November is that in-between month — not quite the holiday rush, but no longer the calm of early fall. For many women entrepreneurs, it’s when exhaustion catches up and motivation starts to dip.
We’ve been showing up, serving clients, planning holiday campaigns, and managing everything (and everyone). But what about us?
If you’ve been running on caffeine and adrenaline, consider this your reminder: you can’t pour from an empty cup or lead from one.
This month, let’s talk about self-care! Not spa days (though we love those), but everyday rituals that rebuild your energy, focus, and confidence before year-end.
November is darker, slower — it’s a time to wind down intentionally. Create a 10-minute evening ritual that tells your body, “You’re safe to rest.”
Ideas:
Remove your makeup with presence. Massage your skin, not just clean it.
Write down one win of the day and one thing you’ll release overnight.
End with a hydrating mask or balm as a symbol of softness and care.
How you close your day sets the tone for how you’ll start the next one.
Instead of diving into emails, start your day with a grounding ritual, something that connects you to your body before your business.
Try:
2 minutes of deep breathing.
A warm beverage (before using your phone!).
Applying lip balm or perfume mindfully (a tiny act of self-recognition).
That pause between waking and working is where self-worth grows.
Confidence doesn’t require perfection. It requires presence.
If you’ve been skipping your makeup or skincare because “there’s no time,” simplify.
Get long-lasting treatments that can make mornings effortless.
Or keep a 5-minute beauty ritual enough to feel like you.
Before the holidays rush in, pause and ask:
- What does my body need right now?
- What can I let go of this month to feel more like myself?
November isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing less, beautifully, intentionally, and with care.
Do you have more ideas? Share them in our Happy Healthy Women WhatsApp Group 🥰
Ximena Bravo is a beauty business owner based in Etobicoke, offering permanent makeup and makeup services. She helps women feel confident and ready with natural-looking, long-lasting beauty solutions that save time and feel like “you.” Before starting her business, Ximena worked in marketing for big global brands, managing products and building strategies. Now, she brings that experience into her own business, combining creativity, care, and business know-how. She’s passionate about helping women feel good in their own skin and loves connecting with others who are building meaningful, healthy, and happy lives through their work and passions.
Trying to build a successful business while actually taking care of yourself feels impossible most days. I've watched countless women entrepreneurs burn out trying to do it all, and frankly, the traditional "hustle harder" mentality just doesn't work for those of us who want more than professional success.
The thing is, we're in a unique position right now. More women are starting businesses than ever before, and we're finally having real conversations about what sustainable success actually looks like. So let's talk about four strategies that can help you thrive without sacrificing your sanity.
Actually Managing Your Time (Not Just Filling Every Minute)
Time management isn't about cramming more into your day - it's about protecting what matters most. I know, revolutionary concept, right?
Start with the Eisenhower Box if you haven't already. It's simple but game-changing. You divide tasks into urgent/important, important/not urgent, urgent/not important, and neither. Most of us live in that first quadrant, constantly putting out fires. The magic happens when you start spending more time on important but not urgent tasks - like that morning workout or strategic planning session.
Here's what works: Block out non-negotiable time for yourself first. Yes, before the client calls. Your 7 AM yoga session shouldn't get bumped because someone wants an "urgent" meeting that could've been an email.
Use whatever digital tools actually work for you. I'm partial to calendar blocking and ruthless with my phone notifications, but find your system and stick to it.
Building Your Village (Because You Can't Do This Alone)
The whole "self-made" thing is a myth, and thank goodness for that.
You need mentors who've walked this path before you. You need friends who'll call you out when you're working yourself into the ground. And you need colleagues who get the unique challenges of being a woman in business.
Join groups that align with your values - whether that's a local women's entrepreneur meetup or an online community. The connections you make in unexpected places often become the most valuable. Besides Happy Healthy Women, some have found incredible support networks through platforms like Americas Cardroom, where professional networking meets genuine community building.
