A LITTLE TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE ...

Image found here

The past few weeks have seen me invest so much of my time, energy and love into this little baby of a blog. I have been writing more soulfully, pursuing creative ventures, planning like a mother bitch and spending more time reflecting on my intentions, hopes and dreams for this space. As such, I've spent a bit of my time trying to be a 'reader'. I have taken off my writers' hat and have tried to explore this space just as you would - reading posts, trying recipes, applying the teachings or strategies and basically seeing this space for what it is, as unbiasedly as possible. 

Although it's far from perfect - some posts are rife with spelling and grammatical errors, some posts seem to crap on about nothing, the aesthetics are a little poopy, I'm such a slop when it comes to newsletters and updates (but I'm definitely improving and this has been one of my most recent commitments) - perfection is boring and I truly believe that every single word on this blog is a true reflection of me. It has grown over the years, as have I, and I think the writing, content and energy of the posts captures this change. I am all about writing in the moment, about capturing the stirrings of my heart (or whirrings of my mind) and expressing that through my words and pictures. 

Because I've been doing oh-so-much reading in this little cave of wonders - I have rediscovered posts and have almost explored them with completely new eyes, given that it's been so long between read throughs. I have cringed at posts where I didn't write well, I have smiled at posts that I poured my heart and soul into, I have laughed at my early day references to Ryan Gosling, I have been proud of the authenticity and truth of my words, I have rediscovered information about topics that I so passionately wrote about at the time and I have been back in my kitch using recipes of old! 

I wanted to share with you all of my favourite posts from the past 16 months. Have a peruse, sit and devour them all at once, or come back to this post every now and again to revisit 'old friends'. If you're new to Bless this Mess, this could be a very timely post and you will get to explore a little of the 'behind the scenes' musings of yesteryear (or yestermonth, or yesterweek ...). 

The posts below are my proud little gems that I would love to share again with you - 

Personal 

+ A Letter to my 16 year old Self - I cried writing this. Raw and kind.

+ My First Year as a Blogger - 12 months of lessons and a labour of love.

+ The Simple Truth - my heart on my sleeve.

Recipes 

+ Vegan icecream - oh holy sheet do I revisit this bad boy regularly?!

+ Raw chocolate brownies - my best ever kitchen creation.
+ My everyday salad - seriously, everyday.
+ Green smoothie  - my first video on BTM. Andddd I love this smoothie.

Spirit

+ Mind, body and spirit - the first of my 'spiritual' posts.

+ Epiphanies and shit - recent but profound.

+ We are ALL connected - simple and true.

Health 

+ The Lifestyle Transformation Guide - hands down one of the best investments I have ever made in myself. It changed my life.

+ Runs and Rides with dad - such a precious thing that connects us even more, I truly treasure time spent with my incredible papa.

+ Yoga love - because we could all do with a little more yoga.

Enviro and Society

+ The Ocean Garbage Patch - a cause that is so very close to my heart.

+ Disparity of Wealth - my first post that wasn't orientated towards typical health and wellness, and I think I tapped into another area of passion that day!

+ Kind Cleaning - practical and crazy informative!

So that's my wrap up! 16 months of blogging and these tidbits are probably my favourite nuggets o' Emily. The power of blogging blows me away. I started the blog as a means of sharing information and connecting with likeminded people but I cannot believe how much I myself have grown in the process. This 'online diary' has allowed me to see, in a chronicled history of posts, just how much my thoughts, beliefs, passions and learnings have shifted and developed. I truly hope you enjoy reading these posts and exploring this space as much as I enjoy delivering it to you. Truly.

Found here

What are your favourite posts - either from BTM or other sites? Share in the comments below and let's have a 'coffee and reading' sort of Sunday!

Blessings and muddy feet from my stroll down memory lane x

FLEXING MY GRATITUDE MUSCLE

Found here

There are oh so many things that are making me smile this week & this list is just a short snippet of things that are fuelling my fire -

+ Weddings & the absolute love fest that they are

+ Preparing to take on health coaching clients over the next few weeks

+ Cuddles. Squeeze-the-shit-out-of-one-another style cuddles

+ Days upon days of fresh, cold pressed, organic juices

+ Having my eyes marvel over the pages of a good book

+ Blue blue skies

+ Study sessions with a wild, open & passionate heart

+ Wrapping my hands around a hot mug of soy cappuccino

+ Forehead kisses

+ The zealous & infectious energy of a two year old rottweiler

+ Hard core, crazy dancing to Snoop

+ Compilation CD's on repeat during long drives

+ Going for a walk in the Autumn sun

+ Long, mermaid hair

+ Morning tea with grandparents

+ Pages & pages of notes, scribbles & sketches

What are YOU grateful for?

Blessings and buckets of gratitude x

HAPPY 200.

