Visibility lessons from 2018, part 1: writing

My dream for each year is that it’ll feel like this; lying on a lilo (an inflatable mattress or floatie), with the sun shining and a gentle breeze, floating down the river en route to a patch of luscious grass encircled by a grove of ancient trees. In my mind, there’s a picnic all set up with delicious food, a thermos of green tea or a great bottle of chilled wine, fantastic company, a good book and magazines to flick through, as well as cushions and a light blanket to encourage napping after lunch.

Ideally that’s how I want every year of my life to feel.

2018 did not feel like that. It was more like sailing a small, rickety skiff on a tumultuous sea, where at times I was completely focused on staying in the boat and not capsizing, and at others I was competently sailing through rough waters. … [Read More...]

Stepping into fearlessness

It’s been a while since we released a new class. And this one, I’m really excited about, because it goes to the heart of the key to a really significant breakthrough I had on my own visibility journey; clearing the persecution imprint.

The persecution imprint is an energetic pattern passed down generation after generation which serves the purpose of keeping persecuted groups – in this case women – small, quiet and less powerful than they otherwise would be.

In the Western world, the persecution imprint really made its mark on women during the witch hunts. After 400 years of burning us at the stake, the message had well and truly been embedded in our DNA; being seen to be different, to be vocal or controversial, to do or say anything that was inconsistent with the philosophy of Church or State might cause trauma at best, or torture and death … [Read More...]

Have you got another woman’s back today?

One of the most insidious aspects of the patriarchy is the way it divides and conquers. Everywhere I look women are struggling on their own.

Some women are struggling to care for small babies. Burdened by the demands of caring for young children on their own. Hour upon hour of changing nappies, singing nursery rhymes, feeding young ones. Isolation and boredom pervasive, no village to support her.

Some women are speaking up against power – at work, online, in politics – and they’re doing it alone. People aren’t rushing in to support them. They’re standing on the sidelines, glad it’s not them that’s being attacked or criticised.

Some women are saying no to bullies and being ridiculed or diminished because of it.

Some women are finding themselves homeless as they age, society turning its back on its nurturers at the very moment when they most need support.

Some women are … [Read More...]

The huge issue the personal development world is not focused on

A strong theme of individualism informs English speaking, capitalist societies. Perhaps because of that, the personal development and wellbeing movement that’s evolved is very focused on the experience and identity of the individual. Teachers instruct you to focus on who you are, what you want to manifest, and what your dreams are for your life and for your family. In some yoga and meditation classes, Eastern teachings will guide you to open your heart and set an intention for the planet, or to practice loving kindness to all beings. But on the whole it’s, ‘Manifest this to be more wealthy, use this exercise to be more happy, try this to be more healthy’. It’s mind boggling in its self absorption.

In a world where even those who are trying to live a more conscious life are driven by self interest, unconscious blindness is easily perpetuated. The impact of systemic inequality … [Read More...]

Why I speak up

I speak up because I want others to see that they can too.

I want them to see that I have spoken up and been criticised and had people disagree with me and had people unfollow me, and I’m still here. I’m still speaking up. I’m still running a business. I wasn’t destroyed. Yes, I was wounded by some of the comments, but not badly and not for long. Most of all, my voice hasn’t been compromised If anything it has been strengthened. And that’s the thing about speaking up; the more you use your voice, the more comfortable you get with using it. It’s like any other muscle.

And eventually, after being beaten down a few times you realise the liberating truth; I won’t be silenced. I will keep speaking up.

… [Read More...]