Don't just collect contacts. Invest in relationships, check in on people, celebrate their wins, and ask for help when you need it (this one's hard, I know).
Mental Health Isn't a Luxury
Can we stop pretending that mental health is something we'll address "when things slow down"? Things don't slow down. You make them slow down.
I used to think meditation was for people who had their lives figured out. Turns out, it's for people who want to figure their lives out. Even five minutes in the morning makes a difference. Find what works - maybe it's journaling, maybe it's a walk around the block, maybe it's therapy.
Speaking of therapy: Having a neutral person to process the chaos with is invaluable. And if traditional therapy isn't accessible, look into coaching or peer support groups.
The goal isn't to eliminate stress - it's to build resilience so you can handle whatever comes your way.
Making Your Workplace Actually Support Wellness
If you're an employee, you might feel limited here, but you have more influence than you think. If you're a business owner, you have no excuse not to prioritize this.
Standing desks are great, but real workplace wellness goes deeper. It's about creating a culture where taking breaks isn't seen as slacking off, and where working late every night isn't a badge of honor.
Try walking meetings - they're surprisingly effective and everyone feels more energized afterward. Start small with team wellness challenges or "no meeting Fridays."
The companies that get this right see real results: less turnover, higher productivity, fewer sick days. It's not just feel-good fluff - it's good business.
The Bottom Line
Look, there's no perfect formula here. What works for your business partner might not work for you, and that's okay. The key is being intentional about creating a life that supports both your ambitions and your well-being.
We're redefining what success looks like, and it's about time. You don't have to choose between building something meaningful and taking care of yourself. In fact, you can't build something truly sustainable without both.
Start with one strategy. See what happens. Adjust as you go. And remember - taking care of yourself isn't selfish. It's strategic.
Bringing a rescue dog home is pure magic. It’s the moment you lock eyes with a soul who has been waiting, sometimes for years, for someone to see them. But that magic is only the beginning. The first six months with a rescue dog are both beautiful and, at times, overwhelming for everyone involved.
These early months are a sacred settling-in period. Your new companion is learning what “home” means: the sounds of the house, the rhythm of your days, and most importantly that love here is safe and lasting. Rescue dogs often arrive carrying layers of past experiences. Even when they seem calm, their nervous systems are working hard to process all the change. It can take weeks or months before their true personality shines through.
As pet parents, we go through our own transition too. There is the joy of bonding and the challenge of understanding behaviors that may not make sense right away. Patience becomes an act of love. Routine, gentle consistency, and energetic support create the container that lets trust bloom.
I know this journey well. My own rescue, Finn, taught me that the first six months set the foundation for a lifetime. Some days felt effortless; others stretched my heart wide open. Each step was worth it.
If you’re welcoming a rescue dog, remember:
Give them more time than you think they need.
Offer a calm environment and steady routine.
Seek support, whether through training, community, or energy work, when things feel heavy.
The reward is beyond words: a bond that feels fated, a companion who mirrors your growth, and the quiet joy of watching a once-uncertain soul finally exhale.
Christine Barfield is an Intuitive Pet Healer and Guide. She helps your pets find more calm, balance and connection through her Signature PETs Method. She specializes in supporting pets with stress, anxiety, and overall well being, creating a more peaceful life for both you and your pet.
Christine absolutely loves being part of Happy Healthy Women, Newmarket, ON, Trailblazer.
Want to learn more about Christine’s Work?
Visit TheFernAndTheFox.com or follow Her on Instagram & Facebook @thefernandthefox.
Need Help with your new dog? Download the Welcome Home Guide
Hello ladies! To really step into your Empress energy, you need emotional freedom. This is the most important key that isn’t talked about enough.
Let’s talk about what that means.
Emotional freedom isn’t about burying your emotions. It’s not about avoiding them. It’s not about pretending you don’t feel them.
