthy of love and belonging

Brené Brown – Worthiness and Shame

And if you want to go in even deeper, here’s a super short video on worthiness I shared a while ago:

Trust your worthiness

Remember, you are worthy simply because you exist. You are worthy of love, respect, and happiness. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, and that includes you!

If you’d like to find out how you can work with me to develop that deep sense of self-worth, why not book in a call with me so we can see if this healing work is for you? Here’s the link

Are You Worthy? Read More »

Loving Ourselves is a Journey

Blog / Admin

Loving ourselves is definitely a journey and NOT a destination. There will be good days and there will be err not so good days. And that’s okay.

AND loving your body is even more of a journey, not a destination. It’s a process of learning to accept and appreciate your body for all that it is, the so-called flaws and all.

It’s about finding the beauty in your unique shape, size, and proportions. And it’s about celebrating your body’s strength, resilience, and ability to do amazing things.

If you’re struggling to love your body, know that you’re not alone. Many many people, especially women struggle with body image issues, and it can be difficult to overcome them. But it is possible. With time, effort, and self-compassion, you can learn to love your body and feel good about yourself.

How can you love your body more?

Here are a few tips to help you on your journey to loving your body:

Challenge your negative thoughts about your body. When you catch yourself thinking negative things about your body, challenge those thoughts. Ask yourself if they’re really true. Are you really as…. (insert the words you use here) as you think you are? The answer is probably no. Our thoughts about our bodies can be very distorted, so it’s important to challenge them and see them for what they are. They are just thoughts.
Focus on your body’s strengths. Instead of focusing on your body’s flaws, focus on its strengths. What can your body do? Is it strong? Is it flexible? Is it healthy? Make a list of all the things your body can do and read it over whenever you’re feeling down about your appearance. I’d even suggest writing your body a love letter – go to town. Your body is truly amazing.
Practise self-compassion. Be kind to yourself, just as you would be to a really close friend. Forgive yourself for your mistakes. Remember that we are all beautiful works in progress. You are worthy of love and respect, no matter what.
Find a support system. Surround yourself with people who love and support you, and who will help you to love your body too. This could be friends, family, a therapist, or a support group. Having people in your corner who will cheer you on and help you to see the beauty in your body can make a big difference. This might be where I come in – check this link out for more info.

Loving your body is a journey, but it’s a journey that is so well worth taking.

When I think how I used to hate my body and would be so full of shame because of what I told myself, I want to give my younger self (not that much younger self too) a big old hug.

When you learn to love your body, you’ll feel more confident, more happy, and more free. So don’t give up. Keep working on it, and day by day, you will start to love and accept your body more and more, “flaws” and all. And the MAGIC is when we start to do that our bodies start to change – it’s as if all the resistance starts to melt away.

This video will walk you through what’s involved in my 21 Days To Letting Go Of The Weight and this page shows you how to get started.

21 Days To Letting Go Of The Weight

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Babies are born with a natural love of their bodies. They explore their bodies with their hands and mouths, and they love to be held and cuddled. As we grow older, we start to learn about the different parts of our bodies and what they can do.

As time goes on, we might start to compare ourselves to other children, and maybe become aware of body image issues. Or this might be down to watching and listening to our parents or other care givers if they made negative comments about their bodies or the bodies of others.

Maybe you were compared to others

Being compared to other children will only make a child feel self-conscious about their own bodies. Which, of course, can lead to so many body image issues in our adult lives.

It might be you were picked on or even bullied as a child by your peers for being too tall, on the larger side, for wearing glasses, the list goes on, doesn’t it? No wonder this can lead to a toxic relationship with our bodies and therefore food.

We all want to be accepted and if any of this resonated, it might be a good idea to connect with your inner child. Love that little girl, gently reassure her that she is safe and is loved and accepted just the way she is. It’s a very powerful exercise.

Children learn by watching the adults in their lives. If you have children and you want them to have a positive body image, it is important to set a good example. Make sure you talk positively about your own body and avoid making negative comments about your appearance.

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Words of Wisdom from Louise Hay

I’m sharing some of Louise Hay’s words of wisdom when it comes to loving our bodies. She absolutely believed what we constantly affirm becomes true for us. It has certainly worked for me too.

“Little babies love every inch of their bodies.

They have no guilt, no shame, and no comparison. You were like that, and then somewhere along the line you listened to others who told you that you were “not good enough.”

