For the past couple weeks, I've been promoting Your Brightest Self. That means I sent a lot more emails than usual, and I am eternally grateful to the universe for gifting me ideas each day. Genuinely, sometimes words pour through me and even I don't know where they came from.

I'd like to share some snippets from the emails here, so that everyone has access to them. My intention every time I hit send is to provide my community with value and the space to think outside the box. Even if you never sign up for one of my offers, I want you to get something out of just being here. Your time and attention are incredibly important, and it's an honor to share in them with you.

Without further adieu, here's the first message:

I've been on my own personal growth journey for years now, and I've learned so much from so many people. I know I talk a lot about going within and listening to your own wisdom, but there's more to it. There are times when we find our inner voice outside of ourselves.

For instance, a person might say something that just REALLY hits home. The resonance lasts far longer than the actual conversation. I realized today that when this happens, it's because those people are giving a voice to our higher selves.

Have you ever heard or read something that had perfect timing? Something that stops you in your tracks because you hadn't realized how much you needed it until you found it? The universe knows when to drop little nuggets in your path, whether they be "downloads" that show up your brain or words that you consume.

This is all the more reason to be intentional about the people you give your attention to. Open yourself up to these bits of wisdom and Aha! moments by minimizing the stuff that doesn't resonate. There is so much content available between social media, television, and podcasts that there's no reason not to walk away from the ones that aren't aligned with you.

I truly believe that we hear the things we need to...when we're open and ready for it, of course. Pay attention to what breaks through the noise and what really sticks. Your higher self is speaking to you in those moments, and they don't always repeat themselves.

Remember when you were a kid, and people got SO excited over every little thing you did? What happened to that? As adults, there's a lot more that's expected of us and a lot less fanfare. While it might be weird to have a celebration just for pooping on the potty, your inner child could totally go for some more celebration, in general.

There are plenty of studies that show joy as having a positive effect on our health. Not just mental health, either. Happiness and joy improve sleep, lower blood pressure, strengthen your immune system, and counteract the effects of stress. They also make you less susceptible to disease and pain, AND they help you live longer.

Something else happens when you choose joy: Your brain begins to seek it out. If you start to celebrate even the tiniest things, you'll discover more and more reasons to throw yourself a little party. You are habitually late but you were on time today? Fiesta! You knew *exactly* what you wanted for dinner? Shindig! You finally started the project you've been putting off? Jamboree!

Pair those little joyful moments with a physical reaction - a fist pump, a whoop, whatever floats your boat - and you'll engage muscle memory as well. Before you know it, you won't be able to NOT celebrate yourself.

The ability to shout your wins from the rooftops is a valuable skill to develop. First, find a celebration style that feels good for YOU (because not all of us enjoy a huge display). Then acknowledge ALL of your wins...nothing is too small. If you want big wins, you need to celebrate the small ones. No one steps into a gym for the first time and heads straight to a 300lb barbell. Spend some time with those 5lb dumbbells and work yourself up.

Last week I shared a request from your inner child, and now I want to share one from your outer child. As in, your actual children. The next generation. Even if you don't have kids, which I don't, we as adults are still setting an example and representing what is possible.

I have 2 nieces and a nephew. I have friends who have kids. I used to babysit when I was younger. In short, I am extremely aware of how sensitive kids are, and how very much they pick up on. They are constantly watching us and learning how to become fully grown humans.

To put it bluntly: If you don't practice self-care, your kids won't learn to. You stretching yourself too thin and burning the candle at both ends is only teaching them to do the same. It's perpetuating generational trauma, and for what? So they can grow up and humble brag about how busy they are, how packed their schedule is, and how stressed they feel? Wow, what a gift to pass down.

When you burn yourself out trying to be all the things to all the people, you become bitter and resentful. Why does everyone else have what they need, but not you? When is it going to be your turn? My friend, your turn is NOW. It has to be. Show your kids what is possible when you prioritize your own wellbeing. Show yourself what is possible.

For someone with no maternal instinct, I am incredibly passionate about this conversation. Whether or not you are a parent, I hope you take it into consideration. I hope that you start acting like the most important person in your life. How the fuck are we supposed to teach kids to see their value when we can't see our own?

I say this with so much love: You are valuable. You are worthy. You deserve more than you are allowing yourself. And I promise to continue to see the light in you until you are ready to shine it outward.

I was listening to a podcast recently that brought up two very good points. I want to share them, and also throw in my two cents.

The first concept is thinking on purpose. Instead of allowing your thoughts to have complete freedom and dominate your mind, take back some control! Make a conscious decision to set boundaries around what you are willing to think. What thoughts do you choose to allow, and which ones do you simply not have room for?

The second idea is choosing to believe something simply because it feels good. I still believe in Santa, even though I was quite young when I realized that he is logistically impossible (even with time zones). What I believe in is the spirit of kindness and generosity, with the added elements of surprise and delight. It's a choice, and I hold that belief because it feels good.

I don't have to know you personally to know that right now, you are holding onto a belief that doesn't feel good. I am, too. We all are. It's a habit, but that doesn't make it good or helpful.

