Author: susan

When we ask for something, it doesn’t always come in the time frame that we expect it.

If we’re manifesting something big, we can feel really challenged and tested.
It can feel like things aren’t working out.
The universe isn’t listening…
Maybe you even feel like you’re being punished and denied what you want.

Whenever I’m feeling impatient I ask myself, can I honestly and truly say that I’m prepared for what I want?
It’s a really good question to ask if you want to tap into your manifesting powers and feel less passive in getting what you want.
If I realise that I’m not truly ready, I give thanks for having the opportunity to keep working on getting my shit together.

It doesn’t come when we’re not prepared, or maybe not in the way that we expect.
And I think this is a good thing. Do you really want something you are unprepared for? I know I don’t.

If you think about some of the unexpected ways that your life might change if you were to get exactly what you’ve been asking for right now (or better) how might you need to change?
Maybe you need to be more organized or disciplined, increase your fitness, overhaul your diet, or learn a new skill.

Big changes require a different version of ourselves, and when we’re not clear on how we need to change, we can self-sabotage and create delays.

If you’re still getting your shit together, don’t worry. We all are!

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Hello!

I’ve been a little quiet lately, doing some exploring around Mexico.

I have finally seen the Tulum Ruins, an iconic landmark on the clifftops overlooking the beautiful aqua coloured Caribbean sea.

And yes, the water really is this colour!

I love the fact that not only is there so much incredible beauty in this part of the world, but that I also have the freedom to explore it.

I’ve had a friend from Australia visiting for the past two weeks and I was able to take some time to be a tourist and go exploring with her – without needing to apply for or have someone approve any annual leave.

A year ago from today, my life was very different…

Continue the post here…

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For a while, I forgot who I was.

I lost touch with what I was here to do.

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Now is the time to be thinking about where you would really like to be by the end of this year.

We have three months left of the year – enough time to make a significant shift towards whatever you’d love to create in your life.

If you were to fast forward and picture yourself at the end of this year, what changes do you see?

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A session with a Life Coach is a conversation like no other.

It is a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment, where the entire focus is about you, and is directed towards helping you attain what you want in life.

You don’t have to be a successful, goal-oriented person to benefit from the services of a life coach.  It is not uncommon for clients to walk into a session with no idea what they want to focus on.

Choosing a topic to focus on

Usually people have a fairly good idea of what they don’t want to continue experiencing, so this is where we will normally start.

We’ll zoom in and take a good look at your situation, how it’s impacting your life and what it’s costing you now (and down the track) to not create the change that is needed.

The presenting issue might be a feeling of unease about an area in your life.  Often it’s a rift with a family member or a difficult relationship with a colleague.  You might be wanting to improve your health and fitness, learn to love yourself, or turn around negative thinking.

The common issue is a feeling of being “stuck” in a situation they they don’t know how to escape from.

Getting clear on what you want

Once we’ve established what you don’t want, we’ll then look at what you do want.

One thing that surprised me when I first began my work as a life coach was realising how many people had never actually taken the time to ask themselves this question.

For many, this is the first time they’ve allowed themselves to really focus on the kind of relationships / life / body / career / mindset they’d like to have.

So together, we’ll help you craft a clear and compelling vision for you to move towards.

Getting to the heart of your problem

Next, we’ll identify what is holding you back from having this vision as your reality.

This is achieved by your coach asking really great questions, and challenging you to think about your situation from new angles.

A life coach is trained to listen for any negative thought patterns, limiting beliefs, hidden fears and self-sabotaging behaviours that are playing a part in keeping you feeling stuck.

By pinpointing the root cause of the problem (which exists on a subconscious level), and then bringing it into conscious awareness, you will be able to clearly see and understand how your thinking or actions have created the issue, and what you can to do to change it.

Without having this awareness, the same patterns will continue to play out in your life.  The circumstances might be different, but the problem will be the same.

How a Life Coach can help you

The role of a Life Coach is to empower you, and to be a soundboard and mirror for your thoughts.  Our job is to provide clarity, support, encouragement, accountability and options.

We’ll introduce you to new perspectives, and show you the links we’ve noticed between your thinking and behavioural patterns that you’ve been unable to see for yourself.

