The Mindful Path

In this short episode, I talk about detoxing our diaries and detoxing our lives, and living deliberately by reflecting on what really matters. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In today's daily pause, I talk about dealing with a fuzzy and uncertain future, and the future you are creating today. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode, I talk about how most of us are trying to be in 3 places at once, causing ourselves to feel overwhelmed. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode, I talk about who we are beyond our habitual busyness. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode, I share a simple 4 step technique to help you feel difficult emotions when they arise.  This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode, I talk about what may be keeping you dissatisfied, and how to find more ease and joy at any time. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode, I offer a simple strategy to give ourselves a break from our busy mind. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode, I share two types of thoughts which I refer to as 'stuck thoughts' and 'supportive thoughts'. I offer a practical way to move forward when you experience 'stuck thoughts'. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this short episode, I share the concept of delayed happiness and encourage you to consider where in your life you may be delaying happiness.  This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this short episode, I encourage you to consider who you are being and how you can live more deliberately, even in challenging times. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In today's short pause, I invite you to consider what's in your emotional cup and the emotional imprint you are leaving on those around you.  This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode I talk about our tendency for self-judgment and how we can be more supportive to ourselves.  This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode I share what it feels like to live fuelled by fear rather than by love, and how you can lean into the latter.  This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode, I share a simple practice that you can use to start the day feeling calmer and more positive. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

Today I talk about it being ok to feel like we are on an emotional rollercoaster in difficult times.  This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode I talk about the need to ask for help and resource ourselves first, so we can best support those around us. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode I share practical questions we can ask ourselves when we get stuck in judgement. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode I talk about why allowing ourselves to have fun and seek joy is vital, particularly in difficult times. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode, I talk about how to get unstuck from looping worry thoughts. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode, I talk about the importance of knowing our triggers, and how to manage them to live with more ease. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode, I talk about the importance of honouring our pain, and how we can do that. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode I share why it's vital that we practise seeking the good on purpose, particularly in difficult times. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode, I share what I call the '3P's' - how we can support ourselves in difficult times. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode, I explore why it's important that we give ourselves permission to rest, particularly when we are facing uncertain times. This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

In this episode, I share 3 simple ways you can use to cope with stress and anxiety when they arise.  This episode is part of the Daily Pause series - micro episodes (between 2-5 minutes long) where I share insight, reflections and practical steps you can take to cultivate more calm and live with more ease in uncertain times. For more free support, join me in The School Of Me Hub - a free online community, where I help women to develop their inner resilience and live with more ease. If you are feeling unsettled or anxious, try this short, free meditation to reset your mind and restore your calm. A moment of stillness to resource yourself for the rest of the day.

We all have a tendency to block our own happiness or wellbeing by getting stuck on 'if only' thoughts and beliefs. 'If only' thoughts might look like this: "If only I had had that promotion at work, I would be fulfilled" "If only my partner was more supportive, I would feel content" "If only I had more money I could travel the world and I would finally be happy" This applies to ourselves too. Have you have had the thought: "If only I was taller/more extroverted/smarter/smaller/slimmer/more confident/more resilient/less anxious/ etc. I could finally be happy." In this episode, I talk about the beliefs behind these 'if only...' thoughts, and how to let go of resisting reality to feel happier.  music by www.hooksound.com

I used to suffer from 'destination addiction', even in my personal growth. I thought that if only I could just 'fix' myself as quickly as possible, delete all the parts of me that I was ashamed of, all would be well. I had no interest at all in the journey itself. I just wanted to wave a magic wand and be exactly who I thought I needed to be. Immediately. But in the absence of magic wand, we have no choice but to stay committed to the journey and ride the waves of its ups and downs. As the end of another year approaches, it's tempting to look back and feel disappointed that we are not further down the path. Whatever that journey looks like for you: whether it is working on your relationships, feeling less anxious, managing your emotional wellbeing more skilfully, developing the self-trust you need to take bolder decisions, or working on your self-belief and confidence.   In this episode, I share 7 tips to stay committed to your self-growth journey when you feel discouraged or stuck.  Reference: To join my free community, The School Of Me Hub, simply click here.    music by www.hooksound.com

