Realising a dream.

Embracing Courage and Creativity.

Every week I ask my Brave New Girls podcast guest how they define courage. This week my guest is Nina Rowland, co-designer and creator of The Water Shed, a retreat and home, that was featured on Grand Designs TV. The process wasn’t plain sailing and Nina and her husband Dan had to dig deep to face the challenges, find the courage to keep going, and realise their dream.

"Courage is feeling scared and intimidated by something and doing it anyway."

This definition captures the essence of pushing through fear and doubt to achieve one's goals. She emphasises the importance of being kind to ourselves and managing the internal dialogue that can either hinder or propel us forward. For Nina, courage is about recognising fear, acknowledging it, and choosing to act despite it. 

To implement this kind of courage in our lives, I encourage my coaching clients with creative transformation techniques. These techniques involve using creativity as a tool to navigate and overcome personal challenges. One effective method is visualization and manifestation. By visualising your goals and manifesting them through positive affirmations and mental imagery, you can build a strong mental foundation and boost confidence.

Journaling is another powerful tool. Regularly writing down your thoughts, fears, and aspirations can help clarify your goals and reveal patterns that might be holding you back. This process provides insight into your inner world and helps you understand your motivations and obstacles more clearly.

Engaging in creative projects is also essential. Whether it’s painting, writing, or designing, these activities can provide a sense of accomplishment and reinforce your ability to tackle challenges. Creative endeavours allow you to express yourself and explore new ideas, fostering a sense of empowerment and resilience.

Mindfulness and meditation are crucial practices for staying grounded and present. These techniques help calm the mind, reduce stress, and increase resilience. By practicing mindfulness, you can develop a deeper awareness of your thoughts and emotions, allowing you to respond to challenges more effectively.

Seeking inspiration from various sources is another way to bolster courage. Surrounding yourself with inspirational content, whether it’s books, podcasts, or art, can provide new perspectives and motivate you to pursue your dreams. Inspirational stories and ideas can ignite your passion and encourage you to take bold steps. 

Connecting with nature is also beneficial. Spending time outdoors rejuvenates and provides clarity. Nature has a calming effect and helps you feel more connected to your inner self, fostering a sense of peace and purpose

Continuous learning and growth are essential for building confidence and resilience. By seeking new knowledge and skills, you enhance your capabilities and prepare yourself to face new challenges. This proactive approach to learning fosters a growth mindset and empowers you to pursue your goals.

Building a support network is vital. Surrounding yourself with supportive and encouraging people provides the motivation and reassurance needed to take bold steps. A strong support system can offer valuable feedback, encouragement, and a sense of community.

Setting small, manageable goals is an effective strategy for building momentum. Breaking down larger goals into smaller steps makes them more achievable and less overwhelming. Each small achievement builds confidence and propels you forward.

Embracing failure as a part of the journey is crucial. Understanding that failure is an opportunity for learning and growth allows you to refine your approach and become stronger. By viewing setbacks as stepping stones, you can maintain a positive attitude and continue moving toward your goals.

Dare to do things differently, for the greater good.

Ten Tips for Courage and Creative Transformation

Visualize Your Goals: Create a vision board or use mental imagery to focus on your aspirations.

Practice Daily Affirmations: Start each day with positive statements that reinforce your goals.

Keep a Journal: Regularly document your thoughts, progress, and challenges to gain clarity.

Engage in Creative Activities: Dedicate time to creative projects that inspire and challenge you.

Practice Mindfulness and Meditation: Incorporate these practices into your daily routine to stay grounded.

Seek Inspirational Content: Surround yourself with books, podcasts, and art that motivate you.

Connect with Nature: Spend time outdoors to rejuvenate and gain perspective.

Pursue Continuous Learning: Take courses and seek new knowledge to enhance your skills.

Build a Support Network: Cultivate relationships with supportive and encouraging individuals.

Embrace Failure: View setbacks as learning opportunities and keep moving forward.

Nina Rowland's journey exemplifies how courage and creativity can transform our lives. By embracing her definition of courage and applying creative transformation techniques, we can navigate our own challenges and achieve our dreams.

PS. Does Nina’s experience resonate with you? As your Creative Transformation Coach, I support and guide you through your challenges, stress & fears and give you the tools to create the life you want. 

If you would like support in combating what holds you back to reset & rise and grow your inner Brave New Girl for a better life, book in for a free chat and we can take it from there: BOOK A CHAT

PPS Our Reset & Rise Retreat for creative transformation HERE