The participants were given the brief at 3pm this afternoon, and they have until 3pm tomorrow afternoon to conceptualise, design, plan, test, iterate,  think about audience, branding, marketing, etceteblah… basically as much as they can. Tomorrow at 5pm they pitch their idea, and at 7pm the winner is announced. This is running through the night and there have been, are and will be: pizza, fruit, games, naps, and talks every hour through the night. The talks range from specialist coding and technical development topics, to exercises and stretches to stay alert and limber, and communication and team building techniques.

This is why I am here: I am speaking at 6am tomorrow morning. I shall be giving them 10 bits of information which are relevant to the creative process. It’s called Create : breathe : innovate : breathe (aka – some things that might be useful for today, and possibly for later on too). I’m quite taken with the catchy subtitle.

For reasons of layout with pretty pictures, I have composed the content of my talk in this here online page, for your viewing pleasure. Click the link to enjoy.

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Here is one of my favourite bits:

This (work) fills me with wonder and nourishes my soul. I will happily spend the rest of my life witnessing your steps and supporting you through your processes, making them light, ease-full, a thing of joy to be embraced, and seeing you shine.

My care-free heart says that if I could, I would do it for free and forever. That is true. My observant head also knows: that which is freely given is not always fully regarded. And I want you to engage with this completely, oh I do, so you can get every last ounce of the incredible change and magic and power that I am offering. Plus, my human body reminds me that there are two mouths to feed (one human and one feline), shelter to maintain, warmth and wi-fi to enjoy, and several other things that money makes possible.

So I endeavour to fix my prices at a level that allows you to get absolutely the best out of our time together, while allowing me to keep doing what I do. Fair for you, sustainable for me.

And also this:

If you want to outright cancel a booking, I would appreciate as much notice as possible, and cancellations within the 48 hours prior to our agreed appointment are payable in full. One reason for this is that our fears often arise in the time leading up to an important shift, and do their best to put us off and maintain the status quo. Don’t underestimate the power of the resistance! The following have been known to happen: no child-minders available, car breakdown, lost keys, missed trains/flights, or just plain convinced that this is pointless / a waste of money / an indulgence / unnecessary / etc. The more powerful the upcoming shift you are about to experience, the stronger the siren song. Recognising it for what it is helps a lot. And knowing that you, YOU, you wonderful, beautiful soul, are stronger than anything your fears can throw at you – because they are only trying to keep you safe and small, but you are seriously considering stepping up into greater possibility and alignment. I see you.

The whole document is here for your perusal if you’re curious. I rather like it.

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I have no idea why that Liquid Eyeliner post has just been sent out again by email to the blog subscribers – one of these little mysteries of technology I suppose, but also a timely nudge because I had been intending to close this (erratic indeed) series.

A lightbulb moment has occurred in the meantime: I started the blog post series partly because I wasn’t blogging much and I thought that would invigorate me. But I’ve since realised that the reason I wasn’t blogging much was because I wasn’t taking enough downtime, time out, alone time – the spaces where deep ponderings happen and epiphanies come to me – that I then share through the blog.

So instead of talking practical make-up and funky shoes, I’ve just been striving for more balance.

Hence no more TT posts, which I don’t think are missed by anyone, least of all me, and today marks the official closure of this short-lived venture. (I had fun with the typography though.)

Thanks for accompanying me through my meanderings.

Also, owning a boat – even old ones like this one (Catalpha will be 50 years old next year, what a lady!) – takes a fair bit of money. Although it will eventually be our home and this will cost less in the long run, for now, it’s expensive. Probably all the more so because so many things broke on the way back!

So right now I find myself penniless.

I could put on a posh voice and pretend to have waylaid my wallet. Winning the lottery is unlikely to happen, seeing as I don’t buy tickets. I suppose I could always rob a bank, but wearing a stocking over one’s face is so disfiguring, don’t you think?

I could, however, do something that I do very well.

That is listen, hold the space, heal, guide, transform, challenge, love.

I am told time and time again, that I am “so underrated, it’s criminal“. It’s because I love what I do and it comes naturally to me. I work with a blend of intuition, practical tips, and processes that guide you to find your answers. This applies to personal stuff, business stuff, and both – living and working as your authentic self, and creating a life big enough to hold all that you are.

From small questions (“How can I be more organised and effective in my work habits?“) to large ones (“What is my life purpose?“). From little anxieties (“My space is cluttered“) to life-shaking ones (“I can’t eat in front of other people“). For fine-tuning your life, or for effecting radical change: new job, new city, new relationships – and anything in between.

Transformation, be it large or small, that’s my business.

Be authentic.

Question your assumptions and expectations.

When you change how you are in the world, the world changes in response.

Remember you always have a choice.

Create your own personal freedom.

Make life better for everyone else by making life better for yourself.

Express your admiration.

No failure, only feedback.

Growth is an ongoing daily experiment.

Share the process.

Say no to what doesn’t bring you joy, and say yes to things that scare you slightly.

Drink water.

Unleash your creativity – dance inside daily. Also, be still daily. This is not a contradiction.

Plan time to plan.

There are only ever 2 emotions. Choose love over fear.

Own less. Love everything you own.

Light lightly, and with light.

Listen to your soul.

Always show respect. If you can’t show respect, show compassion. (It works out the same.)

Nothing is ever personal – except your own stuff. Own that, not the rest.

Find the need behind the emotion.

Complaining only hurts you and lowers your vibration. Find the positive.

Hating people is a sign that you need alone time.

Sleep is #1 priority.

Be impeccable of your word.

Over-plan, then embrace uncertainty.

Lean into openness. Invite the unknown, the creative, the inspirational.

When in doubt, ground and integrate.

Follow the rabbit holes. Trust serendipity.