January: Your month in review

So January is wrapping up this week - how does that make you feel?

Some of you my be jumping for joy because you’ve nailed all your goal and manifested all your new year intentions, and some of you may be feeling pretty fed up and miserable, this month felt hard, you did achieve what you wanted and you’re feeling a bit deflated about it all!

I’m guessing though that most of you may sit somewhere in the middle right? Some things have been great and other things not so much but wherever you are this post is going to help you move forward by reflecting, revising and releasing. I’ve created for you a handy little worksheet to use that will make it all feel much easier too, plus it’s designed so you can use it month after month after month!

You click here to download the monthly review worksheet, ideally you should print this off and use for best results but you can write out the review prompts and your answers in a note book instead.

Ok, lets get started...

First of all write out the month and year followed by your best bit and your biggest challenge - now there’s just a small space here because we’re not going into too much detail with this yet, just use a  few keys words to describe it.

Now we’re going to move onto the review exercise:

What went well this month and why?
Here is your chance to write all the things that felt good, goals that you’ve achieved or special moments that were positive for you. If you’re struggling with this think micro, even the smallest of things like getting an early night, saving some money, catching up with a good friend or watching your favourite TV show.

What didn’t go so well and why?
So now were going to write out the opposites and if this is the section you struggle with again think small, maybe you forgot a birthday or you missed out on bargain, you chipped your nail or had a hangover, it’s your review so you can write what ever feels appropriate for you.

Feelings and/or emotions I want to carry into the next month...
This section is all about how you want to feel so first of all think back to the things that went well and felt good, what were the emotions you experienced? If you want to carry them into next month write them down here. And if you didn’t feel a certain emotion but want to moving forward then write that one down here too. This can be one or as many as you’d like.

What I am ready to release and let go...
Ok now its time to do the opposite again to the section above, thinking back to the things that didn’t go well what emotions came up for you here? Write them down and if there’s anything you’re hoping to avoid even if you didn’t experience it this month pop it down here too.

What I want to learn or discover more of...
Now with this section what you need to remember is this all about your personal passions so if you’re interested in learning more about crystals or tennis or how to ride a motorbike pop it here. Also if you have a desire to find out more about your town or visit a new pub in your neighbourhood, or find out about a local book club then put it here too. It can also include a belief, thought or opinion you want explore more of, this is the section to write out all that makes you curious and want to dive much deeper into.

My goals for next month...
So this is where you get practical, list out your goals and a few actions you will take to achieve them or take a step towards them. Listing the actionable steps is important too because goals without a plan is just a wish-list. And although you don’t have to cap how many goals you with down here do consider what’s realistic right now, you may decided one big goal is something you’re more likely to achieve and focus on rather than 5-10 smaller goals.

This months Gratitude List
This last section is by no means the least, practicing gratitude has the most powerful effect on us all. It can generate a feeling of joy and faith, help manifest something that’s important and develop and attitude or kindness, compassion and acceptance towards others.

Now that you’re done keep your review handy or close by, you could pop it in your diary, or stash in your bedside table or kitchen draw, anywhere that you can easily come back to throughout the next month and revise what you wrote as this will help you to stay aligned to what you want and need from this present month.

If you want to use the monthly review worksheet you can download it here and don’t forget to let me know how you get on. You can email me at 365pearlsofwisdom@gmail.com or find me over on Instagram.

How to use Citrine to inspire creativity

Remember when you were young and you could spend hours playing with coloured dough or you’d craft something amazing from toilet paper rolls, an egg box, tin foil and a few bottle lids? Maybe cross-stitch was your thing? Writing short stories, or baking with your grandma on a Sunday afternoon?

I know there’ll be something creative you’ll remember because as child we seemed to have limitless creativity, imagination was such a blessing. But if you’re like me that creative streak can become a bit stagnant in adulthood and sometimes a little helping hand is most welcome.

For me using citrine has become a wonderful way to get that creativity flowing again and in this post I’m going to let you in on some of the ways I use citrine and why it’s become so powerful to me.

