When Michelle and Jess asked me to be a contributor to their fabulous new book, The Declaration of You, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. These two ladies are so inspiring, both full of so much energy and creativity, you can’t help but feel more expanded after spending time in their company. The Declaration of You started life as an ecourse and they’ve channelled all the colour, juice and inspiration from the course into their book. I was canny enough to sign up for the first session and absolutely loved it, so I’m doubled excited to see it as hold-in-my-hands book :)
Here’s the official blurb about the book:
“Uncover your purpose in life! Through a series of creative, colorful exercises – questions to get the wheels turning and an encouraging kick in the pants – readers of The Declaration of You will get all the permission they’ve craved to step passionately into their lives, discover how they and their gifts are unique and uncover what they are meant to do! Each chapter begins with a Discovery (explaining what the reader can expect to achieve by the end of the chapter), followed by a series of list-making explorations that leads the reader to creating a Declaration for that chapter. “Make It” sections provide fun and crafty project ideas for applying what the reader is discovering in a tangible way, while ”Own It” sections offers inspiring interviews with successful creatives like Kari Chapin, Susannah Conway, Leonie Dawson, Jonathan Fields, Alexandra Franzen, Anahata Katkin, Natalia KW, Danielle LaPorte, Jennifer Lee, Kelly Rae Roberts, Andrea Scher, and Colleen Wainwright.”
Sounds pretty awesome, yes?
Our interview is featured in the Celebration chapter, and as a special treat the ladies are letting me share it in full here today. Enjoy!
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M&J: You mention in your book and on your website that the man you loved died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 2005. We wonder, how has this experience changed and defined the ways you celebrate in your life?
SC: Going through grief and bereavement changed every single part of my life. First I had to learn to live without the man I loved; then I had to learn how to make a new life for myself. One of the gifts that came out of that time was the understanding that life is short. It sounds like such a cliche, but you really do learn to appreciate LIFE when you’ve faced down death (or illness or any other truly life-changing situation). So these days I celebrate being ALIVE. I celebrate my family and the love we have for each other. I celebrate being an auntie and live for the sweet moments I share with my nephew. I’ve learned that every single day I have is a gift and because I don’t know what tomorrow may bring I try my best to live in the Right Now. Some days I manage to do this better than others, but when I remember to live as consciously as possible, even the small things like a really stellar cup of coffee are reason enough to celebrate.
Do you have any advice around how to keep celebration in your life during dark periods, while going through a traumatic event, or when it seems like “the cup is half empty”? Do you think celebrating is at all an important part of the healing process?
It’s very difficult to celebrate when you’re going through a dark time, mainly because you lack the energy needed to feel hopeful or optimistic. I’ve endured several periods of depression in my life, and one of the things that’s helped me crawl out the other side is practicing gratitude. A gratitude list is a tiny celebration written down on the page. It’s the recognition of what is good in your life, even if it’s just the toast you had for breakfast. When I’m in a bad place I try to make the effort to list five things I am grateful for before I go to sleep — sometimes this means I write the same things for days in a row, but at some point there is a shift. Looking for the good — and acknowledging it in written form — helps my brain switch into a different gear. So while I may not have the energy for a big celebration, I’m creating my own pathway back to being able to do that.
You run a wildly successful e-course called Unravelling, in which thousands of women have participated around the world. How have you celebrated its success?
In June 2012 my first book was published. It’s called This I Know: Notes on Unraveling the Heart and was partly inspired by my course. In July 2012 I went on a seven-city book tour across North America, meeting readers and doing book signings. One of the best parts of the tour was getting to meet women who have taken my class. Each book event turned into a mini celebration of my course, too. It was humbling and amazing to meet so many people who had been touched by the course. I can’t think of a better way to have celebrated the success of Unravelling!
In what ways do you make sure celebration is a part of your daily routine? (ie: do you schedule it in to your calendar, or is it more spontaneous?)
I would love to be able to schedule celebration in to my calendar — what a wonderful idea! — but sadly that doesn’t happen. Instead, I just make sure I see my most important people as often as I can. That means booking in coffees and lunches with friends, weekends at my sister’s house to spend time with my nephew (he is a celebration in a 3-year-old’s body) and the occasional getaway somewhere new.
What is your personal declaration around celebration?
To me, celebration means appreciation, gratitude and love. I work really hard so I try to remember to treat myself once in a while, gifting myself with little presents to bring some extra sweetness into my day. It could be a caramel latte, a new book or the occasional scented candle. Sometimes a hot bath is all the celebration I need at the end of a long productive day.
This post is part of The Declaration of You’s Blog Lovin’ Tour, which I’m thrilled to participate in alongside over 200 other creative bloggers. Learn more – and join us! – by clicking here.