When you need to step outside of your comfort zone to reach your desired outcome, we’ll be there to guide and champion you.  To shine a light on your strengths, talents, and resources that you perhaps didn’t even realise you had.

Finally, with your new level of clarity and awareness, you will be given a strategy to help bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be – armed with a plan of manageable action steps, and a renewed sense of energy and excitement for your future.

If this sounds like something that you need, head on over to my services page to book a life coaching package, or contact me to arrange a chat.

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When your life is out of balance, it is a wake up call to make some changes.

Yesterday morning I had a personal training session here in Tulum, and today I am really feeling it…..

But I actually really love that feeling the day after a workout, of the activation of muscles that aren’t normally being worked! (hey there, abs 😊)

Back in Australia I was doing some cardio exercise almost every day, either on the treadmill, running or cycling.

I have since had to adapt to a new environment, and it has really been a challenge for me as the Caribbean humidity just hasn’t had me wanting to move enough.

I have definitely noticed the difference – my energy levels have decreased, and I haven’t been getting the hit of endorphins and productivity boost that I would get from working out.

I lost a lot of my muscle and lost a lot of weight.

I have even been drinking Coke – and I NEVER drink fizzy drinks! Loss of electrolytes through sweat combined with a lack of energy has had me craving sugar.

Having always been a health conscious person, it didn’t take me long to realise that I needed to make a change.

Being out of balance is something that happens to the best of us – it happens to all of us.  We go through ebbs and flows – it’s a part of life, and is completely okay, just as long as you don’t stay there.

If you have noticed that things have become out of balance in your life, check in with yourself and get clear on what are the first few steps you need to take to get yourself back into alignment.

Life is much more difficult when we take action from a place of being out of alignment.  Things take longer, more effort is required, and we come up against struggle after struggle.

When you are in alignment, life flows more easily.  Things connect more easily when you are in your strength, flow and power.

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When you’ve been hurt before in some way (basically everybody), it’s normal to want to close off your heart to avoid getting hurt again.

But putting up walls around your heart doesn’t just block out the risk of getting hurt, you’re also blocking out new opportunities.

You want to experience more love, connection and fulfillment in your life.

But you’ve put up protective walls so high that it couldn’t possibly get in.

You aren’t allowing it to reach you.

Whether it’s a relationship or your business that you want to take to the next level – opening yourself up to receiving more means GETTING VULNERABLE.

Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Letting go of the need to control, and surrendering to the unknown.

Every time you go beyond your comfort zone, you’re gonna feel the pain of past hurts and failures.

We hold the pain of past hurts and childhood traumas in the cellular memory of our bodies and our instincts kick in to protect us from repeating that pain.

This is why most people stay in surface level connections and don’t go on to experience the kind of deep and fulfilling connection that their human-ness is craving.

Because it’s safer that way.

You dip your toes in and get a taste for something you like, and you want to go deeper.

But soon enough your toes can’t reach the ground anymore, and you face the paradox of wanting to take a risk and stay safe at the same time.

You want to be swept off your feet and carried by the currents of life…
But be able to keep your feet on the ground at the same time.

You want to be spun around in the excitement and rush of the unknown, and be open to receiving the magic and miracles of unexpected opportunities…
But be able to keep your head above water so you can see what’s coming.

You want to explore the possibilities that lie beyond the horizon…
But you keep feeling the pull to go back to shore and retreat to safety.

If you really want to dive into the pool of life and experience the kind of exhilarating passion, connection and deep fulfilment that you crave, YOU CAN HAVE IT – but there’s always an element of risk required.

You can’t choose to ONLY feel the good and avoid the pain. Life is about ALL of the feels! The contrast of knowing hurt creates the richness of knowing what love feels like.

The currents of life are flowing around us all the time. But you’re not going to get picked up by one if you aren’t willing to take your feet off the ground.

There is magic in life, but you have to flow with it.

You have to take risks.

You have to keep putting your heart on the line, again and again.

Getting vulnerable again, and being okay with that.

Even though you’ve been hurt.

It’s the only way.

You’re not always going to have your head above water, and you won’t always be able to see what’s coming next.

Sometimes you’ll feel like you are treading water – but this is when you will learn to trust.

And trust will help you to stay on course.

Remain open to receiving what you want, without attachment.

