As the chill of winter begins to thaw and the first signs of spring emerge, I find myself reflecting on the transformative journey that the past few months have brought. Like many of you, I've experienced the ebb and flow of life's seasons, navigating the depths of hibernation and emerging into the light of rejuvenation.
Over the winter, I found myself retreating into a cocoon of introspection, seeking solace in the quiet corners of my mind. The cold winds outside seemed to mirror the internal chill I felt, as I grappled with the demands of a new role and the ever-present responsibilities of family life. It was during this time of hibernation that I realised the importance of prioritising self-care and seeking healing amidst life's chaos.
One of the most profound experiences I had during this time was in the company of an amazing therapist who introduced me to the power of combining Reiki with EMDR therapy Through this unique approach, I found a path towards healing that resonated deeply within me Together, we unravelled the knots of past traumas, gently guiding me towards a place of inner peace and wholeness. Thank you, Christina Cherry.
As we step into the light of spring, I invite you to join me on a journey of renewal and rejuvenation. In the pages of this magazine, you'll find stories of resilience, inspiration, and the transformative power of embracing our authentic selves. Together, let us emerge from our winter hibernation with hearts open to the possibilities that lie ahead
In other news, I have a new eBook coming soon Meditation for Busy Women will be available to purchase on Amazon this Easter Click the envelope to join the waitlist
With warmth and gratitude, Nic x
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, is a therapeutic approach that has gained recognition for its effectiveness in treating trauma and other emotional distress. Developed in the late 1980s, EMDR has since become widely used by mental health professionals around the world.
At its core, EMDR is based on the idea that traumatic experiences can become stuck in the brain, causing distressing symptoms such as flashbacks, anxiety, and negative beliefs about ourself. These experiences can continue to impact thoughts, feelings, and behaviours long after the traumatic event has occurred.
During an EMDR session, the therapist guides the client through a series of bilateral stimulation exercises, which typically involve following the therapist's hand movements with their eyes, or listening to alternating tones or taps. These bilateral stimulations are thought to mimic the natural processing that occurs during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, allowing the brain to reprocess traumatic memories and integrate them in a more soothing way.
As the client focuses on the traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, they may experience a range of sensations, emotions, and insights. Over time, this process can lead to a reduction in the intensity of the traumatic memory and associated symptoms, allowing the individual to heal and move forward with their life.
EMDR is not only used for treating trauma but can also be effective for addressing a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, phobias, and grief. It is a collaborative and client-centered approach, meaning that the therapist works closely with the client to tailor the treatment to their specific needs and goals.
One of the strengths of EMDR is its ability to produce rapid and lasting results, often in a shorter timeframe than traditional talk therapy. Many individuals report significant improvements in their symptoms after just a few sessions of EMDR, although the number of sessions needed can vary depending on the complexity of the issues being addressed.
Overall, EMDR offers hope and healing to those who have experienced trauma or other distressing life events. By harnessing the brain's natural capacity for healing and reprocessing, EMDR empowers individuals to overcome the effects of past trauma and live more fully in the present.
Cultures around the world embrace the arrival of spring with rituals and traditions that celebrate renewal, growth, and the changing seasons. From colourful festivals to ancient ceremonies, these spiritual practices offer a glimpse into the diverse ways in which humanity connects with the rhythms of nature. Here we explore some of the fascinating springtime traditions from around the globe
In India, the festival of Holi marks the arrival of spring with a riot of colours and joyous celebrations People gather in the streets to drench each other in brightly coloured powders and water, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and the onset of new beginnings. Holi is a time for forgiveness, reconciliation, and letting go of past grievances, making it a powerful ritual of renewal and purification.
Nowruz, which means "New Day" in Persian, is a secular and spiritual holiday that has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. Held on the vernal equinox, Nowruz marks the beginning of the Persian New Year and is observed by millions of people in Iran, Central Asia, and beyond The festivities include rituals such as spring cleaning, decorating homes with flowers, and gathering with loved ones to share meals and exchange gifts. Nowruz embodies themes of renewal, rebirth, and the triumph of light over darkness.
