I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends
Most of us do.
We turn to our closest people to help us understand who we are, how to process life events, and to help us unwind from the things that wind us up.
Chances are if you’re reading this, we’ve had some sort of spark together that connects us. Likely, we’re friends.
I want to share with you 3 big evolutions that are happening in my life right now. It’s a bit of a story, so for the tl;dr version, scroll down to the summary. ⬇️
I just returned from a retreat that I co-led for artists and creatives in New Orleans. For me, that city is straight-up magic. I know that many go to the Big Easy to Laissez les bons temps rouler, and while I’m the first person to join a dance line (just ask last week’s retreat attendees), I go to observe people and immerse myself in culture.
I believe what makes New Orleans magic is that it’s filled with people who are there to be them…and not who the world expects them to be.
My kind of peeps.
Artists, hustlers, musicians, dancers, creators, writers, innovators, visionaries, and party-people alike co-exist - both in harmony and discord. It’s a city of humans who both deeply care and don’t give a f*ck.
Tourists, however, are different.
Last week, a friend remarked, “Visitors come here, stay drunk, and miss it all.”
My response: “Just like life.”
I am a big fan of escaping to a new adventure and finding ways to recharge and relax. But for quite a few of my younger years, I lived my life that way.
Not drunk, but escapist.
Tough day? Pour a drink.
Judging myself? Treat myself to a nice dinner or expensive massage.
Hard situation? Runaway, or move.
Not feeling love for myself? Find someone to love me.
Grieving over the hard things? Deny they are happening.
Not feeling good enough? Flip on tv or social media.
General angst & anxiety? Find a way to avoid and nummmmmmbbbbbb out…
It’s not that I don’t believe in the eject button at times… I do.
I believe we all must rest and take care of ourselves. Adventures away from reality, whether for a few moments or a few weeks, can be refueling.
But more often than not, escapist tendencies further deplete us rather than give us the recharge we’re seeking.
Self-care isn’t what is done on the outside…it’s what is done on the inside. The inner work is what helps us build a life that we don’t need to escape from, but that we can enhance, expand, and experience.
I’ve always approached my brand writing business in this way, too.
Content that really communicates value and who we are isn’t a shallow, quick-fix response. It’s deep, soul-fueled, and helps people understand why to hire us because they like, know, and trust us.
It’s inner work as much as it is outer work.
Storytelling shouldn’t be a way to crank out content marketing; it should help us create new epiphanies and realizations, connect us to one another, and transform the world together.
With that, here how’s I’m evolving my own work:
(tl;dr summary)
I’m looking for aligned speaking & workshop opportunities to help people both rescript their stories and tell better ones. Have an idea? Let me know. Have a great connection? Please introduce me. My signature workshop: “Ditch BS Marketing & Sell the Story” is for biz owners, social media experts, & communicators who are looking to implement an easy storytelling formula that works with videos, pitches, emails, blogs, and social media. I offer it regularly for different groups. If you’d like to invite me to your group - reach out!
I’m offering retreats & mindful sessions (both group & one-on-one) throughout 2023. You can see current retreats here. Expect science (meditation and proven letting-go practices), and woo (witchy stuff and intention setting). Add-on options to stay the night for a true weekend getaway. Know someone who needs a retreat or do you want to come? Email me: I’m interested in knowing more!
I still have a few spaces for people seeking personal or business branding this Spring & Summer! Come Brand With Me.
As always, I remain intentional about the work and interactions I pursue.
If you know any visionaries (or are one) undergoing a transformation in life or business and who can benefit from strategic, story-centered support, please refer them to me for a virtual coffee conversation. (Recent fave clients: execs & experts deciding their next move, entrepreneurs growing their existing biz, startups looking for a brand foundation from which to skyrocket.)
And you can always drop me a line and tell me how you’re doing, too. I’d love to hear.
Until next time, may you enjoy your moments, feel loved, and be inspired.
Xox, Michelle
P.S. If you read this whole thing, thank you from the bottom of my 💜.
If you want to share the love, forward this to a friend.