The more you are willing to surrender and let go of control, the more ways there are for what you want to reach you.

If you can loosen your grip, open your heart and let go of expectations about how it needs to come to you…

It will find you.

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I’ve been noticing quite a lot of stuff pop up on Facebook promoting laptop lifestyles and digital nomadic lifestyles. Which is all great – I personally think it’s a much better alternative than the 9-5 slog in a corporate office.

But there’s something that’s been making me feel really triggered by it.

I am only hearing about the highs.

I’m not hearing a lot about the challenges, fears and doubts, sacrifice, courage and hard work that is actually required to make this lifestyle a reality.

Just the good times and the easy parts.

And whilst I completely honour that that is their experience, this is not my reality.

I’ve had some incredible highs and some equally big lows since leaving Australia and moving to my new home in Tulum, Mexico.

I’ve pretty much had to adapt to a whole new way of living.

Before this, I was working in an air-conditioned office, reporting to a manager and working off a set agenda with a guaranteed wage.

I am my own boss now, and so I’ve had to learn to motivate myself to be productive despite the heat making me feel drained and wanting to sleep all the time.

Before, I was going to the gym or for a run almost every day and my fitness level was pretty good.
But the last thing I feel like doing in the tropical heat is going for a run. Now my exercise is dancing, swimming and some light yoga and stretching. I’ve really felt the difference in my strength and energy levels since doing less cardio and this is something else that I’m having to adapt to.

I don’t have AC in my house (not so fun in 31 degrees!) so I try to make the effort to put on some proper clothes and a bra and find an air-conditioned café so that I can actually get some work done.

My brain still feels like I’m in holiday mode and so I’ve had to re-program my brain to create structured days and discipline myself.

This part has been especially challenging for me. I have always had a love-hate relationship with structure. I hate it, but I need it. And you realise pretty quickly when you start working for yourself how vital structure is!

There are lots of days where I pinch myself. When I’m tuned into of all of the magic, opportunity, growth, connections, beauty, adventure and fun, that is now my life. Where I feel confident, clear and certain, and things just flow freely and easily.

There are also days where I wonder what the hell I’m doing! Days where I feel lost, uncertain, and everything feels like a major effort.

But it’s all part of the ride!

My point is that whatever you do in life, there are going to be challenges. There will always be good days and bad days – even when you are living your dream life.

For anyone who uses social media as a means to inspire people, I think we have a responsibility to show both sides of the coin.

And the truth is that it takes a lot of work on yourself to be able to make your dream life a reality. Working through your beliefs, mastering your emotions and developing your courage and trust.

It’s a lifelong process.

But it’s also an incredibly rewarding process.

I get to choose my own hours.
I can free up more time to do the things that I love.
I can make more money in less hours of work.
I am not tied down to a single location.
I don’t need to ask anyone for permission to take leave.
I feel genuinely proud of what I am doing and creating.
I get to transform lives and witness incredible shifts in the women I coach.
I am growing a lot, and I get to keep challenging myself and finding out what I am really made of.

And the best bit is that I can honestly say with my hand on my heart that I am doing what I want to be doing.

There is nothing to escape from – I am here and this is it!

Is it hard work? Yes. Is it all worth it? HELL YES!

The hardest work is living a life of regret.

I’d rather be complaining about the struggles of living the life of my dreams than to be complaining about a life I’m wishing to escape from.

Wouldn’t you?

X

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The biggest thing that stops people from taking action in life is fear of failure.

Worrying that if you do the thing and go after what you want, it might not turn out the way you expect it to.

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There are two types of journal entries that I do.  One is a “reality” entry, and the other is a “dream” entry.

The reality entry is what I guess you would call standard journalling. It’s where I write about what is actually happening in my life.  I’ll use it to help process my feelings – both the good and the bad, what I have learnt –  and also gratitude lists.

The other type of entry I do is what I call the “dream entry”.

The dream entry is a visualisation. I’ll take some time to reflect on what I want to call into my life, and write down what I see. I am a visual person, so this has always been an easy process for me.

Last year, I consciously focused on the type of place that I wanted to live in.  I didn’t have a timeframe in mind – it could have been ten years away.  I just wanted to imagine and describe my own version of Utopia.

