Hello Beautiful, I'm back!

You know those moments you arrive back home after being away for a few days or weeks; the moment when you open the door and the air smells a little bit musty, but from the moment you set your bags down in the hall way and take a deep breath in, deep in your core you feel a sigh of contentment that silently says 'I'm home'.


Logging back on here today feels exactly like that feeling. It feels a little strange seeing all my previous posts, a nostalgic feeling of deja vu, but a feeling which warms my heart.

I've felt dischevelled lately and I'll be honest, I found it increasingly difficult to blog and share what had been going on in my life. I would sit to write and stare uninspiringly at the screen for ages, hoping, praying and begging for some inspired thought to form and leap onto the page. I craved to feel my fingers race over the keyboard unleashing wild and thought provoking content. But nothing came. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

It was so frustrating. I'd sit with my head in my hands... or head on the table trying to give myself a peep talk and when that didn't work I got all hard on myself. Eventually, after several attempts I conceded a personal defeat and I had to trust that when the time was right I would return with unbridled enthusiasm.

Truth was I did have serious doubts as to whether I would return.

So what's been happening, and why did this Positivity Pimp begin to lose her mojo?

Great question. Pull a seat up, and if you like grab a cuppa and I'll share with you my story.

Revisiting February:

Back in February I did something which catapulted me way out of my comfort zone. I quit my nice steady comfortable and financially secure job. It was bold as brass and I couldn't have been happier! I had made the decision to push my boundaries and to see what I was really made of. Discovering that life coaching was a job and that you could make a living helping people in the most extraordinary and joyous way was music to my ears. You can then imagine my delight when I was offered a job in the UK as a Guidance Counsellor; combining my love of coaching and my teaching qualifications. I was on the pigs back! Happy dances ensued, and better yet I would also get to be closer to my boyfriend and some of our amazing friends too. It was the icing on the cake. Everything felt aligned, connecting and people kept telling me that 'it was meant to be'. 

I packed up my life in Dublin, and hitting the sea and road I arrived in the UK in early March bright eyed and bushy tailed. I felt an adventure was unfolding before me and I was way off the beaten path. What followed was an Alice in Wonderland type tail - plenty of holes to fall down, a couple of mad hatters and some wise rabbits.

Early March:

My first morning in the new job I was suited and booted, smile planted firmly on my face and still riding the Adrenalin wave of my ski holiday. I was pumped!! But as the week wore on I couldn't ignore the irking feeling in my tummy that things were amiss. The dots weren't connecting and I had a overwhelming feeling that I may have made a huge mistake. I pencilled it down to nerves and expectations, some tiredness and adjusting to a new life here. By week two it was chaos. Phone calls home and crying down the phone to my Mum and Dad ( I felt like I was 15 again). I was smack bang in the middle of confusion central. This was supposed to be my dream job, yet everything felt like it was unravelling one thread at a time.

It was scary as hell. One bad day was greeted by another and as things felt like I was losing control, I began to lose my faith. Ugly fears and harsh self criticisms reared their heads. I was wearing self doubt like a foul smelling perfume. It wasn't a great time and I looked a mess along with it. The sparkle factor was running on empty.

April:

By the time April rolled around I was only one more bad day short of plugging the plug on this adventure, packing up and moving back home. The job wasn't working out at all like I had imagined or hoped that it would have. Too much red tape and all that jazz. I felt hindered, like my hands were tied. As my sense of control slipped I began to drift away from the things that made me feeling abundantly happy.

My energy levels dropped and I felt so embarrassed and fraud like to open up and share what had been happening with anyone outside of my support circle. As days wore on I couldn't contemplate inspiring or motivating others because I felt like a fraud. Things began to spiral. I stopped answering emails and avoiding other commitments. It was disastrous. Shame, Guilt, Embarrassment = an egoic self pity party. My TLC techniques went out the window along with their good friends, healthy eating and exercise.

May:

Deciding to take some of the pressure off I finally started to push back and confront matters head on. Elevating some of the pressure allowed me to turn inwards and begin to focus on myself for a little bit. Being you're own bully is not a pleasant experience and I realised after one particularly red eye/ runny nose cry one night that I needed to be a little gentler with myself. I needed to be a friend to myself. I needed to take a step back and see the bigger picture. I needed to apply the things I talk about and share on this blog. I needed to coach myself back to my best self.

