Week 4: Shine

Feed The Spark, 

Mute The Static

Welcome to Week 4! We’ve spent three weeks clearing the clutter—now, let’s see what’s underneath. You are the light of your home, but you are also a human being with your own spark. Somewhere between the diapers and the driving lessons, that spark might have dimmed. This week is about finding you again.

The Lesson: Muting the Noise
The "static" is everywhere: social media comparison, the "shoulds" of other moms, the internal critic. We’re going to mute that noise so you can hear your own heart. What makes you come alive? When you feed your own spark, you don't just feel better—you light up the whole house.

*Lesson WOrksheets*

Take some time to work through the following worksheets. These are tools to help you in the process of regaining your autonomy. Don't let them hang over your head or stress you out, just do them when you're ready. 

The Spark Inventory: Rediscovering the hobbies and joys that are just for you.
The Permission Slip: A literal document giving you the "okay" to shine.
The Spark Inventory: Rediscover the "You" that exists outside of "Mom."
Your Weekly Read

This week's book is The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, by Julia Cameron. 

First published more than two decades ago, this international bestseller remains the seminal book on the subject of creativity. I like to share with my clients that the opposite of anxiety is not calm, it's creativity. Just the process of creation reduces anxiety and helps ground us. So if that is the goal, this book is your guide. 

The book is structured as a 12-week course, with each week focusing on a different aspect of creative recovery.
It utilizes exercises and prompts in addition to it's core tools, suggests forming a "Creative Cluster," a support group of fellow artists to encourage and assist each other, and has led to both the personal and professional transformation of people across the globe. 

Elizabeth Gilbert once said, "There would be no Eat, Pray, Love," if it weren't for "The Artist's Way." If it's time to find your "shine," friend, this is a great place to start.

Your Weekly Pod

This week's week's "listen" is actually a "watch." If  you've not yet seen Brené Brown's Ted Talk on vulnerability, you're missing out. Already watched it? Do it again. 
With more than 69 MILLION views on YouTube, this Ted Talk is one of the most popular of the Ted Talk series, and for a reason. Brené has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy. She's the author of five #1 New York Times bestsellers: The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, Rising Strong, Braving the Wilderness and Dare to Lead, which is the culmination of a seven-year study on courage and leadership.

She's also the first researcher to have filmed a lecture (The Call to Courage) on Netflix. I'm not going to give it away, but mostly because there's simply no way to prepare a person for the impact of this particular Ted Talk, you just have to watch. And when you're done, head over to your favorite source of podcasts and look for Brené, where you'll find multiple shows, and guest episodes, to keep your education going in the right direction. 

Your Weekly Jam

Enjoy this playlist designed just for you!

The vibe of this week's playlist is "uplifting & joyful," with the goal of rediscovering identity and "feeding the spark."

  • Golden – Jill Scott
  • Pocketful of Sunshine – Natasha Bedingfield
  • Feeling Good – Nina Simone
  • Sunroof – Nicky Youre
  • Walking On Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves
  • Brand New – Ben Rector
  • Best Day Of My Life – American Authors
  • Girl on Fire – Alicia Keys
  • Higher Love – Kygo & Whitney Houston
  • The Middle – Jimmy Eat World