The offscreen part of the conversation with Julie was the best. If you have never interviewed someone, podcast, or vlogged with someone...you should. It is an amazing way to connect with incredible stories and inspiration. People come alive and are so willing to share and be vulnerable. It is so inspiring.

What is great about this podcast is that Julie never stops being vulnerable, inspiring and motivating about what it is to have the best life now. You can find out more about her athttps://awakenedlifecoaching.pro/?fbclid=IwAR2AwGAQI7Dz37_MDDyCh_J1VEohk8nDkbRg8PuKI1CdYX6H7PAzFEmntFQ

Self-awareness happens in layers. As we come into our own, we have an opportunity to reflect on who we are, what we like and don’t like about ourselves and our relationships, and ways to improve or simply accept ourselves.

Take a few minutes to complete the following writing exercise.  If you don’t like to write, make an outline of bullet points.

How are you different now than five years ago?
In what ways have you grown or changed? How did that happen?

Example:

• Less social - come to realize that I am in introvert and being alone is not a negative thing.
  

What do you like most about yourself? Character? Personality?
Other traits (not physical)?

Example:

• Care for others
  

What do you like least? What are you embarrassed by?
Ashamed of? Hiding from others?

Example:

• Mental health issues - shame
  

What do others say about you that you like to hear?
Do you think it is accurate?...

Vulnerability is hard. Sharing parts of ourselves that leave us feeling exposed and susceptible to hurt is not to be taken lightly. Identifying areas of vulnerability to consider how we want to respond if things come up can relieve some of the pressure.

Print This out as a ROYI Sheet. Invest in yourself and make commitments. 

Write about this for one area of vulnerability in your life. Repeat the process for other issues when you’re ready.

What is one issue you want to work with that makes you feel vulnerable.

Example:

• Being adopted.
  

What are some ways this comes up for you?

Example:

• When friends have babies or get pregnant, being around families with loving parents, when people talk about wanting children, seeing mothers and babies/children display affection.
  

What happens? How does it...

Being present takes practice, and it can become a way of being as you master the skill.

Try the following activity the next time you are in the shower…

Close your eyes if you feel safe doing so – only if you have no balance or mobility concerns.

Focus on your senses one at a time. Stay with each one for a couple of minutes to see what else comes up. Name each sensation as you identify it. Pay attention to your body, your surroundings, and your thoughts.

If you find your thoughts drifting, identify that as ‘thinking’ and bring your mind back to your senses. No judgment – just practice refocusing.

What do you hear?

Listen to sounds in the foreground and the background. Water running, splashing as you move around, squeaking as you move your feet, dog barking…

What do you smell?

Soap, shampoo, dinner cooking in the other room, mint, lavender…

What do you feel?

Wetness on your hair and skin, slick/soapy feeling, water running down...

Simple one.... I won because the fire inside me burned more than the fire around me. No regrets.