optimism

Creating Space

by Katie Welker

Over the last year or so, I’ve been working with an incredible mindset coach. After working with a therapist on and off for over a decade, I wanted something similar to therapy, but with a stronger focus on the future and how I can live as my most authentic self. Therapy can offer those things too, but I needed to change it up.

While working with my mindset coach, I found myself eager to create more space in my life. It’s like my mind, body and soul were so full all of the time.

There would be times I would need to just sit down and cry. And the best way I’ve ever been able to describe it is that I just felt too full, and the only way I could make more room was to physically release tears from my body and empty out a bit.

And while that feels cathartic and helpful, I didn’t really want crying to be my only solution šŸ˜‰

So I started to look at how else I could proactively make space.

I started to slow down so I could take a hard look at why everything felt so full.

I started getting to the root of it.

I started asking myself questions.

How was I spending my days? Not just in terms of time, but in terms of energy. Was I spending more time on things than I really needed to? Was I giving too much of my energy to areas that didn’t really value it? Where was I putting my focus? What was I letting reel me in? What did I enjoy? What did I do begrudgingly?

I started to get really curious. And my mindset coach helped guide me through these curiosities so that it was done in a positive, constructive way.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

  1. My grief deserves to be honored and felt, but it does not deserve to linger. Minimizing this creates space for so many other positive, happy emotions.
  2. You can love something and be good at it and still want space from it.
  3. Joy should always ride shotgun in the front seat.
  4. You can take things seriously and still be lighthearted.
  5. Treat others with respect, but put yourself first. You deserve to take up space.

It’s crazy how creating more space has not made me feel empty.

This space is just a conduit for better things to come in.

Because I actually still feel full, but in new ways.

Full of peace. Full of hope. Full of gratitude.

So I encourage you to pause and ask yourself, could you benefit from creating more space?

til next time

xo K

Advertisement

Money on my mind

by Katie Welker

I think it’s safe to say that the vast majority of people have felt anxiety when it comes to money. Bills need to be paid, debt piles up, necessities have to be met, and more often than not, we’re supporting more than just ourselves.

Money has never been abundant in my life. Fortunately however, for as little money as my family had growing up, my parents never let it be a source of worry or concern for us. They always put us first and did whatever it took to make sure that we had what we needed.

Because of that upbringing, I have never, ever, been the type of person who’s been motivated by money. Oddly enough, I have a career in sales! It seems SO counterintuitive, but the reason I love my career in sales is because in the industry i’m in (advertising and creative staffing), if I build genuine relationships with people, the money comes. It’s a people business, and that’s very sincerely what I care about.

ButĀ i’m 26 years young, and because I support myself financially with no assistanceĀ from others, I’m still very much learning as I go and trying my best to be as smart as possible. But of course, that’s easier said than done.

It’s a situation most can relate to: I have a ridiculous amount of student loans, the usual bills to pay, I help my family wherever and whenever necessary, and when I moved to Chicago to follow a longtime dream of mine, I inevitably racked up some credit card debt that i’m slowly but surely chipping away at.

It could be worse. It could always be worse. But when I’m responsible for everything myself and i’m also the only backup plan I have, it can be a bit daunting sometimes.

But here’s the thing – not only do I work diligently to manage and take care of all of the above, a book I recently read opened my eyes and made me decide to completely change my perspective and my outlook on money.

Of course when I watch my bank account drop as I pay each bill I stillĀ get a little anxious, but guess what? There are always ways to make money. Furthermore,Ā I am such a believer in both hard work and the power of positive thinking, so it only makes sense to align those two things in order to maximize both my success and my income potential.

I’ve done it before, too. When I coached cheerleading for two years, that was a way for me to spend time doing what I love and also make more money. And when I was busting my ass as a student in college, I was also working 4-5 different jobs in order to support myself. Ā I didn’t realize it then, but now I see that i’ve always found creative ways to take care of my needs. I just didn’t have the positive perspective that I do now.

It won’t happen over night, of course. Nothing ever does. But money is out there, and it’s out there for the taking. I trulyĀ believe that. AndĀ I have never felt more certain that I have both the control and the right outlook to allow money to be a motivator and a blessing in my life rather than a stressor.

And just like that, I feel the richest I’ve felt in quite awhile….

 

right