Why Creating Boundaries is Hard

Hey Love,

Boundaries have been a big topic of conversation in my circle this week. Boundaries with family, employers, pets, even with ourselves. It’s a popular concept in the personal growth world and with good reason. Setting and sticking with boundaries is one of the best things you can do for your health - physically, mentally & emotionally. So why is it so challenging at times? Here are a few common boundary busters:

• People-pleaser Syndrome: Whether you learned to prioritize others’ needs as a coping mechanism when young or got praise for your selflessness in later years, people-pleasing is a hard habit to break. Of course it feels good to make other people happy and it’s natural to want to do so. But if it’s at the continual expense of your own health and happiness, it’s time to reassess and recommit to yourself. 

• Confrontation Avoidance: Similar to people-pleasing, but based more in your desire to minimize potential conflict. If you are regularly doing (or not doing) something out of fear of creating a negative situation or getting angry reactions, then your boundaries are definitely taking a back seat. Keeping the peace occasionally is smart; letting someone steamroll you is a sign you aren't being respected.

• Self-sabotage: If you are constantly finding reasons (aka making excuses) for not keeping your word to yourself, then your internal boundaries need some work. Whatever your goal, make that commitment and hold yourself accountable. Struggles with self-work can mean a lack of self-worthiness and your boundaries or lack-there-of, are a key indicator. 

How can an Equine session help you with boundaries? Horses are mirrors for your current energy. They don’t care who you are, what you’ve done (or not done), your job title or net worth. They bring to the surface exactly what emotions and energy you are carrying with you. They do this not so that you feel bad about any fear, doubt or lack you are having, rather just to be a reflection so you can learn to identify your own emotional status. Horses can help you feel seen, heard, understood in ways that you never expected.

If you are navigating boundary challenges and want deeper nervous system support, I’m opening a few equine sessions over the next several weeks. If this resonates, hit reply and let’s set up a free call to see if Equine Energy session are right for you! 

To beneficial boundaries, 
Lauren

How to Uplevel into a New Identity

Hey Love,
 

This week is the six year anniversary of the Covid shut-down. I know, it’s bananas! And if the recent years have taught us anything, it’s that the only constant is change. Think about how many iterations you’ve experienced in the last 6 years alone! Work, home, friends, family - so many new beginnings and maybe even more endings. 

When change inevitably happens, adopting a new identity can be a major challenge - whether it’s one you’ve fought for or one thrust upon you. These identity labels are often how we introduce ourselves to others and how we make sense of our place in the world. And it can be hard to shed our old beliefs, especially when we’ve grown comfortable in a role. (Hello, imposter syndrome 👋)

But resistance to these identity changes only serves to keep us small, stuck and stagnant. The sooner we soften and allow ourselves to step into these new roles, the more growth (and success, love, happiness) is often waiting for us. 

If this is something you are struggling with, here are some questions to consider:

• What is it about this new stage that scares you? Often it’s a preconceived idea about what this may mean for your relationships or how others may see you. But if you can identify those fear-based beliefs, you’ll remember there is nothing you can do to control what others think and may find those fears may be unfounded.

• What is the best case scenario? Most of us are amazing at ruminating on the worst possible outcomes, but what about instead using that time to envision the dreamiest possibility. This instantly puts us into a higher, more positive energy state, changing our whole outlook and can even affect the outcome - for the better!

• What if I got out of the way? Oh how our ego loves to run the show. We are all the main characters in our own life, but it doesn’t have to be me, me, me. Remove yourself from the story and see how that changes your perspective, takes out the emotion and ego-based thinking.

One identity I’ve long been resistant to is one of “healer”. Even though I’ve been through dozens of trainings and certificate programs and clocked thousands of hours in various healing modalities, I still baulk at the healer title. When I finally decided to dig into the root of this resistance, I found two beliefs that stood in my way: Feeling responsible for others’ healing and worthiness about abundance tied to healing work. These are two extremely common blocks I help others with, and yet I wasn’t immune to them.

Working through these and into the identity of a “healing space holder who catalyzes transformation” has not been easy. But it’s well worth the effort to show up and provide a safe, sacred space for those who need grounded guidance and are ready for it.

If you are navigating life transitions and want deeper nervous system support, I’m opening a few equine sessions over the next several weeks. If this resonates, hit reply and let’s set up a free call to see if Equine Energy session are right for you! 

To upleveling your identity, 
Lauren

How Horses Clear Your Energy

Hey Love,
 

As I sat down to type this email, I started like I usually do; a few grounding breaths to clear my mind and reset my energy, preparing to get into the creative flow. Sometimes I have an idea (or many 😉) that have already been swirling around, but today was one of the other times when I waited for a kernel to “pop up”.

