Creating a Community

Last week was International Women’s Day and the team at H+K were really struck with the beautiful solidarity and fearlessness we saw! We are always in awe of the strong women in our lives and seeing how we can all come together and celebrate our own magnificence was inspiring.

It got us thinking about the community that we create in every choice and moment of our life. When we actively strive for better or work towards our dreams we can witness the physical manifestation of this in the people we cherish. Building a network of people who build you up, and who you can in turn support is so gratifying and gives us a greater sense of purpose and drive.

We are feeling so much love and appreciation for the community of people coming together to support us in our vision, in the words of one of the most inspiring women in history (well we think so anyway!) As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. -Audrey Hepburn.

We all love being supported and encouraged to thrive, and when we do this with people who share our dreams and our vibration then it makes it all the more beautiful.

So this is a quick thank you, to all the inspiring women and men in our lives who love and appreciate us. For those people that allow us to believe that we are worthy of our dreams and who build the foundations on which we can stand and share our vision with the world.

Much Love,

H+K

Focusing on the right feedback

We have recently been focusing on the power of constructive criticism and also our thought patterns regarding our fear of critique. Oftentimes when we receive feedback from others we tend to focus on the negative. We may receive 5 raving reviews but one person may not understand our vision or simply not be on the same wavelength as us. That one person can send you in a downward spiral and you begin to second guess yourself.

However in moments like that it is important to bring the focus onto three things:

1) We are all completely different, so you will always encounter someone who doesn’t like what you do!

2) You cannot please everyone!

In the journey towards your dreams the only person who needs to be 100% in support of your vision is you. You need to be so invested in your goals that even if no one understands or celebrates your ideas, your passion can carry you through and they will come to see why what you do is so important.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson said "Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right."

So even when you hear negative feedback, or even just a comment that what you are doing isn’t enough or isn’t worthy, focus on the ways you can recenter you r attention on the constructive and positive comments you get. Furthermore look to yourself for the courage and strength to do what you love with conviction!

Good luck and Much Love,

H+K

I am...

When creating the life that you want and deserve it can be easy to lose yourself in the dreams and planning of the future. We get so caught up in planning, strategising and hustling to get things ticked off our list that we can lose focus of the one thing that we are actually in control of at the end of the day.

You.

Manifesting and acknowledging what it is that we are in the present moment is a hugely profound and powerful thing. Furthermore learning to come back into contact with your inner self and figuring out how you identify with yourself is a beautiful tool to help you along your way.

Reaffirming the profound things about you can be a great way to strengthen your resolve and bond with the life you are creating. Every day acknowledging that “I am powerful, I am worthy, I am unique and I am strong” are beautiful gifts you can offer yourself as you work and strive for your best.

What is it that you want to cultivate deep within you. Are you looking for more confidence? Or are you looking for courage? When you figure out exactly what is calling you to action and the things that you need in order to get there you can reaffirm and cement this into yourself. Creating and developing a more steady foundation for the person you are becoming.

Remember that you are worthy and that you deserve everything you are creating in your life right now.

Have a wonderful week and as always Much Love,

H+K

Being Kind to yourself

As we welcome in another beautiful week the team at Hayley and Kelly are reminded of how important it is to be kind to yourself. We can get lost in critique and wanting to improve who we are and what we do. However often where we are in the present moment is exactly where we need to remain. Placing restrictions and rules on the way we live our life can make us feel boxed in and can result in a large amount of negative self talk when we don’t conform to the boundaries we create.

Inviting a feeling of kindness and understanding to yourself, as you would to a child learning to walk or even to a new colleague learning the ropes of the office. Sometimes we don’t get things 100% right and that is OK! We need to appreciate that we cant be perfect all the time, and that things we do (in terms of activities we do, food we eat, how we spend out time) may suit us at one point but that could change over time.

Listening to what makes you happy and what fulfils you on a deeper level than simply striving and working towards goals mindlessly is so integral to our overall feeling of content. Demonstrate a softness in the way you speak to yourself and also how you nourish yourself. Remember that you are a unique, powerful and incredible person and deserve to be treated as such, especially by yourself!

We are all deserving of radical and empowering self love, and by demonstrating this to yourself it will gradually expand out to the other people in your life.

