I came across an interesting article in Be fabulous magazine about QLC. Due to the increasing pressures on young people in our society it is very common to find people in their early twenties or thirties going through a rough patch, feeling stuck in a rut and living unfulfilled lives. It is important though to recognise this is normal and that there is hope.
The article is relevant to Life coaching and highlights how crucial is to every now and then to stop and re-consider what your doing with your life. After all, with our lives there is no dress rehearsals. The time we have is now and it depends on us to take that step into what we really want to do.
Basic questions to ask yourself : Are you being true to yourself in the line of work you do? Do you feel your life is passing by you? What is stopping you to take action? What can you do today that will bring you closer to your dreams?
Psychologist Cliff Arnall says that QLC strikes between the ages of 25 and 35. It usually happens becuase of a desire to accomplish everything quickly-a self-created and often unrealistic race to achieve-followed by an emotional and psychological crash when you finally stop and begin to question things in your life. ‘In the race to get that job or that boyfriend, you don’t pause and ask yourself if you are making yourself truly happy. You just think you have to do everything before you are 30′, he says.
Please remember I can help you to find ways to get you out of that rut , and I am ready to work with you whenever you are.
Thanks for reading,
x, Maria
With the aim to perfect my ‘blogging’ style I attended a Wisdom Writing Workshop. Blogging is a new challenge for me and has definetely extended my comfort zone. Once again, all goes back to the ultimate truth : TTT (Things Take Time) and there is a learning curve to everything.
The Workshop was a refreshing, simple and nice environment to have the space to write, read and have feedback from other writers. And yes, I call myself a writer becuase according to this Wisdom Writing method a writer is pure and simple someone who writes. Powerful stuff, isn’t it?
What also caught my attention to join the workshop was the line promising ‘to help you find your unique voice’ as the Amhers Writers Method believes that everyone of us has a unique voice waiting to be released for wiriting.
I was told by my web designer ”…don’t worry Maria, blogging gets easier with time and it will come to you…” Well my friends, It has come to me. I really hope this blog encourage you to stretch out of your comfort zone, as I did myself to start blogging. And if WRITING A BOOK is one of your secret projects please GO FOR IT!. Find your own unique voice and start writing. As a qualified Life Coach I am constantly helping people to find ways to turn that corner and follow their dreams. Trust me, I walk my talk and have achieved my own dreams that might have seem impossible to others.
Extremely encouraged by the following quote by Pat Schneider I am embracing this new challenge:
” I have come to understand, through my own writing and through working with other writers, that fear is a friend of the writer. Where there is fear, there is buried treasure.” P.Schneider
Thanks for reading.
x, Maria
Today I was visiting the National Museum of Ireland to see the beautiful exhibition of Neilli Mulcahy, Irish haute Couture of the 50s & 60s and came across this extraordinary quote from James Laver, Costume historian, 1949. Clothes are not the clothes of the body but of the mind. It made me think how true that statement is . Clothes are so important to project our inner states of mind and the moods we are in.
An interactive part of the exhibition, which involved getting your photo taken, went even further when, after your picture appeared on screen, this crucial question popped up: What messages are you sending through your clothes?
In my role as an Image Consultant I am fully aware of the positive impact that our personal appearance and grooming has in our lives. The way we look has such a strong impact in our confidence levels and this has nothing to do with vanity, this is a matter of pride.
I am a firm believer that we all have the right to be stylish and we all can learn how to make the most of our personal attributes to feel and look beautiful.
Style is not about following crazy fashion trends, worshipping size zero models or going out in a shopping binge. Style is about finding out how to enhance your best assets and learn the art of camouflage the rest! It’s all about tricking the eye to believe there is harmony. It’s all an illusion my dears! and I am here to help.
An individual once-off Style consultation with MJL ,tailor made to your needs, will cost you €140.- and let’s put this in perspective : a consultation fee that probably cost less than your last wardrobe mistake.
Please remember we all have the right to look and feel confident and to shine in whatever is we decide to do.
thanks for reading,
Maria
For more details on Neilli Mulcahy Irish Haute Couture of the 50s & 60s please visit www.museum.ie
This exhibition looks at the work of this talented Irish fashion designer. She was known for her innovative use of Irish tweeds collaborating with hand weavers to produce fabrics in lightweight weaves and vibrant colours. Her use of fabrics, the presentation of her annual collection, and her success in America are some of the themes explored. The exhibition includes a selection of day and evening wear supported by comtemporary photography, fashion illustrations, newspapers cuttings and items from Neilli’s archive.
National Museum of Ireland
Decorative Arts & History
Collins Barracks
Benburb Street
Dublin 7
Luas Red line’ Museum’ stop
At this time of the year Spring is in the air and there is hope for new beginnings. We are all familiar with the ‘D’ word: Detox and everyone of us is getting ready to Spring clean our house. Spring cleaning is a very therapeutic exercise. I believe there is a strong correlation between our physical environment and our mental state. By de-cluttering different areas of our lives we bring to us more energy for doing the things that we really want to do in life and make us happier. Why? Because any kind of clutter creates an obstacle to the flow of energy around a space. This in turn creates confusion and stuckness in our lives.To make the most of this Spring cleaning season here are 7 tips that I have tried myself successfully. They cover different areas and they are easy to put into action.
