Creating a Title + Identity

Hey Love,

There is a funny thing that happens at some point during every Open to Alchemy podcast interview, when I ask the guest what title they’d like me to use in their introduction. It always turns into a longer conversation and I hear things like, “Well I’m trying out…” or “Wow, it could be so many things” or “This is such a hard question”.

You see, as entrepreneurs in the fields of creativity, coaching, energy and healing, titles are an ever-changing, sometimes elusive pursuit, where we try to summarize everything we’ve learned and practice in one marketable and understandable label.  

It got me thinking about why our titles matter so much and why it’s sometimes challenging to either own or move away from an identity. We not only make assumptions about other people based on their titles, we also put a lot of power into them, even those self-imposed. Here’s some common identity-based issues and how to navigate through them:

• Over-identification: We are what we…do? In today’s work obsessed culture, it’s easy to get swept up into viewing yourself as your job. It’s probably the question most of us are asked after our name! And of course, it is a huge part of how we spend our time and self-identify, but it’s not the whole of us. A big mistake at work doesn't mean you are a bad person and changing careers doesn’t mean you are a failure. It’s up to us to build our out-of-office resume, filled with hobbies and passions, rest and reflection so we feel more balanced and well-rounded.

• Dream Job Disappointment: We were all raised with certain ideals of what we deem prestigious jobs. For some that may be doctor, lawyer, or professor; for others it’s coach, healer or entrepreneur. Achieving that dream job can feel like the ultimate prize from a culmination of lots of hard work and sacrifice. But sometimes the dream isn't what we thought it would be. Whether your expectations didn’t match up, the logistics proved unsustainable or you simply grew in another direction, giving yourself permission to pivot from your long-held desires is the ultimate expression of authenticity and self-compassion.

• Imposter syndrome: For some of us, there's no amount of schooling, certifications or external validation that will allow complete ownership and acceptance of our abilities. This imposter syndrome can sneak it anytime, but especially if you are stretching yourself or putting forth something innovative. If you have a tendency to shrink away from a certain title, even one well-earned, consider what is holding you back from expressing your full potential. Remember, if you truly want to help others, you need to embody the fullness of your gifts so you can show up and attract like-hearted clients, partners and community.   

Your work identity matters, but only as much as you want it to. If it’s something that inspires and excites you, then own it completely. And if it doesn’t feel aligned, try something new! Because if cauliflower can call itself pizza, then you can create any title you want!

Although I currently call myself an Empowerment & Energy coach, another title I’m stepping into is Energy Artist. Through my Energy Art Portraits, you get to experience a deeper understanding of who you are and tangilbly see your energy field in a way that you may have never had access to before. These one-of-a-kind, custom painting and self-discovery sessions can help you get to know, love and trust yourself on a whole new level.

Each one is truly so beautiful and powerful. And I just love being able to create & share these with people, so visit OpentoAlchemy.com for all the details on how to order one. Also, if you haven't listened to the Open to Alchemy podcast, come check it out! From a Wellness Astrologer to Sewing Fairy Godmother and everything in-between, you will find something to make you smile, think, laugh and feel inspired.

To creating a new identity,
Lauren

When You Hit A Plateau

Hey Love,

Have you lost your momentum? Maybe your passion has waned or energy changed or you are simply reaching a point where you aren’t sure which way to go next? 

Welcome to a plateau. These can happen in our physical training, and also our professional and personal lives. While it can be disappointing and frustrating to feel stagnant when you crave that forward movement, a plateau is a great time to re-evaluate what you want. Here are some pointers for determining your next move:

• Take time to reflect. A plateau, by nature, is a built-in pause-button. So while your inclination might be to push right on through, I challenge you to stay still and investigate. Do some journaling, conduct research, ask friends or colleagues for advice. Use this time to really consider what this flatline could be teaching you or guiding you towards.

• Mix it up. Maybe this plateau is just a symptom of underlying boredom and it’s time for a fresh perspective. Try changing one or more elements - the timing, environment or strategy and see if it gives you that energy boost you’ve been missing. Often it takes only one small tweak to get moving again.

• Level up. Many times we reach a certain point and just get comfortable, so we stay there. You may be holding yourself back from achieving your goal and this plateau is here to push you to make the next leap. Whether it’s taking a class, finding a mentor or exploring something completely new, don't let complacency keep you from the next summit.

