It seems like such a long time ago where the world was obsessed with Tiger King and there was a nationwide panic over the shortage of toilet roll. You would be forgiven for thinking or even saying things like ‘2020 has been such a waste of a year’ or ‘I haven’t achieved anything I wanted too this year’ and Instagram and social media has also been awash with memes as the world came to a halt.

I too had plans that I wanted to run ahead with and had the fear I would now be further behind in the race of life that society puts upon us. 

As a kid, I watched Bernard’s watch (90’s classic). A programme about a young boy who could stop time with a magical pocket watch. 2019 was undoubtedly one of the most challenging years of my life. It was a chaotic and frantic time. A time I wished I could pause, gather my thoughts and strength and then proceed, just like Bernard with his pocket watch.

As we all settled into a new normal, I began to realise that this stillness and pause of life was exactly what I had silently prayed for.

Was I going to let it pass me by as I delved once again into a pity party or would I use the time to gain stillness and clarity with my next life move? I’d love to say that I chose the latter and dove head first into changing my life but I have also been on my very own coronacoaster with plenty of ups and downs. Stillness challenges many of us. It encourages us to face and confront what is we use ‘busy’ to ignore.

This stillness has had a ripple effect over the whole world and I believe it was a time the world desperately needed. When we ignore the call to pause, there are often repercussions. Everything is about speed now. Fast broadband, fast food, fast information, fast results…. what is the rush? Over my years of teaching, I’ve witnessed many students living in this fast paced world without taking the time to recharge. Often this will manifest in different ways such as sickness, injuries or even just exhaustion. We charge most devices we use each day and its about time we start recharging ourselves.

In a gentle way, you can shake the world.
Ghandi

A friend of mine shared a podcast with me by Sahara Rose - Higher Self (I will pop a link below) and I sat in the garden in the blazing sun yesterday and listened to it. I wanted to share some of the key points with all of you.

We are moving into a brand new phase. A time where many people have the perfect opportunity to rise up and share their voice. Anyone in the coaching, health and wellness industry is in the perfect position to embrace the new world we are living in. Gyms and fitness classes are considered as leisure however when you think of leisure, you think of recreational activities such as the cinema, amusements and activities such like. Fitness and health has become more of necessity as we work to improve our health and well-being post Covid. If you are in this type of industry then I encourage you to get creative and pivot. The world needs you now more than ever before so trust what you have to offer and get out there and share it. What is waiting for us is going to be so much better when the conscious leaders rise up…. yep, I’m talking to you.

Some of the things I intend to take into my new life post covid are:

Bravery 

This is a time to be brave. We need to be aware of the scarcity vs abundant mindset and instead of living through it we need to thrive through it. In her podcast, Sahara Rose says ‘When you own how powerful you are, there comes a level of responsibility.’ Wow! How many of us shrink ourselves because of the fear of success? Your ego is enrolling you into the belief that you do not have control, you are the master of your own life.

Surround yourself with people who match your highest self 

We need to be so precious of our energy. I have 100% survived lockdown due to the team of people I have around me and I am so grateful for every single one of them. From morning texts to coaching calls and weekly goal setting and even just zoom check ins with friends. Find the people who lift you and let go of the ones who drain you or make you feel inadequate and stop allowing other people to dictate your life. Iyanla Vanzant talks openly about the ‘depths of which she would degrade herself for the self acceptance of others.’ We are all unique and have so much to offer. If there is someone in your life just now who does not bring out the best version of you, allow yourself to walk away from what is no longer serving you or helping you grow.

Let go of the past and how you think its supposed to be

This has perhaps been my biggest lesson throughout lockdown. 

When I was around 10/11 years old I was on a family holiday in California and took a day trip to Pismo beach. On this particular day the waves were huge so I made sure to stay around the shallow area of the water. I glanced up to see a tsunami hurling towards me and did what any sensible person would do… I ran. Of course, I did not manage to escape the massive wave. It hit me like a tonne of bricks and pinned me to the sea bed. I tried to fight my way back above the sea water but was completely disorientated and remember thinking ‘well this it, I am about to die.’ I completely let go. I stopped fighting, let my body relax and the waves washed me onto the shore in one piece albeit with a broken arm.

I’ve found that the more you struggle and fight with something, at times the worse the outcome can be. 

I’ve found this to be true in our professional lives also. Towards the end of last year, during a testing time, I took a dry white marker pen and wrote across my mirror ‘everything is happening around me and I am being taken care of’. I had gotten to the point where I couldn’t do anything else but surrender and all unraveled in the best way possible. On reflection, I’ve come to realise that every challenging period of my life has made way for something far greater than what I could have imagined.

Having this unwavering faith in the universe is definitely something I intend to hold on to post Covid. 

If you were waiting to create something new and waiting for some universal sign - this is it.

Trust the timing of the universe by also being in committed action. Be aware of those around you living in scarcity and choose to live in abundance instead. We are moving into a new phase and the world will not be the same so therefore it is up to us to choose how we emerge post Covid. 

Be brave, take risks and expect the unexpected. Your new life awaits you.

Steph x

Podcast Link
https://www.iamsahararose.com/highestselfpodcast