In this episode, I'm delighted to interview the amazing Anna Parker-Naples. Anna is an entrepreneur, host of a highly successful podcast called Entrepreneurs get visible, speaker, business coach and voice actor. Anna's first book "Get Visible, how to have more impact, influence and income" hit number one in several Amazon categories upon release. Most importantly, Anna is an INCREDIBLY inspiring woman who has overcome a lot of adversity using the power of her mind. She went from being wheelchair bound to walking down the red carpet in Hollywood and more. Anna shares with us the power of hope, of seeking opportunities, and more than anything, the power of mindset and language to transform our lives. I know you will resonate with what Anna shares, and I hope this episode leaves you inspired to go after your dreams and desires. You can find out more about Anna here. And buy her book here.  If you are on a mindset journey and would like to learn how to tame your harsh inner critical voice and develop a kinder inner dialogue, find out more about the PAUSE formula here.  music by: www.hooksound.com

A lot of us talk to ourselves in a voice that we wouldn't dare to use with anyone else. Sometimes it can be so harsh that it feels like we have an inner tyrant running havoc in our mind. That voice is often propagating self-blame and even self-hate. It's as if we had someone sitting on our shoulders belittling us up for every perceived inadequacy. It can be truly relentless and damaging. If we don't learn to develop a kinder and more supportive inner dialogue, we end up having programmed thoughts belittling, hurting and criticising us on repeat. Over time, they erode our self-belief, self-acceptance, and self-trust ; and undermine our ability to live the life we desire and deserve. In this episode, I share a simple 5 step formula which I have created to help us turn our harsh negative self-talk into a kinder and more compassionate voice.  To download the accompanying PAUSE formula workbook, click here. To watch the free 5 day mini-training on how to use the PAUSE formula to turn our negative self-talk into an inner ally, join me in The School Of Me Hub. my free community for women who wish to re-connect with themselves and develop self-trust.  Reference: Episode 5 - How to relate to our inner critic differently to soften its impact.  

Self-sabotage is often referred to as 'getting in your own way' – in other words, we self-sabotage when we deliberately hamper our efforts towards a goal. We create unnecessary problems for ourselves which keep us from taking action and moving towards the goals we want to achieve. In this episode I explore why we self-sabotage, what self-sabotage might look like (it's not always easy to identify) and how to break the cycle of self-sabotage. You will also hear about the handful of Clarity intensive coaching experiences I am offering before Christmas to help you end the year with clarity, calm and purpose. You will find all the details here. If it resonates with you, don't delay as this will only be available until Wednesday 27th November 2019. References: Episode 37 - The truth about perfectionism Episode 40 - How to overcome procrastination Have you joined The School Of Me Hub yet? My free Facebook community for women who desire to re-connect with themselves and achieve self-trust. Come and join us!

Whilst Christmas and the end of the year celebrations can be fun and exciting, they can also be a source of stress and anxiety. In addition to our normal busyness, this time of the year adds a whole new layer of commitments and activities both at work and outside of work. For some of us, Christmas can also be a difficult time due to life events that have happened in the past or in the course of the year. A separation, a first Christmas without our children, difficult family relationships. If you feel stressed, overwhelmed or anxious as the end of the year approaches, this episode will give you practical tips to approach this time of year feeling calmer and better resourced. To join The School Of Me Hub (my free community for women on a journey to re-connect with themselves and achieve self-trust), click here.  Download the free 5-step PAUSE formula to turn your inner critical voice into a kinder, more compassionate voice here.  Episodes mentioned: Episode 5 - How to relate to your inner critic differently to soften its impact Episode 13 - S.T.O.P. - a simple technique to reset your mind when you're having a hectic day Episode 15 - How to create more harmony in your relationships Episode 45 - How to let go of the desire to control life and feel happier  

