Landscaping Your Life with Alison Smith

What can you learn from having a garden buzzing with life and apply to your own life and buzz with life –insights that are especially useful when you've lost your mojo or life is feeling very flat or even stressful? You'll find more about the 7 keys to having a buzzing life in the following post plus any further references mentioned during the series. https://www.alisonsmith.co/finding-your-buzz-in-life/

What can you learn from having a garden buzzing with life and apply to your own life and buzz with life –insights that are especially useful when you've lost your mojo or life is feeling very flat or even stressful? You'll find more about the 7 keys to having a buzzing life in the following post plus any further references mentioned during the series. https://www.alisonsmith.co/finding-your-buzz-in-life/

What can you learn from having a garden buzzing with life and apply to your own life and buzz with life –insights that are especially useful when you've lost your mojo or life is feeling very flat or even stressful? You'll find more about the 7 keys to having a buzzing life in the following post plus any further references mentioned during the series. https://www.alisonsmith.co/finding-your-buzz-in-life/

What can you learn from having a garden buzzing with life and apply to your own life and buzz with life –insights that are especially useful when you've lost your mojo or life is feeling very flat or even stressful? You'll find more about the 7 keys to having a buzzing life in the following post plus any further references mentioned during the series. https://www.alisonsmith.co/finding-your-buzz-in-life/

What can you learn from having a garden buzzing with life and apply to your own life and buzz with life –insights that are especially useful when you've lost your mojo or life is feeling very flat or even stressful?   You'll find more about the 7 keys to having a buzzing life in the following post plus any further references mentioned during the series. https://www.alisonsmith.co/finding-your-buzz-in-life/

In an episode from the archives (#46) today's episode shares two poems I've written about our relationship with the Earth and then turn that inwards and explore how that relationship is a mirror for our relationship with ourselves. A reminder of our own brilliance and uniqueness that's been dampened by all the musts, oughts and shoulds.   You'll find the words of the poems, my book, and how to sign up for my newsletter and other links mentioned in the podcast here https://www.alisonsmith.co/earth-day-the-earth-cried-the-day-the-mist-set-in/

It's Groundhog Day and if you're using the idiom to describe how you're feeling then why not try this 5-minute technique to release the feeling and help you get you back on track. If after listening you would like more information just sign up for the Landscaping Your Life newsletter and the latest newsletter includes the pdf with more detailed instructions. https://mailchi.mp/8191a411923f/alisonsmith We'll be back very soon with the 4th series of the Landscaping Your Life with Alison Smith podcast.

Join us at 6pm UK time on Monday, 13th November for an evening with Alison Smith. If you feel like you're talking to a brick wall in an area of your life, why not come along for this live, virtual event on Zoom.   Alison will be using her poem 'Talking to the brick wall' as a basis for an interactive conversation, to help you to identify solutions and actions to resolve the situation.   https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-alison-smith-how-to-talk-to-a-brick-wall-tickets-736679336727   #alisonsmith #landscapingyourlife #talkingtoabrickwall #event

To conclude series three we're exploring 'How do you draw a line in the sand and stop yourself from going back to your old way of behaving or relating to someone as you have on previous drawings of the line'?  To help you get back on track we'll be doing this using nature's landscapes as a metaphor for the situation.  You'll find all links mentioned including the words of the 'drawing a line in the sand' poem here https://www.alisonsmith.co/drawing-a-line-in-the-sand/

As a postscript to episode 36 Alison shares some additional insights to help stop you going round in circles in your life. She's also written a poem on the subject which you'll hear at the end of this very short episode. You'll find all links mentioned, details of the Can't see the wood for the trees book and the words of here https://www.alisonsmith.co/stop-circling/  

If you know you need to come out of the shadows in an area in your life you may it helpful to join Alison in nature and explore being in the shadows and non-shadows to get a sense as she does about your relationship to them both and to understand what stepping out of the shadows might require from you. You'll find all the links mentioned, the book and the words of the poem here  https://www.alisonsmith.co/how-to-get-out-of-the-shadows/