• Let it go: While it may be the last thing you expect or want, sometimes a plateau is really just an ending that takes a long time to accept. Only you know when it’s time to move on in search of a better opportunity or new adventure. But if this is the case, then give yourself a little space to accept (and maybe even grieve) and then it’s go-time.

Plateaus are complete natural and not a sign that you've done anything wrong! Instead, use the guidance above to make the most of these moments and get ready for your next period of growth.

Personal growth is one of my greatest passions. And I'm driven to continually find new ways to help others get to know, love and trust themselves. One incredibly special way I'm doing that is through my Energy Art Portrait offering, a one-of-a-kind, custom painting and self-discovery session.

These are such an amazing way to tangibly get a deeper understanding of who you are and to see yourself in a way that you maybe have never had access to before. Each one is truly so beautiful and powerful. I just love being able to create these and share with people, so visit OpentoAlchemy.com for all the details on how to order one!

To reaching new levels,
Lauren

Managing Overwhelm

Hey Love,

Here we are again, it’s full on May-hem, the magical month where absolutely everything is happening all.at.once. Exams, Graduations, Tournaments, Festivals, Holidays. It is go-go-go time and it’s enough to make even the calmest, most organized person lose their marbles. 

Luckily, I'm right here with you. So take a deep breath and read on for some tips to navigate the craziness of this month or any overwhelming time.

• Take one day at a time. Yes, every day might be filled to capacity, but you can only live in one 24-hour period at a time. And many of these milestones are truly once-in-a-lifetime, so try to be present and soak up the current moment as much as possible. Silence your phone, focus on what’s happening all around you and store these incredible memories you are making. Tomorrow will come whether you spend time fretting about it or not.

• But also plan ahead. Having a Sunday evening planning meeting with your family, partner or just yourself can be a game-changer. Making sure everyone knows where they are supposed to be, and when, and what items need to be brought or purchased can prevent some of those last minute stresses. Delegate where you can, say no to what you can’t or don’t want to do and know that you are doing the best you can to keep on top of everything.

• Set your expectations accordingly. This month (or any other super busy time) is intense. It's a lot of moving pieces, anxious people, unusual schedules, deadlines and to-dos. We know this, so let’s do ourselves a favor and release the expectation that it's all going to run perfectly. Extend yourself and others some extra grace; it’s okay if you order take-out more often than usual or skip a workout or take longer to return an email. 

As always, we get to choose how we experience things, based almost entirely on our mindset. While our May calendars may be pre-determined, our ability to focus on the positive, practice mindfulness and approach even those stressful situations with compassion and kindness, is absolutely within our control.

If Mother’s Day or Graduation gifts is one of the things that has dropped off your list, I’ve got you covered. Your special honoree will absolutely love an Energy Art Portrait, a one-of-a-kind, custom painting and self-discovery session. These are such an amazing way to tangibly get a deeper understanding of who you are and to see yourself in a way that you maybe have never had access to before. Each one is truly so beautiful and powerful. I just love being able to create these and share with people, so book today on OpentoAlchemy.com

To managing the May-hem,
Lauren

How to Get Out of Your Own Way

Hey Love,

Getting in your own way?

So many stories of perceived obstacles can run through our minds. We think it’s us versus them or us versus the world. But the truth is, it’s been us versus ourselves all along. Our fear of failure, fear of success, fear of seeming vulnerable, pushy or weird. We have all the stories we've told ourselves, but it’s time to ditch those old excuses and embrace main character energy.

Here’s some tough love to kickstart the next part of your journey:

• Be disciplined. No, it’s not always fun or glamorous to have a routine that you stick to, but it’s often what stands between us and success. We already know what we have to do - prioritize what truly matters. Reaching any personal or professional goal and having that amazing feeling of accomplishment, starts and ends with putting in the work. 

• Put on blinders. Not everything needs to be shared or requires group input. Especially in the early parts of a new project, don’t look around to compare what others are doing or get opinions from those not intimately working with you. There is always time to refine, edit and get outside advice, but letting that in too early can easily derail your momentum and shut down your positive energy flow. 

• Armor up. Of course there are people who say and do hurtful things, whether intentionally or not. But our reactions are all up to us. We get to choose if we will internalize and let it affect us or put things in perspective and ignore them. If you notice an ongoing pattern with certain people or hot-button topics, perhaps some new boundaries are needed to break the cycle of frustration, anger or codependency. 