It was an eye opening experience. Going back to basics and uncovering where I was at and where I wanted to go. Beautiful affirmations and soul searching journalling ensued. Meditations and consciously shifting my train of thought. Reading powerful books and doing the homework. Living by the words Ease and Grace. I've been learning so much about myself over the past few weeks.

These shifts have been transforming my life in miraculous ways. Work has improved and while I'm working towards something better, I have been using the power of gratitude to see the blessings in my life on a daily basis. This practise has allowed me to be grounded and to just BE. I've recently moved into a new home with my amazingly supportive boyfriend and setting out our things and making the place more us, I'm beginning to feel settled and more aligned with myself once again.

Just as I believed and trusted at the beginning of these challenging few months the inspiration and motivation would return. This period of self reflection has allowed me to emerge stronger and more certain of the life I want to create. It has also been the best learning experience and allowed me to see the benefits that coaching can do.

........................................................................................

Today:



In Spaces Between

Here we are beautiful on this sunny but fresh May day. I woke this morning and knew that this post needed to be written. It practically wrote itself. It's pulling the plaster off and allowing further healing to begin.

My mind is racing with ideas and I feel the flutter of excitement once again to be back on the blogging scene. In truth I've missed you guys tremendously. I can't thank those of you who have contacted me recently; your loving words astounded me. Your kindness bowled me over and your support has anchored me during those tough days. Thank you sweet friends, you're all amazing.

I can't wait to plan an implement some of the new changes I've drawn up for this blog. I'm going to share with you all the wonderful things I've learnt in the last months about resilience, bouncing back, being kind to yourself, the importance of nutrition, and loving yourself completely. The future is looking bright with possibilities.

I can't wait to get started. It feels so lovely to be home.

Jennifer xxx



Even The Best Fall Down Sometimes

"Even the best fall down sometimes..."

Howie Day sang it beautifully this morning as I sipped from my coffee cup. After an amazing few days away blissfully relaxing and disconnecting with my man and his family in Italy, I'm now jolted back to reality.

It's been just over five weeks since I left my life behind in Dublin to seek pastures new and chase my dreams.   I had been so busy taking the necessary steps to get here that somewhere in the mix of packing, shipping and settling in I lost sight of my goal and vision. It's something I can't ignore.

I feel like there's a piece of the puzzle missing and while I am feeling deflated and uninspired by these feelings, Howie Day reminded me that there are times in life that even when we feel that we have all our ducks nicely lined up, sometimes we can still feel slightly off course and out of focus.

I had been feeling a little guilty about how I was feeling but then I had my light bulb 'I'm learning a lesson here' moment. We need the edgy feelings. We need the low-vibing feelings just as much as the jump-for-joy ones. They are our guiding system.

I changed country and career and took gigantic steps and scary risks to become more of the person that I dream of being. I've learnt that I love risks - the bigger and scarier the better eh!? - and I'm not afraid to keep seeking and playing a game of trial and error. I believe it's part of the process.

I've also learnt just how much I want this. This being the coaching and guidance of stunning young women. There is so much that I want to give. There is an abundance of knowledge and guidance that I want to share. It's taken me a long time to figure that one out. Now that I've found it I'm not prepared to give up on my dream and goals. I'm not prepared to make substitutions or dilute my vision. In fact, those deflated feelings and the fact that I have been feeling uninspired only serves to guide me more in the direction of my dreams. Over the last few days I've been reminded to 'stay hungry'. Not to settle, but to keep striving and moving forward.

My message to you darlings is this - even the best fall down sometimes. Don't allow your set-backs or low feelings to keep you down. Instead choose to let them light a fire of passion inside you. Choose to see the lesson and rise to meet the standards and goals that you have set. You are so very worth it.

The world needs you to step up every day and to bring your wizardry and magic to this world. 

So together on this chilly Spring day let us hold our heads high, let's straighten our backs and sashay our way confidently into our future.

Love to you bright soul xxx

With Love From Austria: Lessons from on top a mountain

    

                           

                             

                 

.......................................................................................................