As an extra treat we’ve got one copy of the book to giveaway, so if you’d like to win it simply leave a comment below and I’ll draw/announce the winner’s name on Friday xo
Hi Susannah,
Interesting to hear your interview and more about this book — it sounds gorgeous (and I love the colourful design). I like the idea of small celebrations every day, it makes life a bit brighter. :)
Jen x
Thanks for posting this Susannah, it’s so great to know about it! What an incredible resource, and I love the happy look of it.
Eileen
Keepin’ it positive, love it!
Celebration, how fitting!!
I like the idea of small celebrations, it does not have to be a huge thing all the time. :)
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for sharing.
ooh, yes please, this sounds fab!
I’d love to have it!
Lovely interview. And I’m very excited about this book!
At the age of 41, I’m just starting to realise the importance of celebrations in life, even tiny ones, to stay connected to myself and the world. Sounds like an inspiring book that brings together a group of inspiring women.
Would love to win this book!
This looks like a great book! I enjoyed reading your interview!
Susannah, I have had my eye on this book for awhile. Thanks for the chance to win it!!
Going through a tough period right now and although I’m journaling, my gratitude portion is rushed. Maybe, I should spend more time there, truly reflecting on what blessings are right in front of me… xxO
I have this book on my Amazon wish list – it sounds like a wonderful resource on how to live more mindfully.
Loved your interview as well. I know what you mean about having the same things on your gratitude list for days in a row. I’m still waiting form my “shift,” but I’m positive that it’s coming soon! :)
I declare that I am excited about this!!!
You’re really hitting the nail on the head for me this week! I’m a 26-year-old kicking off some tough self-discovery. Thanks for your letter to your 20-something-self and for this book recommendation!
“So while I may not have the energy for a big celebration, I’m creating my own pathway back to being able to do that.” So appreciating what you share. This is a wonderful and inspiring interview. This book sounds so yummy! Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!
Appreciating you, maya ox
I can’t wait to get my hands on this book! I’ve been looking forward to it’s publication for some time, and I’m so happy to see all the joy surrounding it’s release!!
This book sounds amazing! I loved reading your interview, “To me, celebrations means appreciation, gratitude and love.” I’ll have to remember that! :)
-Cole
Celebrate good times. Come on!
I love the idea of gratitude as a form of celebration. Great interview!
That is a powerful bunch of contributors! A must have for sure.
All my favourite people in the one spot? Yes please.
I will keep my fingers and toes crossed :)
This book looks so delightful, thank you for sharing this little snippet. I can’t wait to read it & uncover the other treasures which lie within xx
Having just lost the last of my family, my brother, three months ago, I am going through yet another dark phase of my life. I am going to start a gratitude list like you suggested. I love the idea of that and think it will help me…thanks for the idea.
That sounds like a must-read so I am definitely going to try this giveaway. Thanks Susannah.
Just today I added this book to my wishlist :) I didn’t read the excerpt in this blog post because whenever I get my hands on a book of beautiful inspiration I like to give myself a complete day off to immerse myself in its words and your words :)
Looks like a great read!
Thank you for being a part of so many wonderful projects and sharing them.
During the past nine months of some pretty big life changes for me and my family, learning to celebrate has been a big part of survival.
Would love to get the book! I am loving the current Unravelling course :)
This peak into the book makes me curios…would like to read the rest! Thanks for this chance to win.
Oh yay!!! Sounds like a goodie!!
I would so love that book.
It’s my birthday today and I’m sitting here in Melbourne in the darl at 6.30 feeling sorry for myself (no cards, FB msgs etc). I read yoiur interview and decided to practice gratitude for the day. The fresh coffee I have made is amazing and I’m totally appreciating this quiet moment to myself. I think I might start a grattitude journal while I complete Unraveling. Thanks Susannah. This ia brilliant place to be x
Hey Susannah, sorry to hear about your loss. I love the fact that you describe life like something short and practice gratitude. Thanks for that back.
Will love to have the book, so long it’s possible to send it to the Netherlands :) Have a great day!
Hello, Susannah! Looks like an interesting & empowering book. Thank you so much for the wonderful & generous opportunity!! Many blessings ~H?~
This book looks sooo playful!!!
Would love to win. Sounds like something I need right now.
Great interview and overall love the idea of the book!
What an inspiration would be a wonderful book to have :).
Declaration ! Celebration ! Decoration !
Anticipation !
Enjoyed your interview. I know it will be helpful to many going through difficult times.
Would love to have this fabulous book!
THE EXERCISES IN YOUR BOOK – THIS I KNOW – HAVE TAKEN ME TO A NEW LEVEL OF APPRECIATING DAILY LIFE AND THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE THAT MAKE IT COMPLETE. YOUR REVIEW OF THIS NEW BOOK HAS ME SOLD! LOOKING FORWARD!