In Japan, the blooming of cherry blossoms, or sakura, is a cherished cultural event that signals the arrival of spring. Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing parties, are held in parks and gardens across the country, where people gather to admire the beauty of the delicate pink flowers. The temporary nature of the cherry blossoms serves as a reminder of the transience of life and the importance of cherishing each moment, making hanami a deeply spiritual experience for many Japanese people.
Beltane is an ancient Celtic festival celebrated in Ireland, Scotland, and other parts of Europe on May 1st. It marks the midpoint between the spring equinox and the summer solstice and is associated with fertility, abundance, and the blossoming of new life Traditionally, Beltane was celebrated with bonfires, Maypole dancing, and rituals to honour the earth and its cycles. Today, modern pagans and Wiccans continue to observe Beltane with ceremonies that honour the sacred union of the masculine and feminine energies and the abundance of the natural world
Easter, the holiest day in the Christian calendar, is celebrated around the world as a time of spiritual renewal and rebirth. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the triumph of life over death. Easter rituals vary widely among different Christian denominations, but common traditions include attending church services, decorating eggs, and sharing meals with family and friends. Easter serves as a reminder of the power of faith, hope, and love to overcome adversity and bring new life into the world.
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Start Your Day with Intention: Begin each morning with a few moments of quiet reflection. Set an intention for the day ahead, whether it's patience, gratitude, or presence. Take a few deep breaths and visualise yourself moving through the day with grace and ease.
Practice Mindful Moments: Throughout the day, find opportunities to pause and bring awareness to the present moment. This could be as simple as taking a few deep breaths before responding to a stressful situation or savouring a cup of tea in silence.
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Incorporate Mini-Meditations: Even in the midst of a busy day, carve out a few moments for mini-meditations. This could be as short as one minute of deep breathing or a quick body scan to release tension. Find a quiet corner or simply close your eyes wherever you are to reconnect with your inner calm.
Create Sacred Spaces: Designate a corner of your home as a sacred space for reflection and spiritual practice. It could be a cozy chair with a blanket and a few candles, or a small altar with meaningful objects. Return to this space whenever you need a moment of solace and rejuvenation.
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Connect with Nature: Spend time outdoors whenever possible, even if it's just a short walk around the block. Tune into the sights, sounds, and sensations of nature to ground yourself and reconnect with the natural world. Take your children along and make it a family activity to explore and appreciate the beauty around you.
Cultivate Gratitude: Practice gratitude as a daily ritual by keeping a gratitude journal or simply reflecting on three things you're thankful for each day. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude can shift your perspective and help you find joy in the small moments of motherhood.
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Embrace Rituals: Incorporate simple rituals into your daily routine to mark transitions and infuse meaning into everyday tasks. This could be lighting a candle before dinner to signify the start of a family meal or saying a bedtime prayer with your children to close the day on a peaceful note.
Seek Support: Remember that you don't have to navigate the journey of motherhood alone. Reach out to fellow mums or join a supportive community where you can share experiences, seek guidance, and find encouragement on your spiritual path.
Before we start, I invite you to abandon any fears of change you may hold, and instead, I want you to love yourself into evolution. Change will be dirty, uncomfortable and often quite scary, but on the other side of change, in the land of the unknown, are rewards beyond your wildest dreams.
I know this, because, the first 35 years of my life were a wild and crazy ride,in only one direction. Faster, bigger, better, larger; more success and hustling for the things society told us we needed, I got them all, the status, the big house, and the equally fast boyfriend to go with it. I thought this would never change, until it did…
CRASHBANGWALLOP
It’s London, 2008, my first business had been wiped out in the global recession, and I was broken. Luckily, my nice boyfriend said, “Don’t worry Darling, I’ll take care of you, you don’t need to do anything, just support me with everything I do.” “Oh, that sounds kind,” I thought.
THEGOODWIFE
Overnight, I went from being a successful, business owner in London - to a housewife, with a baby, in the Surrey suburbs An old friend popped over to see me, and brushing off my discontent, told me I should be grateful because I was “living the dream!”