If you wanted evidence that words have power then the use of deadend for this episode provided evidence of distractions, disruptions and avoidance at every turn – something I think we do when heading for a dead end because it's always an end to something – even if by its very nature it's also the path to a new beginning too. You'll find all the links mentioned, and more suggestions on alternate words to being at a dead end here https://www.alisonsmith.co/what-to-do-when-youre-at-a-deadend-in-your-life/

After a very successful workshop entitled 'Talk to the brick wall – how to influence those you're struggling with' I wanted to add a few postscripts to an earlier episode of the podcast and share a poem I've written on the subject. You'll find all links mentioned and the poem here https://www.alisonsmith.co/its-like-talking-to-a-brick-wall/

It's 5 years this month since Can't See the wood for the Trees – landscaping your life to get back on track was first published. Its content has helped inform the structure of all of the podcast episodes. Do have a listen and see whether a snippet from one of the chapters might be just what will help you get back on track on a situation you're grappling with.

Rather than venture outside into nature and the rainy weather for this episode Alison uses drawing as another means of using nature as a metaphor for a problem you're grappling with. So, get your pens and paper ready and be open to something a little unconventional to enable that breakthrough you've been searching for. You'll find links mentioned in the podcast here https://www.alisonsmith.co/if-your-problem-was-a-mountain/

In the majority of episodes Alison invites us to join her to find solutions in a landscape that represents how we're feeling whether that's when we can't see the wood for the trees #28, are treading water #23, or life feels like an uphill struggle #25. In today's episode she shares with us a more general technique she uses called a Landscaping Your Life walk that can be applied to any situation you're stuck about. You'll find links mentioned in the podcast here https://www.alisonsmith.co/going-on-a-landscaping-your-life-walk/

If you're thinking about testing the water about something you'd like to do in your life you may want to have a listen and see what insight you can get as you hear me testing the water at St Andrews beach, Fife - because it's the unexpected that can catch us out. You'll find the podcast episodes mentioned, words of the poem, book, and how to sign up for LYL newsletter and other links mentioned in the podcast here https://www.alisonsmith.co/what-not-to-do-when-testing-water/

Why it is when we can't see the wood for the trees, are overwhelmed and already too busy with too much to think about we keep planting more trees. In this episode we explore why we wouldn't do this in nature and why it's counterproductive in our own lives too. You'll find the words of the poem, book, and how to sign up for LYL newsletter and other links mentioned in the podcast here  https://www.alisonsmith.co/stop-planting-more-trees-in-your-life/  

When we're caught up in the story we're telling it can be hard to see the wood for the trees and identify a strategy or action plan for getting unstuck and back on track. That's when taking to a higher vantage point to see all 360 degrees of options comes in, and that's what we explore in more detail in this episode. You'll find the words of the poem, book, and how to sign up for LYL newsletter and other links mentioned in the podcast here https://www.alisonsmith.co/getting-to-a-higher-vantage-point/

It's perhaps a little too easy to get frustrated when things aren't happening as quickly as we'd like – however nature teaches us that patience and timing are everything – sometimes we just need to let the mud settle, or wait for the next tide before we get the clarity we need. You'll find the words of the poem and how to sign up for the newsletter and other links including an index of all the podcast episodes here - https://www.alisonsmith.co/do-you-need-to-let-the-mud-settle-before-taking-action/  

An exploration in nature of my belief that "It doesn't matter how long or short a path we walk as long as we commit to walking the whole of it." An episode that provides the insight needed to commit to a goal and not go back and forth worrying it might not be the right one. https://www.alisonsmith.co/half-a-path-gets-you-nowhere/ You'll find the words of the poem and how to sign up for the newsletter and other links including an index of all the podcast episodes here https://www.alisonsmith.co/how-to-get-the-most-from-the-podcast/

