I turned 33 last week. Although I’m not one for celebrating birthdays (the attention makes this little introvert feel extremely uncomfortable) I am one for reflecting at the end/beginning of a birth year.

Some people don’t like getting older. Ever since I turned 29 though, I’ve fallen more and more in love with the process of ageing. In fact, my life seems to get better and better with each year that passes.

Admittedly, I haven’t had to endure any big traumas in my life during this time - an existential crisis, some health issues, a break up and complete change of career, yes. But a big trauma like the death of a loved one or a chronic illness of my own - thankfully, not.

Many people ask me why I feel more joy with every passing year. Why I feel like life becomes more easeful. Why I feel more content and at peace.

It took me a while to figure out why (I thought it might simply be because I was adventuring more) but now I know …

Regardless of the genitalia we are born with, each of us have complimentary masculine and feminine energies coursing through us. 

When balanced, our masculine energy helps us to think logically, plan, structure, 'do' and decide. When imbalanced, our masculine energy can lead us to be impulsive, competitive, force and control things and not take care of ourselves.  

When balanced, our feminine energy can help us to be intuitive, creative, open (with our emotions and in our mind), surrendered and accepting. When imbalanced, our feminine energy can lead us to be inefficient, unproductive, attached to our emotions, unable to plan and be strategic and self sacrificing.

For many years, I adopted a very masculine approach to business and life.

I was a 'doer' who loved lists. I gave little regard to my energy, menstrual cycle, emotions and what was going on in my life more generally. I was often in a hurry and my calendar was always jam packed. 'I-have-shit-to-do-and-ain't-nothing-getting-in-my-way' was the mentality by which I lived my life. 

I’ve been on a LOT of retreats and all of them have helped to change and improve my life and health.

From Bali to Northern NSW. The Sunshine Coast to Mexico and Canada. I feel like I’m the Queen Bee of the retreat world.

My first retreat was at ONEWORLD Retreats, in Ubud, Bali. This retreat quite literally changed my life and marked the beginning of a long and beautiful (and, if I’m to be completely honest – sometimes scary!) journey of self discovery. A journey that has seen my life grow bigger and brighter with each passing year.

I get emails all the time from women who are craving and seeking new friends, or what is sometimes referred to as, ‘a tribe’. They are feeling isolated and desperately wanting to meet and make new like minded friends.

“I’m new to Brisbane and really want to connect with some like-minded babes”.

“I feel isolated. I’ve grown apart from my old friends”.

“I feel so alone on this biz journey. No-one gets me. I’m craving understanding and support”.

I hear you honey. I too, have been there.

As someone who prides herself on the way she nurtures her relationships with those she is close to, a recent comment from a loved one threw me …

‘Sometimes I feel like you don’t make much of an effort with me’. 

Hhmm.

Vipassana is a meditation technique that is taught over 10 days in residential retreat settings across the world.

The technique was developed by the Buddha himself (and in fact, led him to enlightenment) and is taught to students, via audio and video, by a very knowledgeable and likeable fellow by the name of S.N Goenka.

Vipassana retreats involve 10 days of silence and around 9.5 hours of daily meditation. Your days begin with a 4AM wake up bell and wind up at 9PM in the evening. You sleep – meditate – eat – shower – repeat. There’s no phones, no journals, no TV (aka, no distractions). Retreats are donation based with your attendance being sponsored by the generous donations of past students. After 10 days, you give back what you want and can – sans pressure and expectation.

Sometimes in life, we are faced with the task of making a choice.

We’re at a crossroads, with two (or maybe more!) different paths stretched out in front of us. Each providing us with different pro’s and con’s. Different outcomes. Potentially, a different future.

And this can be confusing and overwhelming.

Sometimes the option that is ‘right’ for you at that particular point in time, will be obvious. Other times however, the ‘right’ option will be less clear.

Some choices may have you choosing between the comfortable familiar and the scary unknown. Between stable security and freeing vulnerability. Between a clearly trodden path and the road less taken. Between your head and your heart.

I love me a good podcast! Hand me my sneakers and pop a podcast in my ears of a morning and it’s guaranteed to be a good day.

With so many amazing and inspiring podcasts out there though, it’s hard to know where to begin. That’s why I’m gifting you a list of five podcasts I love and listen to religiously. The extra cool bit? All of them are hosted by Aussie gals – three of whom are Queenslanders (which is where I’m from!)

I hope they inspire your Being and heal your Heart and Soul as much as they have mine, sweet lady.

Admission: I woke up feeling awful yesterday morning. Overwhelmed. Exhausted. Scattered. On the verge of tears. Sh!t.

All I wanted to do was call my boss, tell him I was ‘sick’ and retreat back into my cosy bed. All damn day. And night. With chocolate. And Channing Tatum (HA!)

A bit of background to give this god awful mood some context …