It feels so good to be back here, at my computer typing away and essentially feeling back in my good place. The week after skiing was a little intense and I'll be honest, I struggled to find my footing and balance back in reality. 

The week away, tucked up nicely in a snow covered cabin with some of the funniest and lovable people I've ever know was a full on tonic that I was needing. I loved having a sore belly from laughing, racing down mountains at top speeds, and being socially disconnected for a week. In a nutshell it was...bliss. 

It's hard to go somewhere like St. Anton in Austria and not be completely blown away and mesmerised. It's also even harder not to stand at the top of a mountain and really breathe in that crisp and insanely refreshing air, filling your lungs up so much that you remind them how amazing it feels to be alive and there in that moment. 

Over the course of the week in between ski lessons and the Harlem Shake, there were a few things that really jumped out at me during the trip. The Universe always has a lovely way of sending us gentle reminders and lessons in the most unlikely of places. 

.......................................................................................................

Do Things That Scare You

Fear was an old friend of mine. The chief procrastinator in my corner, and he's a difficult one to shake at the best of times. As a treat for my boyfriend Freddie's birthday, a couple of us took to the top of a mountain for a spot of paragliding. Standing at 2230 metres and preparing to essentially throw yourself off a mountain is enough to put the fear of God into anyone, but standing there and feeling that level of fear through every part of my body was exhilarating and empowering. Finally jumping and taking that massive leap of faith was incredible. Afterwards, I was so pumped for more action, it reminded me that taking risks and chances can be liberating and reminded that by pushing myself out of my comfort zone can open up amazing possibilities. Feel the fear and do it anyway baby!

Switch Off and Connect

Most of my friends are scattered around the world. Careers and a longing for adventure has taken us in many directions. Facebook, Whatsapp and Skype are amazing medias that keep us all an integral part of each others lives, but nothing, and I mean nothing beats being the presence of the people you love. My advice? Spend time with the ones you hold dear. Save, plan and explore together. The bond of friendship is the great reward you can give yourself.

Laugh At Yourself

Over the past few months I've found myself becoming more 'grown-up' and mature. Planning a business, moving country, interviewing and making your mark on the world require a certain level of seriousness but something we must never loose is our ability to have fun, go a little crazy, do funny dances, draw whiskers on our faces, and laugh at yourself. It's soul hugging, jovial, and amplifies the essence of living. 

It's OK To Not Be Needed

I'd planned to do some work while I was away, and despite making allowances and buying special roaming packages, the Universe had other plans. It can be sometimes difficult to connivance yourself that the world will end if you take time off work or if you're not there to fulfil some specific duty but being thrust into a situation where you have no choice to disconnect for a few days makes you realise that the world goes on living, and that you have a benefit to recharge your batteries and return home refreshed and rejuvenated. It's a win-win situation. 

Live & Let Go

Things have been a tad quiet around here while I'm in the process of packing up my life in Dublin to embark on a new adventure in the UK.

D-Day is next Thursday! I'm insanely excited but my to-do list seems to grow that little bit longer day to day. Over the weekend I have a mild ohdeergodimnevergoingtogetallthisdone moment and then I realised I just needed to chuck the to-do list and focus on the priorities. I'm moving to the UK, not Timbucktu. I don't need to have everything perfect.

I just need to focus on the essentials.

And that became the plan for the weekend. Catching up with great friends, spending time with my brother, and finally tackling packing up my room.

Clearing out my room became so much more than chucking a few things into a couple of boxes. It was a real opportunity to have a mental and physical cleanse. My room is jam packed full of memories. Some good, some not so good, and some in between.

I come for a loonnnggg line of hoarders, but I find it insanely therapeutic in letting go and clearing space. Yet I sometimes live by the motto of Murphy's Law: if you get rid of it then you end up actually needing it. So it creates a bit of a 'Ah sure I'll hold onto it for the time being, and get rid of it in the next clear out'. But that never happens!!

                             

I took this weekend as a opportunity to let-go of some things. Getting brutal with myself I worked my way through years of stuff. At the end I was left with some bags for charity, some for storage (I don't think my folks would appreciate me chucking my degree away) and the few essential pieces I've decided to take with me.

