Whispers From Wildwood

Join me as I speak with stylist Jenny O'Donnell about what it means to really get up, dress up, and show up to life each day. I love the tools that she shares and I hope you do too!

Between podcasts, join me over on Facebook in a private community called Tranquility Talk where I host a free show each week around creating more beauty and ease in your everyday.

If you'd like to learn more about Sober Tranquility, hop over to sobertranquility.com

I am so happy you are here. Enjoy the episode and please rate and review... and share with friends!

XO

What if you could do it all over? How would your life be different? How would YOU be different? In this episode, I share personal stories, tips on time traveling, and unexpected treasures of inspiration just waiting to be discovered. Items referenced during the episode: The Midnight Library https://www.midnightlibrarypod.com/ Haflinger Clogs https://www.zappos.com/b/haflinger/brand/3136 Prefer to read what inspired this week's episode? Read this week's blog. Between podcasts, join my FREE community where I host a workshop each week around creating more tranquility in your everyday. If you'd like to learn more about "Living More...and Drinking Less," hop over to sobertranquility.com XO- Meg

"When a woman becomes her own best friend, life is easier." ~ Diane Von Furstenberg

Choosing to love yourself is not always easy. What are you feeding your head, heart, and body? Everything changes when you choose to begin everything from the space of love.

In this episode, I share an overview of the six pillars of my own experiment in "the love diet." I hope you enjoy.

Prefer to read instead? Read this week's blog.

Between podcasts, join my FREE community where I host a workshop each week around creating more tranquility in your everyday.

If you'd like to learn more about "Living More...and Drinking Less," hop over to sobertranquility.com

XO-

Meg

I walked to the kitchen this morning and was grateful for two things...

1. That I washed the dishes last night but a few items were still left dirty in the sink.

2. That the dining room table was taken over by a puzzle.

Funny how it's the little things lately that bring joy.

The thing is, for so long my home had to be perfect. If you walked through my front door you might have asked yourself "does anyone live here?"

I was proud of how tidy things were, how people commented on the beauty and flow of my environment, how everything was in place.... until the pandemic hit. 

While I sat in my clean, organized, and beautiful home I realized I craved a bunch of shoes in the front hallway, dirty dishes in the sink, and random potato chips underneath the couch cushions!

Why? Because that would mean life was actually happening and people I love were experiencing it with me.

I now realize the extreme need for order was a veiled sense of control. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE organization.

1. When my desk is clear and pretty with a vase of flowers, I tend to enjoy work more. 

2. If my bed is made before I start my day, my experience that day feels more settled.

3. How my keys hang on the little hook in the coat closet does in fact make me feel calmer knowing I won't be running around searching for them in a panic while I am already 5 minutes late.

Yet with anything, there exists this dance with moderation. 

1. The flexibility we allow within our schedules.

2. Being OKAY with the late-night, Netflix binge-watching oily popcorn pan sitting in the sink overnight. 

3. Averting your eyes to the dust in favor of a present and mindful conversation with a friend. 

I knew I had encountered a positive turning point when my niece moved back in with me and commented on the "here and there" clutter by saying... 

"IT ACTUALLY MAKES YOU SEEM MORE...HUMAN"

OH... M... GEE

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry!

That comment has lingered in my heart and soul and has saved me each time I want to run the vacuum OR call my parents back...wash the dishes OR sit down and watch the latest episode of The Crown with her.

It's brought me back to reality when I get anxiety about a missing remote control or glasses or AirPods (funny how they ALWAYS eventually show up especially when the only places I go these days are the grocery store and on walks!)

In all seriousness, I’m grateful for the clutter.

No, I am not talking about extreme clutter that holds you down and drains your energy. I am talking about loving that Thanksgiving dinner had to be on the little pull-out table in my kitchen because the Parisian puzzle my niece is joyfully working on is holding court on my pretty dining room table. 

I am talking about leaving the bed unmade on a Sunday in favor of watching CBS Sunday morning.

These and many other moments are where I have learned to feel a sense of contentment in what used to be viewed as "clutter."

Let's take it a step further and branch outside our home into "relational clutter"... in the form of friends, family, and colleagues. 

How "okay" are you with the messiness of life when it comes to differing opinions? There is a ton of that going around these days with the two big "P's"...

POLITICS

PANDEMIC

Now more than ever, it's important to be okay with this kind of clutter. 

Everywhere you turn, you may have people in your life like I do who have differing opinions on both topics. For me, it's been an experiment in being curious and (trying) to firmly plant myself in my own business while resisting the urge to control, judge, or change anyone's minds. 

This mantra has been life saving and thank you Wayne Dyer for letting me adjust it a bit...

"What another person thinks of me and how that person thinks is none  of my business."

There is freedom in letting go of the need to be liked and instead loving yourself enough to let go of trying to manage other people's perceptions of you. 

When you release the need for outside validation regarding how pretty your home is or the opinions you possess, a sense of peace arises and you finally have the time to focus on what actually brings you joy, contentment, and calm. 

If you find yourself, like me, looking outward for control perhaps it might be useful to go within and investigate what you might be avoiding internally. Becoming vulnerable with ourselves, making peace with ourselves, and finding healing within ourselves is really the only kind of control we have in this life. 

So this week, if you find yourself freaking out about the clutter, take a breath and know that the answer to any roadblock or challenge lies within you. The world and any hiccups that come your way is an invitation into growth. 

