I’m Laura, forty four years old and in September 2022, I reached a point in my life where I just had to STOP.
You know that feeling; rushing through the days, constantly pushing and striving, chasing your tail and juggling a million and one things at once?
Yep, that was me!
The business had been running for five years and during that time; I had two beautiful children, enjoyed twenty six months of breastfeeding, endured countless sleepless nights, moved house five times and relocated abroad, oh and married the love of my life!
I was on my mission to HAVE IT ALL and I was doing my best to achieve it. Because that’s the dream we are sold right? That as women, we CAN have… the business; the husband; the family; the house; the car; the body; the financial freedom…THE dream lifestyle.
It’s a dream that I fully bought into…until I didn’t.
Ten months after my second child was born I was a mess; physically, mentally and emotionally.
It had taken me to my mid forties to realise that I was stuck in a rut I didn’t want to be in, heading down a road that was not meant for me with no idea who I was: lost, numb and disconnected. I knew it was time to reevaluate.
I began to question everything I knew about myself, what I’d been told and let myself believe. It was a slow and messy unravelling, unpicking my identity in an attempt to get to the core of who I actually was.
If you’ve gone through this process, you’ll know it can feel pretty damn painful and confusing. However, by allowing myself to stop and breathe, I opened up to new possibilities, loosened my grip on control and surrendered to a new way of being; one that welcomed ease, joy and stillness.
Ahhhhh, it felt so good!
Instead of ploughing through the days ticking off ‘to do lists’, I enjoyed a slower pace of life. One that allowed me to feel and reconnect with myself.
Suddenly, the hustle no longer appealed. Instead, I started to enjoy the simple things like savouring the laughter, hugs and kisses with the kids.
As part of this process, a gradual distance formed from the business. Having identified with it for so long, this hit me like a slap to the face. Boom! Another curve ball.
So after months of reflection, meditation, breathing and lots of crying!… I knew I had to say goodbye to the business…and that’s what I did.
Suddenly, the constant fear, pressure and anxiety I’d lived with, evaporated. I excitedly embraced my new life and the woman I was becoming.
It was time to step into a new chapter.
The van Heldens Hike is a journey to further explore our authentic selves, strip back the layers, slow down, connect with nature and simplify life.
I’m ready to fully embrace who I am; without ego, judgement or expectation and I can’t wait to share this journey with you!
Thank you for being part of it.
I totally understand this process of unraveling the programming of generations. The idea that we are nothing unless we “are” something keeps us distracted from what we are really here to do….experience life in all of its expressions and learn to just “be”. Once the light has come on, you won’t ever return. You may feel like your floating in an endless sea of unknowing. But allow yourself to release to the possibilities of “life” and you’ll find your way. Or rather, it will happen to you. Love you!!
Beautiful, powerful words Rhonda. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We absolutely agree. From childhood, we are programmed to fit the mould of societal norms and stay busy and distracted. However, we believe there is so much more to life! Through this journey, we hope to at least scratch the surface! xxx