10 things I’d like my readers to know about me by Alison Wem

Published by Alison Wem on

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Your Soul Family

Stillness for Insight: Hear Your Inner Voice

There’s a lot of noise in modern life – constant pings, endless tabs, a mind that rarely rests. However, stillness isn’t empty; it’s full of guidance waiting to be heard. Stillness brings the gift of insight. For Soulful Explorers, choosing quiet moments is a doorway to clarity, intuition, and peace.

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Why stillness matters

When we pause – even for a few minutes – our breath steadies. As a result, our shoulders drop, and our inner voice grows audible. Stillness becomes a bridge between the busy world and the wisdom within. Stillness brings the gift of insight. Over time, these tiny pauses shape how we respond, decide, and care for ourselves.

Simple ways to invite quiet

You don’t need long meditation sessions. For example, sit with a warm drink by the window. Alternatively, step outside and feel the air. Close your eyes for ten slow breaths. Keep a small notebook nearby so the whispers of insight have somewhere to land.

Making it stick

Choose a consistent cue: the kettle boiling, the end of lunch, or parking the car. In this way, you can set aside two minutes of quiet each day for that moment. Consistency matters more than length.

🌱 Practice for the week

Man, outdoors with eyes closed facing the light, practising stillness for insight

Set a five-minute “quiet appointment” each day. Instead of reaching for your phone, take this time for breathing and noticing. Afterwards, jot down any thoughts, words, or feelings that feel like guidance.

✨ Final reflection

Stillness is presence in its purest form.

So, what might be waiting to speak to you in the quiet?

Looking for additional ideas on ways to find stillness? Try this Slow Morning Routine

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ABC of love

How to Create a Soulful Slow Morning Every Week

There’s something almost sacred about a morning without rush. No blaring alarms. No frantic search for keys. Just quiet, space, and the gentle unfolding of the day.

We’re so used to racing from the moment our feet hit the floor that a slow morning can feel indulgent – even impossible. But here’s the truth:

Slowing down, even once a week, can set the tone for everything that follows

Why slow mornings matter
A slow morning is more than a luxury. It’s a chance to check in with yourself before the world starts demanding your attention. When we give ourselves that breathing space, our nervous system calms, our mind clears, and we approach the day from a place of intention rather than reaction.

Simple ways to create your slow morning
You don’t need hours – just start with 20 – 30 minutes if that’s all you have. Here are a few ideas:

  • Wake up gently – open the curtains, stretch, and let natural light greet you.
  • Sip your favourite drink slowly – no phone, no to-do list, just you and the moment.
  • Step outside – feel the air on your face, listen for birdsong, notice the quality of the light.
  • Write a few lines – a gratitude note, a dream you remember, or a single word that captures how you want to feel today.

Making it stick
Choose one morning a week to protect – maybe Sunday or your least busy weekday. Let others know you’re unavailable at that time if needed. And remember, the magic isn’t in doing it perfectly, but in showing up for yourself with presence.

🌱 Practice for the week: Pick one morning in the next seven days to slow down. Plan it ahead, so you can wake without rushing – even if it’s just for 30 minutes. Notice how the rest of your day feels different.

✨ Final reflection:
Slow mornings are a reminder that we’re allowed to be more than our to-do lists. They show us we can choose how we meet the day – with softness, spaciousness, and intention.

Enjoyed this?
If you enjoyed this article, you’ll love the other reflective practices and nature-inspired ideas I share.

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Life Lessons

Is It a Weed or a Flower? A Life Lesson in Judging Less and Loving More

What Are Your Life Values?

When I first moved to south-west France, I was struck by how much more vigorous and colourful the vegetation was compared to the UK. As we settled into village life, we were kindly invited to dinner by a neighbour. I had noticed their garden was very practical, with a large vegetable plot. Ours, by contrast, was filled with flowers – and my beloved herb garden, of course. Much of the credit goes to the previous owner, who was clearly a passionate gardener.

Wanting to offer something thoughtful, I picked a bunch of bright yellow flowers from the patch outside my kitchen window – flowers I had enjoyed looking at daily. I thought my new friend might appreciate them too.

They were received graciously and placed in a vase in a prominent spot. We had a lovely evening.

But when we got home, my husband turned to me and asked gently,

“Did you realise you gave them a bunch of weeds?”

I was mortified.

Had I embarrassed us? Did they think I was ignorant – or worse, rude? It felt like such a shame at the start of a new friendship, especially when we knew no one.

But then something shifted.

It made me ask:

Who decides if a plant is a weed or a flower?

To me, if it’s colourful, joyful to look at, and loved by bees – why not call it a garden plant? Who says it doesn’t belong?

To this day, our lawn is a wild mix of field grass, clover, and weeds. Right now, the dandelions are in full bloom. Here’s a photo – what do you think?

Is it beautiful or unwanted?

 

 

This simple garden moment speaks to something larger.

Who decides if a person is good or bad? What if someone has been judged – by culture, by appearance, by past mistakes? Are they really “weeds”? Or might they bring beauty, healing, or joy in their own way?

For me, I choose to judge both plants and people on how they make me feel.
✨ Do they bring joy?
✨ Do I feel safe and seen in their presence?
✨ Do they live without harming others?

That, to me, is enough.

What are your values? How do you decide what belongs in your life – and what doesn’t?

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