Your Soul Happiness Has Moved

You can now find Your Soul Happiness at the link below. 

Head over to YourSoulHappiness.com now to read weekly posts, written to inspire and empower you to live a happier, more successful life aligned with your true authentic self. Topics include personal development, happiness, self-love, health and wellness, tips to raise your consciousness and tools to ignite your inner power. 

I'd love to see you there ♥

The Misconception of Finding "Happiness"

This week I started May Cause Miracles, a '6-week Kick-Start to Unlimited Happiness' by Gabrielle Bernstein, for the third time. I love this book and always commit to the six week course again when I feel that I am in need of an uplift.

I understand that the tools and practices Gabby provides in this book are not just something that you do for six weeks and then forget about. They're a kick-start to a happier life, and something, that when practiced regularly really do create incredible changes. However, when it comes to reading self-help books that claim to increase your happiness, health, wealth etc. many people think that it is something that will happen overnight. They think that they'll read the book and their life will magically be full of happiness, love, and abundance, and that'll be it.

But I've realized this really isn't the case.

All of these things require major commitment. A commitment to choosing love over fear. A commitment to ourselves. To be constantly wary of where our ego is showing up in our lives and acting accordingly. It requires a deep understanding and love for ourselves and others, and is a constant growth process.

We never really become masters at anything. There is always something to know, something or someone to learn from, and something to help us grow. Even the most enlightened beings on our earth will experience "off" days, and feelings of "disconnectedness" where their ego is running the show. It's okay.

As Gabrielle Bernstein says, it's all about going from a place of living in the darkness with fleeting
moments of light... to living in the light, with fleeting moments of darkness.

It really isn't about always being positive and always feeling great, never getting upset or angry. This perception of happiness is totally unrealistic and is, unfortunately something I feel that a lot of people are striving for.

True happiness and joy comes from within.

It simply cannot be found in anything external of our own being.

True happiness comes from making a commitment to ourselves to choose love on a daily basis. Even in the darkest of situations, to actively choose love over the ego's false perceptions, and to live in a state of pure joy. It really isn't as simple as picking up a self-help book one day, feeling different and happier, and then forgetting all the positive practices that you read about, and not maintaining or working to expand on the changes.

Find a sense of joy and peace in the present moment. Be at ease with yourself and where you are right now, and make positive, active choices for your future. Feel gratitude for all that you have, and for being alive. Take care of your mind, body and soul. Choose to do more things that make you happy. Laugh, travel, read, take bubble baths, make time for yoga, paint, listen to music, visit friends and family. Do more of whatever it is that you love, and don't waste any time doing anything that doesn't ignite feelings of passion, excitement and joy within you.

If you're wondering what exactly I mean when I mention the "ego", here is a link to a post that explains it in detail: http://www.pathwaytohappiness.com/happiness/2013/02/26/what-is-the-ego/ or you can simply research some of Gabrielle Bernstein or Wayne Dyer's work around it. 

What is it that makes you happiest? What do you do on a daily basis to keep yourself in a place of love rather than fear? I'd love to hear. Feel free to share in the comments below! 

Have a beautiful week. 

B xo 

Manifesting Your Hearts Desires by Letting Go

So this week I want to share something incredible that I've learnt over the past few months... 

As you may be aware, back in June I made the decision to take a year out of uni, move back home, get a job, and enroll on a life coaching course with Beautiful You Coaching Academy.

However, before I made this leap and decided to go for it, I was feeling pretty stuck.

I had no idea how I would find the money to fund my coaching course, I never even thought of moving back home and working as an option, I was confused as to whether to drop out of uni or not, and my head was pretty much exploding with all of it. All I knew was that I wanted to become a life coach and get my business started as soon as possible. I was way too excited to wait another year.

For a while I was desperately trying to control the situation, my brain was constantly trying to figure out a solution and worrying about how I would find the money and time, but all of this wasn't getting me anywhere.

It wasn't until the moment that I decided to surrender and let go, and await guidance from the universe that everything fell into place.