Self-acceptance has been and continues to be a significant part of my own personal growth.  It's one of the most important aspects of the journey that I take my clients through. I see the shift in them, as if a gentle light was getting ignited in their heart. One that they can continue to nurture and tend to for the rest of their life. When the light of self-acceptance is ignited, everything shifts, because: "When I accept myself just as I am, I am freed from the burden of needing you to accept me." - unknown Self-acceptance is accepting all parts of ourselves unconditionally – in the moments where it's easy and particularly in the moments where it's hard. It's being willing to give ourselves unconditional kindness regardless of what we may have said or done. Most of us walk around with a narrative in our mind about who we are and for most of us it includes a story of being broken, flawed, not good enough – something is wrong with us. If this resonates, then this episode is especially for you. Resources: To help you start shifting towards self-acceptance, I have created a 5-step PAUSE formula which will help you turn your inner critical voice into a kinder, more compassionate voice (I call it our inner ally). These are the steps that I use personally when my inner critic starts to play loudly in my mind. This FREE workbook explains each step of the PAUSE formula in detail and offers journalling prompts to help you reflect on your own personal journey.  If you resonated with this episode, the PAUSE formula will really help you to start making the shift towards more self-acceptance. Click here to download it. Other references: Join me and a small group of like-minded women on a self-growth journey in my free community: The School Of Me Hub. Episode 43 - You are not your story.

Do you ever feel stuck and powerless? You desire to make changes in your life but you don't seem to be able to? If so, this episode is for you. I talk about what being in a victim mindset looks like, and how to reclaim your power of choice. Now you might think – this really isn't me Isabelle – but trust me, often when we are stuck in that mindset, we are the last ones to know. So what does it feel like to fall into a victim mindset: We believe that we are at the mercy of our circumstances, our story, other people, the world around us, and life in general. We feel dis-empowered, powerless over our life. Things happen TO us and we don't have options or choices. We are stuck. We have a tendency to believe that the world is against us, and we seek evidence to prove it in our everyday life. We may want to take action and create change in our life, but we often have a long list of excuses as to why we can't. In this episode, I talk about how self-responsibility is the antidote to a victim mindset and how you can transform your life by reclaiming your power of choice.  References: - Episode 22: how to cope with our emotions - Episode 27: does our emotional wellbeing depend on other people's behaviour? - The School Of Me Hub (my free community for women on a self-growth journey)

People pleasing is a tricky one... You see, on the surface, it seems inoffensive. After all, wanting to make others happy is altruistic, generous and selfless, right? Well, people pleasing isn't what it seems…While it does seem innocent and sweet, it's actually not as selfless as you think. Here are a few tell-tale signs of people pleasing: You pour your heart into making everyone around you happy, often at the expense of your own needs and happiness. In exchange, you expect their recognition and gratitude as it makes you feel loved and validated. But deep down, under the altruistic façade, you feel depleted, exhausted and run down. You become resentful as you sacrifice yourself pleasing everyone rather than investing in your own wellbeing. Often, others don't recognise the extent of your efforts which leaves you feeling undervalued, unappreciated and victimised. If you have nodded as you read the above, this episode is especially for you. Have a listen to find out the uncomfortable truth about people pleasing and a few tips to start shifting away from this pattern, recovering your energy and reclaiming your life. References: 1) Episode 26 - Why we need healthy boundaries and how to set them 2) Join me and a small group of like-minded women on a self-growth journey in my free community: The School Of Me Hub.   As always, if you feel stuck in your life, and you are ready to do this deep work with a compassionate coach, do get in touch at [email protected]. I'd love to support you on this journey of uncovering, accepting and trusting yourself.

The need to control life is one that comes up a lot in the work that I do with my clients. It's a subject that we have talked about quite a bit over the last few weeks in The School Of Me Hub (my free community for women who are on a journey of self-growth - http://bit.ly/2ky8yCx). What do I mean by the desire to control life? Let me ask you these questions: Do you struggle to trust others to do tasks'the right way' and feel compelled to do things for them? Maybe you hover over your partner when they cook a meal? Or you get tempted to take control of your child's homework when it's not up to your standards? Perhaps you re-write reports prepared by your team at work to make them 'just right'?  Do you believe that having a plan and organising life helps you to keep your worrying at bay? Do you find it impossibly frustrating not to know what the outcome of life situations will be: will your child make the team? Will your project be successful? Will your family Christmas happen just the way you imagine it? Then this episode is for you. I explore why we have the desire to control life and the impact that it has on our life. I share tips on how to loosen our grip on life to feel happier. Because the truth is, our desire to control life is controlling us.   References: 1) If you have a desire to develop the quiet and deeply-rooted knowing that you have the inner resources you need to cope with anything life brings you, join me in The School Of Me Hub: http://bit.ly/2ky8yCx. 2) Episode 44 - Give yourself permission to press pause http://www.lightupandthrive.com/episode44/     As always, if you feel stuck in your life, and you are ready to do this deep work with a compassionate coach, do get in touch at [email protected]. I'd love to support you on this journey of uncovering, accepting and trusting yourself.  

