April Intuition + Visionboard
2021 was about Intuition. A single word designated as a compass to help me manifest my goals and direction.
intuition: noun the ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning. "we shall allow our intuition to guide us"
’ve gone a bit left field on this one and before we begin - yes I know I’m over a week late (ok maybe two) but theres method to the madness - honest.
I had a week off. A staycation - obvs. My first in over 12 months. How ridiculous and foolish of me not to give myself more time off in the last year. I've been so grateful for the amazing start of Hello Katy since September, but I have been pushing myself hard and the thought of ‘normality’ opening up and commanding more of my time I must say, fills me with a little dread. I think I’ll be easing back into ‘normal’ slowly and with some strong and firm principles. Mainly shaped by the below.
I purposely wanted to take this week to reflect and spend some time re-centring myself before considering what this month’s intuition was. Hence the visionboard being centred around a single theme. As I mentioned in my March reflection it is the beginning of the new lunar year and seeds manifested now can powerfully dictate how the next 12 months play out.
So my intuition might sound lofty for a month’s worth - but in fact will be the foundation for how I want to approach the next 12 months.
This month my areas of focus are:
Prioritising health - this covers weight (gotta loose those LD pounds), what I consume, stress levels, how active I am and my flexibility (hello yoga). I've already taken steps in some of these areas but my health is now bumped up to the top of the list. No longer passed over for work.
Honouring my boundaries - I have a work plan and I must stick to it - for myself and what I want to do. I’m getting better at flexing my ‘no’ and ‘I cannot at the moment’ muscle.
Self belief - I’m exactly where I need to be and beginning exactly what I need to start.
Peace - not only giving myself the peace and space to allow myself to act on my dreams but actual physical silence - I am simply not willing to return to the rat race.
Goodbye guilt - I think many of us carry this one. Wasting time and energy concerning myself with what people my perceive of my actions, my thoughts, my work, approach, style, or how I express it. This covers a multitude of areas.
Eyes on the prize - Remembering the long term plan and gains to be had and coming back to this to keep my aligned in my goals.
April in Reflection
April has been a hugely pivotal month for many reasons. The benefit of my purposeful shift in mindset is showing. I put my health up front and centre in April after not taking care of myself enough over the last few months and boy have I committed! Clean eating, self care, sleep and exercise - my weekly running mileage (ok, shuffling may be a more accurate description) has gone up, my waistline and weight down by 13lb so far and with it my feeling of contentment and achievement have grown. I feel more balanced and my creativity feels flourishing and nurtured.
I’ve stuck to the boundaries I’ve set in place and realised a much more sustainable pace of life. I’ve largely shed the veil of guilt that I’ve been dragging around with me. Particularly over the last 6months since starting Hello Katy. A portion of this self-therapy could be credited to a huge offloading in my Ugly Truth blog post published earlier in the month about burnout and the inability to switch off and slow down. The response from this was MASSIVE. So many of you got in touch feeling the same, wanting to talk and share your experiences and feelings around struggling in the same way. Especially those who run their own businesses. I’m wondering if there’s another way I can use this response for good.
My list of demanding post it notes - while still present and in progress, no longer keep me up at 3am. Winner. What was feeling like a constant race with a side helping of comparison is now instead more considered and thoughtful. In turn, this time and space is allowing more opportunity for creativity and ideas. It’s all connected isn’t it?
I’ve realised to achieve the above and more I’ve must withdraw a little. The additional space and simplicity is so rewarding - confirming I’m exactly where I need to be right now and doing exactly what I should be doing to be the best version of myself.
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Illustration: My own.