Today I feel lighter, more relaxed and fresher. I also feel like there's so much more room to welcome new things into my life - more love, more friends, more pretty sparkly things, and more abundance in every area.

Letting go of things doesn't erase the memory, it just allows you to invite more opportunities for epic moments to cherish.

Memories are not found in things. Great memories are ingrained in your soul. 

You'll never be without them. 

This has been a big highlight in the process of moving. Tidying up the past makes me feel even more ready for the next chapter. And that's a chapter I can't wait to start writing!

How about you sweetpea? Is there any area of your life that needs clearing and cleansing? 

Jenn x

Life or Death - How To Make Decisions

Decision making is part and parcel of life. Rarely does a day go by where we don't have to make decisions. Even deciding what you wore today, or what you had for breakfast was a decision. Everyone moment of your life is proceeded by a thought which becomes a choice and then an action. Decision making creates your life and your experiences. 

Making decisions can be fun, light-hearted, and exciting! Making decisions and choices puts you in the driving seat of creating the life that you want for yourself. The art of making decisions is a wonderful demonstration of you engaging with life. You're involved and engaged, and it's crazy exciting!

Naturally we are designed to move forward. Our lives are meant to progress and unfold like a story. Remaining stagnant is a) boring as hell and b) life-draining. Your life is meant to flourish and grow. You are meant to move forward. 

I'll admit, I've made some really bad decisions in my life and absolutely hated the results. I cringe when I think of some of things I've done! Some decisions have been completely daft - like staying out partying the night before an important exam - and others have effected other people greatly and changed the direction of my life entirely - like ending my engagement, taking a career break from teaching, and deciding to emigrate to the UK. 

Some of those moments where wild and scary and making some of those decisions was down right difficult, but what I do know is this;

Every decision you make is unique.

When we make decisions, they reflect where we are at that particular moment in our lives, and everything we've learnt and experienced helps us to make better and more mature choices. 

Problems creep in when we try making decisions based on choices we've made in the past. Dreading making decisions is usually linked to past stuff that didn't go quite so well, and this can dishearten us from making decisions going forward. 

Using our past as a guideline for making decisions can paralyse us with fear from making new decisions today. 

We can start over analysing, we create 'what if' scenarios in our heads, and we simply freak ourselves out. The million dollar question when it comes to decisions making is this; 

Is making this decision life or death?

Most of the decisions we make won't see us injured or hurt. Our egos may get a bit battered and bruised but that's ok, we can deal with that. Thinking in this way liberates our thinking. It gives us new perspective and the ability to say HELL YES! 

It is our permission slip to take chances.

Easing the pressure on ourselves to get everything just right or to constantly make the perfect decision allows us to make mistakes and to learn from them quickly. Not every decision you make will be bad. In fact, making decisions can open up a host of opportunities that were not there to begin with. Our life experience tells us that even if we do make a sucky decision, so what! ;

You can bounce back!

Making good decisions becomes easier when we are kinder on ourselves. We harvest our inner wisdom to make mature decisions. There will be times when we are thrust into emotional and stressful situations that will require us to make choices. During these moments it is 100% ok to step back, take a breath and; 

Pause.

From my experience, making decisions when I've been thinking irrationally has usually resulted in a few regrets. When I think back on those times, I often wish I have have just paused, calmed down, and then acted.

This is the beauty of hindsight and growth. We learn. When making decisions now I ask myself 3 things;

How will this effect me tomorrow?

How will this effect me next week? 

How will this effect me next year?

Asking these questions allows time for reflection and consideration. It allows our intuitive voice to rise up and guide us. 

Decision making is like having a beautiful relationship with life. It shapes our destiny and teaches us how to fall deeply in love with our ability to create a life we love.

..........................................................................................

Do you find it difficult making decisions? What holds you back? Or do you have a tried and tested way that helps you make ground breaking decisions? I'd love to hear them in the comments below xxx

Hustle + Heart

When I started my blog last year I had no idea that it would open up so many doors, I didn't realise how many inspirational and supportive people would walk into my life; and I certainly didn't imagine that I was going to find my passion and my purpose. 

Low and behold twelve months down the line and things are shifting and changing in ways that literally blow.my.mind!