There will always be distractions and detractors, so treat them like part of the game and keep your eyes on that prize. Remember, it's you versus you, so you get to decide which version will win. And believe me, I get the struggle. My doubting voices can be so loud they are deafening, but I continue to take at least one meaningful action each day to keep those fears in check.

One area I've really pushed myself is in sharing my Energy Art Portraits. These are such an amazing way to tangibly get a deeper understanding of who you are. And it's a unique opportunity to see and learn about yourself in a way that you maybe have never had access to before. Each one is truly so beautiful and powerful. I just love being able to create these and share with people.

Energy Art Portraits are a handmade, custom painting, delivered digitally, with choices for an audio recording or a live session to review. These make an incredible Mother's Day and Graduation presents, so book today on OpentoAlchemy.com

To choosing you,
Lauren

Getting Outside of your Comfort Zone

Hey Love,

For many of us, life is all about the search for comfort. Athleisure clothes, Hygge-inspired homes, Netflix and Chill. I love it when things feel nice and easy, but let’s face it; there’s a slippery slope between comfort and complacency.

I recently pushed myself way outside my comfort zone and took a solo trip to a 1:1 retreat and all I can say is WOW! (Actually, that’s not true - I have a lot to say and did on my recent podcast episode. Click here to listen to My Solo Retreat Experience.)

It's really healthy for all aspects of our growth to put ourselves in a place where we wouldn't normally be. Here are some reasons why:

• Get confirmation: When you try something that stretches you, enjoy the opportunity to have your theory validated. Perhaps what you thought you'd like, you definitely do. And what you thought you wouldn’t like, yep, you were right about that too. It's always good to revisit and check-in on our assumptions.

• Challenge the status quo: You also get the possibility to prove yourself wrong. Maybe you always thought that you would love doing a certain thing and then you don’t. Or what you were afraid you’d hate, completely opens your eyes to a whole new hobby, passion or way of being. How incredible to surprise yourself when what you thought you knew, turns out differently.

• See your power: We don't give ourselves enough opportunity to be flexible and resilient in the present moment. When you are in situations that are different from your everyday experiences, you will undoubtedly be able to see strengths and gifts you didn't realize you had or weren't tapping into. 

• Increase gratitude: When you push beyond your comfort zone, you can come out of it with a whole new appreciation for yourself, other people and things you maybe have been taking for granted. Even if we are very aware of our life blessings, it often takes seeing things from a new perspective to get that understanding on a deeper level.

Just because something feels uncomfortable or hard, doesn't mean that we have to completely turn away from it. Often those are the times when we are meant to investigate and explore. In addition to my solo travel, another way I've gone well beyond my comfort zone is in sharing my Energy Art Portraits. Believe me when I say that these are like nothing I've ever offered before!

Energy Art is such an amazing way to tangibly get a deeper understanding of who you are. And it's a unique opportunity to see and learn about yourself in a way that you maybe have never had access to before. Each one is truly so beautiful and powerful. I just love being able to create these and share with people.

Energy Art Portraits are a handmade, custom painting, delivered digitally, with choices for an audio recording or a live session to review. Check out my website for some client samples, along with a few of the beautiful testimonials I've received and booking information.

To getting uncomfy,
Lauren

Recommiting to Yourself

Hey Love,

If you feel a growing desire to finally make those changes you’ve been talking about, this is your official April pep talk. It’s time to take ownership for what we are spending our time and energy doing. If you want to break the cycle of fear or self-judgment, then here are some tips to recommit to yourself and step into the life you really want. 

• Set the intention to prioritize yourself. Put your emotional, spiritual, physical, mental wellbeing above anything else. Every single thing that happens in your world, is with you at the core. And when at your core, you feel alive and inspired, peaceful and joyous, the ripple effect that you are going to have is limitless. This isn’t selfish; it’s creating a stable and sustainable foundation for you to thrive.

• Find things that are in alignment for the life you want to be living. Figuring out what feels good and what doesn't, requires some effort - a bit of quiet time, self-reflection and contemplation - but it's so worth it. Once you have a sense of what you want more of, then look at your schedule everyday and plan where you will plug those things in. 

• Shift your perspective from inside out. It's very easy to feel like it's the outside world that's feeding your happiness and fueling who you are. But I challenge you to think about it from the opposite perspective, with you as the Chief Content Creator. Focus on everything that you can do to fill your spirit internally, because cultivating joy is always an inside job.