1. Detox your life:
The only way we can look after our loved ones is looking after ourselves first. A key aspect of this is conserving our energy. Spend time with people that support, encourage and, most importantly replenish and don’t deplete your energy. Be aware of how your body and soul react to certain people and don’t be afraid to spend less time around the ones that leave you drained. It is important to build a network around you that gives you support.
2. Use natural treatments to help your body:
After the winter excess your body might need an extra help. Visit your local GP or a registered naturopath that is qualified to recommend alternative treatments that could be beneficial for you: Ki massage, acupuncture, colonic irrigation, chiropractor sessions are some forms of alternative medicine that will help maintain your well-being. And, If you haven’t tried it yet, please head to Sligo and soak in a fabulous seaweed bath for an hour and watch your worries disappear.
3. Declutter your sorroundings:
There is four categories to clutter: Things you don’t use or love, things which are untidy or disorganised, too many things in too small a space and anything unfinished. Start with a corner of your home. I usually find it easy to start with my bedroom. And remember to also include your car in this exercise specially if you tend to apologise for the state of it whenever you give someone a lift! There is no other way to do this, just roll up your sleeves and get on with it. I find that the help of your best friend or your siblings could make it easier to start. They won’t be as attached as you are with your belongings so they will help the process in a rudeless but necessary manner. Just keep your focus on the end result as the rewards will be inmense.
4. Do some Wardrobe weeding:
How many of us look at our wardrobe full of clothes in the morning and say ‘I have nothing to wear’. You might have too many items and find it confusing to decide what to do with them. Apply the ‘one in, one out ‘ rule. Everytime you buy something new get rid of something old. The trick is: never go shopping when you feel emotionally out-of sorts. Comfort shopping is one sure way to end up with a wardrobe of clothes you will never wear. It is also useful to get into the habit of buying items that make you feel wonderful and that are for the shape you are now and not the shape you want to be. Charity shops and recycle banks will be happy to get your unwanted items. If you are too attached or find it difficult to get rid of clothes that have sentimental value seek the help of an expert.
5. Give your make up bag a detox:
Yes, this key part of our daily routine also needs looking after. Beware that make-up has expiring dates and get rid of all products that you haven’t used in a while. In the bathroom, regularly throw away out-of-date pills and potions. And for the gentlemen out there, keep an eye on all those toiletries, after shaves and shower gels half empties lying around the bathroom.
6. Bring something new to your life:
Go for it! After getting rid of old, stagnant energy there is room for new things in your life and it doesn’t have to be new purchases. New experiences will do the trick: visit a new art gallery, listen to different music, read a new book, try a new cooking receipe, try a new driving route, do your groceries in a different supermarket … you get the picture. This will estimulate your brain and will encourage to embrace change step by step. This is specially beneficial if you feel you are stuck in a rut.
7. Get some fresh air:
While you are in the process of de-cluttering you will find that your energy increases. Use this opportunity to wrap yourself up and go out for a walk. Even if it is cold outside please go out, I promise you won’t melt J The trick is to engage your five senses while you are doing this so it becomes a mindful experience in which you are fully present .The walk then will transform itself in a form of meditation in movement and will help calm the mind.
Maria’s fave Links related to this article:
Therapies:
Visit www.walmer.ie to find out more about an array of alternative therapies that suit your needs and to subscribe to their monthly newsletter. Or e-mail info@walmer.ie
You can read the online pdf version at www.walmer.ie/Newsletter.htm
E-mail Yvonne.fitzgerald@ireland.com for your free full colour pdf file Natural Connections newsletter. This is a quarterly newsletter with all relevant events happening in Ireland.
For more Ki Massage information contact Ciarahannan@gmail.com
For more colonic irrigation information visit www.colonicirrigationie.com
For more information on Sligo seaweed baths visit www.voya.ie (ex Celtic seaweed baths)
Walk as a form of meditation:
One of my favourite authors is Eckart Tolle. Read the Best seller The power of Now for more information about living in the present moment. Visit www.eckharttolle.com
I also recommend Dr.Tony Quinn’s EDUCO CD’s. In his very down to earth approach you will find out more about his philosophy. Dr Tony Quinn has been featured in The Secret. Visit www.thesecret.tv for more information. Alternatively, visit www.tonyquinn.com or www.educomindpower.com
Wardrobe weeding with social intend:
There is two partnerships that have caught my eye this month: M&S and Oxfam Ireland and, TK Maxx and Enable Ireland.
It is great to see the high street stores taking part of Spring cleaning exercises with a social purpose in mind. The perfect combination for Wardrobe weeding : you are helping great causes and getting some sort of reward for doing it.
M&S and Oxfam Ireland:
Bring in your unwanted M&S clothes to Oxfam Ireland , get a €7 M&S voucher to spend on your next purchase of €50 or more on clothing, home and beauty products in M&S. For more information, please visit www.marksandspencer.com/PlanA or www.oxfam.org.uk/MandS
TK Maxx and Enable Ireland:
Spring clean your wardrobe and help to take action on disability.
Up for grabs is a €2000 TK Maxx Gift card or 5x €200 for runners up plus you’ll be signed up to Hot@rrivals, for all TK Maxx latest news, events and competitions.
If you are unsure of what clothes to get rid of please contact MJL. We can help. Our wardrobe weeding services are €80 p/hour.