Emotions get a bad rep. People say emotions are weak, that someone is “too emotional.” How often have you heard some sort of statement from your parents as a child about your emotions, but the truth is, emotions are powerful. They are your friend.
A lot of people bury their emotions, thinking it makes them stronger. Sometimes they don’t even realize they’re doing it because it’s subconscious. They’ll even criticize others for being “too emotional.”
But here’s the thing: if you bury emotions, they WILL show up. They’ll show up in your words, your actions, and sometimes you’ll explode. If you bury them long enough, they will show up in physical illnesses. Think of the word “dis-ease.” Holding them in always finds a way out, even if it’s in physical form.
Most of us weren’t taught to feel our emotions. We were told, “Why are you feeling like that?” or “You don’t need to feel this way.” Sure, logic has its place. But in the moment, your emotions need to be felt.
Emotional freedom is allowing yourself to be with your emotions. To feel them instead of running from them. To treat them like your best friend.
BUT - They don’t run the show!! The key piece here.
Emotions speak to you. They show you what’s happening under the surface. They point to beliefs that aren’t true. They reveal subconscious patterns and traumas that need healing.
Sometimes a present-day situation triggers emotions that really come from childhood. Maybe something happens, and suddenly you’re all up in your feelings. You don’t even know why. That’s because your body is reacting like it did when you were five years old.
This is why emotions are such powerful communicators. They give you the chance to heal. You don’t always need to know the exact childhood memory. You can heal in the now. Sometimes, as you do the inner work, old memories surface anyway. Things you thought weren’t a big deal, or that you didn’t even remember, start to show up. And the energy behind them starts to release.
Emotional freedom is important because it impacts every area of life.
Resilience. Instead of being knocked down by challenges, you can process and move through them. Life happens. Things will come up. Emotional freedom helps you stand back up. One of my favorite quotes is, “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” Emotional freedom gives you that ability.
Peace. When you’re resilient, you feel safer and calmer. You feel aligned.
Confidence. The more resilient you become, the more confident you feel. You trust yourself. You know you can handle whatever comes your way.
Healthy relationships. Instead of blaming or lashing out at your partner, you can regulate yourself.
Business growth. Emotional blocks often stop you from taking steps that would move your business forward. Releasing those blocks opens the door.
Better decision-making. Emotional freedom gets you out of fight-or-flight and brings you back to center. From there, you make clearer, stronger choices, even in small things like food.
Personal power and Empress energy. This is where it all leads. Emotional freedom keeps you grounded in your center. Even if you wobble, you know how to bring yourself back. And every time you come back, you stay in your power longer.
Embodying Emotional Freedom
I see emotional work happening in three stages, depending on how strong the emotional hook is.
At this level, a quick reframe can shift everything. Think of an apple in the middle of two mirrors. One side shows it as red, the other side shows it as green. Same apple. Different angle. That’s how fast a reframe can work at the surface.
This is for an emotion that is on the surface. It may have a slight ting of emotion. Like a 1 out 10, maybe even a 2 out of 10.
Here the emotion has more intensity. There’s a bit of a hook. This may have like a 3-4 in intensity of emotion in your body. This is where awareness helps.
Sit with the feeling. Acknowledge it. Breathe into it.
I often imagine my inner child, the little girl inside me. She holds both the wounds and the playfulness. I picture her as the one needing to feel the emotion. I sit with her without judgment. That’s when the release comes.
At this point, you don’t need to force a reframe. Once the emotion releases, the reframe happens naturally.
When the emotion is very strong and won’t release easily, you need somatic work. 95% of your memories are actually held in your body.
For me, it’s EFT/Tapping. For others, it may be breathwork. Both work with the body to release the charge.
With Tapping, you calm the amygdala and release energy stored in the body. Once that charge is gone, you naturally see things differently. You don’t have to force yourself to “think positive.” The shift just happens naturally.
Over time, the more you clear the deep stuff, the easier it becomes to reframe and release at the surface or middle levels.