You began to criticise your body, thinking perhaps that that’s where your flaws were.

Let’s drop all of that and get back to loving our bodies and accepting them totally as they are.

The subconscious mind has no sense of humour and does not know false from true.

It only accepts what we say and what we think as the material from which it builds.

By repeating these positive affirmations over and over, you will be planting new seeds in the fertile soil of your subconscious mind, and they will become true for you.

Here are some examples:

I Love My Body

My body is a glorious place to live.

My body serves me so well.

I marvel at the miracle that is my body.

I choose the healing thoughts that create and maintain my healthy body and make me feel good.

I love and appreciate my beautiful body

When you practise affirmations to Love Your Body, stand in front of the mirror and repeat each new thought pattern ten times.

Do this twice a day.

You can also write your affirmations ten times during the day too if you wish.

Work with one affirmation a day.

Then if there is any part of your body you still dislike or have a problem with—use that particular affirmation daily for at least a month, or until positive change takes place.

If doubts or fears or negative thoughts come up, just recognise them for what they are— old limiting beliefs that want to stay around.

They have no power over you.

Say to them gently, “Thank you for sharing! I no longer need you.” Then repeat your affirmations again.

Where you stop working is where your resistance is. Notice the part of your body that you don’t want to love. Give this part extra attention so you may go beyond the limitation. Release the resistance.

In this way, within a short time, you will have a body you love and accept.

And your body will respond by giving you really good health.

I love and appreciate my beautiful mind.

I love my eyes. I see clearly in every direction.

I love my nose. I am the power and authority in my world.

I love my back. I am supported by life itself.

I love my hips. I carry myself through life in perfect balance.

I love my legs. I move forward in life, unencumbered by the past.”

For more of Louise’s wonderful wisdom, follow this link.

Thank you for joining me in this safe space today and here’s where you go to find out how you can love yourself and/or your body more and more.

Loving Ourselves is a Journey Read More »

Open Your Heart 10 Day Challenge

Blog / Admin

Who hasn’t had their heart broken at some stage in life? Whether by a lover, a partner, a friend or other loved one. Or maybe we have lost someone and we wonder if we can ever feel the same again.

I have actually felt physical pain in my heart from feelings of lost love or rejection or abandonment quite a few times in my life.

Many of us have worked hard to build up our walls and defences, and it isn’t always easy to knock them down.

The 10 Day Open Your Heart Challenge begins with loving yourself.

There are 5 basic needs of the heart – attention, affection, appreciation, acceptance and allowing. Where do you feel that your heart’s needs aren’t being met?

No judgement – just awareness.

We can learn to cultivate these basic needs towards ourselves. It’s possible to re-teach the heart and therefore the mind, to love itself. It can appreciate and accept itself. We can learn to hold ourselves with kindness.

The life you want doesn’t show up when you’re being tough and strong and making it happen on your own.

It happens when you’re in an open-hearted, compassionate state, being true to who you really are, and in the vibration of love.

During the Open Your Heart 10 Day Challenge, we will journey to opening our heart so we can open up to the experience of feeling unconditional love for ourselves.

UPDATE – the recordings of all 10 videos are to be found here.

Each day will challenge you to expand your Heart Energy so you can receive and give more of what you’re really capable of in relationships with both yourself and others.

A lot of research has been amassed on the heart, and we now know with scientific certainty that the heart is much more than just a pump.

Your heart is actually the most powerful source of electromagnetic energy in your body. It has an electrical field that is about 60 times greater than your brain, and a magnetic field that is over 100 times greater.

Our heart affects our mental clarity, creativity, emotional balance and intuition on a very deep level.

We literally have a heart-brain, with neural circuitry that allows our heart to feel, sense, learn, remember, and even make decisions.

Becoming “heart centred” requires more than just thinking about being loving, or focusing on gratitude. It requires truly connecting to your Heart Energy. In other words opening your heart.

I am also offering a very special gift if you join me on the challenge. Once you respond that you are attending the event, your name will be added to be picked out of a “hat” at the end of the challenge.

Your name will also go in if you comment and share what your biggest takeaway was from the video for that day OR maybe if you’ll be introducing the very short practice I might suggest.

The winner will experience a very special FREE online one to one session with me where we will look at the limiting beliefs you have taken on in your life. There will be a deep dive into mirror work and you’ll become aware of what you subconsciously think you deserve! A powerful session!!

