As I tuned into the theme for this blog, two words came through loud and clear: TRUST and CHANGE.

It’s one thing to say you trust life and yourself, but it’s another to embody that trust—where your mind and body feel safe in trust, rather than caught in fear or worry.

Reflecting on my own journey over the past 18 months, I’ve faced sudden endings, uncomfortable truths, and leaps of faith I didn’t think I was mentally ready for.

Through it all, I uncovered deeply ingrained beliefs rooted in fear and lack—beliefs that were unconsciously holding me back. My body was running on outdated patterns that no longer served me.

A Simple Practice to Shift Fear-Based Patterns 👇🏼

A turning point came when I started questioning my anxious or fearful thoughts in the moment:

• What is my mind trying to protect me from feeling by staying stuck in this loop?
• Once I identified the emotion (often fear), I asked: What is this part of me trying to tell me from a place of love?
• Fear, for example, often points us toward exactly where we need to go.

Wisdom doesn’t rush. It emerges when we create space for it.

Rather than resisting emotions, we can lean into them with curiosity. Let your intuition guide you—through conversations, synchronicities, and those inner nudges that arise when you slow down and listen.

Yes, facing discomfort is hard. But knowing you’re on the path of self-growth and joy makes it worth it.

When you choose to meet your emotions with openness rather than resistance, that’s when real transformation happens.

– Olivia

The first month of Spring has already been completed ~ have you noticed the pace and energy shift since the Winter season finished?! I definitely have.

September month has reminded me to keep reaching for my ‘surfboard’, give it a good wax, and ride the ‘wave’ (or waves) of life. This has helped me stay afloat and in the energy of courage and openness, versus trying to simply stay afloat – I hope you have too! If not, this blog is about leaning into courage and openness this season to EMBRACE the WAVE of new beginnings that has already greeted us, whether you like it or not!

There are a few keys themes on this reflection…

There is power in new beginnings

Every new beginning is an invitation to grow, learn, and transform. Whether you’re considering a career change, starting a new project, or seeking a fresh perspective on life and yourself, embracing a new beginning can be a powerful tool for personal development. It gives you a chance to review old habits that are no longer working, overcome blocks and limitations, and open yourself up to new experiences.

The courage to start something new

Starting something new often requires stepping out of your comfort zone and facing the unknown. It takes courage to take that first step, especially when the path ahead is uncertain. However, it’s this very bravery that can lead to the most rewarding experiences. Embrace the excitement of the unknown as an opportunity for discovery and learning. Remember, every successful venture starts with a leap of faith, and every achievement begins with the courage to try.

The importance of an open mind

An open mind allows you to see possibilities where others see obstacles, and it enables you to adapt and thrive in changing circumstances. When you approach new experiences with curiosity and a willingness to learn, you open yourself up to a world of opportunities.

Practical steps to embrace new beginnings

1. Set Clear Intentions: Define what you want to achieve and set clear, actionable goals. Having a vision will help you stay focused and motivated.
2. Create a Plan: Break down your goals into manageable steps. A well-thought-out plan can make new ventures feel more approachable and less overwhelming.
3. Seek Support: Surround yourself with supportive friends, practitioners, or a community that encourages your growth and celebrates your successes.
4. Embrace Flexibility: Be prepared to adapt your plans as needed. Flexibility allows you to navigate challenges and seize unexpected opportunities.
5. Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements along the way. Recognizing your progress keeps you motivated and reinforces your sense of accomplishment.

Happy surfing!

With love,

Olivia

It may be a sudden change in career direction, home location, friendships and relationships, health, or even internal shifts in thought and habits. 

More commonly than not, we humans tend to ‘hold on’ to ways of being, seeing, and living out of fear and wanting (not ‘needing‘) certainty. 

It takes time to build the muscle to ‘let go’ and allow change to happen naturally without trying to control outcomes in our lives. 

A few tips that help me stay in this energy during change include: 

• Creating space in my schedule to sit with myself, particularly outside on land to cultivate stillness and strength within. 
• Becoming attuned to where my mind tries to take me in each moment. Anchoring back into my breath and heart when I notice my mind is not present in the now. 
• Upping the amount of time I spend doing things that light me up. I have been playing more soothing music and dancing in my living room moreso lately!  

Remember, caring for yourself gives you strength and power, which is especially needed during times of uncertainty and change! 

The theme of trust is evident, specifically in the context of trusting yourself and your journey in this lifetime. With this word, belief also appears, as believing in yourself requires you to TRUST who you are and what you are doing. 

When you begin to turn the focus inwards and start to sit with what it feels like to trust and believe in yourself, you start to become aware of areas you don’t feel confident in your life and where there are mind ‘blocks’ keeping you stuck. 

Positive change begins to happen when you use your imagination and visualise what trusting and believing in yourself looks like. Then becoming that person who deeply trusts and believes in themselves!

I have provided 3 key questions below to help open your mind, body, and spirit to this way of being and believing. Contemplate on the following:

1. What does trusting and believing in myself look like? E.g. How does it look differently to how I use to show up in the world?
   Think behaviours, thoughts, outlook on life, relationship to yourself and others.
   
2. What wellness tools will help me believe and trust myself more?
   Think of strategies that you can implement to keep you focused on trust. (e.g. affirmations, warrior postures, reflective journalling, more time to rest and recover your energy).
   
3. What other missing pieces are there so I can start to trust and believe in myself more often than not?
   Do you need to maintain composure rather than using my voice if you know you’re not being listened to? (i.e. protecting your energy), Is it asking for more support from those around you? Looking for new work opportunities that align with how you want to be in the world? Is it learning a new skill that you need professional support with? 

Be honest with yourself here and make a promise to implement a ‘missing piece’ action today!

If you found this helpful, follow our Instagram or Facebook pages for more tips on building the skillset and capacity for healing. 

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Many blessings to you on this day,

Olivia Cuenca

Integrative Psychologist, Founder & Director of Awakened Mind Body Spirit Pty Ltd

Faith in the ‘seeds’ you have planted in Winter, the watering and initial growth of the seeds in Spring, to full bloom in Summer.  

Allowing yourself to sit in the energy of peace is important during this time, particularly for those who have been making changes in themselves and their lives for the better. It doesn’t mean to stop taking steps, but rather, let go of the grip from needing to ‘know’ to trusting what you have been building for yourself.  

An activity I have been consistently doing for the last few months inspired by Rhonda Byrne is called ‘Counting your blessings’, which has helped me come back to this energy of faith, peace and abundance that is already here.  

What to do: 

Before you start your day, write 10 things you are grateful for in your life in a journal. Each day I want you to write a new list of things you’re grateful for. Examples of how to start your sentences can include: 

“I am truly blessed for…” 

“I am so happy and grateful for…” 

“Thank you for…”  

“With all my heart, thank you for…” 

At the end of each blessing you write, say “thank you, thank you, thank you” aloud. Try your best to stick to this for the next 30 days and be sure to witness and take note of differences you notice in your mind, body, and spiritual health.  

Blessings to you, 

Olivia