Found here

I could barely believe it when I looked at my BlogFeed - 199 posts to date. Just one shy of the big two hungie. To me, that's near unfathomable. I have rambled and explored and discussed and photographed and shared almost 200 posts with you darling readers (and I am still blown away by the fact that I have 'readers' that aren't in my blood line!). 

Since I started this blog at the beginning of 2013, I have gone through ebbs and flows of inspiration, boredom, excitement, resentment and all the fun spectrum of emotions in between. I have had times when I simply didn't feel like blogging - where it felt like a chore or obligation. I promised myself, at the start of this whole shizbang, that I wanted the writing process to always be one fuelled by love, authenticity and passion. I never wanted anything to feel forced or insincere. So, as you have seen, from time to time I have gotten a little sidetracked and have adandoned the blog to follow other pursuits and commit my time to other areas - like my clinic or my studies or just my life in general. But I have always come back. I have always been passionate about sharing my passion and my love for this big ole blue planet. 

My first post went live on January 7th 2013. Entitled 'Hello There' - it was an introduction to me, my back story, my hopes and aspirations and my vision for this little corner of the web. I still think it's pretty special that every single thing I spoke about in that initial post rings true today. The themes and content within the blog have changed over time, as my personal interests start to follow a number of different paths, but the overall sentiment has not changed one iota. 

"I feel like I’m staring ahead at a very exciting and winding little road but with no idea how to navigate it. That’s where you beautiful little souls come in. There’s an old proverb that tells us that everyone in the universe is a puzzle piece and it’s up to us to find one another and work together to ‘make the picture’.  I’m hoping that Bless This Mess connects me to all you puzzle pieces out there – whether you’re scrumptiously similar or deliciously different to myself"

I am so grateful for everyone I have encountered on this journey. From my teachers who have truly inspired me; the lessons I have learnt along the way; the friends and family who have supported my every interest and pursuit wholeheartedly (and as a complete and utter multipassionate - trust me, there have been a lot of interests over the years) ... I am just beyond blessed to have such Earth Angels in my life.

I think that such a monumental post calls for a little bit of reflection - given that I love me some nostalgia and reflection baby. The woman pounding away at the keys right now is quite different from the woman who sat before you on January 7th. Sure her hair is the same colour (and probably the same length given that I'm absolutely terrible at being a girl and give no time to my hair - sorry my dear mop o' hair) and her fingers strum in the same way across the keys as they always did. But a few things, little and big, have shifted within her.

this journey has changed me ...

+ I still have bad days and times when my insecurities get the better of me but overall I have learnt more about unconditional love. I am forever loving and supporting my friends and family - believing (sincerely) that they can do and be anything they want to be; that they're beautiful; that they're the shiniest and most incredible gift in this universe - yet shift to my inner dialogue and it was a different story. I have learnt that it's so integral that we first have a good relationship with ourselves. We need to back ourselves, love ourselves and accept ourselves unconditionally. I am not perfect in this regard, whatsoever, but I am learning and growing. 
+ I am an optimist. I have realised that, by counting my blessings and expressing gratitude wherever possible, it makes it kind of impossible to get stuck in the negative mindset for too long. There is too much good in the world. It allows us to focus on the incredible blessings that we have been gifted and forget about the daily comeuppance' that may piss us off temporarily. Good things are all around us. Always.
+ I am strong. I am someone who can make a stand for themselves, for others and who is confident enough to share their views without fear of judgement. I am stronger because of the incredible network around me who are my backbone when mine is a little skewed.
+ I love to write. I missed this. I missed my days as a kid when I would literally be the happiest kid in Leeming when I got a new notepad and could write. I remember wanting to join after school English groups and wanting to write poems and short stories and even lists (I know - creative badass right here) in my free time. I loved it and then I kind of lost it. I'm so grateful that in my journey I've come across the creativeness of my writing once again. I am really excited to pursue this more over the coming year and really exploring my gifts of the gab and gifts of the written word. (It still feels weird writing gift - because it feels self righteous - but as per point one, I'm determined to be nicer to myself and celebrate my uniqueness g.dammit).
+ I ADORE connecting with others. Oh holy tolitoes. Every time I get an email from a reader, a new facebook fan or insta follower - I near pee my pants. I seriously get so excited that there are people out there who WANT to learn about what I'm splashin' out. I love to learn from others and to hear their aspirations and to see what they're doing and to learn about their passions. Being on this little journey has also enhanced my relationships as the love and appreciation I feel for everyone in my life has just overflowed. I am SO dang lucky.
+ I am a little more 'spiritual' than I once thought. I have beliefs, I have faith, I have respect for other religions. But I have found my 'God' and I am humbled and safe and happy that I have a better interpretation of exactly what that means for me. 
+ I want to keep going. I want to keep this train chuggin' and see where it takes us. I want to grow this vision of mine and watch it change the world.

Happy 200 and thank you for your unwaivering support, love, comments, emails, questions and enthusiasm. I am so grateful for YOU.

Blessings and 200 posts infused with 'Au De Emilia' x

My Year as a Blogger - lessons learnt + proudest moments.

