The Social Wellness Concierge

07/26/2024

Ask better questions.

What if I make a fool of myself?
What if they don’t like me?
What if I say the right thing?
What if no one talks to me?

Instead…

What if I love it!?
What if it’s exactly what I need?!
What if I walk away feeling so much more connected and with a full cup?!
What if I have great conversation?
What if I can’t wait for the next one?
What if I this is the start of an amazing new friendship?

Better questions give better results

July 31st something new is coming…..

07/25/2024

Want to know something crazy?

I was doing some research earlier this week on stats around connection and came across this article that said “we can’t know ourselves without being connected to others to reflect who we are, not who we want to believe we are so we feel better about ourselves.”

This was such a light bulb moment for me!

How often have you wondered who you really are?
How often has your inner dialogue questioned you?
How often have you asked yourself if you really are a kind, confident, honest, loveable, etc person?

We often know who we want to be but inside we don’t always believe that’s who we truly are.

Hanging out with others gives us the ability to check in with ourselves and reflect on the way in which we show up, our thoughts and beliefs. We can stop wondering who we really are and truly know.

Am I a confident person? Am I brave? This gives us the opportunity to validate our thoughts and step into the person we really want to be.

Watch out…something amazing coming your way July 31 😍🫣

Hands up if you want to be the first to know!

07/23/2024

When it comes to our health and wellbeing the focus is SO often on what you eat and how you are moving your body.

As someone who has a background in holistic nutrition, I get this and certainly know the importance of it. However I also know that if you don’t have social connection, that stuff hardly matters.

In studies done of the blue zones (those areas of the world that have the highest populations of people who live over 100) social interaction is something they all have in common. Spending time with family, friends and volunteering on a regular basis are all things discussed in these areas.

I don’t believe you can have a strong quality of life without solid connections. Those that have it, live longer. Studies have also shown that social isolation is linked to depression, insomnia, cognitive decline, heart disease, stroke and possibly obesity and heart disease.

What are you doing to connect today?

Stay tuned, I’ve got something coming to make connecting with others easy. 😍

07/17/2024

Something that has never sat right with me is the way I run my events. (Weird right?)🫤

I LOVE running events and the connections made there always fill my heart. Especially at our retreats, the sisterhood is formed and no one wants to leave. But at the end of the day we all have to go back home to reality once more.

The problem…there’s a gap. You attend, create new amazing relationships that fill your soul, then go home with a little sadness as you don’t know when or if you’ll ever see these people again. AH It’s always bothered me that this was the case and I’ve been wanting to fill that gap, smooth the transition so that these connections can continue on.

It’s powerful to attend these events, meet new people and fill your soul with wonderful energy, however it looses some of it’s power when the event ends. Maybe you’ve had similar experience making new friends at a social gathering only to leave and wish you had grabbed their number (although..is that weird then to send them a text?? 🫣 It’s like dating all over again)

SO, How do we create more long term relationships? How do we continue to power the sisterhood that’s being created here.

Stay tuned…I’ve found the solution😍💕

07/16/2024

Showing up in a group of ladies you’ve never met before can be overwhelming.
Stressful.
Anxiety ridden.
Intimidating.

I once did a survey before an event I ran to ask how people were feeling about attending the event and these were some of the answers that came out. It was so interesting that the majority of people felt this way. (and yet they still came 😉 ) In this digital age that we live in, it’s so much easier to hide behind the screens.

How many times have you pulled your phone out because standing around others was uncomfortable and this protected you from having to make eye contact or conversation?

How many times have you tossed in headphones with nothing on just to look like you were unavailable?

How many times have you suggested an online meeting instead of connecting in person because that’s more comfortable?

How many times have you passed by a kid/teen/adult walking down the sidewalk and don’t even make eye contact (and neither do they)

When did we get so awkward when it is just a simple hello?

We all want to be liked, accepted and included. Showing up with strangers puts all of that on the line.

Ready to make a change?? I’ve got something in the world just for you that’s going to be a total game changer 🎉🎉

07/15/2024

I had a total light bulb, slap in the face moment this weekend.

