How to Up-Level

Hey Love,
 

We’ve officially started the second half of 2023! And while you are hopefully fully immersed in the lazy haze of summer, we know how fast the rest of this year can fly by.

I’ve recently been in a sweet spot of creativity and contemplation, which has allowed me to make some deeper connections about my business and how I can be of greatest impact to others. I keep getting the message that it’s time to up-level, not just for me, but for all of us who want to be living more fully in our purpose.

If you’ve got a growing desire to make meaningful changes in your life, to be of service by sharing your gifts and to live more mindfully, then here are three C’s to help you take the next step in your journey:

• Clarity: If you aren’t sure what you want, how can you go about getting it? Makes sense, right? But you’d be surprised at how often the absence of clear, defined goals is at the root of our struggles. Sometimes we don’t know our truest desires, because we’ve never taken the time to discover our most authentic self. Ask yourself honestly what you really want, and why you want it. If you can’t see your future clearly, then let’s do some work to assess what’s clouding your vision.

• Confidence: If you don’t believe in yourself and your inherent worthiness, it's going to impact your ability to receive and achieve. Our thoughts can quickly become “our story”, working both in our favor and getting in our way. When you think about what you want, can you truly see yourself getting it or do you feel self-doubt? Adding in positive mindset practices can go a long way towards overcoming imposter syndrome and other limiting beliefs.

• Creative Action: It’s not easy to establish new habits and break old ones. Plus there’s an ever-growing number of distractions to keep us from starting and completing tasks. That’s why it’s so important to create a productivity and process system that specifically works for you, making it much easier to stick with it. Everytime you take inspired action, you are building muscle memory for resilience, perseverance and adaptability.

I believe Clarity, Confidence and Creative Action are three critical elements of our personal growth journey, and they have long been a key focus in my work as an Empowerment & Energy Coach. And now, for another big step...I am so excited to announce the launch of a beautiful hub for all things to support our continued growth and transformation, The Open to Alchemy Membership! After years of learning, sharing and coaching, I've created an accessible, inspirational place to play, connect and explore who you are and who you want to be. 

The Open to Alchemy membership is gonna be EPIC! With weekly access via lives and recorded Q&A videos, deep dives into our favorite topics and modalites, behind the scenes access to the Open to Alchemy podcast, a stream of amazing resources and weekly/monthly rituals to keep you accountable and encouraged. (And for one amazing price!)

If you are as excited as I am to *finally* make this your new way of thinking, feeling and being, then sign up here on the waitlist to be the first to know when membership opens. 

To reaching our next levels,
Lauren

Creating a Life You Love

Hey Love,
 

While walking my dog Poppie the other day, I happened upon a sweet little bird in the process of building its nest. I watched as it carefully sorted through the various twigs to find just the right one before flying away to add it to its home. 

It got me thinking about the "nests" we build for ourselves and how much thought we put into the decisions we make. We make hundreds of choices each day, regarding all aspects of our lives, but it may not seem like it because we spend so much time on autopilot.

Here's a journaling exercise to get you thinking more mindfully about your current life and the future you desire.
 

Imagine you were to start completely from scratch, building the nest of your life.
If you took away every person, thing, commitment, belief, ideology and habit from your current existence:

• How would you decide what to put back in? Would it be based on how it made you feel, how much it resonated or aligned with you or what you felt obligated to or guilty about? 

• What would you definitely not add? Why would you make sure to leave these behind?

• What are the brand new things you would choose to add? Why do these feel more important to have in the new nest?

• What would be the biggest difference from your current life? Why have you decided to make this change a priority?

• What goal feeling would you most like to experience in your new nest? Looking back at your answers, will your choices support that goal?

Even though we may feel like our life is deeply rooted, we always are empowered to make meaningful changes. From updating the energy of our home or work environments to cutting out toxic people or habits, we can decide who we want to be and how we want to show up each and every day.

I also understand that it can be very hard to see our way out of our current situation. One of the most magical things I've learned from my years of training is to help others see things more clearly when they are struggling to. Whether is a better understanding of yourself, your abilities and gifts or your authentic desires, I can put you on the path to getting clarity, confidence and inspired to take action towards your dream life. 

If you are feeling called, then I know we are meant to take this next step together. Check out my Energy Art portrait, Energy Boost session or Human Design reading and see what lights you up the most! Or simply reply to this email and let's schedule a quick information call to get started.

To loving your life,
Lauren

Lessons from the Forest

Hey Love,
 

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”
John Muir
 

I recently spent a long weekend staying in an enchanting treehouse in the Smoky Mountains. I created energy art, read, hiked and soaked in the sights and sounds of nature. It was peaceful, restorative and enlightening. And before you imagine a total off-the-grid experience, yes, there was air conditioning, hot water and wifi, but still an extraordinary adventure!