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” 
― Rumi

Although many people can create from a place of sadness and negativity I find that doesn’t really work for me and so seeking out the things that fill me with joy is a good first step, and my citrine crystals never fail fill me with that much needed joy I need to get my creative juices going.

Citrine's sunny yellow hues instantly give me a warm glow, even on the darkest of days, and just holding a piece in my hand and taking a few moments to breath can help me to feel energised but focus in on what really matters to me at that moment. Doing this little exercise can really help if my brain is jumbled with ideas and I don’t know where to start because sometimes creativity can stop when we become overwhelmed with what we want to do.

For general creativity and to ensure that it’s always flowing when I need it too I keep a bigger chunk in my workspace and the positioning is just as important. Back right corner of your office or workspace is your abundance and creativity corner and this is whee you need to aim for if you want to do the same. If you work from home or want to give a creative boost to your whole family you should use the same position in your house.

To get exactly the right spot stand at the front door to your home or to your workspace/office and locate the furthest back left corner, this is the place where your citrine crystal should live when you’re not using it to keep that creativity abundant.

Some other ways to use citrine for creativity...

If you're stuck on some specific and want to sleep on it literally, place a small tumbled stone under your pillow and see what comes up in your dreams over night. If often do this to give me that rise and shine motivation first thing in the morning as well.

Pop a piece in your bra, if you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know I pretty much have a crystal nestled in my bra most days and citrine is a good one if you need to take that creativity out and about or have a creative based meeting or work event away from your usual work space.

I tend to get a lot of my good ideas in the shower - I know! In the bathroom is the one place I can get some quiet alone time (#mumlife) and it’s often the time I get a chance to think things over and let my imagination wonder so if this is you too keep a piece by the shower or for some serious creative brainstorming pop a piece in your bath or around the tub, fill with bubbles, light some candles and relax and watch those ideas flow. Citrine isn't soluble either so it’s totally safe to do this, if you’re putting crystals in your bath water though I’d opt for tumbled stones so you don’t get any nasty surprises when you sit down!

Now grab that chunk of sunshine and get your creativity on!

5 things to try for a Gentle January

Gosh if I had a penny for every time someone told me in the last week that they want to look after themselves better this month I could certainly afford to treat them all to something special!

It seems like most women I know are looking to make some changes that will help them to feel better in some way, and to tell the truth I have a few things that I want to put in place for myself too.

What I’m also hearing is that January is a month of doom and gloom, I’ve heard others say it drags on for ages, that it makes them feel sluggish and is their worst month of the year — poor January, it has such a bad reputation!

So with that in mind I think we should all go easier on this month, and on ourselves too and opt for a Gentle January and here are my top 5 tips of things you can try to ease yourself through this month.

1. One of the biggest topics of talk amongst my friends is overindulgence at Christmas and New Year, I know many people who like to do January alcohol free but find it hard to stick to so I asked my pal Lizzie from Lizzie Somerset, who is now sober and proud, who she recommends to follow for support with this one. Rebecca from Sexy Sobriety and Millie from Sober Girl Society were her top picks for anyone wanting to go a little gentler on their liver.

2. My favourite way to feel better is to get cosy, so when its dark and grey outside make your inside environment warm and welcoming. This is a really easy way to give yourself a boost, think candles, blankets and flowers for a cheery winter vibe. Place your favourite feel good books around the home so you can pick them up and read a few pages when you’re feeling a bit bogged down. Make a list of your favourite funny films and create a January watch list, you could invite friends over to watch too or make it into a date night, for extra warmth and spice make home-made curry and popcorn to go with it.

3. Social media can get us down, especially at this time of year so curate yours to be positive and motivational. One of my favourite people to follow on Instagram for self care and a better wellbeing is Suzy Reading, her feed is full of nourishing tips and inspiration plus she’s got so many ideas on how we can all have Gentle January.