As your heart opens on this 10 day challenge, so does your intuition. Your intuition will teach you how to see and how to love. It will instil in you a renewed faith to face anything.

Not only will you open your heart and mind to abundance, you will also clear the clutter that may be blocking your flow.

Take your time, listen to what I share, create a safe and comfortable space, connect with your heart and enjoy this time.

Watch here – for this special Open Your Heart 10 Day Challenge.

And here’s a perfect affirmation from Louise:

“I come from the loving space of my heart, and I know that love opens all doors”
Louise Hay

PS For more information on working with me, follow this link

#heartcentered #heartchakra #healingenergy #selflove2023 #selfawarenessjourney #openyourheart #heartopening

Open Your Heart 10 Day Challenge Read More »

Do you want to make some positive changes in 2023?

Blog / Admin

It’s 1st February today and although it might not be the new year, it’s still a fresh start. It’s a clean slate, a chance to create real change — inside and out.

That is such an exciting opportunity!

So, if you haven’t yet, give yourself permission to release 2022 — any false starts or so called “failures”. We’ve all had a load of teaching moments in the last year, haven’t we?

Forgive yourself for the half-finished projects… – I have!!!

… and start dreaming about what could be!

Set yourself some new light-filled intentions and start taking action towards a bigger, brighter future — use this boost of energy, enthusiasm, and motivation to your advantage.

One of the ways you can do just that is by working with me in one of 3 ways….

#1 Intentions Setting – making positive changes in 2023

During this 2 hour session, we will look at what we have learnt and are moving on from, from 2022 and setting our intentions (not resolutions) for 2023.

It is NEVER too late to draw a line in the sand and start again. 2022 was another interesting(!) year and the best way to welcome in a new year is to be thankful and accept where we are. We can then bring ourselves into the energetic flow for an abundant 2023.

#2 Letting Go Of The Weight Online Course

On this very special course, you will become more and more aware of what you need to let go of to LET GO of the weight.

Are you sick of the emotional eating and sabotaging all your efforts?

Maybe you lack self-confidence and have no energy? Or do you feel totally alone with your battle with your weight? You are NOT alone.

#3 Love Yourself Private 1 to 1 Online Coaching Package

Using different awareness exercises, I will help you to start to identify where certain patterns in life have come from. The sessions will help you to explore your thoughts and feelings, and to express them in a totally safe environment.

Each of these powerful 6 sessions takes approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours as I want you to feel that you can take your time to allow everything to surface and share anything you want.

These sessions will assist you to continue your life with more positive and exciting expectations for the future and with a deeper sense of self worth and self love. In the words of my clients, this package is “life-changing”.

Whether you work with me or not, step into this year with acceptance of what’s been so you can let it go and then into a place of allowing of what you truly deserve. ♥️

Did you make any New Year’s intentions?

For your job, business, relationships or maybe for your health and fitness?

Don’t worry if you haven’t sorted out everything yet – it’s never too late to make those positive changes 😊♥️

Maybe you have set some goals or intentions for the coming year but you’d like to revisit them so you can ignite some magic behind them!

By working with me you will:

💎 Create space just for you and connect with your vision and inner wisdom.

💎 Let go of being reactive and in survival mode and open up to receive abundance in your life

💎 Tune in with your higher self, co-create your ideal life.

Afterwards you will:

💎 Have a crystal clear vision for the coming year

💎 Feel energised and refreshed so you can let go of being in survival mode and step more fully into your power.

This work is so transformative BUT the truth is, it’s transformative for me every time I share any aspect of Louise Hay’s teachings. How blessed am I?!

I’m so honoured to hold space for the women I work with and to witness the growth that they experience.

I want to lovingly hold the door open and invite you to experience life changing work.

Are you saying YES to having the year you really truly want?

Because it’s here for you.

If you feel in your soul that this is the next right step on your path of transformation, then just reach out.

No one will prioritise your personal growth…except for you. If not now…then when?

This work may be calling your name, but it’s a big decision! I get that.

So, why not meet me on a private Zoom call and I’ll answer any questions you have about how you can work with me.

No matter what’s on your mind, I would love to meet with you face to face and help you decide if this is your next right step.

There will be no pressure, no pitching, just connecting with you to figure out what’s right for YOU.

