Taking a chance + starting before you're ready

I've realised {in the past couple months} that I find it easy to overlook myself in the day-to-day. And the problem with that - with not carving out minutes of your every day solely for you - is that soon those days become weeks, months and you look back and realise you've made loads of plans + let ideas swirl in your head... and that's where they've stayed. As floating ideas and hand-written plans. In a notepad.

I pretty much woke up to this realisation. Just woke up and thought, that's enough. 

I realised I don't actually believe in myself as much as I think I do.
I realised that taking a chance on me is damn scary.
I realised that I've been waiting for permission to give more of my heart's writing + soul's stirrings a real go. {Permission from who, I'm not quite sure.}
I realised that now's the time. {Actually, now is always the time.}
I realised that I'm very good at talking myself out of taking a chance.
I realised that even the thought of vulnerability cripples me {used to cripple me}.
I realised that living my truth - writing it, sharing it, speaking it - is where I want to be {always}.
I realised I was giving myself the opposite advice I'd give to my beautiful girls.
I realised if I didn't call myself out on this one. Say "that's enough" and actually mean it, I'd be moving in these circles for many years to come. 

And so, I scribbled words down on paper - words + feelings standing in my way. I came up with "taking a chance on me", "trust", "authenticity" + "vulnerability". And I've accepted they're all really good friends, and I no longer want them to be a roadblock in my way.  

So I've been breathing my way forward. 

This past month has been about pulling back, slowing down and breathing with intention. Focusing on what matters most. And that's meant little time for anything that's not mothering my three + nurturing my heart. 

I'm embracing my ideas little by little, and navigating them into existence slowly but surely. And I'm starting before I feel ready. And those little steps I'm taking, it turns out they feel like bounds once you make a few.

xx

Have you taken a chance on yourself lately? Have you started a new project recently? Any lessons on vulnerability you'd like to share? 

With big nourishing breaths + much much love, Elisa x


~~~~~~~~ >> FREE PRINTS + MINDFULNESS BUNDLE: Thank you to all the lovely people who have signed up early before my mindfulness bundle + breathe prints are ready! Thank you for taking a chance on me! I've added a couple simple meditations and the bundle is almost ready to send. You can check out what's included here. Elisa xx

~~~~~~~~ >> NEW INSTAGRAM: I've created a new instagram @ohhelloheart that's solely for my writing, mindfulness + meditation. Love you to come say hi! Elisa X

Working, working...

I'm working working working right now. And while I do love what I do, there's a part of me that knows {and believes} that this time of the year isn't meant to be the rushed chaos it often turns out to be.

To me, the rhythm of summer is meant to be about play, and family, being together and slowing down to take in sun-shining days (although the sun hasn't been out and about that much around here lately), for spending time soaking up my girls, for winding down after the school year, for taking stock and looking back at all that's happened - all that we've achieved together and individually - and taking it in. A time for slowing to the point of noticing where we are, how far we've come and enjoying time to just be.

I want that. And by the water (no matter the weather, and with my girls) is where I truly want to be right now.

But I'm plodding along steadily, getting items ticked off my work to do list, meeting deadlines and counting down til December 20. Because that's when I'm putting myself on enforced annual leave for a week or so. That's when that slowing and internal rhythm will surface strongest. In the meantime, it's a mixture of slow and fast, but with just enough slow to nourish my body, mind and heart and see me through.

xx

Are you rushing to get things done before the holidays? At which point in the lead up to Christmas, do you let yourself truly slow down? xx


>> If you live in Melbourne, check out the giveaway over on my facebook page - you could win a photoshoot with the gorgeous and very talented Laura at Perla Photography + a CD of images from the day + one print of your choice from With Grace & Eve shop - just by liking our pages and sharing the giveaway post. If you're interested, see  details on Wednesday's facebook post here.

Redefining slow

Two months ago I poured my heart out into a piece of writing on finding slow, now part of the ebook, Heart Centred Living. I wrote about my journey of sorts to slowing down, finding mindfulness and reconnecting with my heart.

I hoped my words would capture and share slow as it is for me - the rhythm that I know my heart and body move to best.

Yesterday I read back my words, and I got thinking about my current days, my gratitude practice, the rituals I follow ....

And that slowing down is a rhythm I continue to redefine and relearn as I grow, and find new ways of expressing mindfulness, heart and creativity in my days.

xx

{An excerpt from my piece: Finding Slow. Or the Rhythm of my Heart}

In slow, I have learnt to just be. To sit in silence. To meditate.  To allow myself to surrender. Even if it’s for just one minute each day.

In slow, I have learnt trust. I will get there in the end.

In slow, I have learnt to listen to my heart as well as my head.

In slow, I have learnt to listen to my body – and discovered all the aspects of health that resonate with me.

In slow, I have learnt that healing is possible. And that it’s never too late for change.

In slow, I have learnt that your slow is different to mine. And it’s about honouring ourselves, as much as each other.

In slow, I have learnt that I can always move slower. And that I can in fact handle doses of fast; before returning to the slow that is the rhythm of my heart.

xx

~ You can download the free ebook Heart Centred Living {edited by Deb @ Home Life Simplified} here, featuring 18 writers all sharing from their hearts. Elisa x

Looking up

Hand me a camera and I'll want to point it up straight away. Endeavouring to capture the wonder I see in the sky when I stop to just be each day. It's more than wonder I see though. Maybe because I'm an optimist.... 

The vastness, that expanse - it reminds me that I'm part of something bigger. It reminds me that there are endless possibilities and opportunities out there. That tomorrow is a chance to start again. And that beauty presents in every single day.

It reminds me to stop and not just look up but look around and step outside and really see. And it's then that I always find myself giving thanks.

xx

{Life has been beautifully busy these past couple weeks. And in taking time to look up and look around, I've got a little overwhelmed in a good way by what can be and by what is. I think this week will see a little more sky gazing with my two little girls in tow and a little more giving thanks as I wait on clarity. Elisa x} 

Is there something in your day that reminds you to give thanks? What are you most grateful for today?

{Joining the 52 Weeks of Grateful at Kylie's x} 

Accepting fast, creating slow

I'm a lover of slow. Slowing down, going slowly and mindfully. I wish I could tell you this was a natural practice {the way I've always been} but it's something I've learnt. And something I taught myself out of necessity in the beginning.

And lately life has been anything but slow. But as changes burst into existence and opportunities present {a new job, writing work and this creative venture too} I've been welcoming them and accepting their fast pace and compensating by making time for slow.

I believe sometimes it really is about creating slow {and mindful} when the days seems to be playing to a tune of everything but. And it's in that slowness and stepping back that I find myself witnessing life and that clarity chooses to present.

This morning I watched my two girls playing together, shopping out of the plastics drawer in the kitchen and making beds for their baby dolls. And all I can think and feel is that I am blessed.

xx

What are you witnessing right now? Do you feel blessed?