Stillness Matters

"We deserve everything that we give other people. You deserve to have your needs met."

In this episode, we discuss the dangers of conditioning women to be people pleasers. Drawing from an Instagram post, I reflect on my own experience as a recovering people pleaser and the impact it has on women's intuition, boundaries, and overall well-being. Today you'll gain insights into this common pattern and find inspiration to create a more sustainable experience. Let's learn to break free from societal expectations and prioritize self-care and self-acceptance, empowering yourself and future generations of women. Tune in!  

If you recognize your people-pleasing tendencies or have been advised to tone down your personality, this episode is perfect for you. Let’s talk about the physical and societal effects of constantly suppressing yourself and prioritizing others' comfort all the time and why that is, ultimately, unsustainable. We’ll also talk about how and why changing this paradigm will benefit not only you, but the younger generations, creating a safer world for them and breaking the unhealthy cycle. 

However, if you don’t identify as a  people pleaser, this episode is also for you because it will help you identify the dangers of teaching a big part of the population to keep their emotions and thoughts to themselves and be good, tolerant, and stay quiet.

Today you will walk away well-equipped with the knowledge and the skills you need to identify people-pleasing patterns and how to prioritize yourself by practicing self-care, setting healthy boundaries, and speaking up. Listen on and take a moment to prioritize your well-being by setting a boundary and dedicating time to self-care. Whether it's five minutes or half an hour, create a space where you can nurture yourself and reflect on your needs and desires without external pressures.

Topics discussed:

Connect with me:

Stay up to date on Instagram @stillnessmatters: https://www.instagram.com/stillnessmatters/ 

Watch quick bits and entertainment on TikTok @stillnessmatters: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@stillnessmatters

Connect with me, ask questions, and hear more Stillness Matters content on Wisdom @stillnessmatters

Send me an email at [email protected]

---

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and tell me so! It helps the show grow (plus, I'll love you forever as one of my first listeners).

Questions? Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stillnessmatters/message

"There are some pretty magical things that can happen when you jump before you think you're ready."

What was initially a marketing tool for my business, eventually became an unintentional coping mechanism. Let's discuss social media, its addictive nature, the illusion of reality it presents, the mindless scrolling, and the spiral of negative thinking it can trigger. Tune in!

Social Media is a space where we connect with people, share our thoughts and ideas, and stay updated with the latest happenings, however, it also provides a hit of dopamine that we crave because we have become addicted to it -  the likes, the comments and the possibility of portraying the best version of our life, regardless of how real or fabricated it could be. The way we use social media should ideally support our wellbeing, but that is almost never the case. 

Another major issue with social media is the way we interact with and on those platforms. You can easily get sucked into little holes that lead to, firstly, a lot of wasted time and in the worst case scenario, you could end up questioning reality, the nature of what you are seeing, and everything you know to be true. 

Separating from social media, or actually anything that damages your wellbeing, might not be the easiest decision, nor the easiest task. After you have given up on that source of stimuli and neuro chemicals, you end up with a void that now needs to be filled with things that are beneficial but, while that happens, that stillness and that void could bring to your attention certain things you had been avoiding or covering up. 

Let's dive in and explore the benefits of choosing stability and calm over an ocean of dopamine and what you can expect when you start letting go and making space for something new.

"When it comes to the things that we want, our desires, our pursuits, our areas of intentional growth, it's very hard to move forward when you've got these things holding you behind."

Topics discussed:

Connect with me:

Stay up to date on Instagram @stillnessmatters: https://www.instagram.com/stillnessmatters/ 

Watch quick bits and entertainment on TikTok @stillnessmatters: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@stillnessmatters

Connect with me, ask questions, and hear more Stillness Matters content on Wisdom @stillnessmatters

Send me an email at [email protected]

---

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and tell me so! It helps the show grow (plus, I'll love you forever as one of my first listeners).

Questions? Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stillnessmatters/message

"What if we experienced life unencumbered as a human?"

The ideal human experience, while subjective, does have something in common across all of us, the lack of unnecessary stress and a high amount of "feel good" moments; but that is not to say that it should be completely free from struggle because you gain a great deal of knowledge and growth from it too. So how do you go about making the most of the life you have today? Tune in! 

Imagine waking up with no pain in your body, no alarm, no rush showers, or frantic driving. Imagine yourself enjoying your day just because you can. For most of us, it could seem impossible, but there are some things you can do and steps you can take to diminish the stress in your life, maybe not the number of stressors, but often, if you change your perspective, you can change your whole experience. 