And that is what I've learnt.

Sometimes we waste so much time making goals and plans, trying to control the outcome of every situation, manipulating it into what we "think" we need and what we "think" is best for us. When actually, as hippy and airy-fairy as it sounds, the universe knows exactly what is best for us, and the moment that we just let go and become open to receiving guidance, things work out better than we can ever imagine. But not only do we have to be open, we have to listen and act upon what we feel called to do, despite whatever fears may come up.

When I reached the point when I had no idea what to do and was feeling incredibly frustrated with it all, I finally surrendered and decided to rely on something greater than myself for the answers.

One day, not longer after, I found myself watching Gabrielle Bernstein talking at Wanderlust festival on YouTube, where she shared a seriously powerful mantra she regularly listens to.
Find the link here: Expand Into Intuitive Knowing

After listening to her talk, I decided to sit peacefully and listen to it in full.

To date, it is probably one of the most surreal experiences of my life.

Five minutes or so into the song, I burst out crying for no known reason to myself, and felt a desperate need to take time out of uni, follow my dreams of coaching, and travel to Bali. It was very specific, it all felt very clear and I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do.

When I came out of this meditative state, I wrote free-hand in my journal for a while. I wrote about how much I wanted to find the perfect coaching course, how I wanted to be able to take more time out, earn money and save for travelling to new, beautiful places, including Bali.

... The reason I am sharing this with you, is that the other day I actually decided to look back on my journal from this time and read what I wrote. 

It felt so incredible reading back on what I'd written and realizing that now, it has actually all worked out better than I ever could have imagined: 

- I managed to work through my resistance with taking a year out of university and found that all of the people whom I thought would judge me for my decision were actually really loving and supportive.

- I found a job instantly, and I am now working as a support worker in the community which is really rewarding and is allowing me to earn and save money, as well as learning so many new, valuable life skills.

- I was scrolling through Instagram one day, when I came across a pretty image posted by BYCA and felt really pulled to check out their account and website. I knew it was the program for me instantly, everything about it just felt right and within the space of a couple of weeks I'd found the money and support to be able to enroll. And to top it off, they're holding an Inspiration Day in Bali for all students in April... BALI of all the places.

If you've had any experiences similar to this, or if you're feeling how I felt a few months ago and are in need of a bit of guidance, I'd love to hear in the comments below. 

Have a wonderful week. 

B xo 

7 Steps to Become a Morning Person (No Coffee Necessary)

"Happiness is waking up an hour earlier to live an hour more." 

I love this quote because it's so true. 

When you start feeling truly inspired, fulfilled and happy, you actually want to wake up early just to get more out of your day. 

I'll admit, I used to hate mornings, being dragged from my bed to get ready for school or college, when all I wanted to do was sleep. I'd constantly spend my mornings wishing I was back in bed. I slept in whenever I could, sometimes until one or two o clock in the afternoon. At this time in my life I was pretty unmotivated, unhappy and mostly trying to avoid life all together. 

I probably wouldn't even recognize the person I used to be if I met her now. To say I've changed and grown over the past four years would be an understatement. Through endless hours of reading self-help books, personal development, watching inspiring videos, positive self-care practices, exercising, eating healthily, I can truly say I have become a morning person. 

Breakfast is 100% my favourite time of the day, and I love the quiet of waking up early and seeing the sunrise. 

My daily routine usually consists of waking up at 6:30am, writing morning pages and listening to a guided meditation, before going downstairs to make breakfast. After I've eaten I will usually practice half an hour of yoga, read, write a blog post, journal etc. Whatever feels good before I set out for the day. 

I now see the beauty in mornings. I'm not saying you have to read 1394520 self-help books or suddenly become a reincarnation of Buddha to be one too, but there are a few things you can start doing right now to find joy in waking up early. 