The magic is happening, but we also need to create a space for it to happen. To return to ourselves, to recommit every day to who we want to be. And day by day, that is just the life that you start living.

One major way I recommitted to myself is in living more creatively. It was during this fun and exploratory period that the idea for Energy Art Portraits was born. This unique offering let's you see yourself in a way you never have before!

An Energy Art Portrait is a handmade, custom painting of your energy field, delivered digitally, with choices for an audio recording or a live session to review. This visual representation helps you access a deeper understanding of yourself and holds so much information about what you are currently feeling or sensing. Check out my website for some client samples, along with a few of the beautiful testimonials I've received and booking information.

To choosing you,
Lauren

Embodiment Tips

Hey Love,

The first quarter of the year is coming to a close. I know 😳 what is happening with time?! But if you can remember back to January, I shared with you the process of choosing a word of the year, along with my 2023 word: Embodiment. 

The last three months have been an amazing (and wild!) ride, so I'm excited to give you the behind-the-scenes on some of the embodiment practices I’ve been incorporating:

• Body Check-ins: It was only recently that I realized I have been unconsciously keeping tension in my body. Yep, squeezing, flexing, tightening, different parts throughout the day (shoulders, glutes, belly). You can only imagine the havoc this can wreak on your nervous system and physical body. Adding in an AM, PM and Mid-Day body scan has been a perfect reminder to take a few deep breaths, check head to toe for anything I’m holding tightly and gently release.

• Emotional Awareness: Paying more attention to what I am feeling has increased my time spent in the present moment meaning less energy looking back or forward (always a good thing). Learning what external or internal force is fueling that emotion and what its presence is trying to teach me about my current need state is pretty freaking powerful. Remember, awareness without judgment is key to allowing our self-love and acceptance to really flourish. 

• Intention Setting: Spending time thinking about what I truly want and getting down to the essence of what that means in my life has been so powerful. It’s enabled me to be vulnerable in sharing what I want to call in and take more action to make that come to life. Plus, I’ve gotten more comfortable sitting in the desired place when it does manifest…and it does more easily than ever before!

Embodiment is feeling more fully into presence, making things more tangible. A perfect balance when we spend too much time living in our head, not grounding into our body. 

One way I’ve been expressing embodiment is through my new Energy Art offering. In this incredible new mashup of self-discovery, energy healing and art, you receive a visual embodiment of your energy, seen below in some recent client examples.
 

This helps you access your deeper energetic essence that lays just beneath the surface, but holds so much information about what you are currently feeling or sensing. Both session options come with a handmade, custom painting of your energy field, delivered digitally, with choices for an audio recording or a live session to review. Check out my website for some client samples, along with a few of the beautiful testimonials I've received and booking information.

To embodied living,
Lauren

Spring Rituals

Hey Love,
 

This week marked the first official day of Spring for North America, ushered in by the vernal equinox and the sun heading back north across the equator. Spring energy is palpable, when everything starts blooming and life seems to majorly speed up, for better or worse!

Here are some fun ways to harness the blissful Spring energy, while increasing your mindfulness and connection to our beautiful planet.

• Take a rainbow walk. This is a perfect way to enjoy the warmer weather, while moving your body and increasing attention to the present moment. During a walk around your neighborhood or local park, look around for all of the colors of the rainbow. You’ll find an incredible variety of photo-worthy hues in the blooms, leaves, sun, sky and more!

• Infuse your water and food. Spring is all about transformation and growth and one of the best ways to embody this is with intention setting. Before each meal, take a moment to think about what would be nourishing for your mind, body, spirit. Perhaps it’s gratitude, healing or positivity. Now take that essence of that energy and imagine it being embedded into what you are about to consume.

• Blend in with nature. My friend Melissa, an animal healer, says when we sit in nature for just 15 minutes, we start to become part of the background. When that happens, the animals relax and return to their natural behaviors, meaning you have a front row seat to your very own National Geographic documentary. Use this time to breathe, meditate or simply watch the spring energy flow around you. 

Finding time each day to be present, to get back in your body, witnessing the gorgeous natural cycle of this world is one of the best things you can do for your mental and emotional health. So this Spring, I invite you to go a little slower and notice the positive ripple effects in your life.