I started reflecting on my journey with this email newsletter and realized it's been almost 7 years since I started some version of this!! While so much has changed for me in these years (and I know so much has changed for you too), one thing remains solidly the same - my deep desire to help others reconnect with their own healing capacity.

The truth is, our collective wellness journeys may overlap and we may have shared experiences, but our individual paths of healing are very much our own. My role is to guide you back into your body, your intuition, your power, so you can be fully resourced no matter where you are on your path.

If lately you have felt disconnected, overwhelmed, burned out and are looking for a reset, an Equine Energy session is truly the perfect fit for you. The frequency of horse medicine is so grounding, nourishing and restorative. Clients leave feeling calmer and clearer, with a profound sense of gratitude for the healing power of nature, horses and their own inner guide. And while what you experience may feel like magic, please know that you are the alchemist. I am merely a conduit to help facilitate. 

For my locally-based emphaths, healers, sensitive souls, come spend an hour with the love and wisdom of the horses! I also do virtual sessions that are blowing my mind in terms of activated power. These include distance reiki healing, animal communication and intuitve guidance via live or recorded video. So that's an option too! 

To powering your path, 
Lauren

Living as an Empath is Today's World

Hey Love,
 

I've spent the past two weeks listening very closely to what my friends, clients, and community near and far are saying. In intimate conversations in coffee shops, venting while running errands, shouting into their social media platforms. The common thread: I am not okay. 

There is a collective lack of motivation, absence of joy, sense of detachment - almost like a murky layer of film is dulling all the previously bright spots. We are learning to compartmentalize and protect ourselves from the onslaught of heart-aching news, each development seemingly worse than the last. And it’s no wonder we’ve had to armor up – it’s legit hard to be a sensitive person in the world right now.  

It feels like the last many years of my personal growth journey were all the perfect foundational support; I’m using my toolbox of resources like never before. Breathwork, yoga, meditation, walking in nature, exercise, naps, journaling, therapy, hobbies, creative pursuits, time with loved ones and animals. Whatever you have in your bag of tricks, it’s time to pull them all out and put them to use. It’s literally go time.

Here’s what else may help:

• You are not alone. Wherever you are right now emotionally, physically, mentally - I guarantee there are millions of others right there with you. Finding just one other person to connect with can be so incredibly comforting.

• It’s okay to feel. Rage, sadness, shock, frustration, confusion. We’ve signed up to experience all of this in “human school” so without self-judgment and over-thinking, just allow yourself to be in these emotions.  

• Look for the joy. It’s also okay to be happy! We absolutely can not let ourselves get stuck in the shit-storm spiral, so please, find reasons to smile, laugh, enjoy life. And honestly, the simpler the better. A delicious cup of coffee, finding a great parking space, a beautiful sunset - all worthy of noticing and appreciating.

Taking care of yourself is not doing “nothing”. Your health, in all ways, is a priority. And holding space for your family and friends, co-workers and community. This is integral to how we survive and thrive.

A wise friend of mine shared recently that some days all she can do is send peace out into the world. Sounds like a pretty valuable way to spend our time. 

Also - yes, I'm doing Equine Energy sessions in the winter, so if you want to bundle-up and come spend an hour with the love and wisdom of the horses, please reach out. I also do virtual sessions that are blowing my mind in terms of activated power. These include distance reiki healing, animal communication and intuitve guidance. So that's an option too! 

To your love and peace, 
Lauren

How Trusting Yourself Can Change Everything

Hey Love,
 

2025 was a year like no other. 

After running my holistic wellness-based business for the past 5+ years something inside me started to shift. The drive, enthusiasm, passion had begun to fade. I was no longer called to share learnings on my podcast or on social media, something I had once loved doing. As difficult as it was to admit to myself, I felt the energy for finding and serving clients waning. 

So for the first time, I pulled all the way back in my business. And I waited…and waited. There was a long period of silence. I felt lost, lonely, ungrounded. I was uncomfortable. I was embarrassed. 

But I continued to lean into trust, I called upon all my years of personal development and growth and surrendered into whatever the universe was trying to teach me. I KNEW that something new would come in and over the months, something amazing started to enter the void.

The invitation came via an email. A beautiful soul teacher I had been introduced to back in 2020 was launching a brand new program – a year-long program to help wellness facilitators connect to the healing energy of horses and incorporate into our specific modalities. All of my cells were lit up when reading about this opportunity. I was immediately intrigued. I needed to know more. 

I set up an info call, dove in with all my questions and left feeling a big hell yes. But then the doubt crept in. Who did I think I was moving into this field? I didn’t have a ton of hands-on horse experience. What would other people think? Am I really pivoting to healing through horses? Does anyone know what this work is? Will people want this? 

But I was moving forward. I took the greatest leap of my wellness career and this journey has been transformative. From feeling the soul-changing connection of heart resonance in a field of wild horses, to receiving powerful equine messages for myself and others, to providing hands-on reiki healing to horses. 