Found here.

January marks the first birthday of my little blog baby and, as I am yet to share the exact experiences that having a child brings, I'm sure this botchy analogy will possess a few generalisations - just bare with me. 

The first few weeks/months were fun and exciting as I learnt the ins and outs of blogging and 'found my feet' as I got back into my writing. There were some times I thought I had overcommited and was a big ole fraud - cue my tears as I sobbed to David 'I don't even know what I'm talking about' and 'No one even cares if I write so why should I?'. Then there were the proud as punch 'mama moments' that set my heart alight. My blog was growing, being appreciated, changing and encouraging change in myself and being recognised by my peers and mentors. I've had days and, on occasion, weeks where I didn't feel like writing and wondered if I would ever get the spark back. I did and it always does, but it waivers from time to time and I know that these cycles are just a part of life and who am I to ruffle those divine feathers?

Over the past 12 months I have learnt a tonne of lessons - about myself, blogging, my community, my friends and family, the planet and all sorts of fun shiz. I have also had a few moments that has inspired so much pride and feelings of accomplishment as I potter along defining my own path and establishing my work in the blogosphere. So, without further ado, here are my lessons learn and proudest moments for my first year as a blogger -

1// It takes time. I am a busy girl, who loves to be busy, who loves productivity and who loves getting a lot of shiz done. As I am sure those of you who are regular BTM visitors have realised - I sometimes go MIA for a while. Time management and efficiency are must and some days I am a little sloppy. But s'all good - I'm still learning.

2// It takes passion and inspires passion. In a similar vein to time - if I'm not feeling it, the words just won't come. It takes passion to get me to the computer or my journal and get writing. After a writing sesh though - it inspires passion and leaves me with a sort of writer's high. Endorphins a go go.

3// It encourages self actualisation and authenticity. I think that writing almost everyday is a really incredible tool for uncovering more about yourself and tapping into your true potential and divine self. Without getting to fru fru - I honestly believe that writing unlocks your unconscious and encourages true self expression. What can be more powerful than uncovering that?!

4// It has attracted incredible people into my life. The networks that has arisen from my interactions with other bloggers, foodies, health coaches and life lovers is just incredible (I'm looking at you Soulpreneurs) and I have developed such beautiful friendships along the way. The support, mentoring and love shown to me by my incredible inspirations such as my blog coach Rachel Macdonald (of In Spaces Between), my gorgeous friend and transformation leader Jessica Ainscough (of the Wellness Warrior) and the incredibly inspiring Tara Bliss (of Such Different Skies) to name a few - is so profound and something I truly treasure. Special mention to Emily Ehlers, Claire Baker and the beautiful Anna Oglvie who have also been my little posse of inspiration and positivity.

and

5// It has strengthened my relationships with the amazing people who were already in my life. Through my blogging and over my journey - I have learnt so much about my own values, priorities and practicing extreme gratitude for all the blessings in my life. My friends and family will always, and have always been, my greatest blessing and my number one priority. I didn't know it was possible to love people as much and as wholly as I do now but hooley dooley it's an incredible thing to experience. I am hand-over-heart the luckiest girl to have the support network that I have and such incredible humans in my life. Mush over, tears wiped, but you guys are awesome.

 6// If it doesn't feel right - don't force it baby. This little nugget o' wisdom is true about love, bowel movements and blogging. If you're not feeling it - don't make it something it's not and don't force it. I have days when blogging is the last thing on my mind and just the thought of tapping away at the keys stresses me and makes me uneasy. I never want writing to feel anything less than joyful so if my heart says no, my laptop stays shut. Except for when I want to YouTube Channing Tatum dances - then the lid pops right up again.

7// Being featured on the Wellness Warrior. This was the proudest moment for me as a blogger. Being recognised for my writing and being shared by someone who has been a pinacle source of inspiration and kindness was just incredible. I will never forget the smile on my face the morning I logged on and saw my post on Jess's website. For those of you who never caught it - click here to see. Eeee!

8// My incredible interviews and Inspiring Souls for 2013. This was by far my favourite segment on the blog and allowed me to connect with all sorts of amazing and inspiring women in the community (this year I'm wanting to continue with this segment but boost the male input so come on fellas - get around it!). Interviewees have included - Georgia Hurst, Billi Ingram, Jessica Ainscough & Laura Campbell. Keep your eyes peeled for a few more over the coming weeks.

So my little love monkeys - that's it. Heart on sleeve, pearls of wisdom and gratitude aplenty for this seniorita.

I can't wait to disclose a little more about what's in store for BTM in 2014. Expect a post in the next few days.

I can't finish this post without acknowledging however just how grateful I am for YOU. My readers, friends, supporters and followers who allow me to write and share things that I am passionate about. Thank you for celebrating my first year with me and cheers to many more together. You're amazing.

Blessings and buckets of gratitude coming out my ears x