Here’s the beauty of this work:
Triggers lose their grip. Situations and/or people are far less likely to rock you.
Past emotional charges from “small t” and “big T” traumas dissolve.
You bounce back faster.
Each time you return to center, you stay there longer.
That is emotional freedom.
If you want to stop burying your emotions, if you’re ready to release the trauma that’s been running the show, and if you want to come fully back into your body and your Empress energy—reach out HERE.
This is where healing happens. This is where power lives. And this is where you truly come home to yourself.
If there is one message our pets are teaching us right now, it is patience.
Every dog and cat I have been working with lately has reminded me of this truth. Many have carried stress or anxiety for months or even years, and their journey to healing is not instant. It takes time. It takes gentleness. It takes presence.
Just like us, our pets’ patterns and behaviours didn’t form overnight. They are the result of past experiences, environments, and the energy they have absorbed along the way. And just like us, it takes time for them to unwind, feel safe, and learn a new way of being.
This is where our role as their humans becomes so important. Our patience creates the space for their healing. When we try to rush or force change, both we and our pets end up frustrated. But when we slow down, breathe, and stay consistent, something shifts. They begin to relax into the safety we are holding for them.
The key is presence.
Presence says, I see you. I am with you. I’m not expecting you to be anything other than who you are right now. That is when healing becomes possible not just for our pets, but for us as well.
If you are on a journey with a pet who is struggling, I invite you to pause and reflect. Notice how far they have already come. Celebrate the small moments of progress. Trust that the change will unfold in its own timing.
Patience is not passive. It is powerful. It is the love and steadiness that tells our pets: You are safe, you are supported, and we will walk this path together.
Christine Barfield is an Intuitive Pet Healer and Guide. She helps your pets find more calm, balance and connection through her Signature PETs Method. She specializes in supporting pets with stress, anxiety, and overall well being, creating a more peaceful life for both you and your pet.
Christine absolutely loves being part of Happy Healthy Women, Newmarket, ON, Trailblazer.
Want to learn more about Christine’s Work?
Visit TheFernAndTheFox.com or follow Her on Instagram & Facebook @thefernandthefox.
Let’s be honest. No one will openly admit that someone’s appearance affected their decision to hire them, follow them, or buy from them. But the truth? It might have…
Most of us weren’t taught how to stay connected to ourselves. We were taught how to be liked. How to make people comfortable. How to show up for others. What we weren’t taught was… how to listen to us… to our body, to our truth, to what we need in the moment.
At some point, we learned to disconnect. We ignored our feelings, second-guessed our intuition, and told ourselves, “It’s not that big of a deal.” The more we learned to do that, the further we drifted from who we really are.
The good news is you can come back. It won’t be perfect, and it doesn’t need to take years. It starts with small choices, moment to moment, that build trust with yourself again. If you’re ready to start returning to you, here are a few simple but powerful ways to begin:
Coming back to yourself begins with honesty. Not performance. Not pretending. Not trying to “stay positive.” Just real, grounded truth.
Ask yourself:
How am I really feeling today?
What feels heavy right now?
Where am I pretending I’m okay when I’m not?
Even writing this down in a journal or saying it out loud in the mirror counts. Let your truth have a safe space to land.
You are not a machine. You have human needs. You’re allowed to feel tired, overwhelmed, or hungry for more. One way we abandon ourselves is by pushing those needs down or expecting others to meet them without ever asking.
Instead, try this:
Pause once today and ask, “What do I need right now?”
Then give yourself permission to meet that need. Whether it’s rest, water, space to cry, a walk, or saying no… honor it now. This is how you build inner trust.
Every time you say yes when you mean no, a little part of you feels dismissed. That might not seem like a big deal in each moment, but it adds up and compounds over time. Coming back to yourself means noticing when you override your gut… and choosing differently.
Try this today:
The next time something feels off, pause.
