“Don’t worry about spending too much. Instead of worrying about budgeting, focus on making more money.” — Ramit Sethi

Last week we spoke about budgeting, this week we’re talking about making more money! 

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• How you’re making money is just as important as how much money you make. 
• Check in with your morals and ethics on how you make money.
• Ask for a pay rise if you’ve been doing your job well.  
• make extra cash by teaching, online or in-person.
• Sell your services, even on Facebook Marketplace! 
• Lease your apartment through Airbnb, host local experiences.
• Allocate your extra earnings to investments, lifestyle, or your buffer.
• If you can build something, build it. There’s no one exactly like you, you have magic to share.
• Look around your home for the things that you can sell. It’s also cool to recycle and buy second hand. You not only save your wallet but the world, too.

If you’re interested in our upcoming Yoga Teacher Training, join the waitlist over here themerrymakersisters.com/yoga-teacher-training.

We would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Download our FREE Self Care Checklist and you’ll find 50 brand new ideas to practice self-care.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are excited to be recording this episode in a brand new space, in Emma’s new home. In this episode, we chat about budgeting over the holiday season and how not to blow your budget. As business owners, we’ve gone through this journey of having lots of cash and then nothing, so through the ups and downs, we’ve become very good at budgeting for our business. And for our lives.

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• You have to be realistic about how much you can spend and how much you can save. Awareness is important.
• We don’t have a credit card. The cons outweigh the pros.
• Spend less than you make.
• Whether you have a business or a salary, aim to have a financial buffer in your bank. 3 months, 6 months, 1 year of salary or expenses. 
• Know where your money is going, check-in and reevaluate what’s necessary and what’s not. Cashflow forecasts are really great tools to monitor your income vs. expenses.
• Make it a goal to bring up the money subject with your partner.
• Seek therapy when money impacts your mental health.
• Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses. 
• Check-in with your values when spending money.

Life is always ebbing and flowing. Sometimes we spend more, sometimes we spend less and there’ll be events when we need to re-look at our expenses. 

We would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Download our FREE Self Care Checklist and you’ll find 50 brand new ideas to practice self-care.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we share a practice that will bring you into the present moment. It's a breathwork technique that will create a sense of calm. It will help you let go of stress and anxiety. This practice is a Pranayama technique which translates to life force control. Most people think that it's breath control but actually "prana" is like an energy force that lives within and around the body that moves in, out and through each other. It's important to flush this energy.

Let us know how you enjoy this breathwork technique! It's important to not be driving or operating any machinery while doing the breathwork. 

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• Many pranayama techniques are designed to calm and ground, while some create heat and invigorate the body.
• Alternate nostril breathing is an example of a calming and balancing practice.
• Sama Vritti, also known as equal breath or box breathing is another example that welcomes a sense of calm and peace.
• Kapalabathi breath or skull-shining breath, where you do short, sharp inhales and exhales, gets you feeling more energised and invigorated. It's designed to cleanse the mind.
• Your breath can be used as a tool (not only to keep us alive hehe). When you welcome these practices you instantly change how you feel.

We would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Download our FREE Self Care Checklist and you’ll find 50 brand new ideas to practice self care.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is inspired by one of Ingrid Fetell Lee's Instagram Stories talking about cool being the opposite of joy. It's a fun chat, a random chat! It will help you reflect on what actions stop you from feeling joy.

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• Being cool is taking away all your awkward, quirky parts and stealing so much joy. You don't want to be too loud and have that weird laugh, so you quiet down.
• When we accept ourselves, we also stop judging others.
• A joy-filled life is being you. It's being authentic.
• When you don't accept yourself, are you being present? Are you truly enjoying ANY moment?
• Judgment can also be the opposite of joy.
• Presence is a key to joy. Mindful practices can help train your brain to be more present.

Step forward with your truth knowing that when you accept yourself, you'll find the right people to surround yourself with. You'll experience more presence and more joy.

We would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Download our FREE Self Care Checklist and you’ll find 50 brand new ideas to practice self-care.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we chat about the 3 rules of success. This episode was inspired by Neil Gaiman's inspirational address to the University of Arts students of 2012. 

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• “I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are doing something.” — Neil Gaiman
• Make mistakes, try new things and realise that you don't have complete control over the outcome.
• Through mistakes and hardships, we learn so much about ourselves and life itself.
• Figure out what success feels and looks like to you. It's realising that success is much more than a monetary figure.
• Success does not equal your bank account or anything that you own.
• Enjoy your journey! What's the point of success if you're not enjoying the journey?

We would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Download our FREE Self Care Checklist and you’ll find 50 brand new ideas to practice self care.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you throw out your scales after listening to this episode. Let us know!

Can you believe we started it in 2015! If you've been listening for a while now, you'd know that we have a long history of dieting. Quitting dieting was one of the best decisions we've ever made. In this episode, we share 5 ways to quit dieting.

