In some ways, it hits you like a sudden and unexpected bolt of lightning. In other ways, it happens slowly over a period of time, sneaky and almost unnoticeable. On the surface, you might just be going about your day, doing the necessary things without really thinking. But underneath, deep in your subconscious, you know something isn’t quite right. Something about your life doesn’t feel good anymore. That’s when it can bubble up to the top and you have the thoughts, “Is this really my life? How did I get here? Am I happy? What even IS happy?!?!”

Maybe you brush it aside, continue plugging along, because those questions seem too impossible to address. It’s much easier to pretend like they don’t exist. And besides, things aren’t that bad, right? Other people have it much worse, this is just life… But after a while you can’t continue to ignore it. You know you have to do something, but what? How are you going to get your life back on track? How are you going to re-align your reality with what you’ve envisioned for yourself and your life? You know you are made for more, for better, for greater…so how do you get it?

This was me. Is this you? If it sounds familiar, read my story:

Since 2017, I’ve made a huge shift in my life. I had to do a lot of things to become the person that I am today – the most fulfilled and most aligned version of myself that I’ve ever felt. I want to share a summary of some of the monumental moments that got me here and the accompanying thoughts I had while working through them in hopes that something about my story will strike a chord with you.

*** Beginning of 2017 ***

I realized I was in a BAD place. I really wasn’t happy or satisfied anymore with most aspects of my life. Career, health, body, marriage, family + friend relationships, my lifestyle… none of it was working for me and I knew I had to make a huge shift to get back to the vision I had for myself and my life. I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING! This is NOT the life I’d planned.

I determined the critical decision would be to drop the really profitable, successful business (dance studio) that I was no longer in love with and passionate about. Seems like a dumb move a lot of people wouldn’t make…This is going to affect a LOT of people, will they all hate me?

I found out the subtle health issues I’d been having off and on for a few years were being caused by a type of brain tumor that at this time was now causing some serious symptoms that kept me from driving or working for a period of time. I mean, what, me??? Am I going to die or be permanently impaired?? How is this going to affect my life and my future???

*** June 2017 ***

I actually was able to sell my business and pass it off to a new owner. I’m so proud I built a business that became something worth actual money and it can now become a livelihood for a friend. Wow, I did that! But, should I really have done that…..?

I “retired” from an industry and said goodbye to a world that had been a part of my life for nearly 30 consecutive years. Will a part of me miss this community??? Who am I now? Dance was SUCH a huge part of me for so long…

I made the active choice to be technically unemployed for an indefinite amount of time and began working through the mind drama of being a stay-at-home-NOT-mom. Pretty sure this isn’t a “real thing.” Do people think I’m a total loser??

I sat in the transition from being a full-time CEO of a small business to someone who did “nothing” – Seriously, what am I doing? Did I really just do all this???

I started focusing on the fact that my marriage had gotten really off-track and had become slowly strained and disconnected because of the unhappiness I had in the other areas of my life. What has this relationship become? How did we get here?  Who are we as a couple now? Are we going to make it through this huge life transition?

*** Throughout 2018 ***

I spent the year traveling – was away more days than at home. Finally – this was more like the lifestyle I had always wanted! Finally, freedom!!

I was able to help my parents fully demo and reno their dream vacation home in CA. Feels so great to give back to my parents and help them realize a dream of theirs.

I got back into doing interior design work doing residential consulting for private clients. Feels really good to help people love their homes more!

I allowed myself grace to take the time to find a new passion and not just taking a random job out of societal or financial pressures. Do I have any worth if I don’t contribute financially to my family?

I started working through a discovery process of learning about new venues of entrepreneurship and figuring out what felt aligned to me. I’m still so young…what am I going to do for the rest of my life?? I have to do something, right? But what?

*** Life changing moments of August of 2018 ***

I decided to jump in and create my own business once again by starting my new company, Lifestyled You, mostly without a plan or intent, but as a creative outlet and a shot in the dark as to something that might evolve into the “right” thing for me.  I guess I really do have the heart and spirit of an entrepreneur! Let’s see what happens…

A close friend insisted I start listening to a weightloss podcast that she ensured me was magic. “You just change your thinking about food,” she claimed. This sounds like complete and total bullshit, but I trust her – I guess I’ll check it out…

This podcast introduced the concept that all of our results in life are created by the thoughts we choose to have. Don’t like your results? Change your thinking in order to take action in a new way that will get you the results you desire. My mind was blown that I hadn’t been exposed to this before. How was I not taught this stuff at some point, seriously?!?! Why doesn’t everyone know about this!?!?! Can it seriously be this simple?

I began learning how to apply these principals to all aspects of my life – how to mend my marriage, find more gratitude, get less frustrated, anxious + upset with people and myself, feel the way I want to feel and get the things I desired! It really can be that simple!

I realized I had lost touch with myself. Most of the time I had no idea what I was actually feeling. I had just stopped paying attention and didn’t really see how that mattered. I started journaling, doing thought downloads and meditating to become more mindful about what was going on in my own head. Oh, hello me! There you are, nice to be reacquainted with you!

I determined a result I wanted to create was to move into the type of home I’d always dreamed of and got to work making that my reality. (Moving into the semi-custom home we’ve designed in a few weeks as of this post!) I can’t believe this is happening – but also I totally can because I’ve wanted it for so long, I just never knew how to make it happen until now!

*** Moving into 2019 ***

I proved to myself just how effective mindset work is through losing about 45 lbs (to date) by simply changing the way I thought about food –  weight I’d done just about everything else to lose over the last 10 years unsuccessfully. Holy shit, this actually works! My friend wasn’t kidding!

I hired 3 coaches and mentors to guide me as I develop Lifestyled You into the business I desire as well as in my life in general as I take steps to become the next-level version of me. Life changed. Period. I’m unstoppable!

I found that my passion is in coaching others. Developing my Home + Life Coaching Program to help women start discovering their best lives and best selves totally lights me up! Feels incredible to be inspired again!

I started coaching clients who have made/are making huge transformations in their home + life + lifestyle. I freakin’ love this! My new season of business feels like it’s on the right track but there’s something else I’m missing here….

*** July 2019 ***

It hit me that I was trying to create a super unique and niched coaching program with ‘Stylize Your Home’ because I thought that’s what would set me apart from all the other coaches out there. This was coming from fear – my offer needs to stand out and be special, otherwise, why me?

And just like that bolt of lightning, it suddenly clicked. “When you disconnect from your power and impact you have, then you disconnect from what you are offering and the power of it” – wise words from my coach, Lindsey Mango. What is truly unique and special is ME and MY STORY – that’s what sets me apart, not my offer!

I’m finally recognizing how far I’ve come, how much transformation I’ve made, and that I am meant to share ALL of this with you. Yes, I can connect with women about creating homes they love, but also about SO MUCH MORE!! Sharing all of my experiences in life, how I’ve struggled, the things I’ve learned, what I’ve done to move out of it, and how I work through the obstacles I continue to face along this journey is authentically how I can help others create the lives they desire.

So, I introduce to you, the new and evolved version of Lifestyled You, Life + Mindset Coaching – Helping women transform their current life into the life they desire!

I did this, you can do this too. I’m so excited to show you what is possible!

xoxoxo,
Laura