Usually when summer starts I have this get things done, message all my kids friends parents to schedule in playdates energy as this will ‘make things easier’ right? (Do you do this too?)

I’m really only one week into the summer (we were away the first week) and I already felt super overstimulated and stressed out, wondering how I’m supposed to make it through the rest of the summer without yelling at someone everyday.

Here’s where my light bulb moment happened. Saturday morning I was a mess, miserable, stressed, lots of whining, yelling, crying…you know how it goes. We had been invited over to one of my friends’ houses in the afternoon for a swim and hangout. I was sooo close to canceling as it was such a crazy morning and I felt like I’d break down in tears soon. But I went.

Sunday evening I was invited to fill in a spot for a friend’s pickleball game which was exciting but I also hadn’t played in a while and didn’t know the other people so was feeling a little nervous. But I went.

After these two situations I realized OH MY GOSH. Scheduling my kids playdates are fine and dandy…but what I really need to refresh and take a deep breath…is MY friends playdates haha
After both of these events I left feeling like a whole different person. My patience increased ten fold, my stress eliminated, my breathing easy. LIFE CHANGER.

This was such a good reminder that we need to take care of ourselves first, without guilt, without doubt. Instead with arms wide open!

Going forward this summer..my focus will be on planning moments out for me with friends, then my kids playdates.

Do you plan outings with your friends first?

07/11/2024

Repeat after me:

“My well-being matters. Time for me is really important”

“My well-being matters. Time for me is really important”

“My well-being matters. Time for me is really important”

07/10/2024

Here’s what always blows my mind (and I know this through my own experience) 🫣

We hustle and work hard and to do all the things to support our families so they can have the best life, leaving little opportunity to make time for ourselves.

Here’s the kicker….why are you making ‘the hustle’ and the stress the norm?

Why are you teaching your kids that the hustle and stress is what to expect when they get older?

We know the importance of “self care”, taking a break, stepping back, calling time out, etc and I KNOW you want that and the peace that comes with it for your kids. You don’t want them to feel like they have to go go go all the time, doing things for others and rarely putting themselves first. That doing something fun just for themselves isn’t an option because they are too busy.

So why isn’t that the life that we are role modeling for our kids?

Actions will always speak louder than words.

Show them that mom can have fun too. That it’s NORMAL and encouraged to have fun, to play, to attend a fun activity just for you.
SHOW them that it’s ok if the house gets messy, if the dishes don’t get done all the time and that connection is valuable.
SHOW them that when life gets tough (because it will) that it’s ok to cry and be upset and call time out for a bit.
SHOW them that this allows them to stand back up with more grace and ease.

SHOW THEM.

They are worthy and so are you.

06/25/2024

So embarrassing.

Yesterday was our school field trip. I love taking these chances to get to connect with my kids, to know their friends and teachers, plus experience a fun day out!

After the field trip my daughter and I played a little hooky. We grabbed lunch to have a picnic in the park and after took a stroll around the gardens.

During this time my daughter laid down in the grass to stare up at the clouds. The old me would have looked around to see who was watching, concerned of what others may think. The old me would have been embarrassed about this.

This me laid down on the ground beside her not caring who else was around. We embraced the moment with laughter and snuggles. We had such a beautiful moment together and am so grateful for the opportunity to essentially test where I am in my life and be able to let go like that.

ALSO to show my daughter that joy and connection are number 1.

What would you do if you let go of the fear of judgment and embarrassment?

06/21/2024

He asked if I was mute…I was hanging out with my cousin and his friend one day and hadn’t said a single word. I was an extremely shy child (and teen if I’m being honest) Meeting new people wasn’t my jam. I was very timid and always worried about what others would think of me, if I would say the right thing or was wearing the right thing. Would I fit in??

Once I went away to university I remember my mom telling me that I could start fresh here and be whoever I wanted. This really stuck with me and I took it as such freedom. I didn’t want to be the shy kid but because I had been for so long, showing up in a different way with people I had known most of my life felt very weird. Leaving my small town and having the opportunity to start fresh was exactly what I needed. No more striving to fit in. No more hiding. No more sticking to old patterns and believing the truths that were now my past.