Instead of reacting out of habit, breathe and ask, “Is this a yes from my soul or from my people-pleasing?” Then choose the answer that feels peaceful, instead of pressured.
We are so hard on ourselves. We beat ourselves up for not being healed enough, not being productive enough, not getting it all right. We have to remember though, healing doesn’t happen in shame. Healing happens in love.
So today, try softening the way you speak to yourself. If your inner voice is being harsh, imagine you’re talking to a child or a best friend instead. Would you say it that way to them? Probably not. Let your self-talk become a safe place, not a battlefield.
Remember, coming back to yourself isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about remembering who you’ve always been… underneath the pressure, the roles, and the noise. The more you choose truth over pretending… The more you listen to your needs instead of ignoring them… The more you show up for yourself like someone who matters… The more peace you’ll begin to feel… not because everything outside is perfect, but because you’re no longer abandoning the person inside.
If this speaks to you and you want more real-time reminders like this, come join me inside Soul Speak, my private Telegram channel. It’s where I drop voice notes from the heart to help you stay grounded and connected through whatever season you’re in. 👉 Click here to join Soul Speak.
Keep leading with your light,
Rosaly Didonna
Rosaly Didonna is a Reiki Master, Spiritual Coach, and the heart behind The Purifying Place, a sacred space devoted to healing, empowerment, and soul embodiment. She holds space for women to journey inward, guiding them through deep energetic healing, soul alignment, and transformational shifts using Reiki, sound healing, Human Design, and spiritual life coaching.
Rosaly’s work is a reclamation, and an invitation to return to your truth, release what no longer serves, and rise into the highest expression of who you came here to be. Through her 1:1 soul-led coaching, she supports you in activating your inner power and embodying your divine essence fully, unapologetically, and with love.
✨ Follow the journey on Instagram @thepurifyingplace
For many women, cooking is something we have to do, not something we want to do. Between busy careers, caring for others, and balancing wellness goals, the idea of cooking a meal from scratch can feel like just another stressor on an already full plate.
I hear this often in my work as a culinary coach: “I wish I felt more comfortable in the kitchen.” The truth is, cooking confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build, little by little, with the right support and mindset.
So if cooking has ever felt like a chore, a stressor, or something you're just not “naturally good at,” this guide is for you.
1. Reconnect With Why You Want to Cook
Cooking is more than just food prep, it’s an act of care for yourself and the people you love. But to enjoy it, you need to find your why.
Do you want to:
Knowing your personal reasons helps transform cooking from a task into a choice, and that shift in mindset is powerful.
2. Focus on Small, Achievable Skills
You don’t need to be a trained chef to feel at home in the kitchen. But knowing a few core techniques makes everything easier.
Start with the basics:
These are simple things, but they make all the difference.
3. Give Yourself Permission to Learn Imperfectly
So many women tell me they’re afraid of getting it wrong in the kitchen. But cooking isn’t about perfection, it's about progress.
Try this:
Confidence doesn’t come all at once. It comes from showing up again and again.
4. Set Up a Kitchen That Works for You
You can’t feel calm if your space is chaotic. And you don’t need a Pinterest-perfect kitchen to feel good cooking in it, you just need a few systems that help you feel in control.
Tips to create ease:
A calm space makes for a calmer cook.
5. Find Your “Go-To” Meals
Confidence often comes from knowing you can pull something together, even on a tired Tuesday night.
Choose a few recipes that are:
Having these in your back pocket saves time and decision fatigue.
6. Be Kind to Yourself
So many of us carry the belief that we’re “bad at cooking” because no one ever showed us how. That inner voice that says, “I’m just not good at this”, you can change it.
Learning to cook is like learning any life skill: it takes time, patience, and a little help along the way. It doesn’t have to be lonely, overwhelming, or perfect.
Want to Feel Better in the Kitchen? You’re Not Alone.