Are you living life in the fast lane, feeling hectic and rushed most days? Do you regularly experience the 'overwhelm fog', where so much is going on in your life that you don't know where to start? Do you feel like you live on a hamster's wheel and that life is passing you by? Do you have an overactive, overthinking mind? Do your emotions seem to go up and down like a rollercoaster? If you nodded at any of the above, then this episode is for you.  In this episode, I share why pressing pause gives us the freedom to show up in the world in a way that aligns with our values, and why I believe it is the gateway to live the life we desire. I also share many practical ways to press pause for a few seconds, a few minutes or longer periods of time.  References: 1) If you have a desire to develop the quiet and deeply-rooted knowing that you have the inner resources you need to cope with anything life brings you, join me in The School Of Me Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSchoolOfMeHub/. 2) Episode 19 - How to step out of our autopilot: http://www.lightupandthrive.com/episode19/ 3) Episode 33 - How to overcome negativity and bring more positivity into our life: http://www.lightupandthrive.com/episode33/ 4) 'Follow your breath mediation' (8 minutes): http://www.lightupandthrive.com/resources/ 5) How to take S.T.O.P. : episode 13: http://www.lightupandthrive.com/episode13/   As always, if you feel stuck in your life, and you are ready to do this deep work with a compassionate coach, do get in touch at [email protected]. I'd love to support you on this journey of uncovering, accepting and trusting yourself.  

We are all storytellers. We all have stories that we tell ourselves about ...ourselves. Stories we crafted from our experiences, and stories we borrowed from those around us. We adopt and create story after story. These stories put together make up who we believe we are. As the stories accumulate, we lose sight of who we really are. But you are not your story. You have simply been telling yourself stories for a very long time. By releasing these stories and beliefs you will find yourself again. In this episode, I share tips on how to let old, unhelpful stories go.   Reference: The School Of Me Hub (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSchoolOfMeHub/) is a free Facebook group where I support women on a path of self-discovery and self-trust. It's a safe place to connect, share your experiences, and get support from each other and from me. I would love for you to join us!  

We all live rushed and busy lives. Between developing a successful career, caring for our family, being present for our children, and ensuring that life's logistics are ticking along nicely, there is little time for ourselves. Our energy is literally scattered in a multitude of directions. But when the to-do list is ticked (if it ever fully is) and everyone else's needs are met, what's left of us and what's left for us? When we continuously put ourselves last and fail to take time to invest in our relationship with ourselves, we start feeling disconnected. This impacts all areas of our life. In this episode, I explore what feeling disconnected from ourselves feels like, how developing a relationship with ourselves can change our life, and how to get started in a few simple steps. I am also delighted to tell you about The School Of Me Hub (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSchoolOfMeHub/) - a free Facebook group which I have created to support women who are on a path of self-discovery and self-trust. It's a safe place to connect, share your experiences in a compassionate environment, and get support from each other and from me.

In this episode, I share what self-trust means to me and why I believe it is the foundation to find greater fulfilment, inner peace and live life with gusto. Achieving self-trust is trusting yourself enough to take that big leap, make that bold decision, take the first step to change the part of your life you have desired to change for years. It is trusting yourself enough to step off the emotional roller-coaster because you trust that you can handle any emotion with more ease. It is trusting yourself enough to let go of your grip on life and know that you have the capacity to cope with anything. It is trusting that you are whole, lovable and self-resourced just as you are. I am also delighted to tell you about The School Of Me Hub (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSchoolOfMeHub/) - a free Facebook group which I have created for women who are on a path of self-discovery and self-trust. It's a safe place to connect with women like you, share your experiences in a kind and supportive environment, and get support from each other and from me. I created this community to connect with you at a deeper level, and to support you more personally. If connection is as important to you as it is to me, and if you are on a self-growth journey, I would love for you to come and join me: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSchoolOfMeHub/. I look forward to seeing you there! Isabelle x