I pulled out my journal and started writing what I could see and feel:

“I am living somewhere close the to beach, somewhere warm and tropical…

There is music, dancing on the beach, passion, fun, deep + meaningful connections with others…

I am living simply, connecting with nature every day, watching sunsets, spending time in + near the ocean…

I am well nourished and eating lots of fresh foods…”

I had no idea where this place even was – or even which continent it would be.  But I knew it existed.  I wanted to live in a place where dancing was a normal way of life, and not just something that people do at weddings or in nightclubs.  Where nature is worshipped over TV screens.  Where the pace is a little slower… And where simplicity replaces busyness.

Six months since I wrote that entry, I am now living in that place.  The vision that I created is now my reality.

There are probably many other places like this in the world, but after writing that journal entry I followed a series of hunches and connections, and my intuition led to where I am now living, in Tulum, Mexico.

Each time I go back and read the “dream” entries, I am blown away by how much of it I have manifested into my life.  Many of these entries match up with my reality exactly to the tee – from the opportunities that have fallen into my lap, adventures I have been on, people I have met, the way I want to be treated and the way I want to feel.

I have included journalling in my upcoming 7 week program, Awaken You, because visualisations work – it’s how I designed my life. When you record your visions in written word and/or images, you give energy to them – which is why journalling can be so powerful when done strategically.

So if you aren’t journalling yet, it’s time to get started!

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Two months ago, I made the decision to leave my secure job, my long term love, my beloved home, my hometown and all of it’s familiar comforts, and my family and friends.  I sold most of my belongings, packed a backpack and came here to live on a beach in Mexico.

I did not know anybody in Mexico, had never been to Tulum before, and I don’t even speak Spanish (gasp!)

Yet I felt a strong calling from my intuition, and I decided to follow it.

I made this radical decision two months ago, after reaching a tipping point of feeling stuck and unfulfilled in my life.

I had a successful career in the dynamic travel industry.  Working as a Travel Consultant while operating my Life Coaching Business meant that I had the best of both worlds.  I have been fortunate enough to have flown in First Class, travelled to some amazing places and have had enjoyed some of the most incredible travel experiences – always staying in 5 star hotels and usually flying in business class, being treated like a Superstar with all of the bells and whistles.

From the outside, my life looked great.

The perfect job.  The perfect relationship. The perfect lifestyle.

But I had been feeling for a while that something was missing in my life.  I had stopped growing, and had lost my sparkle.  I could feel that I was going through the motions, waiting to feel that sense of aliveness again that I feel when I engage in what I love most in the world.

For me, this is adventure travel.  I live and breathe travel, and I have travelled all around the world on my own.

When I was a kid, and my family were watching TV in the loungeroom, I would often be found holed up in my bedroom with encyclopaedias (clearly this was before the Internet was a thing – we’re talking early 90’s here!), picking out a new country and learning all about the culture and visioning myself being there to take in the sights, sounds, tastes and scents.

I always knew that I would travel the world.

Six months ago, it became clear to me that I needed a new environment.

I will share in a separate post about how exactly I came to choose Mexico as my destination, but this decision to make such a radical change did not come easily.

I have basically left my three biggest anchors in life – my job, my relationship and my home.  Plus all of my friends and family!

I have felt ALL of the emotions since making this decision – overwhelming sadness and grief, moments of terror, intense heartache and loss.  I have also felt extraordinarily courageous, excited, grateful, and proud of myself for choosing to follow my heart.

it has been far from easy.  I have experienced a lot of challenges both in preparation of leaving Australia, and since I have arrived in Mexico. These challenges have really tested my strength, faith and resolve.

It has also cemented my commitment to my path.

I now live and work from the beach in Tulum, Mexico.  It is the most beautiful place.  There are gorgeous beaches, swings, hammocks, and coconut trees.  The vibe here is very chilled and people are incredibly generous and friendly.  I have now been here for two weeks and have already being welcomed into the community of both locals and expats with open arms.

I am going to be sharing and documenting this journey with you – the ups and the down, the highs and the lows.  I share my stories to remind you that  you can find you, create you or live you – in all of your truth.

I will also be soon launching my 7 day Online Program, Awaken You, which is designed specifically for women who are feeling stuck and unfulfilled in their life. I will be working with a group of ten women and taking them through the exact process that I have taken myself through to help them step into their truth and bring all parts of their life into full alignment.