Honestly, these two points go hand in hand. Our beliefs shape our thoughts, our thoughts shape our actions, and our actions create our reality. Right now, let's take a moment to release one icky thought and purposely replace it with one that feels good. Oh, and don't you dare think about dandelions. Now close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and shift that thought!

...

Your mind went STRAIGHT to a dandelion, didn't it? That's why you have to focus on the new thoughts, not the ones you want to kick to the curb. Thinking about not thinking about something is still thinking about it. And yes, I swear that sentence makes sense.

So, what do you choose to believe today? What thoughts are you choosing to allow? Shoot me a message and let's talk about it!

Have you ever stopped to think about how you got where you are today? How you became this particular version of yourself?

I can't be the only one who enjoys following the threads of my life. As someone who has battled with mental illnesses, eating disorders, burnout, and plenty of other challenges, I can't help but to be amazed by the person I am right now. Ultimately I'm grateful for every struggle because it made me seek out a better life - much like the one I currently have.

If you've always been comfortable and content, maybe you can't relate. There's no need to go digging when you already have what you want. However, if you've ever felt driven to find something more, something better - know that I see you, and I understand.

People like us are curious; we want to understand why our brains work the way they do, and why we act the way we do. We dive down rabbit holes of personal development and inner work. We resurface with so many amazing insights, armloads of information, and renewed awareness of the world around us.

There is a responsibility that comes with this journey, and that is to share our findings with others. There is a calling to make someone else's load lighter, because imagine how freeing that would have felt for you. You get to be the person you needed when you were younger. In fact, that's why I decided to become a coach.

My purpose is in helping those people who know there is a better way but can't seem to find it. The ones who have taken so many damn paths, all of which lead in a circle. It's my job to turn their compass inward. The answers you need are already a part of you. Don't spend your whole life on this external wild goose chase. Slow down, take a breath, and check in with your own wisdom.

How would it feel to have more energy, be more productive, and actually enjoy the process? It all starts with being willing to make yourself a priority in your own life. Are you up for the adventure? Schedule a virtual coffee with me and let's talk about it!

A recent addition to my self-care toolkit has simultaneously been the simplest and most effective action. It's so easy, you're going to think I'm nuts (until you try it).

Here it is: intentionally acknowledge when you are practicing self-care. That's it!

Whether you are preparing a meal, taking a shower, or going to bed on time, just say, "This is self-care." Feel free to get more creative with the wording, and play around with saying it both out loud and in your head. Everything is an experiment!

The inspiration came to me because I was thinking about how powerful it is to name emotions, and also because calling things out brings attention to them.

Not only are you naming and reframing the task at hand, you're turning your focus to just how many acts of self-care you practice in a day. Every time you do something to meet your needs - from making coffee in your favorite mug to peeing it out - and every time you set your future self up for success. "This is self-care."

When I say self-care doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming, this is the stuff I mean. Mindset is such an important (though often overlooked) piece of the puzzle, which is why I love working on it!

I hope you've enjoyed the last several weeks of entries. I'm grateful to have this space to share my thoughts with you! Working directly with a coach is incredibly powerful, but free content like this can be too, if you really absorb and integrate it.

I'm happy to provide quality free content, because I'm well aware that coaching isn't cheap. But, when you think about it, there are some things you don't want to be. Cheap furniture falls apart, cheap cars break down (sometimes they also fall apart), and cheap insurance costs more in the long run. Most often in life, you get what you pay for.

Instead of looking at price tags, look for value. Those $200 sneakers will last much longer - and be better for your back - than a cheapo $20 pair. The work you do with a coach will last a lifetime. It's not like they take your transformation back after you're done.

Okay, but what's so valuable about a coach, anyway? If you've never worked with one, maybe it's not apparent to you. Here are some of the things they can offer that you won't find on your own. Actually, allow me to speak for myself, because I don't want to say that all coaches are the same.

There is so much value in:

Time. Working with a coach helps you reach goals and transform more quickly than you ever could alone. It's not just about the time we spend together, it's also the time you're saving by taking a shortcut to results.

Energy. As you'll learn, everything is energy and energy is everything! There is no substitute for being on a live call, or even having a real-time conversation through messages. Knowing someone is right there with you, holding space, guiding you, and cheering you on, is incredibly powerful. Nevermind the fact that working with me also includes Reiki energy healing sessions. Those are pure magic!

Attention. I keep my groups small on purpose, so that everyone gets an individualized experience. I want to make sure each person feels heard and seen.

Of course, there's also course content, which you could technically research on your own. But that's not what sets me apart. The difference is my perspective, along with real-life examples from someone who has spent time integrating this information.

Finally, the one ingredient that really helps my knowledge and experience to shine is you! Having your specific situations and examples is exactly what I need to put my brain into action. A chef can have a kitchen full of tools and an exhausting list of skills, but without someone to cook for, what's the point?!? My clients bring me so much purpose, joy, and fulfillment.

If you're curious about working together, I invite you to schedule a virtual coffee with me! These 30-minute conversations are free, with absolutely NO pressure or expectations. I'll see you soon! 😘