3 Lessons from 3 Figs

Hey Love,

For at least 5 years, I’ve watched our fig tree grow, anxiously awaiting our first harvest. And each year little baby figs would barely start to grow before promptly getting taken by squirrels or birds or disease. If you’ve ever tried growing anything on your own, you’ll know it can be frustrating, disappointing and down right maddening to figure out how to succeed.

Everything has been so busy lately, I had completely put it out of mind. But this past weekend, all was quiet and I took a little walk around our little backyard. And much to my surprise, I found not just one, but three perfectly ripe figs. I was beyond ecstatic!

Now practically speaking, I suppose we were bound to get some fruit, eventually. But to me, there is deep wisdom in this mini-miracle.

Patience. Our preferred timeline is not always possible or beneficial. Usually when things seem to take forever, they end up being right on time, we just don’t know it...yet. By trusting the seasons and cycles of our life we can experience a lot more joy in the journey. Remember too that time is relative, so who's really to say what’s early, late, fast or slow?

Let go of control and expectations. To me, it’s no coincidence that as soon as I stopped my fig fixation, I was rewarded with my desired outcome. This has happened to all of us countless times. The post you don’t care about getting tons of attention, the job you no longer resent turning up a new opportunity, the partner you stopped searching for coming into your life. Align your intentions with action, release attachment and then allow the rest to unfold beautifully, as it will.

Abundance comes in many ways. When our energy is hyper-focused on getting one thing, we can end up ignoring all the other amazing things happening. Don’t forget to take a bird’s eye view of your overall situation from time to time. You might be surprised at how much is actually flowing to you (in the case of my garden, plentiful flowers, butterflies & herbs!). And be grateful for all of it, even a harvest of three.

So let my 3 perfect figs be your wise messenger too. Your job is planting the seeds and tending to the environment. Making sure you are clear on what you want, feeling confident that you are open to and worthy of receiving it and taking actionable steps to put it in motion. The rest, well, I choose to believe it’s all happening as it should.

I have a new freebie, Finding Your Creative Flow, on my website and some September availability for new client Energy Boost sessions. I'd love to help you get back to your authentic self, feel empowered and take creative action to make your dream life a reality.

To the love lessons everywhere,

Lauren

Building Community and Collaborations

Hey Love,

What's the benefit of clarity? Asking for and receiving what you want. It might sound totally obvious. Or maybe it sounds absolutely crazy, but you can quite literally, speak what you want into existence. Here are some of my very real life examples, so you can see that it’s a pretty magical process:

Although I have a wonderful, supportive family and friend group, it can be isolating working for yourself, by yourself. I knew early on that I needed some “work-wives” for motivation, accountability and to generally support each other in this crazy journey. So I started looking for like-hearted solopreneurs. When I met someone new, I openly shared my challenges and desires. I'd ask if they wanted to meet for a co-working session or to strategize and bounce ideas off each other. It took a little time, but I’m so grateful to have established deep, meaningful friendships with my "co-workers" and I love keeping these relationships growing strong through many seasons.

About a year ago, I began calling in more community and collaboration and since then, I have been actively experiencing a major shift in the people and partnerships coming my way. I now feel empowered to reach out (even to strangers!), share my offerings and contributions. And I’ve given and received wonderful referrals and opportunities within my growing network. You don’t immediately reap the harvest from all the seeds you’ve planted, but just keep the faith that with the right energy and intentions, things will happen!

Moving on From Failure

Hey Love,

I recently tried implementing a system in my business that works amazingly well for a lot of people. It was created with all the best guidance, personalization and accountability support. I felt so inspired and motivated…and then it failed. But I did not. (PS, I don’t actually believe in failure, see more here).

If you are struggling with something that seems successful for everyone else, please do not beat yourself up. Instead:

Hit pause on what you're doing

Give yourself some time and space to sit with the situation

Try meditating, journaling or walking with the specific intention of getting more clarity

Share with your friends, family, co-workers, as they may have insights that can be hard to see yourself

Consider what small tweaks could be made that might have a big impact

Remember, experts share the best practices that work for them, based on their own personal experience and the people they've worked with. And of course, there is so much to be gained from others' wisdom. But, there are a million different ways to do something, because we are all unique and different.

If something you tried didn't work the way you hoped, great! Now you have one more piece of valuable information to help your next iteration or attempt. Finding what works best for you takes patience, perseverance and a lot of trial and error, but the effort is so worth it.

In this week’s episode of the Open to Alchemy podcast, listen in as I share more about my recent work-life challenges and how I got back to my creative flow. And I’ll be giving more tips about this in the weeks to come, so check your inbox and my IG feed!

Want help to get into your flow state? You can book at Energy Boost session get started right now! Also join the waitlist for my new Open to Alchemy membership, so you'll be the first to gain access to the incredible resources and support to start experiencing the transformation you seek.