THEBIGIDEA
I read an article in a magazine that said, ‘babies are linguistic genius’s until the age of 5,’ I looked over at my baby sleeping in the buggy and thought, “Ahhh, now I know, why I’m your Mother!”
I often had my mum friends and their babies over for playdates, the mums would talk about babies, while the babies chewed the carpet. After my breakthrough, I started using these playdates as a research and development platform for my new idea.
With my background in producing immersive experiences for big brands, I was confident I could apply this same approach to my new world of mums and babies, with some languages in the mix
Being monolingual, I pulled in a friend with the right skills to help, and before long we were running our popular classes in play centres across the local area.
When our friends with babies started looking at schools, my husband and I decided to go and look at schools too. We found a great school and paid the deposit, but the next day, I started feeling anxious.
I was freaking out about doing the same school run, every day, for the next 16 years Fortunately, my husband agreed on a little adventure
An article about life on Mallorca landed in my inbox, it described the island as being International, cosmopolitan and accessible, with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, and packed with great schools.
Within 3 months, my 2yr old and I were unpacking boxes at our new villa in Mallorca, while Daddy flew back to London for business.
Living abroad opened my eyes to a different way of life. The slower pace, the laid back attitude and the gratitude for living was something I’d never experienced before, and it showed that something was missing in my relationship.
I took my husband to counselling to try and repair the gap, but he hated it, and asked that we didn’t go back. A few months later, I told him I wanted a divorce
I felt delightfully free out of the marriage, living more simply was a humbling experience, but my little boy and I found appreciation for things we’d never noticed before I dived deep into books, and even deeper into myself, I journeyed with the shamans and experienced depths I didn’t know existed.
After a while, I felt ready to meet someone to have a beautiful relationship with, so when my son went to his Dad for the holidays, I went boy shopping on Tinder…
On the business frontier - my language business had become a franchise, we’d taken investment and I’d written an album of new nursery rhymes, which Amazon had bought the rights to.
Despite the success, I didn’t feel aligned with my investors, they were sucking the soul out of me and the company, but I carried on regardless, through Covid, and out the other side.
Guess what? My Tinder shopping spree was a big success! I found a lovely German boy with a heart of gold, who allowed me to feel safe for the first time in my life, I lowered my defences, and leaned into a beautiful and true love.
A few months into my new relationship I woke up soaking wet in a hospital bed, with sepsis on my only kidney, my boyfriend was traveling, but he flew straight back to be by my side.
With my health out of control, I was scared, but it was the wake-up call I needed to put some boundaries in place. From my hospital bed, while still on the IV line, I emailed my investors to tell them I was parking the company for the foreseeable future.
The main focus now was to find a balance, between my wellbeing and the entrepreneurial fire and creative drive burning inside me.
I dreamt of a business where I could create, write and play to my heart’s content, alongside a team of beautiful people, with the focus on bringing more joy to the world, through education, community, music and lifestyle products.
After a few experiments, I’m happy to be a founding partner of; Emma Boardman ’The Original Thinkers Club’,
Alongside my dear friend Paul, we’ve founded something very special, that feels both urgent yet eternal. Communication and Connection are our pillars, and enjoying the process is our priority
I’d been running a women’s networking group for a woman who’d left Mallorca. It surprised me how much competitive rivalry and judgment still existed between women, especially in the esoteric space, I recognised many of them were lacking confidence in using their voices to create real impact, so Paul and I developed some concepts to help women grow in confident communication.
The former owner of the group wasn’t so keen to introduce any ‘new ways’, so we swiftly parted company, and Paul and I launched our first brand from the club, The Sister Table!
We want women everywhere to become so confident using their voices and telling their stories, that they no longer need to compare themselves to anyone else. We are delighted to have found the sweet spot between socialising, sisterhood, community and communication training.
Last summer, I married my German in the garden of our house in Valldemossa My son is now 12, and he lives full-time with his father in the Channel Islands, leaving me, in my new role as, Holiday Mum!