1. Create a morning routine. Set a regular time to wake up every day, even on weekends (although if I feel like I really need it, I do enjoy a lie in or two). Make your routine FUN. Watch cartoons or your favourite TV show, snuggle back in bed with your breakfast whilst listening to music, write in your journal, or scroll through inspiring quotes on Pinterest, whatever is fun for you! Whilst making my breakfast this morning I danced around the kitchen to The Vamps, I then lit candles, turned on my fairy lights, snuggled on my bed to eat it and read real-life stories on The Secret. Choose what makes you happy! 

2. Set a fun, uplifting song as your alarm tone. My current tone is From Bump to Buzz by Tom Fletcher, however this has been my alarm song for a good year now and I am in need of a change. A Beautiful Day by India Arie would be a great choice, whatever makes you smile or feel relaxed when you hear it. 

3. Place your alarm/phone/whatever it may be, far away from your bed, meaning you'll have to actually get up and out of bed to turn it off. This also prevents the mindless hour of scrolling through Facebook and Instagram before you drag yourself up (we're all guilty of it). 

4. Get creative with breakfast. If I've not said already, I looove breakfast. I literally cannot wait to go to sleep each night, just because I'm that excited for breakfast the next morning. Porridge is my favourite. I love getting creative with toppings and mixing it up a little, apple and cinnamon, banana and coconut, mixed seeds and blueberries... the list goes on. There are so many healthy, yummy options: granola, yoghurt, porridge, fruit, pancakes, waffles, wholegrain cereal, avocado, wholemeal toast... get creative!

5. Be grateful. Before you go to sleep, think of all the good things that happened that day and say "thank you". When you arise in the morning say "thank you" for being alive, for the warm bed you've slept in, the food that you're about to eat, your plans for the day. Be grateful! 

6. Make sure you get plenty of sleep. I like to get a good 7-8 hours each night, with my usual lights-out time being around 10pm. When you get plenty of sleep you can awake feeling refreshed and ready for the day the next morning. 

7. Build dreams and goals that make you want to jump out of bed in a morning. When I started focusing on what I really wanted and began making exciting goals, manifesting what I want, creating my reality, I literally wanted to jump out of bed each morning. Build dreams and goals that make you feel like this! 

I'd love to hear about your morning routines, and if these steps have worked for you in the comments below. 

Have a lovely week! 

B xo 

New Month, New Season, New You

I can't believe it's September already! Where has the year gone?!

(I say this every year, but I swear they just keep going quicker and quicker.)

Although September does mark the end of summer, I can't help but feel ridiculously excited for what the next few months will bring.

Autumn is my favourite season. I love everything about it. The crisp weather, cosy sweaters, baking pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, all the warm, pretty colours, fluffy socks, mulled wine, bonfire night, spending whole afternoons in Starbucks filling up on hot chocolate and vanilla-spiced lattes, halloween, crunchy leaves, rainy days, comfy boots, movie nights in by the fire. It's perfect.

I also love the feeling I get at the beginning of a new month. For me, it's a time to check in with myself and reflect on all my goals and desires. What has changed over the past month? How do I feel? In what areas of my life do I want to feel different? Etc.

So this week I'm challenging you to make a commitment to yourself. Spend some time reflecting, journalling, relaxing, and make a list of all the things you'd like to achieve by the end of the month or year. It could be to start writing that book that you've been thinking about, to save and buy that coat that you've always dreamed of owning, plan next summer's holiday, or to simply start practicing yoga and eating healthier. Anything. Whatever you feel is good for you. 

September is a great time of the year to really start a fresh, let go of the old negative habits that are no longer serving you and take on something new. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. 

What is Autumn going to bring for you? ❤

B xo

5 Ways to Find Balance and Be Happier Every Day

Recently I've been feeling a little "off" and not myself at all. I have spent pretty much every day lately waking up, practicing yoga, journalling, working out, eating super healthy, meditating and watching a bit of TV. Despite all of these things being things that I LOVE to do, and things that make me feel good inside, I've still felt disconnected.