To finding the fix,

Lauren

How to Change Your Mind

Hey Love,

I’ve written a lot about the benefits of a positive mindset and how it can literally change the way you experience life. But as much as we want to keep our best practices in place, Adulting just seems to get more challenging and overwhelming. If you feel like you need a little attitude adjustment or help getting back on your A game, here are some easy, actionable tips:

Curate what you listen to. One of the simplest and most powerful ways to reboot your energy is through sound. Whether it’s positive reinforcement from affirmation meditations, resetting your nervous system with binaural beats or expanding your knowledge through audible books or podcasts (definitely check out the last Open to Alchemy episode on Finding Happiness Now!), try taking a more active role in your playlist.

Be someone you believe in. Here’s a hack you can use in any area of your life: create small, attainable goals that you can’t help but achieve, even including things like chores or family obligations that are must-dos. It may seem silly, but I promise getting to experience these little wins over and over will add up to a major shift in your motivation and self-belief.

Implement a Buddy system. There’s a reason why accountability is talked about as a favorite tool - because it works. Find a friend or family member who has a similar goal so you can share your challenges and truimphs. Or schedule weekly check-ins with an inspirational colleague - even if you are working on different things, just knowing you have to report back will encourage action!

Just like any habit, improving your mindset requires practice and patience. But you can also set yourself up for continued success by having a cheerleader in your corner! And that's where I come in. As an Empowerment & Energy Coach it's my job to help you see your truth when you are experiencing doubt, put you back on-track when you veer off-course and guide you to what's most aligned and authentic for your highest self.

You can book at Energy Boost session right now and get started. And also join the waitlist for my new Open to Alchemy membership, so you'll be the first to gain access to the incredible resources and support to make these practices part of your new way of thinking, feeling and being!

To changing your mind,

Lauren

How to Let Yourself Be Happy

Hey Love,

So everything you've wished and worked for is finally here. Yes, there's celebration, but are you still feeling a little...off? It can be quite the unexpected experience - to get what we want - when many of us are used to the struggle story. We can feel comfortable in disappointment, frustration, even in our lack.

But what happens when it all seems to be working out? And how do you maintain that positive energy flow? Here are some tips:

Let yourself feel happy. There is no cosmic scorecard keeping your wins and losses balanced, so you don't need to put your happiness in-check. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The more you let that feeling of bliss surround you, the more goodness you will attract into your life. (I’ve previously written about my fear of being happy, so be sure to click here for more.)

Gratitude all damn day. We have so much to be thankful for; from the gift of your eyes opening each morning to the blessing of a pillow beneath your head at night. Acknowledging your appreciation for everything around you will keep your spirits high.

Look backwards. It’s clear that your work has been paying off, so make sure to reflect on how you’ve been thinking, feeling and showing up in the past few days and weeks. It may be an obvious straight line from past action to current result, but it may also surprise you what shifts (both minor and major) have helped these manifestations materialize.

You are so much more powerful than you realize. And you are entitled to all the goodness coming your way, so sit in the positive energy and allow yourself to keep on receiving it!

In my new Open to Alchemy membership, we will cover more on how to reverse-engineer your manifestations, plus lots of other ways to make your visions into a reality. The OTA membership is an accessible, inspirational place to play, connect and explore who you are and who you want to be. 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 letting life be good,

Lauren

Stopping Negative Self-Talk

Hey Love,

“Your biography becomes your biology”

Caroline Myss

In the past few weeks I’ve heard many variations of negative self-talk in client sessions. Things like: I guess I’m just blocked from getting what I want, I shouldn’t be this way it's too much for other people and I don’t feel like I’m good enough when I see how much success others are having.

While it saddens me to hear these amazing souls speak this way about themselves, it also deeply resonates. I think most of us have been guilty of having a critical inner voice. It may feel like this is a permanent habit or “just who you are”, but I’m here as proof that change is possible!

In Compassion Training we learned about emotional awareness; how to identify if a thought is beneficial or afflictive. Which is basically asking: Does the story I’m telling myself help me or hurt me. Once you can 1) identify the thought and 2) discern how it affects you, that’s two thirds of the way towards making a change.

The 3rd part is replacing that negative thought, which you can do with a mantra, affirmation, bridge thought or other strategy. This is not about toxic positivity or denying those very real-to-you feelings. It’s about understanding why & when you have them and how to move forward with a more loving, compassionate view of yourself. Remember, there is nothing more crucial to creating your desired reality than your internal thoughts.

In my new Open to Alchemy membership, we will dive deeper into this topic (and so many more!) with tools for how to become more aware of your thoughts, getting to the root of the negativity and how to reprogram your thinking so you become a more powerful manifestor.

The Open to Alchemy membership is an accessible, inspirational place to play, connect and explore who you are and who you want to be. 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 owning your inner dialogue,

Lauren

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