Not knowing what to do can be frustrating – not least if you've circled around not knowing what to do for some time. That's where the Landscaping Your Life toolkit can really help. Today's episode shares more about how to use the toolkit to help you move from not knowing to knowing what to do. You'll find the words of the poem and how to sign up for the newsletter and other links including an index of all the podcast episodes here https://www.alisonsmith.co/how-to-get-the-most-from-the-podcast/

The podcast is two years old this week and to celebrate I thought I'd share more about where the idea came from to use nature as a metaphor for our lives, and also a few of my favourite examples of the sorts of solutions people have found by taking a problem they're grappling with out into nature. You'll find more about my book, and how to sign up for my newsletter and other links mentioned in the podcast here https://www.alisonsmith.co/landscaping-your-life-with-alison-smith-podcast/

Short and sweet again this week. Due to unexpected family issues today's episode simply shares two poems that have helped me in recent weeks to sit with the ambiguity when I haven't known what to do. Do let me know what you think.   You'll find the words of the poems, my book, and how to sign up for my newsletter and other useful Landscaping Your Life resources here https://www.alisonsmith.co/what-to-do-when-you-dont-know-what-to-do/

Short and sweet today. Due to unexpected family issues today's episode revisits the I reclaim all my parts poem shared in more detail in episode #45 with reference to episode #29 where you're asked to put the stick down you're beating yourself up with. You'll find the words of the poem, my book, and how to sign up for my newsletter and other useful Landscaping Your Life resources here https://www.alisonsmith.co/landscaping-your-life-with-alison-smith-podcast/

Today's episode helps you when you're feeling disappointed with the progress you're making – you may even feel like giving up because all the effort is seemingly getting you nowhere. I'll be sharing 2 poems and a short story inspired by the sea that I've written to help you to see the situation from a different perspective and for you to identify potential action steps. You'll find the words of the poems, my book, and how to sign up for my newsletter and other links mentioned in the podcast here https://www.alisonsmith.co/what-to-do-when-youre-disappointed-with-lack-of-progress/

Today's episode shares two poems I've written about our relationship with the Earth and then turn that inwards and explore how that relationship is a mirror for our relationship with ourselves. A reminder of our own brilliance and uniqueness that's been dampened by all the musts, oughts and should.   You'll find the words of the poems, my book, and how to sign up for my newsletter and other links mentioned in the podcast here https://www.alisonsmith.co/earth-day-the-earth-cried-the-day-the-mist-set-in/

Today's episode provides insight when you're feeling ungrounded, out of sorts and lacking confidence in yourself. Where that ungroundedness is providing a disconnect between you and your life. Or you may simply want a different perspective about a situation you're grappling with. You'll find the words of the poems, my book, and how to sign up for my newsletter and other links mentioned in the podcast here https://www.alisonsmith.co/landscaping-your-life-with-alison-smith-podcast/

Today's episode uses the premise that when you're stuck and don't know what to do it's often about the paths and destinations – you may not be clear about the destination or goal, or you're not on the right path to get to your destination or perhaps you're even judging the path you're on because you don't know where it's headed, or fear it won't get you where you want to go. You'll find the words of the poem, signing up for my newsletter and other links mentioned in the podcast here https://www.alisonsmith.co/landscaping-your-life-with-alison-smith-podcast/

Today we dive straight into the heart of Landscaping Your Life – using nature as a means of hearing your own inner wisdom. You're asked to consider "if your life was a landscape what type of landscape would it be?" and to "stand in nature and see your own inner wisdom reflected back at you" in that landscape, and to then make changes to that landscape to release the stuckness and even overwhelm you might be feeling about a situation. You'll find the words of the poems and other links mentioned in the podcast here https://www.alisonsmith.co/landscaping-your-life-with-alison-smith-podcast/

Today's episode explores the real reason you might not be able to see the wood for the trees and invites you to face your fears and accept the "known and unknown, certain and uncertain". To stop allowing the wood and trees to distract you and instead look to greater horizons beyond the wood, and not trying to do it alone but with others by your side. You'll find the words of the poems and other links mentioned in the podcast here https://www.alisonsmith.co/blog-insight/ 