I'll leave you with 3 tips that have helped me navigate this sense of moderation as it relates to the many forms of clutter....

1. PCC

Pause, Challenge Yourself with A Question, and Make a Choice.

Whatever clutter triggers you, simply pause for a few breaths and ask yourself "how do I want to feel in this moment/during this conversation?" The choice you make will literally dictate your reality. 

2. Prioritize

Even though it's driving you crazy having the pile of laundry sitting on your bed waiting to be folded, does it really make sense to quick finish it while risking running late to meet a friend?

Is it helpful to linger too long about a loved one being upset with how they perceive you or your opinions... OR would it make better sense to protect your precious joy and focus your attention on cultivating more of it today?

3. Focus On And Delight In "Mini Miracles"

The sun rose today just for you and there wasn't anything you needed to do to make that happen. 

The rose tea arrived  (from "The Tea Spot" in Boulder, CO!..highly recommend) and waiting to be enjoyed this morning.

There are hundreds of things you could do today to bring joy... which one will you choose? Adopt a dog? Make banana bread? Host a Zoom family call?  (Need inspiration? Click here for my favorite "Tranquility Treats"

That's it for this week my friend. I am off for a walk so the dishwasher, laundry, AND BED can be attended to later. Who would have thought!!! But it's Sunday, right??!! 

Have a great week :)

Love,

Meg

Stepping into the space of grace is not always easy. The ego, the need to win, the desire to be right oftentimes bulldozes right through.

In this episode, I share 7 ways to not only create trust within yourself and others but also to approach your day with more compassion and ease. As always, I share my own journey through stories of my own mishaps and learnings.

Prefer to read instead? Read this week's blog.

References from the show:

1. Schitt's Creek on Netflix

2. Grace, Guidance and Gifts by Sonia Choquette

3. The Joy of True Meditation by Jeff Foster

Between podcasts, join my FREE community where I host a workshop each week around creating more tranquility in your everyday.

If you'd like to learn more about "Living More...and Drinking Less," hop over to sobertranquility.com

Embodiment is the secret sauce to making your vision board come to life. Having fun with it is key! In this week's episode, I share the idea of "Embodying Your Muse" through the lens of my own experience with creating my own muse, Elegant Evelyn.

Referenced Items in Podcast:

Cultivate What Matters Power Sheets Goal Planner

Between podcasts, join me over on Facebook in a private community called Tranquility Talk where I host a free show each week around creating more beauty and ease in your everyday.

If you'd like to learn more about Sober Tranquility, hop over to sobertranquility.com

I am so happy you are here. Enjoy the episode and please rate and review... and share with friends!

XO

Meg

Do you find yourself following everyone else's advice... but your own?

Are you familiar with all the psychics in your town...and they know you?

Is it as if you poll everyone for what to do rather than following your own intuition?

In this episode, I discuss the power of finding your voice and learning to trust your vibes.

I hope you enjoy and as always between podcasts, join my FREE community where I host a free workshop each week around creating more tranquility in your everyday.

If you'd like to learn more about Sober Tranquility, hop over to sobertranquility.com

I am so happy you are here. Enjoy the episode and please rate and review... and share with friends!

XO

Meg

In this episode, I dive into an interesting concept of using spirituality to cover up uncomfortable feelings. When you think an unwanted thought, experience emotional suffering, or encounter a difficult situation do you sit with it or run for the sage?! 🙂

Spirituality, when used as a denial mechanism, can at times be used as one might rely on alcohol, food, or social media to escape.

I hope you enjoy and as always between podcasts, join my FREE community where I host a free workshop each week around creating more tranquility in your everyday.

If you'd like to learn more about Sober Tranquility, hop over to sobertranquility.com

I am so happy you are here. Enjoy the episode and please rate and review... and share with friends!

XO

Meg

Does a break up trigger the bottle opener? If so, this episode is for you. I love how Amy Boettcher gives a straightforward and fresh perspective on navigating through times with integrity.

Amy's Bio:

Amy is an attorney and life coach who has practiced divorce law for 18 years and has represented hundreds of divorce clients.  She knows the unique roller coaster of emotions that divorce and post-divorce life brings.

In 2019 Amy left the traditional practice of law to pursue her passion – coaching people as they journey from married life to single life – and beyond!  Between podcasts, join me over on Facebook in a private community called Tranquility Talk where I host a free show each week around creating more beauty and ease in your everyday. If you'd like to learn more about Sober Tranquility, hop over to sobertranquility.com I am so happy you are here. Enjoy the episode and please rate and review... and share with friends! XO Meg

Feng Shui is about creating harmony, balance, and flow in your living space.

In today's episode, I talk about creating harmony, balance and flow in your life by "feng shuiing" or managing your personal energy.

Referenced items:

• Marie Diamond's course on Feng Shui through Mind Valley
• Feng Shui Your Life by Jayme Barrett
• The English Home Magazine
• Mufas (AKA CousinSkeetHer) on Instagram
• Louis Penney novels
• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Between podcasts, join me over on Facebook in a private community called Tranquility Talk where I host a free show each week around creating more beauty and ease in your everyday.

If you'd like to learn more about Sober Tranquility, hop over to sobertranquility.com

I am so happy you are here. Enjoy the episode and please rate and review... and share with friends!

XO

Meg