How to write your way out of a slump

You don’t need a new gym membership. 

Or a new haircut. 

If you’re feeling exhausted, done with doing the same thing over and over and not getting anywhere, if you just want something to change, I get it. 

I’ve felt the same. 

Like there’s something under the surface; something you’re aware of but ignoring. 

You might be like me: you’ve got a nagging feeling this can’t be all there is. 

I’m here to tell you that it’s true. 

You’re ignoring your dreams while doing literally everything for literally everyone else. 

How do I know that you’re feeling like there HAS to be more to life than this? 

This story might sound familiar. 

I looked like I had it all sorted.

Married, 2 grown kids. 

Business ticking along nicely. 

Fun social life. 

Yes, I was stressed out by the caring responsibilities for both children and aging relatives.  

Yes, I was pushing harder with work and over-committing myself to things I then had to deliver. 

 But I was ‘happy enough’, and not so stressed that I couldn’t cope. 

 Or so I thought.

I had health niggles. I was told to ‘manage my stress better’. 

I tried meditation. Yoga. Breathing classes.

And I was still strung-out + feeling like I was losing ground, heading in the opposite direction to my dreams.

I knew I had things to do in my life that just weren’t getting my time + attention.
Dreams I’d left on the back burner that were neglected.

Sometimes I wondered how long I could go on like this before something, somewhere, broke.

The catalyst came in the form of what the doctors call a ‘heart episode’.

Also known as the wakeup call no-one expects. 

I ended up in hospital, having my heart stopped in the hopes it would start up again + run properly. They had to do this three times for it to work. 

Obviously, I survived. 

BUT.

While I was in hospital, every nurse would walk in, pull the door almost shut behind her, lean in and say:

“This happens in women your age. You have no other risk factors, so you’re stretched too thin. Reduce your stressors, or we’ll be seeing you back in here.”

And given I almost died, I was inclined to listen. 

It was the HOW that stumped me.

I embarked on a review of my life. 

I discovered that while I looked like I was winning on many levels, I’d severely neglected myself + my dreams.

My dreams of writing.

Of being immersed in a world of words, and spending my time amongst people who love books. 

And I’d been ignoring my connection with spirit and nature, too. 

These things were the first to drop off my list when obligations reared their heads, and I was suffering – almost dying – because of it.

I had one question at that point: what now?

I began to make some changes. 

I joined a committee to organise our very first local Literary Festival (Books! People! Writing!!)

I jettisoned relationships that were stressing me (Not fun, but necessary!)

And I deepened my connection to nature + spirit (This was hands-down the best fun ever!!)

One thing I know: if you’re here reading this, then you need to hear this message:
Your soul is calling. Don’t ignore it.

The more I spoke about what I was doing, the more women wanted to have the space to do the same. 

So I created a circle for us:

Illuminate | Reclaim | Express

A 6-month circle to undo ‘good girl’ conditioning + help you pursue your dreams.

Circle with other women who are sick of the patriarchy dic(k)tating (hahaha, pun not intended but appreciated!) how we show up in the world.

Join in to be part of:

• A carefully-held space that’s safe for exploring your soul’s calling,
• Self-inquiry, nervous system regulation, deep nourishment, and
• Deconstruction of patriarchal ideas of what you ‘should’ be doing + remembrance of your purpose.

I created it so you can: 

• Give yourself space to finally pursue your long-held creative dreams, 
• Reconnect to the joy that’s under the responsibilitiies + follow that to find your spark + voice again, 
• Recognise where your obligations + stressors come from (hello patriarchy!!) so you can make needed change, and 
• Have time set aside from your daily life that’s just for you, sacred, to explore + uncover what’s waiting inside you to be expressed. 

I’d be so damned excited to have you along to explore your next chapter together. 

For more on this and to join me, head over here.