It's beautiful in hindsight to know just how much 2012 was lovingly nudging me along; it was guiding me to step out of my comfort zone and teaching me how to to stretch and flex my way closer to living 'My Happy Life'. 

Things began changing around August/ September when I realised I was asking myself more often 'Why are you not doing what you love to do?'. I couldn't really come up with a reasonable answer, and so I had to get real with myself and ask if I was willing to plough along hoping, wishing, and wondering that one day everything would just magically fall into place. 

Realising that the likelihood of this happening was zilch, I began to take small, meaningful steps towards living on purpose.

What I've done  -

+ Began working with my amazing life coach

+ Created and envisioned my ideal day

+ Enrolled for my Diploma in Life Coaching

+ Soul searched and journalled

+ Surrounded myself with powerful and supportive women

+ Mind Mapped a direction for my blog

+ Meditated

+ Ask to be guided to a job that would allow me to soar

+ Was offered a job as a Guidance Counsellor in the UK

+ Exceeded my salary expectation

+ Accepted the job offer

+ Resigned from my job on February 1st 2013

One thing that really stands out for me in this journey is that when you stop pushing and surrender to a power far greater than we are, everything and I mean everything falls into place so beautifully. 

What I've learnt -

+ The Universe always provides

+ Courage is always rewarded

+ Committment = Results

+ There is no perfect time to start

+ Imperfections and fear of the unknown are insanely normal

+ Taking action towards your dreams makes things happen at lightening speed

+ You can create anything you want to

+ Being open to other ways is essential

Right now, just even writing this post I am overwhelmed with love and gratitude for everything that has happened to me to take me to this place right now. I feel so strangely calm and serene looking to the weeks ahead. This is my biggest leap of faith and I've never felt so supported and downright lucky. I have huge self belief; a crucial factor in making my dreams come true. It's been the missing ingredient for years. Everything around me is reflecting how I feel on the inside. And it feels incredible.

Dreams come true darling. All you need is Hustle and Heart. 

Now is time to turn the page, and begin writing my next chapter...

The Party Girls Guide To Peace

Have you reached a point in your life where you're feeling burnt out, tired, and emotional from living life from a Party Girl blueprint?

Are you tired of the hangovers, the depleted bank account, the pasty skin, and the gut feeling that all is not well within?

Are you ready to embrace a new way? Are you open to doing things differently? Are you ready to start living life on your own terms?

If you answered Hell-Yes! to any of these questions, read on beautiful...read on.



A few weeks ago the insanely wise and beautiful Tara Bliss from Such Different Skies got in touch to tell me about her amazing new e-course; The Party Girl's Guide to Peace.

To be fair, the name of the programme had me sold in seconds!

This extremely special e-course which has been developed with oh.so.much.love, is going to be a complete game changer. Trust me.

What is it exactly?

The Party Girls’ Guide to Peace is a 6 week temple of transparency and truth that nudges you away from the vodka and into vitality. It’s your big fat permission slip to start exercising your power so you can live the life you dream of.  It’s a resource for women who are prepared (no matter how terrified they may be) to free themselves from their Party Girl label and instead, as a community, prioritise peace.

.....................................................................................................................

Change is hard!

You're probably reading this and loving the idea of having the kind of life that you crave.

You're also probably thinking that making any life changes can be hard. And you would be right too. The beautiful of this course is that you will be lovingly supported and guided by a phenomenal group of women who will help you navigate your way towards living a peaceful life. I must point out - This isn't about living like a hermit, or never touching alcohol again! 

This is a community and programme which will enable you to live a life that makes you feel alive, vibrant, fresh, and zen'ed. This is a fear busting course that will help you switch your life from autopilot to living a life of choices!

.....................................................................................................................

Tell me more!

The course starts in just under 2 weeks. There is a beautiful community growing and we would love YOU to join us. If you'd like to read some more and decide if this is right for you, Tara has explained the whole course here.  We also had a great chinwag and chatted about being Party Girls and making the change to living healthier and more focused lived - check out our convo here: Tara & Jenn Peaceful Party Girls Chat

.....................................................................................................................

Sign Me Up!

If you are ready to take the leap and begin this wonderful adventure with us, consider this your invitation - Welcome on board! Click here to visit Such Different Skies. and sign up for the course today!