Much Love,
H+K

Consistency: Always Showing Up

In pursuit of our dreams one key trait that is so important to cultivate is Consistency.

We have all done it, when we are adamant we are going to achieve something like going to the gym 4x week or even just reading a book once a month, but life gets in the way and it falls further and further from your daily routine.

However it is so important to maintain your consistency and drive when you are wanting to achieve incredible goals or even in the journey to creating your best life. Showing up every day for something you are passionate for is so incredibly powerful, the simple act of just being present and making the time each and every day to achieve something will fuel you along your path.

For many people the act of showing up is a huge demonstration of self love and appreciation. By forcibly making the time to work towards something and by reinforcing its importance you are showing the world how dedicated you are and how much you are potentially willing to sacrifice in order to get what you want from your life.

Our question for you today is this: What are you willing to do in order to achieve your dreams?

This is what is the hard work that you need to put in every day in order to achieve your goals and transform your life?

This all takes time, the best things in life take time to develop. Remember, the people you idolise have worked hard to be there, they have dedicated numerous hours and overcome many challenges to be where they are today. We all have to work hard and dedicate ourselves to our dreams. Do what you need to do with conviction, passion and joy and nothing can stop you.

Much Love,

H+K

Simplifying your life

We live in a magnificent world of numerous choices and unbound potential. However it can be said that often we get lost in the choices and options we have in our day to day life. Moving between a hundred different movies to watch on streaming websites, to deciding what to have for dinner or even having numerous choices when making a huge decision like choosing a profession. We can get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information and it can be difficult to determine what is the best solution.

Sometimes it is better to just simplify things, to narrow down the choices in your life to the things that you want to spend time deciding on. Creating routines and systems in your life can be a wonderful way to tackle the feeling of ‘too much’ and can give you a chance to breath and evaluate what needs your attention.

For example, one simple hack can be creating a meal plan for your family. Understanding what is going to need prepping and even just what is on the menu for the day can really take a lot of the struggle out of daily or weekly preparation. By premeditating different choices and planning ahead of time you are freeing up more time in the present.

On a much more internal level, limiting the choices you have to make with regards to dealing with personal conflicts or even maintaining healthy habits is integral to your overall happiness. Making time every day to do yoga for 10 minutes for example enables you to remove the choices involved in dedicating time to exercise and be with yourself. If it simply becomes a part of your routine there is no choice involved.

Furthermore creating a life that is congruent to your personal beliefs and ideals will further safeguard your time from unnecessary decision making. By filling your life with the things that you love and spending time eliminating the things that sap your energy, you are bringing a greater focus to yourself.

Why not take a moment today to list out all the things you have to decide on in a daily schedule. Really evaluate whether these things should indeed be taking up your time and if not, then let them go. Try and figure out what it really is that you need to be spending time and effort on and release those things that are simply there as clutter.

Once you begin to ‘streamline your life’ and making time for the things that make you whole you will see a complete change in the flow of energy and happiness in and out of your life.

Learn that your time is precious, and treat it as such.

Wishing you a wonderful week,

Much Love,

H+K

Manifesting a Positive Attitude

We all have dreams, aspirations and plans. But how many times have you felt as though you are getting no where with a goal and lose your way? Oftentimes our success does not fall on how much we prepare, plan, manage and direct but it is more about the energy and attitude we have towards what we are trying to achieve. In every aspect of our lives the outcome can be determined by the attitude with which we approach it.

Having a positive attitude is a hugely desirable trait and something which we hear a lot of in many books and documentaries. But cultivating this attitude and approach to life is something that can be a little tricky to do at first. We live in a social environment where it can be very easy to suddenly become swamped by negative media, perspectives and focuses. Things that we don’t often perceive as being negative can have a negative effect on our lives overall. Those things that draw our focus away from what we really need to be doing and spending our energy on can suck at our resolve and steer us off our path.

That is where a positive attitude needs to be paired with a focused and driven attention. Now this pairing is incredibly important as it not only enables us to adapt and deal with whatever we experience in our life, but also enables us to stay our course and be able to discern what is important and what details can be put aside.

