Being busy & productive and fulfilled
Hi hi lovely people, how are you?
On this Easter Weekend, here’s this week’s Friday Feels! Snippets from my world of coaching, meditation and breathwork – with the intention to share information that brings joy, wonder and self-reflection.
1. Song of the week
Holding Out For A Hero – Bonnie Tyler – listen on Spotify and YouTube
Made for the 1984 film Footloose (I’ve never actually seen it), my husband Mike told me this song helped him shave 1 minute off his PB for 10km this week. And I used it to help me get pumped up to host my free mindset coaching class (check out the replay link here)! I love to have mini-dance parties – to de-stress, to celebrate, to reset! And even in the shower when finishing off on cold. It’s a head bopper!
2. Quote of the week
“The breath is our most Sacred Medicine. Breath is our portal from life to death, our gateway to existence, and our most constant companion. Our breath becomes tight or shallow when we are nervous, and deep and expansive when we are at peace. It is both the record of our life experiences and our map to return home.”
— Dr Rae Riedel
― W.H. Murray
This week, I spoke at the Manchester Psychedelic Community about the power of breathwork (sexy title: “How To Trip Without Drugs”) I shared this beautiful quote from one of my mentors and trainers over the last two years, Dr. Rae.
At the talk, we discussed the science of breathwork, popular types (Wim Hof anyone?) and also how we can prepare for a psychedelic experience and support integration with breathwork. I also shared some beautiful stories of people’s breathwork experiences. Ones where they had experienced something “psychedelic”, in the sense of seeing visions, colours and receiving deep insights (only with the breath, no substances taken). Check out those beautiful stories here. Here’s a teaser:
“…I was able to connect to my birth grandmother… I found out she had passed away right around the same time as that journey.”
3. Practice of the week
Stop asking “are you busy?” when you ask how someone is!
I say this with SO much love. I used to do this too. How often do you hear that? Someone says “How are you?” followed by “Are you busy?” I understand that this is a pleasantry. A harmless greeting, perhaps! I am aware their intentions may be earnest. They are curious to know our day to day activities, hoping that our lives are filled with rich experiences!
As someone who has experienced intense burnout and shaky mental health from work-related stress, I realised a few years ago that being asked “are you busy?” felt quite triggering. I wasn’t sure if I should reel off my “to do” list. I would find myself awkwardly stuttering like Hugh Grant, trying to recall all the things I had been doing, to somehow validate my existence. What’s interesting is that friends from other cultures/backgrounds also highlight how stressful/confusing it can be to be asked all the time “how are you?” Do I dare answer honestly?!!
I shared more at my mindset coaching class this week – about what else to offer up instead, as a more soothing and empowering response. Check out the 50-minute replay here on Facebook. And when someone asks you “how are you?” and you reply “Not too bad… all things considered”, I’d love you to watch this excellent Bill Bailey skit on happiness and asking how *are* you…
This is 5 minutes worth watching! Have a chuckle… if you’re not too busy, of course.
4. Teaching of the week
Who has impacted you? Tell them!
Who do you admire and respect in your life? Who has made a lasting impact on you? Bring those people to mind. Heck, stop reading this email for a moment and make a list!
This week, I contacted a group of people who have had a specific impact on me, to tell them what they meant to me and to say thank you. Where possible, I left voice notes, rather than an email so they could hear my emotion… I definitely squirmed at points, feeling a bit scared or shy. But I trusted more in the heart-felt intention and the beautiful opportunity to say thanks.
How often do you let people know the impact you’ve had on them? What a gift it is to do that! Life is so short. Tell the people that you love, that you love them. And take a moment to tell the people who impacted you in a positive way how they helped you. Sure, it can feel cheesy. But it’s the small actions like this that can be so deeply healing. Spread the love.
5. Client win of the week
“Hey Briony how are you?? I wanted to drop you a message because I got accepted to study a Psychology Masters at Glasgow uni and I don’t think I would’ve started down this path without our coaching sessions and learning to tune in to what I really like/am curious about. So thank you!
So grateful for the work we did together ❤️”
I received this delightful message from a client. We’d worked together earlier in the year, helping to double her income as a freelancer whilst she was travelling in Europe. In our sessions, in between mindset and business coaching, we’d have beautiful, deep conversations about human behaviour and how to find your passions in life. She gradually started honing in on what really made her heart sing. Then this week, she sent me this message and I am BEAMING! It’s never too late to follow your passions and dreams. I’m working with clients in their late 50s/60s. You still have everything to play for. Promise.
This is exactly what we get clear on in the Rich Life Blueprint group coaching programme I am launching very soon. We get clarity on your life and business goals and then create a plan for how to make that happen! It’s a powerful process I love to guide people through – learn more about the 6-week Rich Life Blueprint programme and how to join here on my website.
And finally today, a loving reminder to make the most of this awesome session!
“Get Your Sh*t Together” Free Mindset Coaching Class
Access the free mindset coaching class replay here.
That’s it for this week’s Friday Feels! Thanks so much for sharing this space with me.
Big love,
Briony x
P.S. What is this Friday Feels post about? In case you’re reading this for the first time (hello!), I post a weekly blog with snippets from my world of coaching, meditation and breathwork. My intention is to share useful, joyful or interesting tidbits, which may serve you in some way 🙏 I am grateful we’re connected – thank you for your time + presence x
