Turning Points and Breakthroughs
Rewriting Your Narrative
We’re in the thick of fall, and things are stirring and brewing over here—in my psyche and, literally, on the stove. Call it post-eclipse season revelations or the fact that Pluto is making its last pause in Capricorn for another 250 years before moving into Aquarius for the next two decades. It feels like the beginning of a new chapter, but more like a pivotal arc—or perhaps a new chapter in Part 2 or 3 of a longer story.
We’ve reached the point where the perfectly imperfect, flawed heroine is sick and tired of her own shit and begins to tunnel deeper into her pain until she reaches the endless reservoir of personal power beneath. And yes, I am crying my way through the final chapters of Kingdom of Ash and not quite ready to move on from one of my favorite Sarah J. Maas characters.
The healing and growth journey—and even though a small part of me cringes at the word ‘journey’—is exactly that, for so many reasons. Whether you pause, linger, or stay stuck along the path, whether you’re winning, messing up, or failing, it all serves a purpose—or maybe it doesn’t. It all depends on your perspective. But like any hero’s journey, the true power lies not only in how you choose to write the next chapter of your story, but in who is writing it.
Self-Acceptance and Holistic Beauty
In our personal paths, self-awareness must come first, but it’s self-acceptance that tends to be the more challenging step. It’s about looking at your life’s story without judgment, much like in the fantasy novels where the main character stops running from and begins to embrace their past mistakes in order tap into their true power. The theme of self-acceptance is a big one for me, both personally and in how I approach my work and creativity.
As some of you know, I had plans and ultimately laid a ton of groundwork to launch an online course all about holistic beauty, where we’d explore all the ways that beauty is more than skin deep—and the kind of lasting beauty that can only come from within. However, over time, and true to my manifesting generator urges, the idea of this online course stopped resonating. I paused and stepped away from all my content until I felt once again drawn to it with the new excitement to bring this concept into my writing on Substack. I’ll be sharing more about that over the next three months, but for now, check out my latest blog post: The Inner Glow Up, where I introduce you to the key pillars of Holistic Beauty.
Tapping into the Somatic and Unconscious Mind
From a coaching perspective, a lot of the growth and healing journey is about recognizing the unconscious forces that drive our actions and beliefs—what we can consider “the 95% of the story.” The unconscious mind, which directs most of our day-to-day thoughts and decisions, often holds the key to uncovering deeper truths about who we are and how we experience life.
Lately, I’ve been incorporating a new coaching methodology that focuses on the unconscious and bringing somatic practices into my sessions. This approach allows us to bring what's hidden in the body and mind to the surface so that we can begin to rewrite the story and take action from a more empowered place.
As a special gift, I’m offering a complimentary coaching session to a few of you here or in this extended community. These sessions will focus on using somatic and unconscious work to help you navigate your blocks with more self-awareness and bridge the gap between thinking and action. Reply to this newsletter to let me know if you’re interested or know of someone who would benefit!
Guided Visualization: Connect with Your Highest Self
We often rely on the mind to guide us, but true wisdom resides in the body. Your brain processes vivid imagination and real experiences in similar ways, engaging the same neural pathways. This is why visualization is such a powerful tool to access the version of yourself that exists beyond limitations and self-doubt.
In fantasy stories, the heroine often discovers her inner power after overcoming great obstacles—and, let’s be real, through the unconditional love she shares with her partner or, in the books I read, her 'mate,' who will go to the ends of the earth for her despite the mistakes they've both made. In real life, however, you are your greatest lover and mate, the only one capable of unconditionally accepting and loving yourself, 'flaws' and all.
Intentional visualization can help you connect with this inner truth.
I’ve recorded a guided meditation designed to help you access your highest self. Neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart, whom I discovered through To Be Magnetic, explains that to truly manifest the life you desire, you need clarity on what that looks like and just a few minutes each day visualizing and feeling (not thinking) the gratitude of already having it. This meditation is 11 minutes long—perfect for a morning practice or just before bed when your mind is most open to possibility. Personally, I listen to it the second I wake up.
If you’re like me and visualization doesn’t come on call, I’ve included a few journal prompts to help you reflect and get even clearer.
Journal Prompts
What does your highest self look like?
Describe a version of yourself where you have everything you've ever wanted. What are the specific qualities or traits you admire most about this version of yourself? How does this person handle challenges?
What would a day in the life of your highest self feel like?
Imagine a full day as this version of yourself. What are you doing? How are you interacting with the world around you? How do you feel mentally, emotionally, and physically in this version of your life?
What are you most grateful for in your life right now, and how does this gratitude help you align with your highest self?
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Book a Free 1:1 Coaching Session
Have a block you keep coming up against and can’t break through? Let’s talk. In this session, I’ll guide you through powerful questions and somatic practices that bring unconscious patterns to light. By uncovering these hidden blocks, you’ll gain clarity, strategize effectively, and take aligned action. It’s about making the unconscious conscious and creating real change.
If you or someone in your immediate world could benefit, invite them to connect with me for this opportunity.
Meditation Library a space to download monthly meditations.
As we all move through this new chapter, I encourage you to embrace the shifts, twists, and moments of stillness that life brings. Whether you’re discovering your inner power or finding beauty in the imperfect, remember that your story is still unfolding, and you are the one holding the pen.
Thank you for being here! ~ Michelle