Because if you started riding an actual MOTORCYCLE, then you’d start seeing and realizing how absolutely incredible and awesome you are, and start standing up for yourself at work and at home. And stop taking crap too.

I realized I need to hold onto remembering — I am not living my childhood anymore. I am not terrified all the time or little and helpless. I actually really like my daily life and environment. I am in charge of My Life now. That was a very triggering event. But it’s all it is.

See full transcript at the blog:

www.shiuan.me/articles/to-speak-up-or-not-to-speak-up

It's good to be back! In this back to YouTube video, I share about a  recent example where I really struggled with other people's reactions to  my decision. While it was my decision to make, it affected a small  group of people around me, and I was just really surprised how much  their emotional reaction really upset me.   

At the root of pretty much all of our triggers, is almost always our  childhoods. I realized that I must have felt disliked - and possibly  more - in my early years.   

So, if you are feeling triggered or upset by other people's emotional  reactions to ultimately what is YOUR decision to make, just take a  moment, take a few days or week and pause and think about what is the  best decision for you. They are having their own reactions. You get to  have your feelings and thoughts and figure out what is best for you.  It's Your Life!   

https://surfinsisters.com

This week was a big week for us in the U.S. -- it was leaked that the Supreme Court may overturn Roe v. Wade, the decision that abortion is legal and thus allow states to decide for themselves. I wanted to talk about this in my podcast about women and that we matter because ultimately I would like you to take complete charge of your life. And that of course, means taking charge of our bodies -- which we cannot do if we do not even have control or rights over what happens to our bodies. 

Wherever you might sit on this line of pro-choice or pro-life, I ask you to sit and take out your journal this week and ponder: 

How have I made my decisions around my reproduction in my life?

Hi! I'm so glad to be back! Here I talk about why it might be difficult for us to put our thoughts out there -- and how earlier experiences may have set that pattern in us early on. It's not your fault, but it might be good to try to go back and think through and process what happened and heal through it rather than skip over it. And honestly, I still battle with it myself and thus why it took me a while to find my way back here, but it's very nice to be back! 

This is my introduction to the new podcast 'YOU Matter, Your Dreams Matter!' My new mission focuses on supporting young women of color -- especially the quiet ones -- to find your voice, and pursue your dreams.

What are your dreams? How can you create more joy in your daily life? What if you knew you deep down, every second of every day that you matter. Your dreams matter. 

I meander through a few different topics in this episode. Thank you for bearing with me and my awkward pauses as I get back into the groove that is podcasting! 

Oh and the female comic I forgot the name of -- is Iliza Shlesinger.

I also share a personal story about my own background with this topic and why this topic means so much to me. 

*Trigger warning: I do reference something that happened earlier this year that is potentially triggering around 6:00. 

FInd me at https://shiuanbutler.com or IG: @shiuanthewriter

I had the lovely opportunity to sit down and chat with awesome crafty business owner, Debbie Swan from Cygnini Crafts in the UK. We hear about how she got into the world of entrepreneurship almost accidentally and how she found opportunity during a pandemic. Here's the episode notes: 

Debbie's background growing up in Devon, UK.

A couple defining moments before the age of 30.

Her surprising job opportunity to manage and lead after failing in school.

What made Debbie want to be an entrepreneur.

Her surprising start stencilling people's houses!

Leaving teaching in 2018 due to pressure and politics.

Tried a couple business ideas.

First started her crafty biz with selling oyster shell candles!

Then COVID happened.

Then came upon idea of crafty workshops for kids!

Started online workshops and bringing in money!

And grew to corporate adult workshops too.

How she started dabbling in journaling.

How she feels better after getting it out on paper.

30 days of free artistic creative crafty challenge in August.

And her big crazy dream.

Find out more and join the Cygnini Club at:

https://www.cygninicrafts.com/

https://www.facebook.com/cygninicrafts.

Where I share about my journey on a 3 week elimination diet (as a plant-based eater) and how I tackled my decades long bloating issue. I was reluctant to talk about this at first because I felt it wasn't journaling or self-growth related per se. But then I realized that actually prioritizing my health and my struggles with doing so, is ALL about not putting myself first and is a very common female issue, and it may very well benefit others to hear my struggles with it. 

I talk about what I've learned from this whole process, that I don't need to settle with living with pain or discomfort and... I depended way too much on sugar and processed food and snacking to tamper down my feelings, or handle boredom, etc. 

Whether you are vegan or not, have dealt with bloating or not, or just dealt with food issues in general --- my ultimate message and lesson learned here is really that we can challenge ourselves more than we think and we deserve so much more than we've settled for. And to look at our own assumptions and strong-held opinions, and even question it a little bit. Just a little. 

And if you too are a fellow #snackaholic, leave me a comment and let me know! And if you like this podcast, leave me a review -- I would SO appreciate it! 

XO ~ Shiuan 

Hello lovely journaling sisters! I am thrilled to be sharing with you this very long episode *lol* with a dear friend on how she is coping after a difficult break-up. I hope it inspires you whether you are going through a breakup right now or not, and help you remember that You Are Enough and life is worth living, whether you're in a relationship or not. 

Episode Notes: 

8:00    Sometimes our brain steps in when it shouldn't.

14:30  Let's get back together again!

16:00  Maybe not such a great idea after all..

20:00  Journal on why you need to be the last one hanging on, why you can't say goodbye. 

24:00  A break is good, if hard. 

27:00  Elimination diet and when outside circumstances force you to do something healthy that is hard to do. 

31:20  Some technical issues!

32:35  When you need to make a decision and stick with it. Some tough love from yours truly. 

33:30  "I guess I need to figure out what I want"

36:40  So you want to keep dating so you don't feel as miserable as you do now

Aloha! This is the very first episode of Journaling Sisters presents: Girlfriend Conversations for your Soul. I'm so thrilled to share this with you! In this first episode I talk about really understanding what it means that 'things take time' and discovering enjoyment in our lives once we truly realize that. 

Episode references: 

Michelle Rohr & Aimee Johana: The Michelle and Aimee Show podcast