““When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”

- Lao Tzu

A big hello as we welcome another weekend.

Over the last few weeks, as I curate and collect my content for my soon to be released free online retreat I have been spending time leaning into the true meaning of self-care.

In a world that primps, boxes and sells self-care as bath bombs, manicures, fluffy slippers and positive affirmations, whilst I love and do all these things, I am also discovering that self-care can often be a very unbeautiful thing.

In the name of self-care, we are often required to do the ugliest thing, like addressing and managing the sugar addiction we developed through the stressful season in our life or assertively setting boundaries with a friend who exploits our good nature. Or maybe it's needing to get a second job so we can afford to pay off "that big mistake" or figuring out a way to accept ourselves so that we're not constantly exhausted from trying to be everything, to everyone, all the time.

Self-care should not be something we resort to because we are so exhausted from the constant internal pressure we put on ourselves. Proper self-care is choosing to build a life that we don't need to escape from, which also requires that, at times, we need to do the things we least want to do.

It means taking complete accountability for our actions, failures and disappointments and learning how to do things better. It is letting go. It is choosing new. It is disappointing some people. It is making sacrifices for others. It is about choosing the things that matter to us, doing what's hard and living in a way that other people won't.

It is allowing ourselves to be normal. Regular. Unexceptional. It means sacrificing things to obtain the things that are important to us. It means letting go of people-pleasing and having the courage to step up and be assertive, which also requires making peace with the fact that not everyone will like your decision or even you.

Self-care has very little to do with "treating yourself", and a whole lot do with parenting yourself and making active choices for your long-term wellbeing.

It is no longer using your hectic, stressful, busy and unreasonable life as justification for self-sabotage in the form of alcohol, sugar and procrastination. It is learning how to stop trying to "fix yourself" and start taking care of yourself.

It means being the hero of your life, not the victim. It means no longer choosing a life that looks good over a life that feels good. It is the willingness to let go of some goals to achieve others. It is being honest, even if that means you aren't universally liked. It is meeting your own needs, so you aren't anxious, overburdened, exhausted and dependent on other people.

It is about prioritising our own self-worth and healing journey.  Proactively seeking out ways to put all the broken pieces of ourselves back together in the most peaceful and positive way.

You have come into this world with a life purpose, and you have important choices to make. So how do you know when you are taking care of yourself and doing what you are here to do? The answer is simple - you feel good.

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This weekend spend some time prioritising the needs of the most important person in your life -  YOU. Look for the ways you can take better care of yourself so that you fill yourself up from the inside out.

All the bath bombs, fluffy slippers and affirmation cards in the world will not heal and make us feel better if we dont feel good at the core of who we authentically are.

Enjoy a weekend of self-care. Thanks for giving me a little space in your inbox this weekend.

With Gratitude

Claire

Lighting a candle is an intentional act that nurtures your own self-care while invoking space and quietness within. It is a simple act that can turn an ordinary space into something nurturing and sacred.

We light candles to illuminate darkness, dedicate prayers, solidify intentions, enhance meditation, offer blessings and bring comfort and positive energy to our surroundings. Sacred candle lighting rituals have been embraced by various cultures and religions worldwide.

Lighting a candle symbolises light and healing, and is a healing ritual or act of devotion to light a candle anytime you want to send out something to the universe, whether that be an intention, mantra, healing energy, prayer, thought or love. Maybe it is someone's birthday, the anniversary of the passing of a loved one or maybe someone you know needs some positive energy directed their way.

In today’s busy tech world taking the time to slow down and light a candle can rewrite our overstimulated nervous system and turn an ordinary moment into a sacred ritual of quiet contemplation, prayer, gratitude and self-healing.

One of the more powerful ways to enjoy the beauty of candlelight is during a moment of stillness and solitude when you turn off the world and tune into yourself. 

Lighting candles with loving intention is a beautiful ritual to help connect with your higher self and the energy of the universe.

Our intention candles are made from 100% soy nature wax & are small batched and hand poured in the Snowy Mountains. 