That's when I realized, I'm being way too strict on myself. I've become so obsessed with what I'm eating and drinking, and choosing to stay in, that it just isn't healthy anymore. Where is the FUN?!?!

So this weekend I vow to let go of the calorie counting and all of the seriousness, and focus more on having a good time with friends. Life is way too short for anything else.

Here are 5 ways to find more balance and feel happier every day: 

- Mix it up: Balanced living isn't possible without a balanced body. Appreciate and feel grateful for your body. Take care of it. Choose more healthy choices that make you feel good. Remember, it is okay to eat well for 80% of the week and nourish your body with all that it needs, and then treat yourself without feeling guilty (I'm still learning the art of this).

- Have fun: If you've been working all week, make exciting plans for the weekends. Book trips away, plan fun activities, but also try to incorporate a bit of fun into the little things every day. Ask yourself, what would make eating breakfast fun? What would make this commute to work more FUN?

- Take alone time: If you're constantly in a social environment, or feeling super stressed and busy, take time for yourself. Take time at at least one point during the week to do something for you. Work on personal development, start writing a journal, or simply just run a bubble bath, put on some music, light the candles, turn off your phone and relax. Catch up on your favorite TV show with some snacks, or curl up with a good book. Whatever makes you feel good.

- Spend time with friends and loved ones: You can also find yourself spending too much time alone. It's all about balance. If you've been busy working, or simply just staying in, go out! Make plans with your friends, let down your hair and have a good time.

- Awareness: Make time to be a little more mindful. Meditate when it feels good to do so, spend time focusing on clearing your mind, live in the present and feel the joy of each moment. Practice gratitude and spend time consciously choosing more positive experiences. Look around you and see how incredible life really is.

These are habits that I incorporate into my life, they work for me and I hope they will work for you too. 

I'd love to hear of any other ways you find balance in the every day, let me know in the comments below!

Have a beautiful week ❤

All That I Know Now: Life Events and Lessons Learned

I'm back!!!

After six+ weeks of being laptop-less, I have eventually been able to borrow one and write on here again, and it feels SO good. 

I'm not going to lie, the past six+ weeks have been tough. I've felt pretty lost without writing my weekly posts, but I am incredibly grateful for what the time away from my screen has given me. 

My boyfriend (now fiance) and I got to spend an enormous amount of time together and grew closer in ways I couldn't have imagined. He got down on one knee and proposed to me on July 29th. This was no shock as it was all we talked about for the week leading up to it, but it was a really special moment for us all the same. I couldn't be happier.

I also took a trip to New York, which was incredible and actually turned out to be a great opportunity for personal development. After spending years of my life dreaming of moving to the big US of A, this trip made me realise just how wonderful the UK is (yes, I really am writing this- pinch me), and that although I still want to travel all around America, and the rest of the world, I would actually like to explore more of the country that I call home. I now have dreams of moving to a cute seaside town in Cornwall in the very near future. 

As well as getting engaged, and travelling to New York, I have now moved back home and living with my parents again. After two great years of complete independence, it can be a little challenging at times, but I am so grateful for all the opportunities this experience is providing me with. 

Over the past six+ weeks, I really have discovered the pleasure of enjoying the little things in life.

It's funny, but during the entire trip to New York, the moment I recall feeling at my happiest is when we had just got back to our hostel after a long, tiring day of sightseeing and I slumped onto my bed with a peppermint tea from Starbucks and a bar of dark chocolate in hand, and I just relaxed. Bliss. 

Don't get me wrong, I was incredibly happy sightseeing and getting lost in New York, but I really do find the most happiness from the simplest things. Whether it's sitting in the conservatory at home with a cup of tea listening to the rain splashing against the roof, or lying on my bed indulging myself in a good book, or simply finding joy in doing the washing up (it is possible). 

So if there are any words of wisdom to share with you from my time away, it is that the present moment is really all we have. And that actually, happiness is found when we take a second to look around, appreciate and find joy in the simple things. 

I am so happy to be back. 

Feel free to share and leave comments. 

All my love, 

Beth.