What Would Happen If You Quit Social Media?

What would happen if you quit social media?

 I've been toying with the idea of quitting social media all together. I've had many discussions with friends and family about the good, the bad, and the ugly, why to stay and why to go. Why am I even considering such a drastic move? Here are my reasons:

1. Other than my business. I don't get much out of social media. Okay, I do enjoy pinning tiny house ideas to Pinterest. You got me!
2. I find myself comparing and judging not only others, but myself as well. That's not cool in my book and not aligned with my values.
3. It feels like an addiction or at least a cage. How many times do you check Facebook? See what I mean!?
4. I'm trying to be more mindful of everything in my life, including my time. Social media is a HUGE time suck.

 I know quitting seems drastic, but I've taken sabbaticals and felt fabulous during and right after. Then all of a sudden, the gremlins of Comparison and Judgment creep back into my day-to-day life. I hate when that happens. And if I add the verbal attacks that I've witnessed on social media, why would I want to be a part of that world? It all seems odd and definitely against my values.

Passion is a One-Night Stand

"Passion is a one-night stand." ~Elizabeth Gilbert

Recently, I heard Elizabeth Gilbert talk about passions and purpose. They seem to be the buzzwords of the last several years. You always hear and read that you MUST find your passion and purpose in order to be happy. It's important to find your purpose and you find it through your passions. Huh? Really? Who made this rule and why didn't I get the memo? Okay, that's great advice if you have a clear one.


Oh and I bought into it hook, line and sinker. Makes sense. Everyone wants to be happy, right? Did I really believe it. Truth be told, not really. And boy did I struggle with it! My passions are all over the map from tiny houses and helping women with their businesses to art and writing. How do you combine those? And if my passions lead to my purpose...good grief. I don't even know where to begin there.

4 Steps to Cleanse, Clear, and Release In Your Business Each Year

2015 Releasing Ritual

For more than 10 years at the end of each year, I go through a cleansing, clearing, and releasing ritual in my life and business. It is a great opportunity to reflect, re-member, and release what no longer serves. I usually take November and December to do this, so I don't feel rushed to get it all done in a week, or something silly like that. Focus on one area at a time!

Here are the 4 steps that I use:

1. Choose an animal guide. This year my guide for reflecting, remembering, and releasing is Ibis. During a journey, Ibis explained that I needed to bring more balance into my life, revive and restore my heart and soul. Therefore, I will be working with her during this phase. You can find out more about journey work here.
2. Cleanse, clear, and clean EVERYTHING! This means from my spiritual tools to sweeping and mopping the floor. My inner world and outer world both get a thorough going through. This includes backing up and clearing out computer files and paper files, gathering tax papers, putting old notes in a new idea journal, and feng shuiing my space. I sing the song Holy Mother that I heard from Pixie Lighthorse several years ago for all of my inner and outer cleaning. It connects me deeper to the tasks of cleansing, clearing, and cleaning.

Mining the Inner World For Your Business

A Journey to the Spirit Realm looks and feels like this.

 
What is journey work? I get that question a lot!

Here's what it is and how I use it to help other women soul-o-preneurs:

A journey is a powerful meditative state and the gateway to non-ordinary reality. Ordinary reality is the world we can see, touch, and feel in our every day. Journeying is the method that I use to access other worlds where the spirit helpers are found. These unseen forces have guided and protected you since you were born. Non-ordinary reality is the realm of the spirit, of visions and dreams, and the sources of your energy, creativity, passions, and love. Being there is an honor and a blessing not just for me, but for those I journey for. I bring back wisdom and words of empowerment that relate to you and your business.

How it's done: 

What will you do when the sidewalk ends?

A little thought for your Friday: (Feel free to share!)

When the Sidewalk Ends
by Heather Dakota
 
Hello stranger, neighbor, friend
I see you hiding behind curtained windows and locked doors.
The bushes grow to shut out the light.
As the darkness falls on your world.
What do you hide from?

I see your life with the busy days and stress-filled nights
with trashcans standing like soldiers
waiting for the man to take your shit away.
Out of sight. Out of mind.
It's easier that way,
but the Earth feels your throw away life
Do you hear the sacred within you calling?

Let me share what I see...
the yellow flicker knocks on your spirit to come greet the day
the squirrel plays in your yard, hoping you'll play too
the hawk lets out a mournful cry asking that you see things from a higher perspective.
Listen Beautiful Soul.
What will you do when the sidewalk ends?

What will you do when the sidewalk ends?

Are you ready to be a soulful business woman?

Being a Soul-o-preneur is not for wimps!

Five years ago, I was sitting with friends bemoaning my full-time job and dreaming of being my own boss. I was sure it would be much easier and certainly more lucrative. My friends asked why I would want to do such a thing. They told me things like: "I had a job that most people dream about, what about health insurance, income inconsistencies, and having it run your life." I laughed and continued with my plans for "freedom." For once, no one and nothing was going to stop me.

Fast forward to present day. They were right, to a certain extent. Here's what I've learned: Being a Soul-o-preneurs is not for wimps. And that is no joke! However, if I had known then what I know now, I would have done it anyway. There are just some things you have to learn, and it's a steep learning curve. There's nothing like trial by fire!

Here are some thoughts: 

The 5 P's of Being a Soulful Business Woman

I started my soulful career at 5 years old. You see, I had just received my first camera, a Brownie to be exact, and it needed film. I didn't have enough money saved up and my parents thought it best for me to earn the money anyway. I thought for weeks about what to do to make money. Brainstorming was in order, and a technique I use to this day. I decided that everyone likes flowers in their house, so I headed out to an obliging field and picked the prettiest wildflowers I could find. There were purple ones, white ones, and yellow ones. Perfect!

 
 

Field of Wildflowers and the 5 P's of being a soulful business woman

I took them home and put them in water. The next step in my plan was to draw these beautiful flowers. Luckily, I had reams and reams of computer paper. The old kind that was big and perfed with green lines on the back. I drew and colored about 20 different views of these flowers, had a little PB & J, and headed out the door with my wares in my little red wagon. I know it sounds cliché and more than a little old-fashioned, but it worked!

Looking back on those times, I definitely had the 5 P's of being a soulful business woman.