#1: REST! 

If 2020 has taught me anything… it’s to REST! It may sound like the simplest of lessons, but there is a reason it is at the top. It wasn’t until we finished our first lockdown here in NZ that I reflected and saw the amount of tears, and stress I had put myself under trying to work 12 – 14 hours a day 7 days a week… and have it take its toll on my health! 

Learning to prioritise rest was hard, especially if you’re anything like me and feel like rest is unproductive. However, what I learnt is that it is amazing how much more productive you are and easier things become when you do take the time to rest and fill up your own cup! So, take a leaf out of my book, and put some non-negotiable downtime in your calendar every week this year! 

#2: LISTEN TO YOUR INTUITION

As someone who struggles at times to view the Universe as a friendly place, my faith in myself and all that is around me waived this year. I had moments where I was in full trust and others where I fell into playing the victim card. 

What got me through was reconnecting to myself. You know that little voice inside your head that isn’t your ego, but is often quietly whispering trying to get your attention, or maybe it’s a feeling in your heart, or sensation in your gut. Either way, I learnt to TRUST mine!

If something isn’t feeling right, out of integrity or you feel like there is something you need to do, follow that calling. Your intuition is one of the most powerful tools you can use, harness it and connect to it daily. I do so through the practice of journaling and meditation, and I don’t say this lightly, but it has been life changing. 

#3️ TRUST IN DIVINE TIMING
Whether you believe in God, the Universe, Source, or absolutely nothing… One thing that has become apparent to me is that EVERYTHING is happening for your highest good! Even if it may not seem like it at the time (e.g. COVID), there is a lesson just waiting to be learned. 

We often try to rush the process and journey we are, yet when we are patient, as you will most likely know from experience, it all unfolds exactly as it is meant to. And often that ‘thing’ you missed out on, didn’t happen or was terrible at the time, was making room for something so much greater! 

Instead of thinking, why me, why this, why now… I have now shifted my thinking to what is this trying to teach me, and I start thinking and imagining the thing that I know I truly desire happening.  

#4️ EMBRACE YOUR WEIRDNESS (ALL OF IT!)

So often we are looking for someone outside of us to love us exactly as we are, for all our qualities and flaws, unconditionally. This year, I have learnt that in order to receive that love, one must first give that love to yourself. 

Often what we are searching for outside of us, is what we need the most to nourish and serve us internally. I was searching for love, acceptance, to be seen, heard and respected from others, when in reality, I needed to do that for myself first! 

From this, I discovered how important it is to be authentically you! There is NO OTHER YOU in this world, and there is a special reason for that. You come with your own set of gifts, traits and blessings that only YOU can share! So embrace it all!! 

Now on, my little inner child who wants to sing at the top of her lungs (sounding like a dying cat), do cartwheels in the middle of the street, dance like no one is watching and give love openly, freely with nothing but trust and faith is here to stay! Invite your inner weirdo to join you too! At the end of the day, the only person really judging you, is you. 

#5️ DONE IS BETTER THAN PERFECT

The inner perfectionist in me hated this lesson, but man has it been a game changer! It is actually a lesson that a coach/mentor of mine @iamnatalie Natalie Ellis [Co-Founder of BossBabe] has said numerous times, and I have finally drilled into my head. 

As someone who is known for her OCD tendencies, I was actually relieved to release this pressure from myself, and was AMAZED at just how much more I got accomplished this year. Whilst it pays to be organised and have standards, that is not to say that every piece of content, session, message or piece of work I have put out there has been perfect! 

We learn from our mistakes, but how are we supposed to learn if we don’t even put anything out there and try. Adopting this as a new philosophy has been transformational in not only my business, but my personal life as well. 

#6️ YOU ARE MORE CAPABLE THAN YOU’LL EVER KNOW 

Lack of self-confidence, doubt, low self-esteem is something that I am and have been plagued with time after time, however a true lesson for me this year, was to realise that I already had EVERYTHING I needed inside of me!

We don’t need to wait for anyone other than ourselves to make our own dreams happen, and turn our visions into a reality. We hold all the magic within! I cannot tell you how many times this year I have managed to pull something off that I never thought was possible. And that came from pure self-belief and determination. 

Say it to yourself daily, repeat it 100 times over, but YOU ARE WORTHY, YOU ARE CAPABLE, YOU ARE ENOUGH! You’ve got this!  

#7️ ABUNDANCE IS A MINDSET/WAY OF BEING 

So often we look to the future for what we want, including our happiness, we place it so far away from ourselves, in our minds it almost becomes impossible for us to achieve. But what if… we already had everything we desired right now!

Now, I’m not talking about materialistic things, but think about what that materialistic thing you want is bringing you? Freedom? Happiness? Fulfilment? Whatever it is, how can you give yourself that feeling now? 

For me it was abundance, I have always been striving to drive more income because I wanted more freedom, however I had forgotten to take a step back and view the freedom I had already created in my life. I am abundant already, in friends, support, clients, love etc… It is this gratitude that allows you to actually BE with what you are wanting to feel! Try it! 

#8️ BE IN FLOW 

Something I have been working on ever since it was made aware to me, was stepping back from the hustle mentality I have been stuck in for YEARS!!! And into the flow of life! 

This year in particular, I have learnt to dance with the Universe. Step into the energy of being in appreciation for all that is around me, and take things as they come, not trying to force it. 

Sure I still set goals, and have plans, but being open to those plans changing, learning to pivot and be adaptable is what made it very possible for me to have a 2020 that I am incredibly grateful for. The more we resist the more ‘it’ persists! 

Where your focus goes, energy flows. So be mindful of where you are putting your time and energy, and ask yourself how you can be more in flow with your life.  

#9️ YOU ARE THE MASTER OF YOUR MIND

Another powerful lesson, from another incredible mentor/coach of mine @alyssanobriga Alyssa Nobriga [Masterful Coach]. In our work together over the last year and a bit, it has been so transformative to understand that we have the power to write our own stories, question our own thoughts, fears and beliefs to shape a new and more aligned reality. 

This shift in mindset has bought me so much freedom, I am eternally grateful for. When we apply tools like listening to our intuition, tapping into the feminine flow, deciding to question the thought, we are actively choosing to live the life we want to lead. 

Your mind is such a powerful tool, yet for most of our lives we let it rule us. Having learnt that we can simply be with the thoughts, feelings and emotions that come up, process them and then take aligned action, again has been such a life changing lesson. And given me the freedom to let go of all things that no longer serve me. 

#10 BE THE LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS 

You beautiful soul, are pure light and love! Just simply being you… Even when you think you’ve hit rock bottom, there will always be a way out. Even when you feel like you have nothing left to give, there is always something deep within that pulls you through. 

Realising that even in my darkest hours of 2020, that there was still hope, that I never needed to give up, that there is still light at the end of the tunnel and that light was actually shining brightly from within allowed me to see my true potential. 

Try looking at yourself through the eyes of someone else, someone that loves and respects and values you, and you will see the beautiful light and love that is glowing from you that they are drawn to. We all have it. Sometimes we just need to come out of the darkness to see.