Manifesting a positive attitude is something that does take daily practice, and it can slip away from time to time due to circumstances outside of our control. But it is so important to remember that in every moment there is something to be grateful for. Missing the 5.30pm train may mean that you have to wait an extra 5 minutes before the next one, but this train may be a bit emptier and you could meet someone amazing. Or even having to wait in line as the person in front of you fumbles trying to remember their pin for their card. This person has gifted you some blissful moments of time with yourself.

So instead of getting frustrated and upset about the things you cannot control, why not focus on the things in your life that you can and bring joy to those. Curate an approach of contentment and gratitude and allow this to fall over each and every situation you come into contact with. The things we label as bad may not be entirely bad and the things we label as good are not always entirely good. It is with a calm mind and a positive attitude that we can begin to understand and appreciate both for what they are and to glean the lesson from each.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend,

Much Love,

H+K

Re-Evaluating what needs your Focus

Another wonderful week has arrived and as we look at our to-do lists and planners it is important to check in and see how you are feeling about the way you ‘balance’ your life.

Of course achieving balance can be seen as a daunting task, but we like to think of it more that we are applying our energy to the areas that serve us the most. Spending less time on things that do not bring us joy and focusing on the aspects of our life that lift us.

A great way of establishing your ‘life balance’ is using a tool such as the one below. By maintaining a constant and gentle awareness of the things that take up your time you can manage your happiness in a way that is servicing your dreams.

All you need to do, is review the sheet and rank where you feel you are in the different areas of your life. By having a visual cue for all the things that make up our day and seeing how you split your time between them you are better able to understand exactly what it is that you need to do in order to achieve more flow and ease in your life.

This can also be a wonderful motivator in introducing new and exciting experiences into your life. When we see the ways that we perhaps need to change our routines we can see where we can inject a bit more light into our day.

Maybe you have fallen into a bit of a creative rut, by seeing your time spread and the ways you prioritise things can encourage you to really hone in on exactly what it is that you love doing and the things that may need a bit more attention.

Keeping an open mind about how you can better yourself is also so important as it gives you the flexibility and freedom to truly remain in a constant state of growth.

We hope that this tool is of some use! Let us know if you use it and how you may be switching things up this week,

Much Love,

H+K

Journalling to Manifest your Dream Life

When you think about your dream life what does it include? What are the feelings that you have when you visualise or describe to yourself what you do, how you spend your time and perhaps even what this future self looks like? When we are on the journey to creating our most beautiful and authentic life it can seem as though we are in a constant struggle between now and where we want to be. The space between the two can seem so vast and you may feel a bit disheartened at the sheer task that it is perceived to be. This is where journaling can be an immense tool to add to your daily routine. The simple act of dedicating 5, 10, 15 or even 20 minutes to yourself to write and explore your internal space can be hugely liberating, and can even offer the solutions to the challenges you face on your journey. 

Some of the greatest minds in history were dedicated to their journaling practice, Charles Darwin wrote as a form of catharsis when battling the huge questions of where we come from, Frida Kahlo also wrote as a way to decipher her thoughts and the events happening around her. The simple act of writing gives us so much more awareness of where we are, but it can also be a huge wakeup to the things that we may be dismissing or the true seeds of our own doubts or insecurities. 

But how do you do it? 

Well it’s one of the most simple acts of kindness you can gift yourself. Find a book, it doesn’t have to be fancy all it needs to do is be able to contain your thoughts. Then settle down somewhere you can just ‘be’, try to avoid distractions if possible but if that is unavoidable learn to sit within the chaos and channel your energy into the page. 

Some days you may write volumes of words, your mind like a river constantly flowing and responsive to your questions. But other days simply getting 5 words out may feel like a marathon. This is all part of the journey, when you are getting back in touch with yourself it can take time to trust and accept what needs to be removed in order to invite the freedom you desire. As F. Scott Fitzgerald said “Nothing any good isn’t hard”, we learn from applying ourselves to challenges and sometimes the greatest challenge is getting to know ourselves. 

Through the simple act of writing down your ideas, or even just your stream of consciousness, you can pick up some incredibly insightful information on where you are and maybe even what you need to do as your next step towards your dreams and goals. 

We encourage you to stick at your journaling, give it time to grow as a practice and see where it takes you. You may be surprised after a while when you read back on past entries and see how far you have come. 

Let us know how you get on, and if you have a journaling practice yourself then feel free to share your tips and how you incorporate it into your busy day. 

