In with the…
During my 2020 winter solstice practice, I wrote down and burnt the junk that no longer served me. “Out with the old,” I told my little pile of embers as they disappeared in smoke.
I was so inspired by that practice and the reflection that surrounded it that I started a blog project called, “Out with the old, In with the…”
My first entry was “In with the Bold,” and from there, I explored other tricky feelings I wanted to untangle.
It was a space to explore what was getting in the way of being the person I wanted to be. A space to be vulnerable. A space to be SO vulnerable that other people felt brave enough to be vulnerable as well.
As I wrote and heard from people who were inspired by my writing, I felt aligned with my purpose. But as I do, I started overthinking. The “not good enough” voice in my head got louder, and in direct proportion, I got smaller. I was acting completely opposite from how I intended.
During this time, I also immersed myself in the study of inclusive leadership and the power of vulnerability in the workplace. I noticed how being messy and fumbly gives others permission to exhale and let go of perfection. I saw how a post(ish)-pandemic world was requiring new emotional skills from leaders and realized we had a lot of work to do to create workplaces where people felt compelled to stick around and drive results.
In June, I took a solo road trip to New Mexico where I hiked White Sands, danced as the sun set over the Organ Mountains, drank wine with new friends and reflected on what I wanted to bring into my life. Most importantly I took time to decide what needed to LEAVE my life so I could create more space.
It was the real-life practice of “out with the old, in with the…” in my most favorite, transformative and inspiring location - the desert.
On a chilly morning in Madrid, New Mexico, I sunk into my hoodie, drank coffee and envisioned my ideal life. A life where I could write, coach, consult and teach. A life that allowed freedom, creativity and playfulness. The bossy voices in my head have always told me reasons why I’d fail at that dream life. That morning I decided I was sick of those voices, and I needed to ditch them to make space for bigger things. OUT with the old...in with the BOLD.
Two days later I submitted an application to pursue my professional coaching certification. Eight months later, I’m working as a leadership coach and facilitator, yoga teacher and writer.
Each of us is more powerful than we think. Even though we have the ideas and tools inside of us that allow us to transform our lives and workplaces, it doesn’t mean they’re easy to access. In fact, it’s hard fucking work. This is where I come in.
One of my favorite things is to dream big and listen to other people’s big dreams. I love to paint possibilities and imagine what’s next. I believe you’re capable of inviting new things in and brave enough to get rid of what doesn’t work anymore.
What will you make room for? Let’s make it happen.
