Just because I teach you how to manage your thoughts, doesn't mean I have it all figured out - it just means I've been doing this work longer and can maybe identify subtle thoughts more quickly! The past few weeks have been tough - the exhaustion was over the top and my nervous system feels like it's on high alert! Initially I chalked it up to a wkend out of town, and then one day it hit me "IT'S JULY" - And immediately I sensed a shift. Sometimes it's the actual naming of something that brings a sense of calm, and then you can get curious and begin exploring the thoughts, emotions, and memories of that season. For the last number of years I thought my July overwhelm was tied to us moving 5 years ago and all that that season brought, but last week I realized it went back even further, to 7 years ago and feeling like we were homeless. 7 years ago we were in contract and our house was sold... 12 days before our moving date, the contract we were in fell apart and we were left without a home. We had 4 kids under 8 and while in the moment, we survived and did the next thing, I realize now, that season left a huge mark. Our pastor very graciously offered us, a temporary less then 1000 square ft basement apartment to live in until we found another space to rent, which ended up being about 2 months. All of that to say, your body and brain will store many memories in your subconscious for a long time, until you are safe enough with yourself to peel back another layer of your story. That's why I teach the power of awareness. Tuning in to yourself... where does this exhaustion come from? What am I feeling in my body? Why does my brain feel like a dumpster fire? When you gain awareness and start exploring with curiosity, you may be surprised at the thoughts thoughts and feelings that surface. Don't push them away or avoid them, thinking there's no connection. And remember, YOUR FEELINGS ARE NOT WRONG - They are simply data - information to be explored. What feelings are you carrying this week? Where in your body are you feeling it?

1. What am I feeling right now? You can refer to the feelings wheel - choose the emotion that best describes: What am I feeling right now? Where do I notice it in my body? What does this feeling want me to know? 2. What happened before I started feeling this way? Trace the emotion back to the moment it began. What event, thought, memory, or interaction may have triggered it? What story am I telling myself about what happened? 3. What does this part of me need right now? Instead of pushing the feeling away or judging it, ask it with curiosity: What am I trying to protect? What do I need from me in this moment? How can I respond to myself with compassion instead of criticism. Somedays feel light and other days feel heavy. Paying attention to all of the normal, mundane, and hard feelings is called becoming emotionally attuned to yourself. You carry your feelings in your body, so part becoming aware is paying attention to where the feeling sits - your chest, your stomach, etc. Giving yourself space to process through your emotions helps to regulate your nervous system. Share anything you feel safe to share or would like help to process!!

I've been working on some exciting upgrades the past few days and will coninue to do so, adding things to the classroom, etc. My dream for years has been to be a coach. The imposter syndrome and self sabotage kept me playing small inside a box for far too long, and this week that is changing. I'm launching my very first 4 week coaching intensive to 5 women for 🆓... This is for the woman who is ready to step into her own transformation by engaging her story, staying with the process through thought work and her inner critic and begin a cycle of change for herself and her family. If your are ready to do the inner work and give a review and feedback, I would be honored to walk with you. Send me a DM and lets get started! XOXO, Verna 🌻