Happy New Year lady!
I hope your holiday season was fabulous.
Happy to be back after a yoga retreat in Tulum over the holiday season and looking forward to dropping you tons of inspiration, tools, and resources this year.
I'd like to kick-off by sharing something that was creeping into my thoughts during my retreat.
Do you ever feel like you're always on the verge of making your dreams and ambitions come true, and then, suddenly, you feel like you've lost track?
If so, you're not alone.
In fact, I'm right there with you, AND I gotta tell you, I know at least a handful of successful woman who can raise their hand on this one.
Initially, this very realization can make us feel disoriented.
But the truth is, it can act like a really good reality check.
On the first couple days of my retreat, an unsettling feeling kept circulating inside of me and a buzzing voice was saying, "you still haven't done this yet" and "you really gotta get going on that".
These repetitive thought patterns made me feel restless, fidgety, and unsettled.
So there I was, on a gorgeous beach front retreat centre. I had spent my time, energy, and money to make it happen, and yet somehow, I couldn't quite embrace it fully.
I had a stark realization that I was tangled in the habit of not bringing my full attention to each moment.
Many of us know that productivity, joy, and fulfillment comes from showing up fully to our experiences, and much of our guilt, regret, and stagnation stems from a habit of not truly being present.
It got me thinking that perhaps the real reason why we don't feel like we're getting anywhere is because we aren't really "here" or "there".
Moving from mediocre to excellence is deeply rooted in our ability to be present and to give our full attention to what's in front of us.
When we cultivate the habit of being present, it spills into every aspect of our life. It influences our unconscious eating patterns. It changes the way we interact with our loved ones. And it even changes the level of creativity and enthusiasm we bring to projects.
I devoted my retreat experience towards cultivating the practice of mindfulness, knowing that it will spill into every aspect of my life, including my New Year goals.
Here's a few questions for you, lady.
1. What are some of the ways you distract yourself from being in the moment?
2. What are some of the experiences you wish you could be more present for?
3. Which New Year intentions or goals will require your full attention so that you can move from mediocre to excellence?
4. What is one mindfulness practice you can commit to each and every day?
Always remember that excellence begins with each thought.
Thanks so much for being a creative fem insider.
Much love and lady flow care,
Elaine Clark, nutritionist, trauma informed educator, women's health pioneer, and founder of LADYFLOW. Elaine works with health conscious women to feel at home in their body and awaken to their creative potential. She offers a variety of tools to support women with her classes, trainings, retreats, and wellness products.
