Month: October 2020

Where Intention, Purpose, and Values Meet

This week I saw a really helpful conversation online and I wanted to dig into a little bit more. The discussion centered around the cost of a pair of new shoes and how the writer chooses to spend a larger amount on quality ethical shoes because 1) ethical labor/production, 2) last longer so few short-lived pairs in landfill, 3) minimalism means 1 good, wear ever day pair of shoes rather than multiple options.

It got me thinking about how perfect of an example this is of identifying our values and actually taking some action or making some choices in alignment with those values.

In the On Purpose Membership last month we talked about goal setting which I believe revolves around knowing what your values are so you can forecast a vision of a life that lives out those values and so that each day you can ask the question “what can I do today that inches me closer to my values, my mission or my purpose”.

This doesn’t mean that every single day we are going to take leaping bounds or show up 100% embodying the values we are growing into. But it does mean that even on a bad day we step back to asking ourselves what is the best way we can honour and respect the things that are important to us. And for the days that DO go closer to how we hope – we can choose to consciously move along our journey.

Maybe this means setting an intention to spend quality time with the kids. Or swap just one household item to a low waste alternative. Or spend just 20-30mins working on the business that is going to fund the dream we have. Or maybe it means consciously practicing gratitude. There are so many ways we can bring intention into the day and align ourselves with values, purpose or the mission.

So going back to the example at the start. This person would have known in advance that they needed new shoes. They knew that it was important to find a product that was ethical, quality, and functional. Perhaps that meant utilizing some time to research brands and products. Maybe that meant selling some abundance to fund the shoes or wait just a little longer to save up enough. Maybe it meant sorting through their wardrobe to simplify and decide exactly what was needed.

So how can we learn from this today?

1. Know your values. If you don’t know what they are I suggest asking yourself who you look up to and dig into a little bit about why you look up to them? What do they stand for? This can help find some themes and highlight what is important to you.
2. Take some time to think about the life the future you (and family) want to be in. What are the milestones along that journey? House? Travel? Get healthier? Adopt? Buy Land? Quit a habit? Etc etc Thinking of my ‘goals’ as milestones along the journey has been really key for me as the car/house/job etc isn’t actually the goal – it’s the lifestyle or change that is created when that goal is achieved.
3. Identify what is going to challenge you on that path
4. Each day as yourself what can I learn? What can I change? What can I do to act upon my values? Your answer might be declutter, self care, learn a DIY/skill, bring in extra $$ or any other number of ways to purposefully get a little closer to where you want to be.

So next time you need to buy some new shoes (swap this with any other choice) don’t forget to ask yourself how you can make that choice from alignment.

For more on intention, purpose, sustainability and of course – minimalism. I’d love to welcome you to come on over to our membership community! Every month we tackle a different skill, habit, or obstacle so that we can live life with more purpose and intention in each day. Every month is value packed and of course – questions are always welcome! I’d love to see you there! On Purpose Membership here

Ps. Want to get the tips, tricks and ideas first?? Subscribe to our newsletter here

Follow me on Pinterest here.

An Open Letter about being “Busy”

Today I want to write an open letter to ever mother who feels like they are hardly holding on anymore. I see you.

I know sometimes you feel like you will just never be able to catch up. Like the people you love most are stepping on the very last drops of energy you possess. I know sometimes you feel unheard, hurt or frustrated.

I want you to know that you are not alone.

This week I wrestled with something and I want to share it with you.

I have always tried to be positive but also authentic. You will see photos with mess in the background. My hair does what it wants. Sometimes I am tired or too frustrated with parenting to get the writing that I want to get done on paper. I don’t sugar coat things. I try really hard to show you the full picture. And over the last few weeks I have shared with you the moments that have bought calm on my frazzled days. My self care in my hugely busy weeks. And my currently growing lists of projects that need more of my time than ever before.

And then a thought struck me. In sharing this have I been normalising being ‘busy’? Have I been actually adding to the pressure that mothers feel by sharing all this?

That was very uncomfortable to sit with to be honest. See I have always struggled with imposter syndrome – that feeling that I am not ‘enough’ to share, teach or mentor. It has been really hard to show my own struggles because I was terrified that it would ‘prove’ that mean girl voice right. Over the last years I pushed through that mindset because I knew how important it was for women to see something real beside the perfectly curated Pinterest and Instagram feeds. I knew as mothers we need to know we aren’t alone and that progress is possible. I am not perfect, but I know how far I have come.

Then this year bought new opportunities and with it – new pressures and struggles.

I launched my membership in July and we dug into our first topic in August. The feedback has been amazing – lightbulb moments galore. Then I was approached by a few people to help with admin tasks in their businesses! What an opportunity to work with like minded women to help grow their businesses! It has been an incredible few months and I am so excited to keep working with them in the future.

Suddenly, I have had more projects to keep in the air and life got really busy. And I shared that with you. I shared my excited about my growing membership. The process of creating all that bomb.com content. And I shared my joy about all the things I was learning from working in other businesses.

But this week I had to stop and ask if I was actually encouraging Mums or if I was adding pressure to those who already feel unsteady and like they cannot keep up?

So this is what I learned as I sat with this.

Busy isn’t always a bad thing. But – what we need to look at is if we are being busy for the sake of being busy, or if we are being busy because we are intentionally growing projects that we are passionate about and actioning change in our lives that moves us forward?

I also learned to look at my boundaries. If my busyness takes away my ability to care for myself or my family then I am too busy. Healthy boundaries are essential. This means saying no to projects that are not aligned with my values and knowing my own limits on what I can handle.

I’ve learned that being intentional doesn’t mean that every day is going to be perfect or productive or inspired or energetic. The busier I am, the more essential it is to work with my ebbs and flows. Not every day is going to be a great day for creating at the computer and not every day is going to be a day where I have the stamina to power through housework. Being intentional with my time means utilizing my strengths and protecting my needs.

So do I think that it is possible to be busy and be intentional? Absolutely yes! Do I think that every woman should be ‘busy’? No. We are all at different stages with different values, visions and timelines. I am not going to advocate for busy for the sake of busy. This is my time to grab the opportunities I have been given and be as intentional as I can in the process of working on those projects and nurturing myself and my family. So am I going to keep sharing the less than perfect side? Yes, I am. With great care taken to ensure that I am teaching kindness, alignment and intention in the season of being busy.

In a fortnight I actually choose to open the doors to my membership again. There is busyness right now as I prepare for that day and I plan the content that I am going to deliver. In that process, I am stepping up authentically to link arms with these women and help them move forward with intention.

We are actively seeking to create lives in alignment with values. Lives full of Purpose. We are together learning new skills and habits to move us forward. And my Purpose right now is to embrace the busy that this brings and utilize that time to impact lives. Showing up exactly as I am in the season I am and sharing all the wonderful things that life has taught me.

If you would like to check out more about On Purpose Membership please head over here – you can jump on the waitlist for when doors open too 😉

Ps. Want to get the tips, tricks and ideas first?? Subscribe to our newsletter here

Follow me on Pinterest here.