Starting from the present moment and knowing that stillness and awareness are some of your best tools is something I'd like you to remember. Some days you'll have a lot on your plate and feel great, and some days you'll feel awful just because you woke up on the wrong side of the bed. If you can come back to yourself and be still, and open up to the possibility of having a different experience, you would have taken the first step to changing, not only a bad day but potentially, a maladaptive behavior and a pattern. It all starts by taking responsibility for what you think and interpret from a given situation. 

Responsibility, by the way, is another relevant concept that I talk about in this episode because being open and wanting to have a great life is not always going to turn out as planned. When dealing with conflict or difficult situations, it's easy to point fingers and blame others, however, taking radical responsibility means flipping the script and asking yourself what you may have done to contribute to the situation. Moving away from a victim role and instead holding yourself accountable for your actions and reactions, without judgment, allows you to stop dreaming about the "what ifs" and start making decisions from a place of confidence and grace. It also allows you to be open to experiencing something good today, tomorrow, and at any given time, regardless of the situation you are in. 

Topics discussed:

Connect with me:

Stay up to date on Instagram @stillnessmatters: https://www.instagram.com/stillnessmatters/ 

Watch quick bits and entertainment on TikTok @stillnessmatters: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@stillnessmatters

Connect with me, ask questions, and hear more Stillness Matters content on Wisdom @stillnessmatters

Send me an email at [email protected]

---

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and tell me so! It helps the show grow (plus, I'll love you forever as one of my first listeners).

Questions? Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stillnessmatters/message

“Growth doesn't happen where you feel safe; it happens outside your comfort zone.”

What do expectations and your wildest dreams have in common?? (spoiler: it has nothing to with being unachievable)

This week you will learn exactly how to challenge the beliefs that have been holding you back from living your most authentic, fulfilling life. Breaking free from the cycle of self-expectations, sabotage and people pleasing, requires you to explore the hidden impact of the should’s and if only’s, and the stories you are subconsciously telling yourself. Tune in to discover a path to personal growth, and to transform your mindset and your capacity to welcome change. 

Many of us find ourselves caught in a complex web of expectations that limits our ability to live a life based on our true desires. Especially us people-pleasers, who may feel pressured to prioritize others' expectations over our own wants and needs. However, by asking the right questions, it's possible to break free from these constraints and discover newfound freedoms. It's important to identify the areas of your life where these expectations have taken root, so that you can chart your own course and interpret situations on your own terms. By doing so, you can embark on a journey of self-discovery and fulfillment, if that’s what you want. 

Identifying behaviors and decisions that are driven by feelings of obligation helps you create a foundation for change. Slowly, it becomes easier to uncover what you really desire and change the narrative of your life, reclaim control and create a more meaningful experience that aligns with your authentic desires. If it sounds scary, it’s because it can be, but the results driven by aligned action are as rewarding as they are scary. 

In this episode, I am going to give you, not only the theory but also two meaningful and transformational exercises to start, or continue, deconstructing the thoughts and behaviors that don’t serve you anymore. Even if you are not ready to make actual changes right now, having these tools is a way of preparing yourself for the next phase of transformation and growth. 

"If you stay in a place of desiring, you will never be in a place of having."

Topics discussed:

Connect with me:

Stay up to date on Instagram @stillnessmatters: https://www.instagram.com/stillnessmatters/ 

Watch quick bits and entertainment on TikTok @stillnessmatters: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@stillnessmatters

Connect with me, ask questions, and hear more Stillness Matters content on Wisdom @stillnessmatters

Send me an email at [email protected]

---

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and tell me so! It helps the show grow (plus, I'll love you forever as one of my first listeners).

Questions? Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stillnessmatters/message

Resources:

Get the book Existential Kink here: https://www.amazon.de/Existential-Kink-Embrace-getting-English-ebook/dp/B07XMG4BWN

Explore with me the amazing methods of tapping and Rapid Relief Technique and how you can use them to fully process your emotions and unlock coping mechanisms stored in your nervous system. Emotions can get stuck in the body causing stress and affecting different organs and systems, so today you'll learn how to get unstuck. Tune in!

