So. It’s February. The buzz of the new year has kind of worn off. Those resolutions (formed in earnest) seem like they were made a long, long time ago. And many women I speak to tell me that they are feeling, well, kind of blah. And, yes. Blah is a real word. As well as being a real feeling.
I get it. It’s easy to feel flat at this time of year. The wonder of the holiday season is well and truly behind us. And surprise. surprise – both the bills and the troubles of the everyday are back bigger and better than ever.
It’s around this time of the year that I feel like you have to take your sources of inspiration into your own hands.
And I was given a reminder of the importance finding new things to inspire you just the other day. I’m working with a fabulous new coach and she asked me to name three women who are inspiring me right now. And the kicker was, I had to explain why.
Now I could have easily named humans in my life who inspire me everyday. People like my brave mum, my gloriously independent sister and my beautiful (in every sense of the word) best friend.
But I knew intuitively that she didn’t want me to list these people. She wanted me to stretch to people that I perceive to be achieving things I aspire to bring into my own life. And while I could name three people easily, I was keen to see if there were any commonality across these women that might give me insight into what I want next in my own life.
So, who is inspiring me right now?
Carla Coulson
To me, Carla is an amazing example of a woman who can make a success of anything she decides to do. Although her life wasn’t everything she wanted it to be, her original Australian career in fashion was successful. She then packed up her life, and moved to Italy where she became a sought after photographer and author. Carla has recently pivoted again, working now as a coach, and helping women find their ‘Yes’. I love that she has reinvented herself regularly and that her creativity has fuelled her career.
Trinny Woodall
Another woman who has mastered the art of reinvention is Trinny Woodall. I adored Trinny and Susannah’s style advice back in the day. And I love how Trinny has expanded from a makeover guru into beauty entrepreneur – and has maintained her focus on helping women put their best foot forward. Her mastery of social media demonstrates that age is no barrier when it comes to these tools. I also find her high levels of energy quite incredible.
Rachel Hollis
Another high energy woman who attracts my attention is Rachel Hollis. The marathon running mother of four is also a New York times best selling author, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. Rachel’s determination, dedication is mind blowing – I get tired just thinking about the way that woman lives her life. She also has an amazing ability to own her truth.
When I read what I’d written about these women I realised that I seem to be seeking inspiration around reinvention from women who are older than me (which two of the three women named above are). I also appear to be looking to women who are helping others to become the best versions of themselves. Writing, creativity, entrepreneurship and high energy also feature more than once. There’s definitely a whole lot of food for thought that has come from completing this little ‘who is inspiring me’ exercise.
I’d love to know who is inspiring you at the moment? And what might you be seeking that requires that inspiration. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Warmest, Janelle.
Photo Credit: Haute Stock