In this episode, I explore a topic which comes up regularly in the work that I do with my clients: procrastination. According to the dictionary, we procrastinate when we: keep delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring Does that sound familiar? Do you have a tendency to delay tasks you know you have to do? Do you often prioritise urgent, less important tasks to delay tackling the most important ones on your list? Have you been known to put your head in the sand about important tasks? Maybe you find all sorts of distractions to avoid having to tackle them (hello social media feed!)? If so, there is a good chance that you are procrastinating. But don't be too harsh on yourself, procrastination is a manifestation of your brain wanting to seek pleasure and avoid pain.  In this episode, I talk about why we procrastinate and offer practical steps to overcome procrastination.  You won't want to miss it! Reference: James Clear, Atomic Habits - Ted Talk - Tim Urban: Inside the mind of a procrastinator  The Mindful Path episode 29 - How to train your mind to change your life The Mindful Path episode  episode 24 - Who are you choosing to be For more tips on how to live with more ease and purpose, and to discover how to work with me personally, hop over to www.lightupandthrive.com.   Music by www.hooksound.com  

In this episode, I explore a few misconceptions about the idea of managing our mind, based on your feedback on what managing your mind means to you. Does managing our mind mean controlling all the thoughts coming in? Does it mean emptying our mind of all thoughts? Isn't managing our mind like trying to control the clouds in the sky - impossible? I share what I do to manage my mind every - single - day. Because managing our mind is not a quick fix but a lifelong journey.  References: Episode 8 - How journaling can help us nurture our emotional wellbeing Episode 23 - Five practical steps to get unstuck in your life and in your relationships Episode 33 - How to overcome negativity and bring more positivity into your life   For more tips on how to live with more ease and purpose, and to discover how to work with me personally, hop over to www.lightupandthrive.com.   Music by www.hooksound.com

A lot of us think that forgiveness is about condoning what someone else has done. We believe that it is saying: "What you did is ok" or "You were right in behaving the way you did". In fact, forgiveness is freeing ourselves from the anger and resentment that are plaguing us when we do not forgive. It is making an active choice to be free rather than holding on to a desire to be right. When we forgive, we choose healing over conflict. Reference: Episode 30: How to ease our suffering.  Episode 20 : How to manage your thoughts       For more tips on how to live with more ease and purpose, and to discover how to work with me personally, hop over to www.lightupandthrive.com.   Music by www.hooksound.com

As perfectionists, we often think that we simply have unusually high standards. The thought of producing lesser quality work is just not an option in our mind. But what's REALLY going on when we are constantly seeking perfection?  Is it truly just that we hold ourselves, others and the world around us to the highest standard? Or is it a disguise for something deeper? Tune in to find out the truth about perfectionism and how to let go of striving for perfection.   For more tips on how to live with more ease and purpose, and to discover how to work with me personally, hop over to www.lightupandthrive.com.   Music by www.hooksound.com

Inevitably, we are the hero of our own movie. The movie of our life is played in our mind as life happens and there is only ever one perspective; one narrative: ours. The entire movie is about us, it is filmed, and edited by us. We live our entire life from the perspective of 'I'. As we go through life and continue creating this movie, we develop a sense for who we are: our ego. It is made of an amalgamation of beliefs and thoughts that we gather along the path of our life.  Noticing our ego can be tricky, because it is a collection of beliefs. The easiest way to become familiar with it is to notice the emotional trail that it leaves behind. When you feel overly attached to being right, when you are desperately justifying your behaviour to yourself, when you are reacting disproportionately to someone else's behaviour, it may be a sign of your ego in action. In other words, when you make it all about you! Tune in to find out how to move beyond your ego to live a happier life.     For more tips on how to live with more ease and purpose, and to discover how to work with me personally, hop over to www.lightupandthrive.com.   Music by www.hooksound.com

