The other amazing thing to me was that it was basically everyone’s first time trying something like this! It was a virtual, online retreat where we could see and interact with each other throughout the 1.5hours -- which many of the women mentioned afterwards was way too short!
I am so proud of all of us!
The other thing I learned that is of monumental significance in doing anything of importance in our lives, is that it's almost always helpful to cut through the isolation first. For example, at Journaling Sisters I am creating a community and a supportive space for women to put themselves and their dreams first. This project is of extreme importance to me. However, it is very difficult to do at home in my office, by myself, everyday. Having a phone call with a girlfriend, meeting women locally, sharing about our lives, laughing about the woes in our lives for an hour, and then going back to our work, makes a world of difference.
Here are 5 things that make going for our goals and dreams much easier:
1. Connection
We as women especially do so much better when we feel connected to other like-minded souls out there. Even if they are online! We feel energized, inspired and ready to conquer the world.
2. Releasing our Emotions
Sure, gathering research and data is essential to any work. However, making time and space for our emotions is equally important. It’s human to have feelings. There will always be things that will trigger us or set us off. We may feel discouraged or overwhelmed and haven’t even had our first cup of tea yet. Whether it’s talking to a good friend or journaling, it’s important to make time to let out the feelings that accumulate.
3. Keeping Your Energy High
Staying positive can sound cheesy, but it really works. I like to think of it as our energy frequency. Jen Sincero talks a lot about energy in her You Are a Badass books. How else are we going to achieve amazing things we’ve never done before, if we are not feeling really good about our life and ourselves? We are not simply cold, logical human beings. We, as women especially are very much in touch with our feelings. They, in turn, can be very powerful. Exercise, visualization exercises where you imagine yourself already achieving your goal, or whatever other creative endeavor gets your soul flying is important to do, alongside your work.
4. Self-Appreciation is Key
Being gentle with ourselves and really loving ourselves up is important here. As women, we are often quite hard on ourselves. Start off your morning with: What are 3 things you appreciate about yourself right now? Or journal about what did you do well at work this week? Practice saying this out loud in a bright tone:
5. Be Aware of Subconscious Patterns
Be aware of your limiting stories or beliefs. These patterns are often things that we are so used to we don’t even realize they are limiting us. Or that we could live without them. Find one that you say to yourself daily. For example, for me, it could be: I am scared of public speaking. This is one of my patterns, even though I’ve led groups of women over the years who have had amazing experiences. Instead, I can change that story to: I help women feel safe to open up and be vulnerable with women they just met, and feel heard and not alone.
We got to do varying levels of these 5 things at my retreat last weekend, and I believe that’s why women felt so invigorated afterwards to go back to their lives and dive in with renewed energy.
I hope you will try a some of these at home. Comment below how it went for you! Or hop over to our private Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/journalingsisters and share your experience with other sisters.
Going for our dreams is so much more fun with other awesome women!
I will also be announcing our future retreats coming up in early 2018 very soon! Make sure to sign up on our email list to get the latest update. Click on the subscribe button on the left side of this page!