I work with women in Toronto (and beyond) who want to feel more capable, calm, and confident when it comes to everyday meals. Whether you're starting from scratch, cooking for one, or trying to feed a busy household, I can help you develop the skills you need to make cooking feel more enjoyable and less stressful.
👩🍳 1:1 Culinary Coaching
📍 In-person in Toronto or online
🗓️ Flexible scheduling to fit your life
❤️ No judgment, just encouragement
Let’s make cooking feel good again.
Visit suziebattishill.com to learn more or book a free intro chat.
Suzie Battishill empowers home cooks to break free from rigid recipes through bespoke cookery courses that build confidence, creativity, and control in the kitchen. Her approach focuses on mastering essential skills and techniques, exploring global cuisines, and working with fresh, whole foods. By learning to cook instinctively, her students gain the ability to create meals that suit their tastes, lifestyles, and dietary needs with ease. With a wealth of experience as a private chef and cookery teacher, Suzie’s tailored lessons help individuals develop a deeper understanding of food, enabling them to cook with skill, intuition, and enjoyment.
Peggy Bundy from Married with Children was seen as lazy. She chilled on the couch, ate bonbons, avoided housework, and didn’t chase approval. That image became a cultural punchline, a symbol of what a woman shouldn't be. And yet, for many women, there was something oddly magnetic about her freedom.
She didn’t hustle for validation. She didn’t burn herself out trying to meet society’s impossible standards. She just was. And for that, she was mocked.
Now contrast her with June Cleaver from Leave It to Beaver.
The picture-perfect 1950s housewife. June wore pearls to vacuum, served home-cooked meals with a smile, and never seemed to break a sweat. She was praised as the ideal: selfless, put-together, endlessly giving. The embodiment of what a "good woman" should be.
Two opposite archetypes. One ridiculed. One revered.
But here’s the deeper truth: neither woman is wrong. The real harm lies in the shame women are made to feel for choosing one version of womanhood over another. Whether you resonate more with Peggy, June, or somewhere in between, you deserve the right to choose without apology. Especially when you’re choosing from a place of alignment, not conditioning.
For decades, women have been placed in an impossible double bind. If you do it all, you're praised, until you burn out. If you set boundaries or choose rest, you're selfish or lazy.
This isn’t just about domestic roles. It's about how we internalize worthiness.
Many of us were raised to believe our value lies in how much we give. How much we serve. How much we sacrifice. This belief system makes it difficult to rest without guilt. To say no without explanation. To choose what we want over what others expect.
This internal pressure doesn’t just live in the mind. It shows up in the body, tight shoulders, clenched jaws, anxious bellies. The more we push past ourselves, the more disconnected we become from our truth.
And when disconnection becomes our norm, shame moves in. We search for emotional healing support, not always knowing what we need, but feeling the weight of shame and exhaustion in our bones.
Shame is quiet, but corrosive. It whispers things like:
"You should be doing more."
"You’re lazy for wanting rest."
"You’re not a good mom/partner/entrepreneur if you…"
It keeps you locked in a loop of proving, performing, and pleasing. And what’s worse? Shame doesn’t motivate you to grow. It shrinks you.
True growth, the kind that transforms your relationships, your business, your self-worth, comes from awareness, not shame. It comes from reconnecting with your body, your values, and your voice. It begins when you decide to stop feeling guilty for wanting peace, space, or slowness.
Self-awareness is more than self-reflection. It’s the act of observing your inner world without judgment. Noticing the patterns you’ve inherited. Listening to the language of your body. Honoring what’s true for you in the present moment.
One of the most powerful ways to cultivate self-awareness is through mindfulness. Not the kind that demands silence or perfection, but the kind that invites you to get honest. To pause. To breathe. To check in.
Here’s a simple mindfulness practice for emotional awareness to begin:
Find a quiet space. Sit or lie down comfortably. Let your eyes close gently.
Take three slow breaths. Inhale and exhale through your nose.
