Empowerment Archives - Lisa McDonald

18/07/2019 by Lisa McDonald

Questions: “Why do you want to have a Baby”?

Simple questions such as, “Why do you want to have a baby?”, can cause a lot of women discomfort and irritation, and trigger other emotional responses. There can be lots of reasons why.⁠

For starters, many women can find the whole baby thing, baby or no baby, a very sensitive subject. Especially for women as they hit their 30s, 40s and even 50s. And, these reactions can be the same whether they have no children, one child or several.

Reasons Why Women React

One big reason why a woman reacts to these types of questions, is that she feels that she is going to be judged by her answers. She may be feel judged for her decision, or judged for her reasoning. It can bring up all sorts of feelings of being vulnerable, wrong, inadequate, along with many other emotions.⁠

These are all normal human reactions. They can provide useful feedback into what’s going on for us. However, if we get too bogged down in them, these negative emotions can keep us stuck. They can really limit our ability to move forward authentically.⁠

Valuable Signposts

Emotional triggers to questions can be valuable sign posts for our own personal growth. Because, they highlight our sensitivities. Why is that question bothering me? Where are those emotions coming from? Is there something here that I need to let go of?

The answers can provide a springboard for addressing negative and limiting patterns in our life. By clearing the cause of our triggers, we don’t react in the same way to questions. It frees us up enjoy a greater sense of self, and to take the actions required to live a life that fulfills us.⁠

If you’ve been emotionally triggered by the whole baby thing, baby or no baby questions, consider getting some assistance to move past it. If you’d like to chat with me about how I can help you, please book a time for a chat with me.⁠
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06/06/2019 by Lisa McDonald

Life Has Many Crossroads

In life there any many crossroads. A point at which we must consider which pathway to take.

That crossroad might be about having a baby or not, our health, a relationship, a job/business or any other area of your life. It might be in relation to a decision, an action or an outcome. Or any significant event.

How Will I Deal With It?

It’s a time where we have to pause and consider which path we will take. Will I: ignore it and keep doing the same thing? Run away and avoid it? Or, confront and deal with it?

sometimes the answer is clear to us. Other times we can get really stuck in indecision and inaction. Each pathway has it’s benefits and drawbacks. So it can become confusing, confronting and uncomfortable.

Ultimately, each of these crossroads is an opportunity. Either to clarify our intentions, to solve the underlying problems and to move on with our life. Or, to stay in our safe familiar comfort zone (even if it’s uncomfortable) and not solve the problem. Either way, it’s our choice.

But nothing will change unless we make a clear decision and commitment that we will choose a path. Have you decided that you will decide?

Making A Decision and Taking Action

If you’re facing a life crossroad take a few moments to stop and check in.

What is the key decision I am facing right now?
What is the purpose of making this decision or taking this action? Want will it help me to do or achieve?
Am I really committed to doing what’s required to achieve this outcome?

It can take a lot of courage to step forward, confront and make decisions about which path to take in life. That’s why it can be really beneficial to have someone by your side who knows what it’s like, because they have been there. Someone who can provide a safe space and sounding board for you to work through the issues. Someone who also has the experience and skills to guide you through the process of figuring out what is right for you.

If you’d like some support to navigate through this important crossroad in your life, please connect with me and let me know how I can help. Or, click here to book a chat. I’d love to support you in figuring out the next steps

08/05/2019 by Lisa McDonald

“When Are You Going To Have A Baby?”

The question,”when are you going to have a baby?” can be really uncomfortable or irritating for many women. Yet this it’s a question that a woman will be asked many times over her life.

Common Question Times

This question is particularly common when a woman:

Starts a new relationship,
Becomes engaged,
Gets married,
Has a child

And … particularly when a woman hits her 30s and 40s and doesn’t have a child.

It’s a question that often causes [Read more…]

24/04/2019 by Lisa McDonald

Were You Asked This Question As A Teenager?

Many women have had the experience at high school, where their female classmates or girlfriends talked about their dreams for the future. Often it includes talking about weddings and the families they would have one day.

Next, one of the girls asks the question, “How Many Kids Are You Going To Have?” Then, each girls gets asked what her answer is.

Did you have that experience this question when you were a teenager? If so, did you:⁣

Jump in with an answer of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 …. ?
Hang back hoping they wouldn’t ask you, with a sense that you didn’t want a child at all? OR⁣
Have some other reaction?⁣ ⁣

As a teenager, we are usually quite removed from the realities of having babies. I said 6 when I was younger! But I certainly CAN’T imagine that now.⁣ ⁣

Over The Years Things May Change

A typical women’s fertility window starts from her early teenage years, and continues until her late 40s, (though some can be shorter and others longer). As the years go by, there will be many factors that a young girl would never have considered. So a lot can happen to change a woman’s stance on baby or no baby, and the eventual outcome (some of which she may be unable to control).

However, some never change their mind, whether that’s a definitive yes or no answer.

Deciding whether to have a baby or not can be a significant issue for many women. That’s why it’s important to take the time to get really clear on what is right for you. Rather than making decisions based on what you think you should do out of some sense of obligation to self or others. It’s your life and your choice.⁣⁣

Are you a woman in your 30s, 40s or 50s and who is uncertain or confused about whether or not to have a baby? If so, click here to download my free resource, “8 Essential Questions To Answer Before Deciding Baby or No Baby.” Or, click here to book a chat with me about how I can assist you in moving forward.

With warm regards

Lisa

02/04/2019 by Lisa McDonald

When Strength Becomes Weakness

“Sometimes you don’t realize your own strength until you come face to face
with your greatest weakness.” – Susan Gale

I love this quote about strength and weakness, and this image of a woman hanging on as she scales a rock race..

We all have some place we want to get to, a pinnacle we are trying to climb. That may be a good, a dream or some important aspiration you have. It can be hard work, and the struggle can sometimes make us want to quit. ⁣

The Struggle Can Make Us Want To Quit

⁣At this moment we have a choice – we can keep doing the same thing, we can give up, or we can do something different.

This moment of weakness, or vulnerability can push you to a place where you have to dig deep in order to find the inner resources to move forward. ⁣Thus your weaknesses move you towards your strengths.⁣

Choices

It took a long time to conceive my son. Along the way there was plenty of struggles to navigate. There were many moments where I felt vulnerable and weak. There were also numerous times where I had to consider my options. Would i keep doing the same thing, do something different or quit and move on?

Each time I had to make a decision, I had to summons my inner resources to figure out what was right for me and how to move forward. One of my biggest lessons was in learning to let go.

What pinnacle are you trying to climb? Where is the perceived weakness? What strength is your struggle pushing you towards?