Every single change I’ve experienced has evolved me into an upgraded version of myself, and through all of it, I’m happy to say that I’m finally, ‘Living My Dream ’
EmmaBoardmanisabundleofuncontainedimaginationandinnovation,avisionaryentrepreneur,writer andspeaker.Sheisamastercreativewho'sgarneredsuccessinmanyfields.Classyyethumble,savage yetkind,shebringsanedgyrealnesstoeverydisruptivebrandshecreates.
The Sister Table is a social playground where females grow in confident communication. It’s a safe space to explore the dynamic interplay between ‘what you say and how you say it’ - this applies to self talk, interpersonal relationships, and public speaking.
If you’d like to bring The Sister Table to your town or village, please email emma@thesistertable.club to start a conversation. You can connect with Emma on:
EMMA BOARDMAN - https://www.instagram.com/e.m.m.a.b.o.a.r.d.m.a.n
SISTER TABLE - https://www.instagram/the.sister.table Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/emma.boardman1
Linked in - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaboardman
Emma also runs Communicate your Truth workshops and retreats from her home in Mallorca and on Zoom. To sign up for the workshops and apply for the pre-launch of the online community platform - go here. www theoriginalthinkers club www emma-boardman com
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Letting Go of Negative Energy: Begin by identifying any negative thoughts, emotions, or habits that may be weighing you down Practice self-awareness and mindfulness to recognise when negative energy arises, and then consciously release it. This could involve journaling, meditation, or simply taking a few deep breaths to let go of tension and negativity.
Forgiving Oneself and Others: Forgiveness is a powerful tool for decluttering the spirit and freeing yourself from emotional baggage. Reflect on any past hurts or grudges you may be holding onto and make a conscious decision to forgive both yourself and others. Remember that forgiveness does not mean condoning or forgetting past wrongs, but rather releasing yourself from the burden of resentment and allowing yourself to move forward with grace and compassion
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Creating Space for Growth: Just as we clear out physical clutter to make space for new opportunities, it's important to create mental and emotional space for growth and positivity. Practice saying no to commitments that no longer serve you and prioritise activities and relationships that bring you joy and fulfilment. Cultivate an attitude of openness and receptivity to new experiences and possibilities.
Cultivating Positivity: Intentionally focus on cultivating positive thoughts, emotions, and energy in your life. Surround yourself with uplifting influences such as inspirational books, music, or affirmations. Practice gratitude daily by acknowledging and appreciating the blessings in your life, no matter how small. By shifting your focus towards the positive, you'll naturally attract more abundance and joy into your life.
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Nourishing Your Body: Physical decluttering is just as important as mental and spiritual decluttering Take care of your body by nourishing it with healthy, whole foods, staying hydrated, and getting regular exercise. Consider incorporating gentle detox practices such as drinking herbal teas or doing a short juice cleanse to support your body's natural detoxification processes.
Rest and Rejuvenation: Finally, prioritise rest and rejuvenation as essential components of your spring renewal process. Carve out time for self-care activities such as meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature. Listen to your body's cues and honour its need for rest and relaxation, knowing that true renewal comes from within.
As you embark on your spring rejuvenation journey, remember that decluttering your mind, body, and spirit is an ongoing process that requires patience, persistence, and self-compassion. By letting go of what no longer serves you and creating space for growth and positivity, you'll find yourself feeling lighter, more vibrant, and ready to embrace the abundance of the season ahead.
Are you a professional woman who has faced and triumphed over adversity?
Have you found strength and guidance through your spiritual connections on your journey?
We invite you to share your inspiring stories with us for our online magazine
We are seeking contributors who can offer unique perspectives, insights, and personal experiences about navigating challenges in the professional world while maintaining a strong connection to their holistic ethics.
Whether you've overcome career setbacks, and personal obstacles, or have found success by following your intuition and spiritual guidance, your story has the power to inspire and uplift others.
Join us in creating a platform where the voices of resilient, spiritually-aligned women are celebrated and shared. Contact the editor at nicolarichardson99@gmail.com if you would like to be a part of our empowering community of women supporting women.