Much Love and have a wonderful day,

H+K 

Creating the life you want

As another abundant and prosperous week rolls into being we are reminded of the things that make up a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.

Oftentimes we focus on the physical aspects of what make up our overall idea of health, going to the gym, drinking clean water, eating wholesome food and getting enough time outdoors are all such important factors that play into our overall happiness and vitality. But we often forget to acknowledge the huge importance of those things that make up the smaller and less discernible parts of our day.

From the moment we wake we are bombarded with messages, adverts, notifications, emails, reminders, alarms and anything else vying for our attention. We are under a constant barrage of other people’s wants and needs and it can feel like we are constantly in a battle for our own space and time

For many people their morning starts something like this:
Wake up to a blaring alarm clock, gulp back espresso or a caffeinated drink, tackle their daily commute, listening or reading to the morning news. They then arrive at work feeling harassed and overwhelmed, jittery from the coffee and low from whatever media outlet has been feeding them information.

However it doesnt have to be this way. Our minds are incredible things and as the saying goes “Where the mind goes, energy flows”. We are directly responsible for our actions and reactions to our world and it is there that true health and vitality lies. Health in that sense is above, down, inside and out. It is in everything that we consciously and unconsciously consume on a daily level. That is why you must be so aware of what you are putting in your body in a physical sense (food, water etc.) and also in a mental or emotional sense (the news, aggravating media and negative thought patterns)

You have an unlimited potential to create the world you wish to live in, to curate a life that suits your wants and needs and most importantly a life that emanates with everything that you want to be as a person.

So this is our offering to you, create a daily practice of consuming mindfully. Carefully select what it is that you want to allow into your life. Sort through the things that give you joy from the things that suck your power and energy. Give favour to those things that nourish you and align with your beliefs. You are capable of so much joy and are able to do anything you dream of, if you only make the environment right for your mind to grow.

Good luck and Much Love,

H+K

Inviting your Childlike Side in

By the time the weekend rolls around I am sure many of you feel exactly like we do, excited from our achievements but pretty exhausted too!

Between school pickups and drop offs, to work deadlines, guilt at not getting to the gym as much as you would have liked and the continual planning. Mixed in between the beautiful moments there is a lot of energy used and it can feel like we have been on a never ending wheel of to-dos.

This is why we are strong supporters of Restorative Weekend Rituals. The things you do that help you to regain your footing, and to allow you the space to acknowledge how incredible you really are. Now as it is Friday we would like to offer a different spin from the usual options often offered. Things that you can do with friends and loved ones aside from attending a delicious Yin Yoga class or running yourself a bath. Truly allowing yourself to regain a bit of that ‘childlike’ energy and excitement that we can lose in our constant hustle. Here are three suggestions that may invite a bit of a spark in to your weekend, that can involve everyone, and will leave you feeling invigorated and energised.

1) Wander around:
This may seem a bit strange to suggest, but when was the last time you let yourself go for a gentle wander around your neighbourhood or local park? Oftentimes we get caught up in the hustle from one place to another and lose track of the beautiful things around us. Take time to simply ‘plod’ along and witness the world around you. If you live near a park or a green space then let yourself get lost in it (Within reason!) and try to allow yourself the luxury of simply being present and embracing everything around you. Having this little space in your day to explore, as you would have done as a child, is truly a wonderful experience! Get a little muddy, feel the cold and enjoy a spot of rain as it falls on you in the middle of the day. After all, it’s just water, and nature has a beautiful way of teaching us things when we least expect it.

2) Create something:
One thing that children do is constantly create. They are always making things, whether that be in their head or out of paper, crayons, sticks, mud, you name it! Can you think of the last time you sat down and drew a picture? It doesnt have to be Michelangelo, a stick figure will suffice. But using your creative muscle is a powerful way to recharge and also it can help you to really hone in on any ideas that may be floating around in your head. Dig out your collection of crayons, or paints, and a stack of paper and create a craft day. Simply sit and be with others and bounce energy off one another. Remember the point of this is to go into it with no expectation, we aren’t looking for the next masterpiece. Let go, feel yourself become immersed in your task and you will discover beautiful things.

