Things I’ve learned/unlearned while developing conscious living habits

number one:

If it sounds too good to be true—

it probably is.

Predatory behavior upon the curious, the emotionally vulnerable is something to be aware of. Just like get-rich schemes, any workshop claiming you can change your life overnight

(for only $1,111!) is suspect. Pre-paying for a ten pack of “ultimate” breathing sessions or buying the blessed candle or healing crystal that promises to fix your love life or health problems should be avoided. You are the healer — always— so be discerning when you are choosing to work with a teacher or guide. Ask questions- you are in the power position of choice.

number two:

Avoid MLMs (multi-level marketing)

See slide #1. There are whole documentaries exploiting MLMs and their predatory nature — and on female identifying, specifically. Earn money fast! just sign your friends up, ours is the best, our training is legitimate, etc. Their formulas are great, they are proprietary and have all the stuff you want in them/can only get from them, and if you sign up NOW you get a subscriber discount and if you sign up your friends, we’ll give you a steeper discount! These companies will bring you to trainings and give you a print off certificate and you will have enough knowledge to be potentially dangerous to yourself and others — and it’s usually because of your well intentioned desire to break free from allopathic and traditional medicine in a system that fears naturopathy. Be warned! You don’t want to join a cult.

Which leads me to #3

number three:

Don’t ingest Essential Oils

There are some generally safe-to-ingest essential oils in small quantities (citrus, for example). Veriditas by Pranarom has a safe guideline use chart that is helpful for certified organic essential oils, but, generally it is a poor idea to ingest essential oils which are HIGHLY potent (ex. 1 drop of lemon EO = 100 lemons). Use discretion, utilize a naturopathic physician trained at a reputable university — not a two week intensive— and dilute essential oils when using topically with a carrier oil.

number four:

If they say they are beyond organic or beyond need for third party verification- RUN.

This is suspect af. I don’t think I need to explain that if you don’t want your sauce tested for extra ingredients - it’s likely because you’re hiding something.

number five:

There is no “spiritual diet” except for one that’s led by intentionality.

There is no one size fits all diet. Listen to your body, experiment if you must, and avoid disordered eating patterns (i.e. orthorexia or the compulsion towards “clean eating” which may lead to isolating yourself from meal gatherings or only consuming your own food, fear around food patterning). If you are an omnivore, vegetarian, vegan or other, great. Know thyself. Clue yourself into fad marketing, educate yourself on food and its sources, i.e. local vs imported impact, etc.

number six:

Don’t avoid the obvious.

When we step into spiritual research, there’s a tendency to want to go beyond the elephant in the room and focus on the subtle spiritual dilemmas. You may go into retreat or therapy to seek an existential or past life cause for current suffering ... meanwhile your toxic relationship patterns, substance abuse disorder or co-dependency is a seething and obvious source for your dis-comfort. Maybe it connects to your past life in a harem or in a power dynamic, or maybe you just need to dig your heels in and do the work. No workshop is a magic wand for doing the hard stuff.

number seven:

You don’t get to skip meditation .

Sorry.

We all try to get around doing this basic noble practice of “making friends with ourselves” but it is the key to unlock the doors of potential.

When we know ourselves -

we don’t get to bullshit ourselves.

Meditation isn’t some travel destination and is accessible to everyone. It’s not about quieting the mind - it’s about observation and allowing yourself to just be.

Which leads me to #8.

number eight:

When we accept ourselves exactly

where we are on our path— that is when true change becomes available.

So many great minds have phrased this eloquently. The fact is most of us are not as evolved as we think we are. When we know our strengths and our weaknesses, we can’t avoid them.

You are exactly where you need to be — and when that is embraced —

your potential is limitless.