If this sounds like something that you might be interested in, get in touch with me and I will send you some details.

And if you resonate with anything that I have shared, I implore you to listen to that little whisper of your soul, and really start to question the choices you are making
and consider whether you are honouring what your soul truly wants.

Here’s to following your heart always,

Susan X

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I have been wanting to experience a temazcal (Mayan Sweat Lodge) for ages.  Any sort of spiritual clearing or healing activity always gets my attention, and Mexico is a ideal place for such encounters.

I was invited to participate in this temazcal ceremony by a friend that I had met through one of the local community groups here in Tulum where I am living.  The temazcal took place on a ranch in Akumal, which is about half an hour north of Tulum.

Upon arrival at the ranch, molten rocks were being heated in the fire pit in preparation.  I immediately noticed a beautiful wafting scent of the aromatic herbs that were being used.  Some of those were rosemary, eucalyptus, and basil.  I was told that I should be there when they’re using mandarin!

Before entering the temazcal, a ritual was carried out where we were each cleansed with the smoke from copal (an aromatic tree resin).

The purpose of the temazcal is to clear away fears and old beliefs, remove impurities from the mind and also toxins from the body.  Bacteria cannot survive in the high temperature, and the toxins are released through sweating.

New intentions are also set and invited in.  It was quite amusing whenever anyone set an intention such as “connection with nature” to hear the monkeys in the surrounding jungle become very vocal with precision timing.

The dome shape of the temazcal is a representation of the womb of Mother Earth, and the process symbolises a rebirthing experience.

Red flower petals were laid in a beautiful path leading into the temazcal.  Inside, the temazcal comfortably seats 4 people.  You could fit up to 12, but you really want to have plenty of space.

The glowing red rocks were shovelled one by one into the temazcal, and with each rock we set intentions of what we want to bring into our lives.  It could be love, abundance, clarity – whatever you want to invite in.  The idea is that we all get to enjoy the benefit of these intentions as we are connected and in it together.

The flap of the door is then closed, and it is dark.

Using a bundle of herbs, water is splashed onto the rocks and steam fills the room.  It gets hot – really hot.  When the heat gets too hot to bare you can lower yourself closer to the ground where is a little cooler.  You can comfortably breathe slowly through your mouth and slightly through your nose.  Joints loosen, musles begin to relax and then (hopefully) the mind follows suit.

The ceremony is divided into four stages or “doors”, representing the four stages of birth to death – beginning with the door of the Creator, the door of the Sun, the door of the Mother/Feminine, and then finally the door of the Conscious Mind/Ego. With each stage, new hot rocks are brought in and new intentions are set.  The hosts would sing a song or chant, with some gentle drum playing.

With the completion of each “door”, the flap is opened to allow some welcome cool air from outside to flow in, and have a drink of water.

Any kind of emotion can arise during the temazcal, as you are working on yourself.  The concept is that you push through your discomfort and resist the urge to escape, the same way that we should approach our challenges in life.  The only way to move past discomfort is to move through it, by feeling into and processing whatever emotions arise.

To begin with I shed a tear or two as old fears and beliefs bubbled to the surface. Beyond the first stage, I then felt myself dropping into a deep sense of peace and relaxation as the ceremony progressed.

All in all, I had expected the heat would be much worse than it actually was.  It was hot, but not too hot to bare, and I think the beautiful aroma of the herbs assisted with relaxation.

We were inside the temazcal for around three hours.  We are told that the time can either feel much longer or much shorter than it actually takes.  For me, it felt a lot shorter.

There was one particular takeaway that I got from the experience.  Our temazcal hosts pointed out that we are always being told to listen to our hearts.  However the heart is where our pain is stored, so your heart alone may not always be helpful in guiding you.

Instead, they say that we should really listen to our bodies.  Pay attention to how you feel in your body as you consider each option.  Is your body saying yes or is it saying no?  This is how you can listen to and learn to trust your intuition.

When I crawled out of the temazcal covered in dirt, pebbles and sweat, I looked up at the starry sky with fresh new eyes. I don’t know exactly what had shifted, but I noticed that my surroundings seemed somehow different, clearer.  And it felt really good.

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