Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, What Took You So Long?

Hello my loves! <3 

Soooo, you know what I was thinking of a LOT lately? I've been deep in thought about the mirrors around us, reflecting back who we are, where we're headed and who we are becoming.

Is this something new to you? I wanted to make a note to myself about it, because to me right now - this is a big one. So, let me share a bit about my current journey. 

From Employee to Entrepreneur: Nine-Month Transition

I've been navigating the transition from working for someone ELSE to working for MYSELF, and it's been a profound process. Purple Aura was founded in March 2023 (mark that date: 03/23/23 – love it!), but it took me a good 9 months to fully embrace the role of a retreat planner. 9 MONTHS!!! I mean, that’s almost a full year circle! 

Basically what just happened is that this realisation hit me just last week, and I am almost shocked it lasted for what I perceive as a long time. Maybe I am just surprised it was a PROCESS and not an overnight-kind of thing. 

After successfully organising a retreat in the beautiful Azores for a US chef in the beautiful Furnas Lake Forest Living, the experience led me to four new clients for 2024, and as I dove into planning, I realized I hadn't fully embraced my identity as a retreat planner until now. Despite being diligent and detail-oriented, finding the balance between hustling and not hustling at all has been a journey in itself. Fast forward to today, as I gear up to launch the new retreats, I'm finally starting to see myself IN A NEW LIGHT.

Conversation on Work-Life Balance

What was the trigger, you might ask? It was more than one,  but the main shift kind of happened after a conversation with my sister about work-life balance and the concept of freedom. My comment was I have much more freedom now, but still working a lot, and for me that was kind of confusing. On top of all the logistics, marketing, budgeting for clients, coordinating the vendors etc, I still have to manage PA, marketing, blog, want to go out with podcasts etc so there was kind of a mismatch in my head about what freedom means. Her simple words – "Don't expect that to stop" – triggered a CASCADE of realisations!!!

Reflections around us

And this moment led me to a new level. Accepting the responsibilities that come in this package of freedom brought a profound sense of gratitude for all the processes I’ve been going through this past year and for all the mirrors around me, who over this year kept reflecting where I was, even when I couldn’t see it. It was such a long process for me. We cannot see ourselves anyways - but our surroundings and people we spend time with are here to serve as our mirror and to show us things about ourselves that we cannot on our own.

It’s my sister who keeps on cheering for me and reminding me of what I have achieved this year. 

It’s my couch who keeps on asking me about my weekly progress and what do I need help with.

It's my friends who keep on being impressed with details or tasks I execute on even when they seem so normal and general to me.

It's my journal where I share and go over some topics over and over and over again until I get clarity.

It's circles of women with a safe space to share what we are going through and inspire each other for the next moves. 

We need these mirrors to see how far we've come. After 9 months - all of a sudden (cute paradox ;)), I now see myself differently using the same mirror I've been looking at. My initial reaction was, "Mirror, what took you so long?" meaning - what took ME so long to actually see myself. Now, I'm so grateful to have it (them) and to be able to see its purpose over time. 

The Power of Safe Spaces

The last one happened just last week on a week-long retreat I attended, where I was surrounded with like-minded women who are going through similar processes as I did, where I realised - best mirroring happens in a safe space, and retreats are definitely one of them.

I encourage you to think about it - what or who are your mirrors? Who is reflecting back to you and what are they reflecting? What is safe space for you? Trust me, it leads you to seeing your true self.

Here's to the most beautiful reflections and embracing your journey!

xx, 

Wishing you the most beautiful,

Purple Aura

P.s. Thank you for sharing this post with whomever you think might need to read this today!