As I shared briefly last week, my soul is blossoming in a major way this Spring through my new Energy Art creations. This offering is an invitation to know yourself deeper through multiple forms. You get a visual image of your energy expressed in a custom, hand-made painting, along with soulful recorded (or live!) guidance to support your current life experiences. The feedback for these sessions has been so incredible and I’m beyond excited to share this alchemy with you! Check out my website for some client samples, along with a few of the beautiful testimonials, plus booking information.

To our spring awakening,
Lauren

How to Step into your Potential

Hey Love,

“This or something better.” 

If you're familiar with manifestation concepts, you may have heard this popular expression. It essentially means, ask for what you want, but be open for other possibilities to come in. Full transparency, it’s a concept I’ve always struggled with; how you get super clear on what you want, use all the visualization and embodiment techniques to call it in, but then be completely unattached to the outcome?

Well friend, something magical has evolved in me these past few months and I can't wait to share it with you. I have found myself at the most incredible alchemy of my business, spiritual practice, and creative essence. (See more details below or click here if you can't wait). It’s something that could only have dropped in when I totally changed my internal beliefs. So of course, I had to share my insights with you asap:

• Welcome the unknown. More than accepting that you don’t know where things will end up, embrace that as part of the journey. Lean into feelings of anticipation, excitement and gratitude, genuinely celebrating each twist and turn. It will make the ride so much sweeter and set the stage for incredible surprises. 

• Let go of control. The more we try to tighten our grip on a situation, the more we cut off the flow of creativity, inspiration and possibility. Remember, you can handle whatever comes your way, based on your lifetime of tools, knowledge and experiences. It’s okay to let things be good without our constant worry.

• Trust in yourself. You have access to the most amazing system for finding your way, just by listening to your intuition. Those little nudges are here to guide you, so pay attention and start building that trust muscle. If you need further evidence, keep track of all the intuitive whispers you hear and where they lead.

• Say YES. We don’t need to make sense of or judge what lights us up. Whether it feels like the next natural step or a complete 180, if you are inspired to try a new thing, reach out and connect with someone, take a trip, read a book, DO IT! There is something for you in that experience that you could never imagine, and you will never know where that one YES will take you.

I have no doubt that you have one-of-a-kind magic, just waiting to come out. And it only takes implementing these subtle shifts to have a major impact on getting your manifestations flowing. 

For more details on how to Follow your Yesses, check out my recent Open to Alchemy podcast episode here. And if you are curious about my new Energy Art mashup, then check out my website for a first look!

To getting out of the way,
Lauren

Balancing Your Emotions

Hey Love,
 

Does it feel like your emotions are running the show? See which one of these scenarios resonates the most: a) you experience constant waves, frequently bouncing from highs to lows, with seemingly little control; b) you learned that only certain emotions are permissible, such as happiness or anger, but don’t feel entitled to express the full range of emotions; or c) you’ve worked to push your feelings aside all together, living stoically, but silently suffering on the inside.

Emotional well-being is so critical for our overall health, yet so many of us were not given the tools to understand our feelings, let alone know how to navigate them. And new research is linking stuck emotions to a host of physical symptoms, so it's more important than ever to find more balance in our emotional state.

Here is a 3-part strategy for moving through emotions with more ease:

• Acknowledge what you are feeling. Start by being more in your body, which means it's time to stop numbing or distracting yourself from the truth. Putting a name to your emotions can go a long way towards letting them move through you.

• Accept and Allow. There is no shame in your feelings, even if it’s something you’d rather not be experiencing. Resistance and ignoring doesn’t make them go away, rather it can create an even larger block, preventing the self-love and acceptance we require for growth. It's okay to let yourself feel.

• Ask the emotion for information. Why is this coming up? What is its presence showing or telling you? Our triggers are here to teach us, so try to connect to the emotion more deeply and get to the root of its message.

Having emotional awareness is one of the great superpowers of being human. Our emotions are literally giving us clues all the time to where we are in alignment and where we are veering off course. For more about working with our emotions, listen to my latest Open to Alchemy podcast episode, which explains the link between feelings and manifestation.

If you are ready to uplevel to a more confident and positive version of yourself, I have a wonderful Energy Boost session that is perfect for you. In just 60 minutes you can gain a deeper understanding of who you are, Identify & clear a negative belief that’s been keeping you stuck and leave feeling lighter, brighter and refreshed. You can find out more here. Any questions or feedback? Simply hit reply!

To becoming besties with your emotions,
Lauren