And because you know I love sharing my life lessons with you, here are some takeaways from my time in the forest: 

• We are obsessed with productivity. In our society, rest has a stigma. And I’m guilty of feeding into it too. Needing to show something for my day - a full resume of acheivements or crossed-off to-do list - is too often how I derive my self-worth. As I’ve attempted a return to busy-ness as usual, my body is craving some additional time to slow down, and tbh, I’m grappling with feelings of laziness and self-judgment. But the truth is, some of our most amazing transformations come only after periods of slowing down, introspection and integration. 

• Nature is here to heal us. The more time I spend immersed in the beauty of Mother Earth, the more certain I am of her magical powers. And each landscape I've experienced provides a different medicine - the limitless expanse of an ocean, the cleansing rush of a waterfall, the creative inspiration from the desert hues, the nurturing cocoon of forest bathing. Connecting to the natural world around you will change you, pure and simple.

• We need so much less than we think (and are being sold). While my family of 4 + pup probably couldn’t live long term in a 300sq ft treehouse, spending time in a small space forces you to be more acutely aware of the difference between a want vs. need. And while the latest eye cream, tech toy or home decor might make us feel good in the moment, it’s worth it to take a deeper dive into why we truly want that thing. When you mindfully factor in all the “purchasing costs” - environmental, financial, time, energy - we would probably think twice before acquiring more.

This treehouse weekend is another amazing experience that I'm so grateful to have manifested this year. Truly the most incredible people, ideas, opportunities are coming in and I'd love to infuse you with some of this next-level energy! Maybe it's an Energy Art portrait or a Energy Boost session or Human Design reading! Let's talk about getting clear, confident and inspired to take action towards your dream life.

Also, if you haven't listened to the Open to Alchemy podcast, come check it out! From an Intuituitive Guide to a Dream Life Architect and everything in-between, you will find something to make you smile, think, laugh and feel connected.

To finding your truth in the forest,
Lauren

The Power of Sharing Your Truth

Hey Love,

How often do you keep things to yourself? Whether good or bad, exciting or scary, many of us have a tendency to keep things pretty closed off. But there's something magical that happens when you begin sharing some of what you are holding inside. In the right setting, with the right person, an open, heart-led conversation can be literally be life-changing. 

While no one wants to be labeled as a constant complainer, naming out loud the problem, challenge or uncomfortable feeling you’ve been holding on to changes the energy around it. The guilt or shame gets released. And when it doesn’t seem so bad or difficult, it can’t hold the same weight that keeping it a secret tends to do. 

On the flip-side, the little seed of an idea or vision inside you can grow exponentially faster and more powerful when you allow others in. Whether it’s to provide guidance, ask for an invitation to participate or just share their enthusiasm and encouragement, your circle is ready to show you some love. (And if you don’t have a trusted circle, please reach out to me! The community of incredible, like-hearted women that’s taking shape around me is serious like nothing I’ve ever experienced before and I’d love to bring you in!)

Here’s a few more reasons to start sharing:

You speak into existence. This has happened to me more times than I can count and it’s really quite amazing! I’ve been thinking about something for a while with my career  - looking to collaborate or participate in a retreat or change something up about my podcast - and within days (and sometimes minutes) of sharing what’s on my heart, the exact thing shows up. It’s as if the universe is waiting for physical proof of your desires  - which can come from speaking, writing, vision boarding, etc - before delivering that to your doorstep. Try this and keep track of what manifests!

You find support. In lowering our guard, we empower others to do the same and start creating more reciprocal relationships. Being a real-deal embodiment of transparency and vulnerability, is immeasurable in its ripple effect. We also open ourselves up to the incredible resources and wisdom of others. How many times has someone shared a doctor, book or connection that is the exact thing you’ve been needing, but didn’t have access to because you didn’t know what to ask. 

As different as we may be in our paths or perspectives, we have so many shared experiences and common desires. Leaning on each for accountability, encouragement, hard times and successes makes this journey so much better!

The massive shift and upleveling I'm going through right now, can hardly be put into words. But truly the most beautiful people, ideas, opportunities are coming in and I'd love to infuse you with some of this epic energy! Maybe it's an Energy Art portrait or a Energy Boost session or Human Design reading! Let's talk about what you are looking to change in your life and get you set up with the next right step for your authenticity and alignment.

Also, if you haven't listened to the Open to Alchemy podcast, come check it out! From a Sound Healer to Fearless Coach and everything in-between, you will find something to make you smile, think, laugh and feel inspired.

To sharing your truth,
Lauren

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