The magical reciprocal flow of energy between horse and human is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. To feel my nervous system regulate, to be fully present, to observe the majestic wisdom of a herd, to integrate and embody animal communication in real time. Each experience feels like its own miracle, and I’ve now witnessed hundreds.

Will 2026 be the year everything changes for you? If so, I’m here to cheer you on, to help guide you on whatever journey you’ve courageously embarked upon.

If you are even a little bit curious, then this experience is meant for you! Limited sessions available now. Reserve your spot. Have questions? Just hit reply and let's chat!

To your leap of faith,
Lauren

Harnessing the Year of the Horse

Hey Love,
 

As this Year of the Snake is coming to a close, it’s the perfect time for introspection and reflection. 2025 is a 9-year (2+0+2+5), meaning it’s all about endings and completion. This year has been one of incredible change, a shedding of old identities, stories, and things that no longer fit. So many of us have left jobs, relationships, homes, meaning you were right on time, whether you knew it all the time or not.

Does this ring true for you? What cycles or circumstances have ended in your life? What things are you still in the process of releasing and letting go of?

By contrast, 2026 is a 1-year, the start of new beginnings. It’s also the Year of the Horse (and no, I had NO idea when I embarked on my horse journey this past year, but it’s one heck of a YES from the universe). While the snake is about slowing and shedding, the horse is about igniting your power, creativity, channeled energy. 

What new things are you ready to bring into the world? What ideas are you curious about? What potential opportunities give you energy? 

Alignment is all about going with the flow, leaning into what feels easy and nourishing. In the coming weeks, pay attention to the synchronicities that are coming up, people or ideas that keep repeating and actions that build momentum. Embody that horse energy by harnessing your individual power, leaning into your unique strengths and passions.

I've been fortunate enough to find a way to harness my horse power (😉 see what I did there) into a beautiful mash-up of nervous system regulation, multi-layer healing and intuitive reconnection. If you are even a little bit curious, then this experience is meant for you! Limited sessions available in January. Reserve your spot.

To a bold new year,
Lauren

2004 Word of the Year

Hey Love,

Happy New Year! Now that the holidays and hooplah are behind us, it’s the perfect time to refocus, reprioritize and recommit to the future you want for yourself. One way to be more mindful and set powerful intentions is incorporating a Word of the Year.

There are endless choices and no right or wrong word. It should simply be something that you aspire to, feels meaningful and resonates with you. Here are some ideas to help in the word-selection process:

Pick the very first word that comes to mind

Sit in meditation and wait for a word to drop in or come to the surface

Choose a word that you’ve been thinking about or saying a lot

Start with a longer list of words and narrow down to one

My word last year was Embodiment. For me, that meant going slower and allowing more time for play, exploration, integration and deeper knowledge. It also meant incorporating practices that would bring even more awareness of my six senses and continued trust in my body's wisdom. It's incredible to look back and see how this word came to life in so many different ways, including classes on EFT/Tapping, Akashic Records and Kundalini Yoga.

For 2024, I’m choosing the word Consistency. I picked Consistency as a way to honor my desires and value myself enough to pursue them; to show future me that I can achieve my goals by being disciplined, taking action in the current moment and building frameworks that allow for my creativity to flourish. I will still say yes to opportunities and move with my energy flow, but at the foundational level, I am going to be consistent with my business and holistic practices. I already know what my results are when I'm inconsistent. Now it’s time to see what I can do when I stay the course for an extended period of time.

Remember, our words become our manifestations. Our words are powerful, they're spells, they create the story that our lives become, so let’s start taking ownership of what we want out of this life! For more detail on how to choose and implement your word, check out my recent Open to Alchemy podcast episode and don’t forget to share with a friend who would love it and make a great accountability buddy. I'd love to hear your word too, so tag me on IG @open.to.alchemy!

And if you are craving a connection with your creative energy this year, I'm now booking for 2024 Unblocking Sessions. Let's spend a powerful 60 minutes together to uncover hidden blocks, shift negative mindsets and brainstorm future action.

To keeping your word,

Lauren

Recapping 3 Lessons for 2023

Hey Love,

Welcome to the last Thursday of the year. It’s been such a wild ride, at times feeling like it went by so quickly and other times like I lived a thousand different lives just this year alone! I love the practice of looking back and pulling out the most impactful lessons, major themes or shifts we’ve experienced. Maybe you can find some resonance, wisdom or inspiration in my 3 for 2023.

Advocate for what you need. This year everyone in my family has required some level of additional support, whether it be study services, new medications, tapping into work resources, etc. We are empowered to clearly, compassionately and respectfully lay out our needs, and keep going until they are met. There is no shame in requiring professional assistance or accommodations. Most people in these roles are genuinely happy to do their job of helping people in need.

