Doesn’t the universe give you the most interesting gifts needed in that moment?

Recently, I had been feeling a tad glum for a while.

In fact, the first Monday of the month was a complete washout. I wasn’t able to work because I needed to stay in the space of honouring a bit of weariness.

Of course, sometimes we need to crack on with work / parenting / everyday life but every now and then and if you are able, I absolutely recommend clearing your schedule and allowing yourself to

FEEL THE FEELS

because there’s such a thing as toxic positivity, you know.

If you’re feeling less than tip-top, sometimes the Count Your Blessings Crew will pop up, discount whatever “negative” emotion you’re feeling, and shame you into popping on a fake smile and going on your not-so-merry way, leaving your feelings un-accounted and festering away for another day.

A little note on that - in my opinion, there are no negative emotions.

There are just emotions.

And they’re all equally important.

I teach this all the time in both my children’s and adult’s yoga classes. Anger, sadness, frustration, guilt, shame - all of those types of feelings tell us something about our internal or external environments and give us bloody big clues about things that aren’t sitting right for us in whatever way.

So, honour my mood I did, and so many very wonderful things happened for me over the course of the next days. Here are just a few highlights

• a dear client and friend messaged me to tell me to look at how beautiful the Full Moon was

• I made a special trip to the studio to collect a letter which was a card with the most thoughtful message from an absolute beauty in my Women’s Circle

• through the post, I received a sweary little hug 🌈 in an envelope from my beloved sister which made me chuckle because that’s the humour we share

• a gift of love was left on my driveway from two more incredible women who I’ve had the pleasure of welcoming to my studio for a few years

All of these things were gifted to me quite coincidentally and randomly within the space of a few days when I needed to feel love and support, and it was not lost on me that all had been loving and thoughtful acts from beautiful kindhearted women - who didn’t actually know that I was in need of nurture.

Dr Uma Dunsmore Tulli, in her book Yoni Shakti really enunciates that we are stronger together than alone.

Wouldn’t you agree?

And then came

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2021

I found out I have not only been shortlisted for Digital Women’s Blogger / Vlogger of the year award, but I’ve been listed as one of their Top 40 Women to Watch.

Whattttttt??!!!!

My nomination for these awards a few weeks ago had been a complete and beautiful surprise.

Apparently, there were over 500 nominees.

And here I am, little old me.

And here YOU are, reading my blog.

🥰

If you’re new here, welcome and you’re returning, welcome back!

Either way, I hope you will know that I really enjoy expressing myself as an educator, I love to use written format to tell people how lessons we learn on the yoga mat really can be translated into everyday life.

Because I enjoy this element of my work, I happily tap away at my Qwerty.

These sentences that I produce can travel far and wide, often outside of my own comprehension. An article I wrote some time ago, Why the hell did I cry in my yoga class?? has been viewed hundreds of times since December 2020 alone from all over the world, and on publishing The Handbook of Positive Advice for the Recently Single, I was even stopped in the street by strangers who told me the article had helped so much through extremely difficult times that they were experiencing.

It’s powerful stuff and we can sometimes forget the influence of words and sharing vulnerability.

As a woman who has created successful businesses in the eCommerce and wellbeing industries, I have gleaned a nugget or two or information that is helpful in other ways and I absolutely LOVE talking with, supporting, or helping other business owners.

My guest article for Digital Yoga Academy, 7 important business tips for new yoga teachers, provided business information specific to thousands of yoga teachers and my articles pertaining to the study of yoga teacher training have been reported to be super useful to those embarking on the journey.

I’ve written a fair few millions of words, fo’ sure, and I’m proud to currently be listed as No23 of the Top 80 UK Yoga Blogs. (Edit As at 31Mar21, I’m No 11 🥰)

I don’t take this lightly - I’m honoured!

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS SHORTLISTED FOR A DIGITAL WOMEN BUSINESS AWARD?

How did it even come about?

So often, I've seen press coverage of award ceremonies and thought that I would have nominated people had I known of it, so last year I shared details of the East Midlands Women's Awards. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and made myself visible.

I was shortlisted for the categories, “Outstanding Female Leader in A Market Town 2020” and “Outstanding Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2020” and That. Was. Amazing

I was aware of the Digital Women Awards being opened recently. I gave it a swerve because, to be honest, I didn't think I was good enough and I'm really busy with some studies, but I received an email out of the blue that I had been nominated.

This alone was simply lovely, so to learn I've been shortlisted was beyond amazing!

I feel like I've been splashing my face over ALLLLLLL of the socials, which sometimes can feel a bit weird for me but in my yoga classes, written offerings, and in my Women's Circle, I'm a huge advocate of people celebrating their successes and living their best lives because I truly believe your trumpet is worth blowing.

Why the hell shouldn’t you blow it yourself? (If you need any help with flexibility, get in touch 😉😆).

I am so humbled and excited by this, I can’t even tell you. I understand this nomination and shortlisting means my work is recognised and appreciated by my peers. If you're interested, Digital Women have published a beautiful ebook where I’m featured.

So here I am, unashamedly walking my walk and unapologetically leaving this picture here.

👇🏼

I have been super-busy connecting with people I wouldn't normally have met, which is really great and I can hardly believe the exceptional standard of the businesswomen I've been shortlisted with.

Oh. My. God - there are some talented women I’m with there so that is prize enough.

BEING SHORTLISTED IS A BIG DEAL FOR ME

and I know that it will be a huge accolade for whoever wins.

I am really enjoying connecting with them in places like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Clubhouse - find me in those places if you’d like to connect personally.

I will let you know how I get on when the judging panel has worked its magic.

…obvs, I’ll shout louder if I win 👍🏼 🤪 🎤 💚👑

I hope you had a wonderful day celebrating the women in your life. By reading my articles, you are supporting my work and for that, I am really grateful.

Thank you.

Allow me to leave you with some lifelong wisdom imparted by one of the strong women in my family,

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this - perhaps you might like these articles as well?

Women’s Awards; I’ve been shortlisted

What happens in a Women’s Circle?

Celebrating Success - International Women’s Day 2019

If you’ve REALLY enjoyed reading this, perhaps you might like to celebrate with me and buy me a Virtual Coffee?