If you know me now…I doubt any of you would call me shy. Am I the center of attention in gatherings? Absolutely not. But I show up now. I embrace my true self (and that’s about to get bigger here! With shaking hands, but it’s time!) I have so much more confidence and trust in myself and who I am.

When I create my events, I try hard to minimize any awkward moments. I pick icebreakers very intentionally. I have conversation starters around the room for you to grab and use.
I want you all to feel like you belong. That you truly show up as yourself and ditch the need for fitting in.
I want this to be a new stage for you.
I want you to feel free to be you.
I want you to be able to experiment with different sides of you (if that’s what you want)
I want you to feel welcomed and comfortable.
I want you to be able to get out of your head and leave behind the old stories of who you were and embrace all that you might be.

I want to welcome you to the sisterhood ❤

06/19/2024

Fall events are rolling in!!

Calling all mom's and daughters, this ones for you! After participating in our self defence course last year, I've had many requests for a class just for mom's and young girls.

SO, I'm super happy to announce that badass instructor, Aurora and I have a Mom and Me: Empowering Our Girls class coming up September 21st from 1-3pm.

Details (like cost) are still getting firmed up but let me know if you want to join us for this truly amazing class!

Please note this is NOT a class you need to be physical in shape for (in fact it can be taught sitting down) It's important to note, this class focuses on how to get away from a situation, not how to fight someone.
(It's hard to find a graphic that properly illustrates that😬)

06/19/2024

At our retreat in April we had a wonderful, eye opening discussion about fitting in vs belonging.

It’s easy to feel a little anxious when you are showing up to meet new people or experience something new. You probably wonder:
🫤 what should I wear?
🫤 is my hair ok?
🫤 what should I say?
🤔 WHO should I be?

This is fitting in.
Changing yourself to fit the expectations of the situation. 👎

Belonging asks you to show up as you.
💕 wear the outfit,
💕 say whats on your mind,
💕 be silly,
💕 be an observer,
💕 be you whatever that looks like.

This is when you will find your sense of belonging.

With our events, I’m always striving to foster a safe space for all to belong. This is where true happiness and connections happen.

06/18/2024

I always thought once my kids started school I would be making friends easily and aplenty. We would have fun playdates and I’d become great friends with her friends’ parents. We’d get together for bbq’s and games night and life would be grand.

Then this crazy thing called covid happened and when we did start in person classes, people kept their distance, stood apart from each other and socializing wasn’t really a thing. It was disheartening to say the least. The old shy, teenage me popped up and I felt like my opportunity for friendship (especially in a new town) was pulled from me.

A few years late, I’d be lying if I said I don’t sometimes still feel that disappointment but it’s also made me uplevel, grow in confidence and put myself out there. I’ve joined groups, arranged playdates, joined city programs and had vulnerable conversations with others about the difficulty of creating friendships as an adult. It’s been a bit scary, but we are making progress. This weekend I’m getting together for a bbq with new friends and my heart is feeling full.

Building friendships involve courage, vulnerability, a little confidence, and getting out from behind the screens.

Is creating a new friendship something you struggle with it does it come easy to you?

📸

05/04/2024

Alright! My amazing self defence instructor is in! We will be running a Confidence and Defence class for young girls. Please pm me or post below if you are interested in joining with your daughter. Price will likely be $80/2 people (mother and daughter) I’ll confirm ask the details when I return from holidays.

04/29/2024

These were sooo tasty and beautiful!! Huge thanks to Cookies by Nan for sponsoring our retreat with these awesome cookies!!

Happy Sunday friends. It was a busy week this past week starting with this set to kick off a wellness retreat with - such powerful themes

04/27/2024

We had such a beautiful day at Fernwood Hills today for our retreat. Great conversations, wonderful connections, amazing food, perfect weather, grateful full hearts.