Scan your body from head to toe SLOWLY. Start at your scalp and move downward: forehead, eyes, jaw, neck, shoulders, chest, belly, hips, legs, feet.
Then go back up. Reverse the scan from feet to crown.
Notice any sensations. Tingling, tightness, warmth, emptiness. Don’t label them as good or bad. Just notice.
If emotions arise, simply notice them. Are they pleasant or unpleasant? Unpleasant sensations may point to imbalance; pleasant ones may reflect harmony. Just observe with curiosity. These sensations will start to speak to you.
Stay with your breath. Let it be your anchor.
You don’t need to analyze anything. You don’t need to fix anything. Just notice. Just be.
Practicing this for even five minutes a day begins to shift your relationship with yourself. You become more attuned to when you’re acting from shame vs. truth. From obligation vs. alignment. You learn how to stop feeling guilty for resting and begin to access a new level of freedom within.
This is the foundation of emotional resilience, spiritual clarity, and authentic power.
We’ve been told that feminine power means being nurturing, selfless, and available. But real feminine power includes receiving. It includes saying no. It includes asking, "What do I need today?"
Peggy Bundy, in all her exaggerated, comedic glory, showed us a woman who didn’t bend over backwards to be everything for everyone. She had flaws, sure. But she also had sovereignty. And maybe that’s what unsettled people the most.
Being sovereign, being rooted in yourself, is threatening in a world that profits from your self-doubt.
June Cleaver modeled another kind of power. Graceful, composed, devoted. But her strength, too, must be chosen consciously, not worn as a mask to meet expectations.
Neither woman should be a blueprint. They are archetypes to reflect on, not cages to shrink into.
Your feminine power is unique to you. It might look like baking bread and hosting dinners. It might look like building a business and taking naps. It might look like all of it, or none of it. What matters is that you choose it, free from shame.
To release shame, you must first meet it, not with blame or resistance, but with curiosity.
Ask yourself:
Where did I learn that rest is wrong?
When did I start believing I had to earn love or approval?
What do I make it mean about me when I slow down?
These questions aren’t meant to diagnose. They’re meant to open. Because when you understand the roots of your shame, you can rewrite your story.
Releasing shame and finding balance doesn’t mean choosing between Peggy and June. It means making room for your own rhythm, your own needs, your own expression. It means creating your version of emotional healing support and claiming it unapologetically.
This work isn’t surface-level. It will challenge your identity. It will ask you to grieve parts of yourself that were never really you, but kept you safe.
And it will also set you free.
Once you become aware of shame, you get to choose how you respond. Maybe next time you feel guilty for sitting down during the day, you pause and breathe. Maybe you still get up and do the thing, but with awareness. Or maybe you don’t.
The win isn’t in the action. It’s in the consciousness.
From there, you can begin to make micro-shifts:
Saying no without over-explaining.
Resting before you're depleted.
Doing what you love, not what you "should."
Over time, those shifts become a life.
A life lived not from shame or pressure, but from truth.
You are not here to prove your worth by how much you do. You are not lazy for wanting stillness. You are not selfish for choosing yourself.
You are a whole, complex, powerful woman. Whether you find pieces of yourself in Peggy, June, or someone entirely different, your path is sacred when it comes from your heart.
And if shame is something you’re ready to shed, if the old stories are feeling too tight, too heavy, you don’t have to do it alone.
This work is gentle, deep, and life-changing. And it starts with a breath, a scan, and a willingness to get honest.
Let that be your beginning. You deserve to rest. You deserve to rise. And you deserve to feel free.
And if you’re looking for deeper guidance, you can work with me. As an Emotional Freedom Coach, I help women release shame, reconnect with their truth, and embody the balance they crave…in life, love, and business. Whether you're navigating shame around rest or simply learning how to stop feeling guilty for choosing yourself, emotional healing support is here and you're not alone.
If you’ve ever adopted a rescue dog or cat, you know the journey is not always linear. It takes time. It takes heart. And often, it takes more patience and healing than we expect.