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• Diet culture keeps us small and solely focused on how we look. There's so much more to life than this.
• Throw the scales away. You don't need to weigh yourself every day. Your weight fluctuates in the seasons of life.
• Unfollow people who make you feel like you need to transform your body in some kind of way. 
• Stop body checking, you know that habit of checking the mirror to see if you're thinner or bigger.
• Allow yourself to feel. It's not about ignoring the feelings that come up around your weight, food and dieting. It's more about being aware and knowing that these thoughts are not forever. And acknowledging that your weight does not define you. 
• If you want to quit dieting, you actually have to quit dieting. Lose the restrictions in order to find a balanced way of eating. Check in with what rules and regulations you still hold yourself to in regard to food. 
• Practice self-acceptance. It's knowing and believing wholeheartedly that you are amazing just as you are.

The best thing about quitting dieting is the freedom you feel. Suddenly you have zero expectations of yourself, and more acceptance of yourself and other people. It's freedom from those constant anxious thoughts.

We would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Download our FREE Self Care Checklist and you’ll find 50 brand new ideas to practice self care.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you often doubt yourself and feel like you're not good enough? We chat about 5 ways to let go of self-doubt, they're all simple.

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• Stop comparing yourself to other people or to the perfect version of yourself or to your past self. Letting go of this habit will change your life in the most amazing ways.
• Zoom out! Take a bird's eye view, don't zoom in on that little thing that you're having self-doubt about.
• Tell yourself positive affirmations they don't need to be wanky, what about "I've got this!"
• Do something every day that makes you feel accomplished. It could be as simple as making your bed every day or practising your meditation.
• When in doubt, phone a friend, get a high-five from your bestie. Use friendship and support from others else to help you see past self-doubt.

Pop this toolbox of ways to overcome self-doubt in your back pocket. We would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Download our FREE Self Care Checklist and you’ll find 50 brand new ideas to practice self care.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you stuck in a rut? How do you get out? Similar to last week's podcast episode... just reminding you all that you can change. So if you are feeling blah, flat and in a rut... tune in, it's time to get you out of that rut!

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• According to Oxford Languages, a rut is a habit or pattern of behaviour that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change.
• Ruts aren't necessarily a long-time thing. Sometimes, ruts come in moments in your day.
• We think the best way to get out of that funky rut feeling is to move and shake up your body. Literally, jump and dance around to your fave song. 
• If you're stuck in a job that you hate, check in with what you can add or subtract to make it better.
• Change is hard and scary but it's the ultimate shake-up of ruts and can make a 180-degree life turn.
• Adding a new goal or something else to focus on helps alleviate your original rut situation. Like a 50 day Yoga Challenge.
• Talk to a friend about your rut, do something fun and creative, watch inspirational documentaries, or learn something new.

If you have been stuck in a rut but are now inspired to jump into one of these action steps, we would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Download our FREE Self Care Checklist and you’ll find 50 brand new ideas to practice self care.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we chat about the magic of newness. This was inspired by the progress we've been making on our teacher training manual for our very first MerryBody Teacher Training next year. If you're feeling a little stuck and bored with everything, tune in.

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• When the day-to-day becomes monotonous, it's easy to feel bored and lose that zest for life.
• Have you started anything new lately? Have you been curious about something and then dived in deeper?
• We reference the amazing book series (again!), My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante.
• The attachment tto the ROI (return on investment). But what if the return on the investment was simply the newness of the experience?
• When you're young, you can develop these strong opinions of yourself. But you're not stuck there. You can make changes.
• Check out Irene Messias's amazing sculptures and art over here. Check out Damiano's work over here.

Check in with yourself when was the last thing you did or brought into your life. Is it time for something new?

We would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Download our FREE Self Care Checklist and you’ll find 50 brand new ideas to practice self care.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We just got back from a Gold Coast Business Week event where we heard an amazing speaker, Michael McQueen. One thing really stuck with us, it was along the lines of staying humble and hungry. He was talking in reference to business and trends but it also applies to life in general.

This is what we spoke about during the episode

• How being humble and hungry is the perfect combination of personality traits.
• Humility is the ability to view yourself accurately as an individual with talents, as well as flaws while being void of arrogance and low self-esteem. It's getting rid of your ego and welcoming self-acceptance.
• What it means to be hungry, is to be a driver of change. It's not the hustle culture.
• Hone in on your hunger. Do one thing at once and do it well, and then move on to the next thing.
• Don't do the same things over and over again. 
• Remember that we're all the same. No one is better than or below you. Don't be afraid to suck, be a beginner and ask for help.

We hope that these two words "humble and hungry" inspire you in some ways. We would love to hear from you, send us an email to [email protected] or [email protected] or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.

Download our FREE Self Care Checklist and you’ll find 50 brand new ideas to practice self care.

Always merrymaking,

Emma + Carla

P.s if you ever need further help or guidance please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue. Asking for help is pure courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.