04/22/2024

Covid taught us many things about ourselves, others, our society, expectations, loneliness...the list goes on. Mostly, the experience sucked. But in that experience we learned the value of downtime, of rest, of community and connection. We were reminded of the value of slowing down and the peace-fullness of nature.

We were also excited to be jumping back into life with a sigh of relief that we could feel a little more safe again and regain our freedom. In the process of this eagerness to jump back in however, that I think we quickly lost sight of all the things we learned. The benefits of that downtime. Many of us are ready for that slow down, for the peace-fullness of nature, for the feeling of connectedness, and checking in with a community again.

The Vitality Retreat is a day all about these things. It's a space we've created with you in mind. With rest, delicious food, deep breathes in nature, laughter and a feeling of connection.

Today is the last day to grab your ticket and join us THIS FRIDAY. At 5pm the cart closes.
Take a moment to close your eyes, check in with a deep breath.
Ready to take a day of rest with us?

Grab your tickets by 5pm today by e-transfering to
[email protected]
OR
by credit card via >> https://buy.stripe.com/3csaFKaEi0FtbjWfZ4

Questions? Shoot me a message :)

04/21/2024

I came across this article from happiness.com talking about the importance of having a community. The reality is, we aren't meant to be alone. Humans are social beings and being around others allows us to thrive in ways we can't do on our own. I know this probably isn't new to you but have you ever really looked at the benefits?
Check out happiness.com's 7 benefits for having your community. Here's the coles notes:

1. Support & Safety
- helps us fight feelings of hopelessness, increases certainty of safety & improves our mood when we can help others.

2. Connection & Belonging
- being apart of something larger than ourselves gives meaning to our life. Improves our feeling of being valued, strengthens our sense of self and supports us when we are feeling down.

3. Influence
- helps us achieve our goals with positive influence when we surround ourselves with like-minded people. Improves our confidence and motivation to increase our wellbeing and making changes

4. Sharing
- "sharing activities, ideas and feelings reinforces not only our sense of self, but also adds worth and value to the community" Also improves our mental health!

5. Learning
- appreciating difference experiences, beliefs and views from others in our community. Keeps us openminded

6. Acceptance
- supports us in the practice of acceptance, of others and ourselves

7. Increase of Success
- improves both personal and professional success with support from the community

Is there anything you'd add to this??

We'd love to welcome you to our community! 3 spaces left, the cart closes on TOMORROW at 5pm.

Dm me for more info.

Ps. Read the whole article here >> https://www.happiness.com/magazine/relationships/the-importance-of-community/

📸 Capture It Media

03/25/2024

Every time someone else decides to put themselves first and purchase a ticket for our upcoming retreat we are so excited to welcome them and thank them for recognizing their awesomeness!

My heart is so filled with joy sending these out!

Huge thank you to Custom Created Just 4 you for creating these beauties specially for our retreat members.

This is what it means to get back to basics, build the sisterhood and welcome new members with open arms 💕

We can’t wait to welcome you!

https://facebook.com/events/s/the-vitality-retreat/406024135138007/

03/22/2024

No doubt that this was a little nerve wracking but I had such a great time with Jen Slay talking about my business and the importance of connection! Check it out!

03/18/2024

And just like that it’s gone...

The last few weeks we’ve had some beautiful spring like weather so it’s a bit ironic that the week spring arrives we are back to winter. 🤦‍♀️

We all know that winter can be hard on our mental health and wellbeing. These fluctuations in weather feel like such a tease and a little deflating when we feel so close to the end.

Friday we are standing tall, strapping on our big girl boots and heading out into the woods for some deep breathes of fresh air, connection with nature, ourselves and each other, and embracing a little more joy for this cloudy week. Afterwards we are going to elevate our joy a little more by checking out The Cookie Bar with delicious treats and conversation.

Are you ready? Click here to grab your spot ($40 all included!) https://link.waveapps.com/adnkcz-gzme89

03/18/2024

Ahhh I did it! So proud to have been a part of this (and brave enough!!) Be sure to check it out!