View our Australian Journey Intention Candle here >>>

RITUALS TO TRY

Sending out your intention, prayer or dream to the universe. Holding the Intention Candle, first visualise your thought, intention, prayer or whatever it is you want to put out into the universe. Close your eyes and take a few soothing breaths. Place your hands lovingly over your heart and give yourself permission to let go and deeply connect with your own divinity. Once you have your prayer, intention, devotion in your mind, light the candle and recite a loving intention or prayer for yourself or another; either aloud or in your mind. Watch the gentle flicker of the flame, inviting the warmth of the candle to calm you from within and cloak you with a deep sense of peace and well-being.

You could also write a short note to the universe asking clearly for what you want help with. Ask for guidance or signs. Ask for things to manifest into your life. Ask for guidance and support on your journey of self-discovery. This could be a job, a baby, a new friend or a partner. It could also be greater clarity around an issue or creative energy or stamina for a specific project.

You could also ask for more playfulness, joy, or laughter to blossom in your world. Invite the universe into your world. The universe is there for you - you just have to ask first.

You can write as many notes as you want. You can also collect your notes in a special box or jar. When the notes fill the box or jar you can bury the notes in Mother Earth and plant a beautiful tree or plant on top of all your intention and prayer notes – creating the space for them to seed, blossom and manifest.

Releasing The Old. Light the candle and then write a short note or long letter about anything you want to release in your life. It could be bad habits, a certain negative thought, a relationship, resentment or any pain you may be feeling [physical and emotional].

By writing out whatever it is you would like to release you are letting go some of its power over you by releasing it to the universe to handle. Once again you can write as many release notes as you like.

The rising of a full moon is an ideal time to release all that no longer serves you. A full moon is a time to release and let go, offering the moon things we would like her to take with her as she starts to wane over the next 14 to 15 days, emptying out back toward a new moon, new lunar cycle and a new beginning. 

Once you have written out the things you would like to release, gently burn the paper in the flame of the candle. Make sure you do this in a low flammable space and always have a fireproof bowl or bowl with water nearby should the flame on the paper get out of control.

Making an Offering. Light the candle and sit it on top of a mandala symbol [clothe or paper]. In Sanskrit Mandala means circle. The mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the universe. The circular design symbolises the idea that life is never-ending and everything is connected. The mandala also represents the spiritual journey within the individual viewer, with the first level being an understanding and appreciation of the unity and connection of all and the second is about the journey and how each individual must find their own place within it. 

To make an offering collect fallen leaves, feathers, branches, flowers or stones. In fact, place down anything that you find holds beautiful energy that you resonate with. Place the objects of offering on the mandala and around the intention setting candle. When placing the offering on the mandala take a moment to reflect on the many ways that life brings you joy. Give thanks for all that is good. Give thanks for the journey you have been on. Give thanks for the lessons you have learnt. The idea of the offering is to show appreciation for life itself. For when we have an appreciation for what we have, suddenly everything we have becomes enough.

 Download my mandala here >>>

We live in an energy-charged universe. What we put out we get back. We don’t attract what we want but attract what we are. Therefore dwell in appreciation, gratitude and respect for all of life.

• Spend an hour or two before bed in self-reflection. For example, ask yourself a question and see if you can hear or feel an answer. Journaling is a great way to ask questions get answers. The answer may also come to you in a feeling, deep knowing or be heard as a voice.
• Nurture the mind, body and soul with all of your senses. Diffuse lavender, burn a candle, run a hot bath, grab your slippers and sip a warm tea.
• Relax and get lost in a great book.  Why not expand the mind and imagination by being a little spontaneous and reading something you would not normally read.
• Nourish and nurture by creating a cosy sanctum at home. Fluff up your nest and unwind in a space that makes you feel good. Turn down the lights, use lamps, turn off the tv, sink into big pillows and allow yourself to completely unplug and decompress from the day.
• End the day with some gentle movement like yoga or stretches. 
• Declutter and clear the mind by writing in a journal.
• Calm the mind and senses with an evening meditation.  
• Dedicate an hour for yourself doing something that you enjoy.
• Reflect on your day and acknowledge where you did good - for both yourself and others.
• Spend some time in gratitude and give thanks for everything you have.
• Embrace a spiritual practice before bed such as prayer or reading from a spiritual text.
• Review your day and assess what choices you made - learn to grow, expand and become better.  

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