In my work with PETs Energetics, I’ve supported many pets who carry invisible scars. These are energetic imprints from past experiences, losses or uncertainty. What’s beautiful is how these animals continue to open their hearts to us. Slowly. Cautiously. Bravely.
When we welcome a rescue into our home, we’re not just giving them shelter. We’re offering them the chance to feel safe again and to rediscover who they truly are. That process can take weeks or even months. During that time, our pets often reflect back to us the very energy we’re carrying.
If we are anxious, they may seem unsettled.
If we’re grieving, they may mirror that stillness or cling to us more.
If we’re calm, they soften and breathe more freely.
These mirrors are not punishments. They are invitations. They gently ask us to slow down, look inward and meet them, and ourselves, with more grace.
That’s the deeper truth about rescue pets. They are not broken. They are sensitive, attuned and deeply spiritual beings. When we choose to meet them with energy healing, patience and love, we both heal. Together.
Take a moment today to tune in.
If you’ve rescued a pet, ask yourself:
What are they showing me about myself?
Where can I soften, settle or offer more presence?
The journey of rescuing a pet is never one-sided.
It is a soul contract. A healing partnership.
And it is one of the most powerful forms of unconditional love we will ever experience.
Christine Barfield is an Intuitive Pet Healer and Guide. She helps your pets find more calm, balance and connection through her Signature PETs Method. She specializes in supporting pets with stress, anxiety, and overall well being, creating a more peaceful life for both you and your pet.
Christine absolutely loves being part of Happy Healthy Women, Newmarket, ON, Trailblazer.
Want to learn more about Christine’s Work?
Visit TheFernAndTheFox.com or follow Her on Instagram & Facebook @thefernandthefox.
For years, I believed balance meant cutting back or just trying to do less. I thought if I said no to enough things, simplified my schedule, and trimmed my commitments, I’d finally feel whole.
But true balance - the kind that fuels both lasting energy and joy - comes from something deeper:
Alignment.
When your thoughts, emotions, body, and beliefs are in sync, you’re unstoppable. Your nervous system shifts from stress to flow. Your brain’s energy centers light up. You become magnetic in your presence, creativity, and power.
I’ve seen this transformation in my own life - and in countless people I’ve worked with over the last 25 years. One woman (actually, far too many!), for example, was exhausted despite “doing all the right things.” Meditation, yoga, supplements… yet she felt drained every day. Why? Her body was tense, her mind was locked in self-doubt, and her beliefs told her she always had to “do more” to be worthy. One by one, we realigned those layers. Within weeks, her energy returned, her mood lifted, and she felt like herself again.
Because here’s the truth:
Alignment isn’t a luxury. It’s the hidden key to sustainable health, focus, and the life you want.
But if even one piece is off - your thoughts spinning in worry, your body locked in tension, old beliefs whispering “not enough” - your power dims. You feel scattered, exhausted, or stuck, no matter how hard you try.
So, where might you be out of alignment today?
Start by checking in:
Thoughts → Are your inner conversations empowering or draining?
Emotions → What feeling are you carrying right now?
Body → Is your posture open and relaxed… or tight and tense?
Beliefs → Are you holding onto stories that keep you small?
Even one small shift can start realigning your whole system. Maybe that’s a single breath. A boundary. A new belief. Or simply the decision to pause and listen.
Because all your power comes from within. Alignment is how you access it.
Your next step?
Pause for 30 seconds today. Breathe deeply. And ask yourself:
Where do I need to realign?
One tiny shift could be the door to a whole new level of energy, focus, and joy.
With over 25 years of experience, Suzanne is dedicated to empowering individuals in overcoming back pain and achieving sustainable well-being. As a seasoned mentor to students, chiropractors, and aspiring individuals, she has developed a revolutionary system that harnesses optimal nervous system health. Suzanne's innovative approach redefines stress management, paving the way for success and sustainable balance in life.