Are you normally aware of the sensations in your body? Most of us have shut down our ability to tune into our bodies and truly feel and process the sensations and emotions that different stimuli trigger. This unfortunate numbing causes us to store them inside the body in the form of trauma; and we know that trauma plays a major role in our lives when we let it run the show, even if it's unconsciously causing blockages and uneasiness.  

"You have to look at the patterns that are present and teach yourself to do something other than that pattern"

The good news? There are ways to come out of there and release the unresolved trauma that you have been storing in your body and your nervous system, sometimes for decades. The process starts by acknowledging where you're coming from, being honest with yourself and taking responsibility for the changes you want to make. Once you are at that point, you can start experimenting with the different ways to regulate your nervous system and show up in your life in a way that supports long-lasting, positive changes, and your goals.

Topics discussed:

Connect with me:

Stay up to date on Instagram @stillnessmatters: https://www.instagram.com/stillnessmatters/ 

Watch quick bits and entertainment on TikTok @stillnessmatters: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@stillnessmatters

Connect with me, ask questions, and hear more Stillness Matters content on Wisdom @stillnessmatters

Send me an email at [email protected]

---

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and tell me so! It helps the show grow (plus, I'll love you forever as one of my first listeners).

Questions? Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stillnessmatters/message

It’s known that nature impacts your health and wellbeing but, how much exposure and what kind of natural environment do you need for it to be effective?  In this episode, I talk about what happens to you when you are outdoors and the impact that nature has on your body, brain and mind, and I take you through a short meditation to help you find your elemental affinity, so that you can incorporate nature into your life and not only reap the benefits, but magnify its healing power. 

Nature has a profound effect on your well-being, offering holistic benefits for both our physical and mental health. Research shows that spending time in green and blue spaces can provide an environment conducive to relaxation and mindfulness. As a result, your body can heal and function at optimal levels, improving your overall quality of life. 

Many people don’t have access to a large natural space, a beach, forest, lake, or a mountain, if that’s your case, do not get discouraged because the therapeutic qualities of nature are not just limited to vast open spaces, even having houseplants or viewing pictures of natural landscapes can provide positive benefits. And you know what? Time is not an issue either, “a little bit of any type of nature is better than none at all.”

On top of all that, if you connect with the element that you are naturally drawn to, the effects multiply. If you are not sure what your elemental affinity is, you have come to the right place. Today I will take you through a meditation that you can listen to as many times as you need, to connect with your element and incorporate it into your life. 

Tune in and mark this episode because you are in for a treat; the information and meditation that I share with you in this episode will be very valuable and beneficial to you.

Topics discussed:

Connect with me:

Stay up to date on Instagram @stillnessmatters: https://www.instagram.com/stillnessmatters/ 

Watch quick bits and entertainment on TikTok @stillnessmatters: https://www.tiktok.com/@stillnessmatters

Connect with me, ask questions, and hear more Stillness Matters content on Wisdom @stillnessmatters

Send me an email at [email protected]

---

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and tell me so! It helps the show grow (plus, I'll love you forever as one of my first listeners).

Questions? Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stillnessmatters/message

There's a lot of trust that comes behind cultivating your intuitive senses, and it is all within walking distance. In this episode I will take you through a walking exercise that can help you tune into your inner knowing, "sometimes the best rewards come from taking a risk and trusting your gut."

A client of mine asked me about intuition and how to cultivate it, and one exercise that can really help with that is intuitive walking. All you need to do is go outside and take whatever direction comes to mind first, regardless of where it could take you. The point is to feel into your body and make decisions based on that feeling.

I believe that we have access to a certain level of subconscious information. We might not immediately recognize it because it is subtle and not as tangible as matter, but it is there, available to you and you can practice heightening your awareness.

Intuitive walking, which consists of having a hunch and following it during a walk even when it doesn't make sense, could lead you to some of the best places you could ever imagine. What's more, it could take you on unforgettable adventures, like the one my boyfriend and I went on when we followed the questing frog. Tune in to hear the story.

If you decide to practice this exercise, do let me know! I want to hear all about it. 

"Let your soul and heart guide you and just see where you end up."

Topics Discussed:

Connect with me:

Stay up to date on Instagram @stillnessmatters: https://www.instagram.com/stillnessmatters/ 

Watch quick bits and entertainment on TikTok @stillnessmatters: https://www.tiktok.com/@stillnessmatters

Connect with me, ask questions, and hear more Stillness Matters content on Wisdom @stillnessmatters

Send me an email at [email protected]

---

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and tell me so! It helps the show grow (plus, I'll love you forever as one of my first listeners).