3) Teach someone something
The great Yogis believe there are no teachers, only students. We all go through life with particular skills, passions and pursuits. And often we do not get to use our knowledge in our weekly jobs. Why not share your knowledge with others, or ask someone to teach you more about something you’re interested in? For example some people may have a wealth of knowledge in Natural History, why not learn more about how our world works and in turn teach them about something that you are passionate about. The greatest gift in life is knowledge. As lucky as we are to have the internet and other resources, these cannot replace the real beauty of learning from another person.

We hope you have a beautiful weekend, if you use any of our perhaps unorthodox ideas for your weekend plans then please let us know! OR if you have anything you would like to share with us, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook.

Thank you and much love,

H+K

Monday Motivation: Claiming back the 'small moments'

Happy Monday! 
The start of the week is a fabulous opportunity to set your intentions and also to see what needs to be accomplished and tackled. However sometimes we lose track of the smaller moments in which we view to be inconsequential to the grander image of our lives. But it is so important to take time to take stock and also to refuel your mind and body so that you are clear and energised. Making sure to mark out time in which you can do this is integral, and it doesn’t have to be a whole day of pampering (no matter how much we wish we could!) Grounding yourself through mindful practices that serve you in a holistic way are incredible boosts to helping you along your way.

These can range between simply taking 5 minutes in the morning to map out your day, to setting aside an extra hour to do some yoga, meditate or simply sit with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy a bit of silence. By introducing more mindfulness into our lives we allow ourselves to set the tone for our week, and also to take back our control over our reactions to external pressures.

Being grounded and remaining aware of those things that enable you to really focus by removing the tension and heat of our modern lives is so vital to your personal and professional success. Find practices that really sing to you and that allow you to properly be involved and invested in the tasks and people you are surrounded by. It is in the silence between the great leaps that we develop our most resilient and powerful selves. When we take this view we can come to understand the real importance of caring for ourselves in every way.

 
Remember as you go into your working week that you have an incredible power to catalyse positive change by your actions. Therefore, prepare your toolkit, do the ‘hard’ work and realise your potential! You never know how taking a few moments to just ‘be’ will improve your week and boost you to your next level. 

Sending love and light,
Hayley+Kelly

Practices for Daily Inspiration

By the end of the working week it is perfectly normal to find yourself feeling depleted and exhausted. While we rush around ticking off our to-do lists and hustling for our next goal or dream, it can be challenging to maintain our trajectory and keep a firm eye on why we are doing what we do.

One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to curate and cultivate practices to keep you energised and empowered! Therefore allowing you to fulfil your desires and continue serving your community.

As a team we are constantly aware of the things we need to do in order to ensure we are able to continue helping others. However, sometimes you need to take a break from the rush of working and take a moment to reignite that creative self we all have.

Here are a few ways we love to make sure that we are servicing our inner self:

Kelly:
One daily practice that really serves me is my gratitude journal. Every day I write three things down that I am grateful for in a lovely bound journal. This beautiful book then serves me as I re-read the last three days when I need a bit of a boost of inspiration. I also start every day reading my list of “I am” words, these are qualities that I see in others that I admire and want to cultivate in my own life. For example “I am happy”, “I am kind” and “I am strong”. In this way I am positively reinforcing those traits and ideas that I love in others and creating a space for them within my life.

Hayley:
When I am preparing for my day I write down 6 things that I want to achieve with the understanding that I am aiming to complete 3 of those tasks. Any tasks that are not completed are carried over to the next day with non judgment. This is a hugely beneficial practice for me as it allows me to clear out those ‘daily worries’ as I become aware and understanding of what I need to achieve. By not placing the fear of having to complete every task I am also acting in kindness to myself and this allows me to carry this through every aspect of my life.

Team Practice:
For the past few years both of our families have created and used a ‘Happiness Jar’. This is a big jar where we place little notes of all of the achievements that we are proud of, things that make us feel good and moments that made us happy. Throughout the year this jar gets fuller and fuller and by Christmas time we all choose a day to go through our ‘Happiness Notes’. This is a fantastic way to reinforce the beauty of the little moments in life, it also demonstrates that goals are achieved by the daily practices and victories.

We hope that this has provided you with a little bit of inspiration for your own daily practices. Remember we are all on a journey so these things take time, never judge yourself for where you are and always admire how far you have come.

Much Love,

Hayley and Kelly

Coming soon....