11 ways to follow your heart

Hello love,

I wanted to write to you today about following your heart, finding your reasons why and how this has helped me over the past few years. Pre-2014 I followed my heart to a point but I mainly got stressed and upset around things in life. I don’t think I was the happiest I could have been.

2020 is perhaps the happiest I have felt in years despite everything that feels heavy. I am still happy in myself and in my curated life. There’s so much I would love to achieve but I am definitely on the right path. So I thought I would share the things that I have implemented which have allowed me to have more confidence when it comes to believing in myself.

Take time to write it all down. Seems the most obvious one to start with but when I take the time to write down things I would love to achieve or do I find that more useful. I have a diary where it allows you write down goals at the beginning and reminds you to refer back to them. Ali grabbed it for me as a gift for Christmas last year.

Taking risks. If it isn’t a risk then it may not be worth it as much as you think. I have only ever taken one monetary risk with my business which didn’t pay off. This was a do your own PR type meeting which was a load of crap. It was a huge risk as it cost 300 pounds and I don’t spend this kind of money without a lot of thought. But I did learn some things from it and though this set me back a bit it pushed me to create my own workshops for small businesses, so there’s always something to learn from all experiences. I take risks either stretching budgets or with decisions around the house or for the family. It seems that if it feels uncomfortable then you will get the biggest life lessons.

Small changes add up to big changes overall. I have made many smaller changes to support my overall vision for how I imagine my life will look moving forward. Don’t stop making smaller changes regularly. Otherwise it can feel like life is becoming monotonous. One example for me was switching to a plant based skin care brand. I feel great cleansing and scrubbing with this brand. It supports my goals for a more natural based life and it makes me happy.

Helping others gives me a much needed boost. This is why I do love my dms on Instagram but I felt I wanted to support others more so I applied and I am now a crisis counsellor volunteer at the crisis text line. This gives me time to focus on others and not myself. A much needed step back and gives you a more rounded view of life in general I think.

I started with tarot cards. This one is definitely not for everyone. In fact I found yesterday that the angel cards I have from the famous Doreen Virtue which I love had a post by Doreen herself saying ‘burn them.’ What? What? Turns out she has turned her back on all of her previous creations where she supported people to follow their hearts and guidance from angels to only follow Christianity. Now, I am christened and I do enjoy some of the teachings from church but for me, personally, I like to look at the world from the view she had pre-2019 where she incorporated both. I use tarot cards from Mystic Monday but there are loads of cards out there and like crystals, you just need to choose a set you are most drawn to. When I feel confused, frustrated, let-down, maybe even content. I will pick 3-6 tarot cards and sit and read them. I like to do it before bed so I can sleep on them. They simply provide me with some thoughts I feel you would get from a good friend.

Tidying and clearing. I am ruthless. Nothing I like more than a cupboard- pulling it all out and getting rid of as much as I can. It’s a talent…until I chuck something I realise I do need 6 months later. I like to take an area in the house monthly. Last month it was my children’s odd toy basket and toy cupboard. Got rid of a few bits, organised it better. They then played with some of the toys they hadn’t played with for a while. Last Saturday I did some of the attic. Why I decided to keep every single box over the past 3 years I don’t know. They are all off to the dump and Ali took some pictures of items to put on Facebook marketplace.

Learning or engaging with a current craft. When you take your focus off everything and focus down on something new it gives you time to away from the busy. Some head space. I started to learn to knit 18 months ago and after years of craft dabbling it’s the one I find the most relaxing. An evening of knitting with Netflix gives me some much needed time and space.

Having a working space. I bought the cheapest desk and legs one can from Ikea and have a moodboard next to my desk to refer to regularly. It keeps me focussed, it’s clear of crap, and it allows me time to think.

Meditation- again isn’t for everybody but my fav app is Insight Timer. You do not need to pay for it. You just find all the free meditations on there by searching. If it is part of a course then it isn’t free. There are thousands you can peruse on there. It gives me time to focus on something particular, maybe an uncomfortable feeling I have been having or something someone said to me. I mean even Russell Brand is on there now and if you fancy a giggle- you can listen to his opening on his finding serenity and calm…ha!

Counselling. Counselling certainly isn’t for everyone but working through some blockages is definitely a powerful tool to use. I feel I need some counselling again- because I believe even those who feel like everything is OK should have some if they can. A few things have cropped up but I am trying to work through these myself for now. If counselling isn’t on your radar but you want to work through a particular feeling then I can’t recommend self-help books enough. In fact you can even find some prescription books which you can buy and would be the ones recommended by a doctor or counsellor.

Don’t listen to others. One thing I reckon that has helped me the most is keeping my head down and pushing on. Nothing can de-rail you the most like a well-meaning friend breathing in through their teeth…ooof are you sure though hun? Seems a big step babes? But what about… my advice is the same advice I give to people when it comes to naming their unborn babes. Don’t bloody tell anyone until you have done it. It’s like when the baby is born very few (except those with perhaps a little less self-awareness than some) would go: what? Arlo? That’s an odd name. So once you have made the call, there is no going back. You stick with it and if someone has something to say it’s too late.

Let me know if you have anything to add or anything that helps you. Perhaps you have followed your heart recently and it has paid off? Whatever it may be please do leave a comment or hit reply.

Much loves

Naomi x