Questions? Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stillnessmatters/message

"Have you found that moment of time or that activity that brings you excitement and joy again? Because when we don't have those moments, it's like we're just going through life on autopilot."

Did the pandemic change you? It most likely did, from your routines to your preferences and choices. In this episode, I talk about the neuroscience behind habits and routines, how the pandemic impacted my ability to dream, and how to give yourself something to look forward to and do things that bring you joy.

Most probably you are not aware that the changes you had to implement during the last years could, potentially, change you for a lifetime. You changed your routine and the way you interact in your social circles. Your brain created new habits that now run on autopilot. The human brain is hardwired for routine, so breaking out of an unwanted routine can be really difficult, almost like an addiction. It takes a while to undo the hardwiring and create new pathways and habits,

Due to the restrictions of the pandemic, most of us created new habits and routines of staying away from people and activities and only leaving for necessities. Fast forward to this day, you might find yourself not wanting to do things that would have brought you joy a few years ago or perceiving time in a different way. Can you do something about it?

Today I invite you to take a moment to reflect on the changes that have occurred in your life since the pandemic began and recognize the differences so that you can begin to take risks and explore the possibilities available to you, to fill yourself with positive thoughts and start actively seeking enriching activities.

"Give yourself permission to dream big, dream unrealistically and authentically. What do you really want in your bones, in your soul?"

Topics Discussed:

If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave a review and tell me so! It really helps the show grow (plus I’ll love you forever as one of my very first listeners). If you REALLY liked it, here’s where else you can connect with me:

To stay up to date = Instagram @stillnessmatters

For quick bits and entertainment = TikTok @stillnessmatters

To connect with me personally, ask questions, and hear more Stillness Matters content = Wisdom @stillnessmatters

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and tell me so! It helps the show grow (plus, I'll love you forever as one of my first listeners).

Questions? Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stillnessmatters/message

A day in the life of a chaotic person can be summed up into one word, "Chaotic."

As humans, we go through a lot trying to achieve our goals and maintaining the bonds in our relationships with family and friends. This series of activities hit us so hard and fast that we forgot to breathe, as there was no room for stillness to be practiced. We must slow down a bit and live.

Experiencing stillness is beautiful. It is a place you would want to go back to after your first time.

In this episode of Stillness Matter, you will learn about what stillness is and is not and how despite your busy schedule, with a few minutes, you can build the practice of it and move through difficult moments with ease.

Grab your writing journals and pen, and join me as we explore what stillness feels like.

Topics Discussed

·  01:50 The contrast between what stillness is and what isn't.

·  03:35 Sarah explains the mindset behind "intention and attention."

·  06:20 Sarah shares her favorite meditation practice for access and stillness.

·  08:15 The outcome of engaging in stillness meditation.

·  11:00 How being "still" helps anxiety.

·  14:00 The trick of effectively easing into stillness.

·  17:05 Sarah's view on stillness.

·  20:00 Understanding how our ego works and its relevance to experiencing stillness.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and tell me so! It helps the show grow (plus, I'll love you forever as one of my first listeners). If you liked it, here's where else you can connect with me:

To stay up to date = Instagram @stillnessmatters

For quick bits and entertainment = TikTok @stillnessmatters

To connect with me, ask questions, and hear more Stillness Matters content = Wisdom @stillnessmatters

Have you ever had those moments that are completely unrelated and coincidental, yet seem to appear in connected patterns? Today's discussion (by popular demand) is all about synchronicity!

But it's also a pattern of brain science! The reticular activating system (or RAS for short) is responsible for filtering all the stimulus we receive in a day. By learning how to hack this part of our brain, we can learn to use this system in our favour and train our brain see the best of what life has to offer.

We also discuss the Lucky Girl Syndrome that's been going viral on TikTok, exploring the science behind it and how to make it work for you while respecting your lived experiences as a human.

If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave a review and tell me so! It really helps the show grow (plus I’ll love you forever as one of my very first listeners). If you REALLY liked it, here’s where else you can connect with me:

To stay up to date = Instagram @stillnessmatters

For quick bits and entertainment = TikTok @stillnessmatters

To connect with me personally, ask questions, and hear more Stillness Matters content = Wisdom @stillnessmatters

(shocking handles, I know.)