4. Invest in yourself and put your Winter Wellbeing front and centre. If you need an extra helping hand my Winter Wellbeing Workbook is perfect for this. It packed full of questions and worksheets to help you figure out what is important, how you want to feel and what you can do to create better wellbeing in the winter months. Plus there’s lots of ideas and suggestions for you to find inspiration from including what crystals are perfect in the winter months and how to use them. You can get your copy here.

5. Simple go gentle on yourself, commit to one or two small changes to make a big impact. Ask yourself what tweaks can you make to feel better. Could you get more sleep? Could you swap out one cup of coffee for water or herbal tea? Could you find a soothing bedtime meditation or use a sweet smelling citrus oil in your morning shower? Find yourself ten minutes, sit down and write out some ideas for yourself.

Ok, that’s my top 5 tips - keep the conversation going and let me know which one you try below and come and find me on Facebook or Instagram and share with me there.

HER WISDOM - Lucy Werner

So I’m kicking off 2020’s HER WISDOM series with someone who I discovered through Instagram last year. Lucy Werner is a publicity expert who runs workshops, courses and one to one coaching on all things PR. She also has a fabulous new book coming out soon called Hype Yourself all about how small business can build a PR toolkit for themselves, and I for one have this baby on pre-order already! 

Below Lucy shares with us her wellbeing must-haves, how she builds her confidence and the women who inspire her, read on to discover more about Lucy and don’t forget to say hello to her on social media too, all her info on social media and her website will be linked at the bottom - enjoy!

How do you begin your day? What are the first 3 things you do to get your day started?

Cuddles, cups of tea and reading magazines/newspapers. 

Share your favourite piece of wisdom and why it means something to you.

Instagram ruined words of wisdom. I feel like I’m constantly spammed all the classics with ugly fonts. But gun to my head, something probably along the lines of “Comparison is the thief of joy”

What is your go-to thing of comfort when it all gets too much?

My guilty secret is Chill FM. I’m not great at meditation but I find this puts me in a really relaxed state and its my background music of choice. 

Who are the women that inspire you? 

Too many to mention but women who are brilliant at their own niches Grace Gould, Samantha Clarke, Natalie Campbell, Eleanor Bowmer or Tania Boler to name a few. 

How do you see yourself and what makes up your sense of identity?  

My friend Dave once told me he had seen smaller eyes on a horse. I think I probably do see myself as a big pair of eyes, a lot of hair, a foodie, fairly colourful (in clothing and language) a big chatterbox who wants to be liked by everyone who constantly wishes she had thicker skin. 

Do you have a favourite dish or recipe that makes you feel good or gives you a much needed boost?

Mate, I’m honestly not saying this because I worked on a project for them but any of the shots from MOJU like Turmeric, Chilli or Ginger are genuinely my go-grabs when I am feeling rubbish. They give you a visceral slap round the face when feeling low. 

What does confidence mean to you, what builds yours? 

Truth be told I’ve probably always appeared outwardly a hell of a lot more confident than I actually am, accept when it comes to doing my actual job. I feel great when I’m helping other people hit their business goals. 

Personal development such as training for runs, School of Life classes, therapy, reading -basically activities which involve me being on my own have helped me to develop more confidence but I’m still working on it. I’ll let you know if I master the secret. 

What's challenging you right now?

One of me and Hadrien’s first dates was learning to make dim sum, we occasionally try to do this together at home and perfecting those folds is 100% a real challenge for me.

I’m also trying to master French as we are trying to raise our sons bilingual but time is never a friend to those with a new born baby. 

Tell us more about your latest or next project.

I’m trying to pivot my business away from consultancy 24/7 and sell our PR Tips my first collaborative product with my partner he designed and I wrote them. I’d love to try and find stockists for these in 2020.

I’ve also written a book Hype Yourself, which is available for pre-order now and I really want to be number one on Amazon for PR. There are currently zero female authors in the PR top ten so I want to shake that up.

And to go with my book, I’ve written a few online courses to try and provide more affordable routes in for small business owners who want to do their own PR. 

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