If you want to make those positive changes in 2023, this link will give you access to my diary. And to find out more about me, the person behind this blog, then follow this link.

I’m a big believer in listening to my intuition or my inner wisdom so what a wonderful affirmation to close with, from the inspirational Louise Hay:

“I trust my intuition. I am willing to listen to that still, small voice within.”

#settingintentions #thisisyouryear #louisehay #personaldevelopment

Do you want to make some positive changes in 2023? Read More »

Who’s Winning? You or the Voice in Your Head?

Blog / Admin

We all have one – that inner saboteur! Whispering away inside our head and sometimes it feels non-stop or it does until we decide enough is enough. That was me. I had spent what felt like a life time letting that voice tell me all kinds of really crappy things. Telling me I was stupid, that I didn’t matter, that I was unimportant, that I was too loud, too quiet, fat, lumpy, unpopular…. I could go on. Who’s winning?

The first relationship we have in life is with ourselves. No one else goes through every experience in life with us. No matter how long we might have a partner for, we are our one permanent companion. And yet we are often our absolute worst critic. Do you agree?

If you are wondering who’s winning, you or the voice in your head, I have a lovely little exercise to remind ourselves of our magnificence and fabulousness. It’s similar to exercises I do with my clients but this is really short and so simple, you can do it in less than 5 minutes.

5 Things I Like About Myself

Start by writing down at least 5 things that you like about yourself.

Have you noticed that I haven’t said love because if it was “5 things I love about myself”, some might not even go there. So, let’s stick to 5 things you like about yourself.

Now, I don’t want you to be modest! If you’re finding it hard to come up with 5 then this exercise can really help you. I’m not talking about physical attributes but you can add them if you wish but we are SO much more than that. Our bodies are only part of who we are.

If it’s really tricky to list the 5 things, think of what you like about people in your life that you really admire, because these traits are often qualities that you possess too. Another thing that might help is to think of 5 things that voice in your head says about you and flip them to a positive!! Yes it does work 😊

This is the challenging bit – continue this process for a week, thinking of five new things you like about yourself each day.

At the end of the week, read the list aloud to yourself while standing in front of a mirror. Yes, we’re back to that mirror again! Instead of looking for the things that you dislike about yourself or what the voice in your head calls you, allow the mirror to reflect your magnificence. Because you are and fabulous too.

You may feel really daft standing in front of a mirror and reading your list out loud, but it might bring a smile to your face and start to change the way you see yourself.

For those moments when you think the voice in your head is winning

Remember, it’s when you feel the most resistant that this exercise can help you the most. Where there is the most resistance is where there is the biggest breakthrough. I was told this at my Heal Your Life training and did I have some breakthroughs!!

Modern life has taught us to look out at the world. To look outside of ourselves, instead of looking at ourselves and becoming more aware of who we truly are. No wonder, we don’t see the magnificence that we are and that which others often can see.

When we take the time to experience ourselves the way we would experience someone we love and admire, we become our best champion and cheerleader on life’s journey.

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Love Yourself Advent Calendar

If you like this little exercise, then you’ll love the Love Yourself Advent Calendar which I am hosting in my private FB group – JOIN HERE, if you’re not already a member. This special 24 day Advent Calendar will help you to honour, support and love yourself all the way up to Christmas.

The Advent Calendar will be a mixture of meditations, live videos and printables to bring more self-love into your life.

In case you’re concerned, no meditation experience is required!

Let this calendar draw you closer into what feels true to you, and invite in a healthier and happier you for a truly fabulous Christmas.

Each day is designed to encourage you to take a little time to tend to your mind, body and also your spirit if that’s your thing.

Meditation is scientifically proven to help train your mind to focus and help you redirect your thoughts. It also helps with stress management, alleviates anxiety, improves concentration, and enhances self awareness. And remember – magic ALWAYS happens on the other side of awareness!

Join me if you want to level up your brain/body/spirit connection and feel the emotional ease that comes from giving this advent calendar as a gift to yourself each day.

The invitation is yours and someone you care about – so invite them to the group too.

Take on the whole 24 days or drop in whenever it feels good for you.

Everyone can meditate and everyone can take a little time for themselves to breath, to take time out and just be.

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If you’d like to find out more about my 1 to 1 online coaching sessions, follow this link or my online course to let go of the weight, follow this link.

Who’s Winning? You or the Voice in Your Head? Read More »