Show notes
Let’s be honest, staying true to yourself in a world that wants you to conform to the *norm* can feel like a feat in and of itself. Maybe you’ve found yourself in situations where people don’t get it or don’t get you. Or maybe you’ve felt underappreciated or that your energy is just being zapped.Let me tell you this: You aren’t alone.If all of this sounds familiar, then stay with me, today I want to share with you what it is like when you are living in misalignment with something in your life and how you can recalibrate and show up in your every day life as the person you truly are, regardless of what everyone else thinks.Oh, and don’t forget to check out today’s podcast for a deep dive on this topic, as well as a personal story from me about a situation where I very much felt out of alignment, how I dealt with it and grew onwards towards a life that feels more fulfilling than ever.You can find the podcast right here in your inbox, on substack or by searching The Slow Living Collective wherever you listen to you podcasts.Let’s slow down and journey together through the seasons with simplicity and mindfulness. Subscribe for simple musings directly to your inbox.Before we get started, I have a little something for you.If you’re feeling like you’ve been hustling non-stop, but deep down something feels a little off, I’ve got something special for you. I’ve just released "The Busy Person’s Guide to Slowing Down", and it’s 100% free. This guide is designed for the go-getter in you — the one who’s juggling all the things but knows it’s time to press pause, take a deep breath, and realign yourself. Whether you’ve been running on autopilot or just craving more balance, this guide will help you carve out intentional moments of stillness and reset your mindset, so you can show up as your best, most authentic self.Today we’re diving deep into that, about that uneasy feeling you get when life starts pulling you in directions that don’t quite feel right, and how it’s actually a sign that you need to realign. If this resonates with you, then you’ll love the guide — it’s packed with practical tips to help you slow down, reconnect with your purpose, and find the clarity you’ve been craving. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this one! Go ahead, grab your free copy, and start living with more intention and ease today.Let’s get started…If you’ve ever struggled with a situation or how to deal with people who aren’t quite on the same page as you, and you’re looking for a way to keep walking your own path, even when it’s not the popular route, you’re in the right place.First things first, let’s talk about what it really means to be in alignment. Alignment is all about living in a way that matches your values, goals, and aligns with your most authentic self. It’s that space where your actions and decisions feel just right — like they’re clicking into place. It’s like you are finally showing up as the person you have always wanted to be. The person you were destined to be. It feels natural.But sometimes we either recognise or feel that someone or something isn’t aligned with us. And that’s where it gets a bit tricky. Misalignment can show up as either a one-off or constant conflict, feeling drained after interactions, or just sensing a lack of support. And while it’s normal to have differences with others in the way we choose to live our lives, there’s a big difference between healthy disagreements and fundamental misalignment. The truth is, being around people who aren’t aligned with your path can mess with your mental and emotional wellbeing, and ignoring that can have some serious long-term consequences.So, what do you do when you find yourself dealing with someone who just isn’t in sync with where you’re headed? Well I guess that can really depend on how this is communicated. In this podcast episode I did a bit of a deep dive into a period in my life where I suddenly felt incredibly misaligned in a friendship. But it’s actually only in hindsight that I was able to see just how misaligned this friendship was (probably for a very long time), and also how their out of the blue instigated conflict was about them, and their feelings, and not me.When someone attacks your character, it's often a reflection of their own insecurities, frustrations, or biases, rather than a reflection of you.When it comes to a big misalignment I don’t know whether it’s something you can come back from, and I know for me, once I have been so heavily disrespected that relationship is largely over. But for living in general misalignment the answer often lies in setting boundaries — something we all know we should do but often struggle with actually putting into place. Boundaries are key to keeping your alignment intact, and it’s all about figuring out what you need, communicating that clearly, and sticking to it. But it doesn’t stop there. Navigating difficult conversations is crucial when boundary setting. It’s about expressing your needs without causing unnecessary drama, which can be a balancing act, for sure. And sometimes, despite your best efforts, you’ll realise it’s time to let go of a relationship or interaction that’s just too misaligned to continue. That’s tough, but necessary for your growth and wellbeing.In my experience…It’s interesting, when I experienced such a huge misalignment in this friendship, I immediately knew what boundary I needed to set. A boundary of I will not be treated this way and the door is open for you to leave. Sometimes it’s worth thinking “is this worth the argument? What does this person really want from me?” In my situation a ‘friend’ had become angry with some of my very legitimate (and perfectly fine) life choices and my own personal feelings around them. Probably feeling misaligned themselves, instead of talking it through with me they launched a tirade of abuse into my Instagram inbox, and for me, it was done. So often these situations aren’t about us, and are about the feelings someone else has about us and/or a situation. My feelings were this person either wanted me to validate their anger over their opinion, have me apologise for my own life choice (ha! Good luck with that one…), or just wanted to hurt me. And none of these were my fault. None of these things I was about to apologise for. So I didn’t reply. I left it there. Because sometimes silence is an answer too.It's frustrating, right? When someone is being disrespectful or rude, it can really throw us off. But remember, you have control over your own emotions. Stay calm, set boundaries, and choose your battles wisely. Sometimes, it's best (albeit not easy) to walk away. If I leave you with anything on this, it is this:Don’t dim your light just because it’s shining in someone else’s eyes.Why can it be contentious to walk the road less travelledIt's a brave and beautiful choice, but it's not always easy. We often feel pressure to conform to societal norms, and stepping off the beaten path can be scary. People might not understand or appreciate your choices, and you might have to make sacrifices.But this is where the magic happens. Embracing your individuality, even when it feels like you’re the only one doing it, is where you find the most reward. Think about the people you admire most; chances are, they’ve walked a path that wasn’t exactly laid out for them by others. But stepping out on your own comes with its fair share of fears and doubts — like the fear of judgment or failure. The good news? Building a life that’s truly in alignment with your values takes intentionality. It’s about creating daily habits and routines that reflect who you are and celebrating those small victories along the way. Because let’s face it, the journey isn’t always easy, but it’s yours, and that makes it worth celebrating. And who knows? By walking your unique path, you might just inspire others to do the same.In fact, that’s the very reason I started writing, started my podcast and started sharing my life.Let’s slow down and journey together through the seasons with simplicity and mindfulness. Subscribe for simple musings directly to your inbox.Think about where you are right now — are you in alignment with your true self? If not, it’s okay. Keep taking those steps, no matter how small, toward living a life that feels right for you.Staying true to yourself and embracing the path less travelled might not always be easy, but it’s always worth it. Now, go out there and keep shining your light, even if you’re the only one on your path right now. Do you have experience of this? How are did you show up for yourself and stay in alignment with yourself while dealing with a misalignment in other areas of your life.I don’t know about you, but every year Christmas just seems to get more chaotic. Between the endless to-do lists, the pressure to make everything perfect, and all the social events, it’s so easy to feel overwhelmed and burned out. Sound familiar? That’s exactly why I created the Slow & Simple Christmas Workshop and that’s exactly why I am bring it back again this year — to help you hit pause on the craziness and embrace the season with more intention, calm, and joy. We dive into easy, practical ways to simplify your Christmas season, focus on what truly matters, and create space for moments that actually fill you up.Here’s the deal: Today’s the last day to join for just £17 (before the price goes up to £27)! If you’re ready for a Christmas that feels peaceful and meaningful, now’s the perfect time to jump in. Don’t miss out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theslowlivingcollective.substack.com/subscribe