Life Coaching Blog

Inspiration & Support for Navigating Change

Transitions & Change, Purpose & Power, Wisdom Nicola Holmes Transitions & Change, Purpose & Power, Wisdom Nicola Holmes

The Road to Uncovering Your North Star

Do you experience self-doubt or sometimes feel stuck or frustrated as you try to bring your goals to life?

Do you sense that some elements of your life are not in alignment with your deepest longings, values and potential?

In my 20's and 30's, decision-making and creating a clear life path was pretty excruciating for me. It took me a dang WHILE to feel like I was actually adulting - and the journey to get there was painful.

About 14 months months ago, I was interviewed by Stephenie Zamora on her Tales from the Journey Podcast.

It was a rich conversation and I'd love to share it with you.

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Emergence from a Difficult Season

Are you coming out of a difficult life chapter?

Do you feel tender or bruised right now?

Has your life tumbled apart and you’re sorting out how to reassemble all the scattered puzzle pieces - possibly saturated with grief and bewilderment at the impossible process?

Is it as though an old version of yourself is gone and you’re trying to figure out who you are now?

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A Stinky Carpet and the Power of Verbs & Baby Steps

For the first month of living in our new home, every time I've walked by the room that will eventually be our cozy den, I've hated catching a waft of stank.

The prior owners had a dog and the old carpet in that room was rank and nasty, no matter how much cross breeze drifted through the space.

We've been so busy cleaning, unpacking boxes, and juggling meals, work, laundry, and parenting that we kept delaying on pulling up that carpet - but every time I traipsed by, I was disgusted by its odour.

If you've got something on your to-do list that you keep avoiding or that feels overwhelming, read on...

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Navigating a Season of Illness & Stress

I’ve been quiet for a while.

For much of the summer and early fall, I stopped blogging, creating videos, emailing my newsletter, even sharing much on my personal Facebook and Instagram accounts.

It’s mostly because, for the past three months, I’ve been ‘Covid long-hauling.’

After experiencing my original onset of symptoms back in March - exactly one week after attending an international conference - and feeling much better in the spring, I started feeling unwell again in July.

I haven’t had one full day since then when I have felt like ‘my old self:’ high energy or symptom-free.

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Are you a Dreamer, A Planner or a Doer?

Do you ever wonder why some of your dreams and desires seem to remain chronically frustrated or elusively out of reach?

Maybe you've been trying to start a running routine for months or longing for a new career, home, romantic partner, or bank account for years...

There are usually myriad reasons we get blocked, of course (both internal and external / personal and systemic) - but I'd love to share a few clues as to what can sometimes get in our way.


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Letting Go of Normal...

As always, I hope this finds you and your loved ones safe and well.

Here we are, just a little past the three week mark since the Covid19 global pandemic was declared.

In Canada, many leaders are suggesting we may be in variations of 'social distancing' until at least July, with further unpredictability stretching beyond that.

I don't know about you but, to me, the 'old normal' feels so utterly far away.

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Big Care (& Simple Tips for Pandemic Times)

Wow, this historic moment on the planet!


First of all, sending you a huge whoosh of care and a massive virtual hug.

Many of you are probably already taking measures to support 'social distancing' and cancelling everything as a prevention tool to help our health care systems, providers, and communities in the coming months - especially the most vulnerable to Covid19.

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How to Handle Self-Doubt in the Midst of Change

Today is the last day I’m sharing a written blog post with you.

This is because change lies ahead and (drum roll, please)…..

I’m starting a podcast in March!

The transition to the new medium starts now.

I’ve been dreaming about this new venture for months and can’t quite believe I’m really turning it into a reality: I’ve hired a podcast editor, set a launch date, ordered my recording gear and started brainstorming names.

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Claiming Your Authority at a Crossroads

When you’re at a crossroads and don’t feel clear on which way to go, have you ever found yourself spontaneously requesting advice from others?

Maybe it’s a low-stakes decision: you’re hemming and hawing at the restaurant and ask the serving staff which dish they recommend or survey your friends as to which movie you should check out on the weekend. 

But sometimes, even when the stakes are high and the consequences life altering - 

  • Do I want to stay or go in my marriage?

  • Is it time to let go of this career path and start moving in a new direction?

  • Do I keep hunkering down in the big city or move to a smaller community?

sometimes it’s at these moments you find yourself taking frequent polls of your network to gain insight into what you ‘should’ do.


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When Pursuing Your Dreams Feels... Awful

So often, when we begin to translate our fantasies and longings into reality, we expect that it’s going to feel so dang amazing:

How liberating this experience will be! How Joyful! How Exciting! 

We’ll be so relieved to finally start to creating or exploring The Long-Awaited Thing!

Our minds and hearts will be expanded! 

We’ll surely feel aligned, purposeful, and inspired! 

In short: we’re ready to feel all the good feels we’ve put off for way too long.

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The Beauty of Anchors Amidst Chaos

Do you sometimes feel busy, overwhelmed, or scattered?

Could your time and attention could be better aligned with your priorities?

If you’re thinking, “Hell, what even ARE my priorities?!,” you’re not alone! Please read on. ;) 

Have some of the habits that serve you well fallen to the wayside?

Or, let’s face it, maybe they’ve never been established in the first place?! ;)

Are you ready to feel more centred and ‘in charge’ of your day-to-day life?

It might be time for you to create some anchors.


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What Problems do You Want?

Do you fantasize about life without your current problems and imagine how great things could be once you’ve got solutions for the stuff that’s stressing you out or getting you down? 

I’m so sick of this job: I can’t wait until I’m in my ‘dream’ career path!

It’s gonna be awesome to get out of this depleting marriage and be with a compatible partner.

Everything will be easier once I’m out of debt and earning more.

Most of us dream and project ourselves into fantasy futures where things are and feel better - and sometimes, when conditions shift, life really does feel easier or more pleasurable. 


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