Explore new things. For me this has meant so much personal growth and expansion, new friends and experiences. From my solo retreat, classes in Akashic Records, EFT/Tapping, my Energy Art journey, Kundalini yoga (and more!). You never know where these little hits of interest will take you and the result doesn’t really matter. The real lesson is honoring your intuition and valuing your playtime.

Creativity is everything. TBH, I struggled the last few months with putting what I do, love and offer into a “selling box”. I paused on a lot of things, slowed down and pulled back in order to see things (and myself) from a higher perspective. And that’s when all became clear. Even though I’ve been an active Creator all my life, I didn’t know that was the missing piece of my embodiment journey (my 2023 word of the year). Creativity is at the core of my being, my value proposition, my identity. I now know that it's not something that’s easy for everyone; it’s my gift to share and I’m 100% committed to owning this in 2024.

For a deeper dive into my 3 for 2023, check out the latest Open to Alchemy podcast episode. The next two weeks are a powerful time to review, reflect and reset, so stay tuned for resources on how to choose your 2024 word of the year and more. And if you are ready to reconnect with your creative energy, I'm now booking for 2024 Unblocking Sessions, a powerful 60 minutes together to uncover blocks, shift mindsets and brainstorm future action.

To celebrating the lessons of 2023,

Lauren

How to Break-up Your Screen Addiction

Hey Love,

Today, December 21st, is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere - the shortest day and longest night of the year. The word Solstice translates to “sun standing still” and is steeped in ancient wisdom and traditions. As a period meant for deep reflection, the Winter Solstice is a perfect time to consider all that you are ready to leave behind in 2023.

For me, I’ve decided the biggest thing I am ready to ditch is my screen-distraction-addiction. The mindless scrolling, random checking, frequent refreshing is such a terrible habit and I know so many of us struggle with it.

Even though I have taken all apps off cellular. Even though I have no notifications enabled. Even though I meditate almost daily.

The pull is SO strong. And it’s intended to be so. We are being programmed (literally) to give away our most precious resources - our time and attention - for a little hit of dopamine. And our brains are requiring more and more screen time to feel satisfied.

Yes, there is wonderful content out there. And of course there is value to learning, laughing and being connected. But we can’t ignore how physically, mentally and emotionally fried we are. The stress, overwhelm, anxiety, depression.

I know it feels weird at first to sit in silence, to not pick up your phone with each free moment. But ask yourself how often you are consuming someone else's content - whether on social media, games, news, podcasts, radio, emails - versus the amount of time you are quiet, connecting to your own thoughts, generating your own ideas. The answer might shock you.

I am working on some more resources to support myself and you in the coming year, but here is one thing that I am adopting immediately. Notice the urge. Taking just one beat, one quick pause, to be aware of and acknowledge the pull you are feeling can make an enormous difference.

Developing better screen habits is a way back to yourself. Back to peace and calm. Back to creativity and concentration, focus and freedom. We are meant to be creators, using our imagination, solving problems, fueling passions. Not passively watching the world go by in our little tech trances.

To leaving behind all that holds you back,

Lauren

How to Change Your Energy

Hey Love,

I recently was faced with an uncomfortable situation. I was going to see a friend I hadn't seen in a while and the last time we were together ended in a pretty awkward exchange. And while we had texted and talked since, I was still harboring some hurt feelings and had increasing apprehension about our upcoming face-to-face.

My mind was looping with all the possible scenarios: What if they said something hurtful again? How would I handle a confrontation? What would others think/feel/say if they became part of our conversation? I was stuck in a negative, anxiety-filled spiral.

I had shared my concerns with some of my support team and got a range of loving advice, including: create protection boundaries around me, prepare to be direct and firm in my communication, and let it roll off me, ignoring whatever happens.

The morning of our get-together came and after days of angst, I woke up with a clear mind and full heart. I decided that I was going to approach this situation the same way I try to live each and every day - with empathy and compassion, leading with love, being kind and generous of spirit. With this renewed clarity, I felt calmer, more grounded and hopeful. And guess what happened…it was SO wonderful.

We laughed easily and shared freely. I held space as they shared the significant challenges they were experiencing. When I let go of my negative energy, I was able to see them more clearly, including the pain behind their previous words, which had nothing to do with me.

As we all know (but sometimes forget!), the only thing we can control is ourselves. We get to decide the energy we bring to any situation. We choose if we want to show up in alignment and integrity with our true selves or let others push us into thoughts, feelings and behaviors that are not authentic or desirable for us.

It’s not easy to look beyond the initial reaction to see what could be creating these “charged” situations, but the peace you can feel on the other side is so worth it. And this is why I believe so strongly in the personal work I do and keep sharing with you! It's not so we never falter or veer off course, but rather so we have the tools and resilience to find ourselves again and again.

To holding your energy,

Lauren