Today Alison shares highlights from this second series of the podcast where she went into nature to discover insight when you're stuck and off track. Because putting distance between you & a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find useful references and blogs mentioned in the podcast here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Today Alison shares insights from nature about different perspectives available when you're feeling ungrounded. Because putting distance between you & a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find useful references and blogs mentioned in the podcast here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Today Alison shares insights from nature about different perspectives available when you're off track and want to get back on it. Because putting distance between you & a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find useful references and blogs mentioned in the podcast here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Today Alison shares insights from nature about different perspectives available when there's a gap between where you are and where you want to be. Because putting distance between you & a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find useful references and blogs mentioned in the podcast here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Today Alison shares insights from nature about different perspectives available when you're lost & explores the difference between being physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually lost. Because putting distance between you & a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find useful references and blogs mentioned in the podcast here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Today Alison shares insights from nature about the options & different perspectives available when you want to stop going round in circles. Because putting distance between you & a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find Alison's blog & other means of keeping in touch with Alison here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Today Alison shares insights from nature about the options & different perspectives available when want to turn a corner in your life and are resisting doing just that. Because putting distance between you & a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find Alison's blog & other means of keeping in touch with Alison here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Today Alison shares insights from nature about the options & different perspectives available when you're feeling like you've missed the tide – that one perfect moment to take action. Because putting distance between you & a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find Alison's blog & other means of keeping in touch with Alison here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Celebrating its 1st birthday Alison shares 7 highlights from the last year including 2 poems & 5 idioms we use when we're stuck. You can sign up for Alison's free webinar on 20th June @ 1900 UK time https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-opportunities-metamorphosis-for-solstice-tickets-339788736257 You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find Alison's blog and other means of keeping in touch with Alison here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Today Alison shares insights from nature about the options and different perspectives available to you when you're feeling like you're talking to a brick wall and would prefer to be listened or paid attention to. Because putting distance between you & a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find Alison's blog and other means of keeping in touch with Alison here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Today Alison shares insights from nature about the options and different perspectives available to you when you're afraid to put your head above the parapet. Because putting distance between you & a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find Alison's blog and other means of keeping in touch with Alison here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Today Alison shares insights from nature about the options and different perspectives available to you when you feel like you've been pulled through a hedge backwards. Because putting distance between you & a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find Alison's blog and other means of keeping in touch with Alison here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Today Alison shares insights from nature about the options and different perspectives available to you want to put the stick down you're beating yourself up with. Because putting distance between you & a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find Alison's blog and other means of keeping in touch with Alison here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Putting distance between you and a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. Today Alison goes back to a topic she first shared in her book, Can't see the wood for the trees (available from all online stockists), and shares insights from nature about the options and different perspectives available to you when you can't see the wood for the trees. You can find Alison's blog and other means of keeping in touch with Alison here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Putting distance between you & a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. Today Alison shares insights from nature about the options and different perspectives available to you when you're at a crossroads in your life. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find Alison's blog and other means of keeping in touch with Alison here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Putting distance between you & a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. Today Alison shares insights from several bridges from recent walks to help find metaphorical insight you can apply to a situation where you want to build a bridge with another person. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find Alison's blog and other means of keeping in touch with Alison here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Putting distance between you and a problem is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. Today Alison walks up a hill to find metaphorical insight you can apply to a situation you feel is like an uphill struggle. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find Alison's blog and other means of keeping in touch with Alison here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Putting distance between you and a problem  is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. Today Alison goes back and forth with eyes open and closed through a tunnel obtaining metaphorical insight you can apply to a situation you'd like to see the light at the end of tunnel about. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find other means of keeping in touch with Alison here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife

Putting distance between you and the situation you don't know what to do in is a great means of finding solutions currently hidden from view. Today Alison goes swimming in the sea in Fife, Scotland to discover metaphorical solutions when you resonate with either feeling like you're treading water or are trying to keep your head above water. You can buy Alison's book, Can't see the wood for the trees, from all online stockists. You can find other means of keeping in touch with Alison here https://linktr.ee/landscapingyourlife