If you are into numerology, this year was an 11 Master number year- The Master numbers carry a higher frequency, vibration and spiritual purpose. Energetically speaking, they’re always pushing us deeper into self-realization and self-actualization. A Master number demands that we expand and evolve. Often, that process will be catalyzed by drama: extreme events or intensified circumstances. Even though each person will experience different things, collectively the energy of the 11 master number influences everyone.

For me this year has been all about Self-care, and I’m not talking about surface level self-care – eg massage, baths, exercising and eating well ( which are all super important!) . It’s taken me much deeper. Self-care has become an art for me, a true discipline. I’ve had to really get honest with myself and have the courage to let go of things that were no longer serving me. Setting healthy boundaries, saying no to stress, busyness and rushing  and saying yes to slowing down and putting myself and my needs first. It saw me making the hardest decision of my life- to sell  Rustic Hyde. My skincare business which I had birthed, nurtured and grown along side raising my young family.

I learnt first hand just how hard it is to fully let go of something you deeply love because you know it doesn’t serve your needs anymore. It was a huge act of self-care for me. But like so many, I really struggle with change. It takes courage, it takes a leap of faith in trusting that it is all going to work out and be ok. I had been hanging on and struggling with the need to change for almost 2 years! My soul said YES , its time to let go, but my head was full of fear and doubt.  I got super clear on my WHY- why was it so important to make this change,  and it made my decision crystal clear. I was craving to just “be a mum” for a while and concentrate on being the best mum and wife I could be, without the pressure and the mental load I was constantly dragging with me by trying to “do it all”.
This is what self-care is all about. Honouring YOUR  needs and having the courage to do what it takes to honour those needs.

Something that really suprised me when I finally did sell my business and that honey moon period was over- was that I struggled to be “just a mum”. I felt like it wasn’t enough. It was all I had ever wanted, to be a stay at home mum, even before I had kids! But I realised the mindset and beliefs I had around that were preventing me from actually embracing life as a stay at home mum. I realised that I had a belief, that in order to be a worthy person I had to be always “doing” and “working” and that I should feel exhausted at the end of the day because it means I have been  busy and productive. God forbid I let myself rest while the kids were at school!

What a big load of crap those beliefs are!!!

I couldn’t allow my life to be “easy”. Even after selling Rustic Hyde I jumped into starting Pure Country Soul. I felt anxious at the thought of not having “something” else  to go with my job title of stay at home mum.

I created a new affirmation for myself around this which is “I relax and allow my life to be easy”.
I think this a great one for those of us who constantly put unnecessary pressure on ourselves and have forgotten that life isn’t meant to be a struggle. It is meant to have ease and flow and that actually not feeling exhausted at the end of the day means you are taking good care of yourself!!

My hope for you is that over the Christmas and New Year period, you take time to reflect on this year with love and kindness. Know that everything you have been through has helped you to learn and grow, and shift you in a better direction. You may still be feeling a little lost and a little stuck and that’s ok. Just know, you are exactly where you are meant to be and what you are experiencing will shift and pass.

My favourite self-care practices this time of year are:
*Decluttering – get really brutal and start clearing out everything you don’t need, use or want. Donate clothes you haven’t worn for a year or longer, kids toys, books, magazines. Tidy up the pantry, the spare room where you shove everything to deal with at a later time ( but never do!) . It’s amazing how much more calm, clear and spacious you feel emotionally, mentally and physically. And doing this clears the energy to allow fresh new opportunities and positive energy in.

*Reflection writing and setting my intentions for the new year.
I love reflecting on the year that was – seeing how far I’ve come, lessons learned and adventures that were had. It just brings so much gratitude into my life . And writing stuff down helps me get mental clutter out of my head! In my journal I also write down my dreams, goals and intentions for what I want to bring into the new year.

Then just before new year or early in the new year, I love to sit down and do a 12 month card spread with my tarot deck ( see pic below of the spread I did at the start of this year for 2018) – to get a feel for the energies of each month ahead. It’s incredible how accurate those energies were for me this year!

If you are interested in getting your own 12 month energy forecast spread done for 2019 feel free to get in touch with me! I love offering these to my friends, family and clients. I personally find it to be a great tool to help me understand and navigate challenges that may arise throughout the year with much more ease and grace. And its fun to look back on when you get to the end of the year to see how its all panned out!

These rituals really help me feel connected and empowered. And they are just FUN! It brings me joy and makes me FEEL good, and at the end of the day that’s what counts.

Wishing you a magical Christmas with lots of joy, love and inner peace. Remember to take time during all the busyness to just be present in the moment and really soak up what a joy it is to just be living!  And also remember that it is ok to say no, it’s ok to set healthy boundaries around people, friends and family who you know trigger stress and anxiety in you. This is the best form of self care you could ever do for yourself!

I have a couple of favourite affirmations for this time of year but the one that really resonates with me is:

“I trust the flow of life and let go of the fear to control things I have no control over.”

Big warm hugs. Bring on 2019- you’ve got this!

Peta x