Creating Sparks That Last & All Things Relationships

Q & A  Friday  Recently, I put a question to readers on my social media, asking what they wanted to know about relationships and/or personal growth. The two go hand-in-hand in my opinion. If you'd like to contribute to this post for next week's blog, click here:   Your Burning Questions Answered Are you growing apart or tightening your connection? https://unsplash.com/@joshhild Reader Question #1 How do we know when to call it quits? Every relationship has its ups and downs. It has to. For growth. You cannot grow in a stalemate standoff where conversation doesn't enter that 'difficult' realm. If you enter into a relationship with a growth mindset it is inevitable that you will come up against resistance in your endeavour to understand yourself, and your partner, better. Because stepping out of situations that are comfortable, makes us feel insecure and if your partner is unsure of stepping onto new territory with you, you will feel restricted in your growth and

3 Month Book Birthday, That Is (And my sister 👸 [not 3 months]) It's been a monumental week in the life of EN ROUTE. She passed her 3-month mark as a self-published memoir, which, incidentally, means that Amazon no longer feels the need to prop her up for visibility. So, in real terms, she's passed to the next level of independence as a self-published book! Hooray for EN ROUTE 🎉🥳 Book Blast: As is fitting for any birthday party, we celebrated in style. She had a blast! No really, a real BOOK BLAST! Duffy the Writer published a beautiful Book Blast for EN ROUTE.  You can read it at the link:  Book Blast for EN ROUTE by Duffy the Writer Or the short version here:  Shortened Book Blast Mother's Day Giveaway Another huge celebration for EN ROUTE was a giveaway for Mother's Day and I couldn't have asked for a more deserving winner! This mum literally took time out of her busy #mumlife while her daughters were sleeping, to read EN ROUTE. That's a true Mother's

Relationship Habits for Greater Happiness I am so excited to introduce our guest blogger to you today! Cheri Timko is a Couples Relationship Expert who helps individuals strengthen their relationship with their current partner. Quoted from Cheri’s blog: Cheri Timko: A relationship habit is something built into our lives that we do automatically. That doesn't mean thoughtlessly. We still have to show up for that event.  The benefit of making these things habits is that we don't have to work so hard to come up with new ideas in order to connect with our partner - the opportunities to connect are already built into the relationship. You still need to show up with intention and emotion, but the opportunity is already there. Read the full article on her blog at the link below: 3 Relationship Habits for Greater Happiness Instagram Live with Cheri Timko I'm even more excited to tell you that we will get a chance to chat with Cheri on Instagram next week.  I have set a reminder on

How are our insecurities reflected in a relationship? I wrote the following article after I had an unexpected melt-down at work. So I know that the tiny steps I have outlined WORK. They will significantly impact your mental state positively and your outlook for the day ahead: The Art of Restorative Self-Love As a recovering Meltdown Survivor, this is what I’ve learnt.  No-one can love another, male or female, until you love yourself entirely. Not with the vanity of feeling that you're better than anyone else and not by exerting power over another. Self-love involves being gentle with yourself in all interactions, even when you are gently letting go of a person who no longer embraces your desire to live calmly. No human being has the capacity to love other beings wholly until self-love is mastered. You cannot express yourself fully to empathise with others if you aren’t aware of your own understandings of your inner workings. Love yourself well. Not in the adjective sense, but in th

Do you have a self-empowerment strategy in place? https://unsplash.com/@adityaries By self-empowerment, I mean that feeling that you know without doubt you can succeed in anything that comes your way.  That confidence, knowing you can hold your head high and say ‘Oh yeah, I’ve got this.” What strategies do you use to lift yourself out of a slump? Because, let’s face it, life is hard and we all feel deflated at times. I found THIS ARTICLE to be super helpful. 7 Tips for Achieving Self-Empowerment https://unsplash.com/@kalvisuals Would you be willing to share your methods of self-empowerment below? (Anonymously or by name are both fine). Self-Empowerment (Google Forms)  See below if you'd prefer not to use Google Forms. ICYMI 7 Tips for Achieving Self-Empowerment Here's to a very Hoppy Happy Easter, may you and yours celebrate, enjoy and stay safe 🐰 😀 Feel free to let me know your self-empowerment strategies in the comments if you prefer, rather than the Google Forms above. A

How Do You Portray Yourself to the World? Your body is your home. Have you ever wondered what compels you to return home at the end of each day? What draws you into that space? What magnetism attracts you to the energy there? Whilst I can’t answer on your behalf, here’s what I know from someone who has lived in 2 countries, semi-permanently lived in a third and travelled for a year without a place to call home yet feeling ‘at home’ in each accommodation. Self-awareness in your space: You are with yourself constantly. How do you perceive yourself? Does that align with how the world sees you? How you wish the world to see you? I’ve noticed that the things that bring me peace are the very things that define me. They denote that eternal question of ‘Who am I?’ Not in a career or relationship perspective, just me, in my own space and not what the world sees from the outside. So what are these things that bring me peace, and how do they relate to who I am and how I portray myself to the wor