The past no longer exists anywhere but in our mind. It has come and gone. In fact, what exists in our mind isn't the past but our story about the past, our thinking about the past. When we look back at past events, we have a choice on how we want to think about them. And as our thinking always happens in the present, our thinking about our past inevitably affects who we are and how we behave in the present. So although the past has come and gone, it has shaped and still shapes who we are today.  Note: If you have suffered from past trauma or suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I recommend that you skip this episode to avoid any triggers. Reference: Episode 15 - How to create more harmony in your relationships. Episode 24 - Who are you choosing to be   For more tips on how to live with more ease and purpose, and to discover how to work with me personally, hop over to www.lightupandthrive.com.   Music by www.hooksound.com  

Life involves feeling comfortable and uncomfortable emotions on a daily basis. While most of us have no issue with feeling emotions such as joy, contentment, excitement, and awe, we aren't so keen on emotions such as anger, impatience, frustration, shame or sadness. Those are much less comfortable to feel.  When we experience difficult emotions, we tend to resist or ignore them. But there is a more skilful way to deal with difficult or uncomfortable emotions.  In this episode, I share some tips on what you can do preventatively, as well as when difficult emotions arise. References: Episode 20 - How to manage your thoughts Episode 22 - How to cope with emotions Episode 23 - Five practical steps to get unstuck in your life and in your relationships Reference to the research: How emotions are mapped on the human body.  For more tips on how to live with more ease and purpose, and to discover how to work with me personally, hop over to www.lightupandthrive.com.   Music by www.hooksound.com

As we dive more deeply into training and managing our mind in Season 3, exploring negativity felt like an important concept to share with you. As Rick Hanson says: "The brain is like Velcro for negative experiences and Teflon for positive ones." We are naturally wired to look for the negative, the risky, the unpleasant.  And these negative experiences get stored quicker in our brain than positive ones. So, if we want to bring more positivity into our life, we will have to work extra hard to tilt our perspective against our brain's natural tendency. And the only way to do this, is by training and managing our mind. Listen in to find out how you can tilt your life towards the positive. For more tips on how to live with more ease and purpose, and to discover how to work with me personally, hop over to www.lightupandthrive.com.   Music by www.hooksound.com

Mentioning the word meditation tends to have a bit of a Marmite effect on people. They either meditate and love it, or the word alone  instantly creates resistance. Perhaps the thought of waking up at dawn to fit in an hour of meditation before heading to work, green smoothie in hand, has something to do with it. It's hard to relate when you feel like you barely make it out of the door each morning with your children in tow and a black coffee in hand in lieu of breakfast (if you're lucky!).  Yes, tales and myths about meditation are plentiful. Yet, it is probably one of the simplest and most accessible ways you can use to manage your mind. In this episode, I explore how meditation can help us train and manage our mind, a few popular myths about meditation and how to get started. Want to give it a try? Here is the free meditation I mentioned in this episode (8 mins) http://www.lightupandthrive.com/resources/ For more tips on how to live with more ease and purpose, and to discover how to work with me personally, hop over to www.lightupandthrive.com.   Music by www.hooksound.com

A very personal episode where I share a glimpse into my journey and the most powerful skills I have learned to tame my overthinking and worrying mind. From feeling burdened by stress and anxiety to learning how to cope with these feelings with more ease.  From feeling that 'something was wrong with me' to being more accepting of who I am.  It's hard to bring to life the powerful effect that mindfulness and training your mind can have. It is best experienced. But trust me when I say that it will help you to come home to yourself, uncover who you are under these layers of mind clutter, build resilience, live more and worry less. It's a lifelong journey but the scenery can be spectacular! And you deserve to take this journey. For more tips on how to live with more ease and purpose, and to discover how to work with me personally, hop over to www.lightupandthrive.com.   Music by www.hooksound.com

As human beings, pain and suffering are an inevitable part of our life. When we experience pain, whether it is physical or mental suffering, we tend to do one of two things: we either block the pain or we drown in the pain. When we block the pain, we resist it, we push it away and avoid experiencing it. When we drown in the pain, we are so preoccupied by it that it becomes all consuming. We feel overwhelmed by it, as if we were literally drowning. Our life seems to revolve around nothing but our pain. In both cases, we add a layer of mental suffering to our initial pain. While the initial pain may be unavoidable, the layers we wrap around it, which amplify the pain are avoidable.  Tune in to find out how we can lessen our suffering in 5 steps. Reference: Vidyamala Burch, Living well with pain & illness - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-Well-Pain-Illness-mindfulness/dp/0749928603/