Categorie: How to be a surfer

januari 26, 2019

Why going on a solo surf trip was the best thing I did for my business.

I’m running my own business from home and have a 15-month-old toddler. I’m organizing retreats in San Sebastián that weren’t selling. I was wondering why? I realized that I was craving exactly what I was offering. I needed a break. Some sunshine. Vitamin sea. Surfing. Good food.

It was a big thing for me to leave my family for five days. I do not take it for granted that my husband supported my desire and took time off from work to care of our son. I do not take it for granted that other women joined my (virtual) creative retreat. I have deep respect for you.

Self-care is a struggle for many women. Guilt often kicks in as soon as we want to do something that is just for ourselves. Just because we want to relax, let go and have fun. ¨What am I thinking? No way! I don’t have the support I need.¨ is what our inner saboteurs tell us. And there’s always work to do or someone that needs our attention. Especially when you’re a starting female entrepreneur who has a family. Like me.

How on earth was I going to sell retreats when I wasn’t giving myself the retreat I needed? So here’s what I did: I booked a solo surf trip to Morocco. And I organized a free virtual creative retreat for people that wanted to learn how to reclaim their creative side and learn how to live more from their heARTs.

As an entrepreneur and mom you’re not only responsible for your family and business, but you’re also an example to your loved ones. Your kids, your partner, your friends and your clients. What do you show them when you’re not taking care of yourself? How can you show your loved ones that they’re worth the best, when you’re not giving it to yourself?

I enjoyed life to the fullest when I was in Morocco. I felt my whole body, mind and soul relaxing. I felt nourished by the fresh and delicious meals. I made new friends. I felt refreshed by the ocean. I could let go while practicing yoga. Surfing made me feel alive and connected to mother Earth again. I drew in my sketchbook while the sun was setting and the gorgeous colours of the scenery made me realize that I’m very lucky to be alive. I felt inspired, but most of all I felt freedom & joy.

Because of this experience I feel more passionate than I’ve ever been to continue with my projects. With a grateful heart and sparkling eyes, I’ll follow my inner compass. It tells me to keep going no matter what happens. I know that I won’t give up and I feel so grateful for everything that I’ve learned so far on my creative journey. Progress is always better than perfection, and not trying is losing out.

I’m sharing this with you because my journey can be an example to you. I hope that it inspires to follow your own inner compass. You live NOW and how you’d like to create space for you and your desires is up to you. I hope you realize that you can do so much more than you think. Your heART has what it takes. Live by it!

What’s the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself or for your business?

With all my love, Lau

november 24, 2018

Signs of love

Signs of love are everywhere. You can always look for them if you feel unbalanced, overwhelmed or down.

Do you know in which direction you have to go to feel well and to live in harmony?

november 18, 2018

It takes courage.

Nazaré is a place in Portugal world famous for its giant waves. The waves are bigger than 20m (!) and there are big waves surfing competition being held every year. This week the Nazaré challenge world surf league took place.

I find it so fascinating that people surf those massive waves. Even though the surfers are very experienced I cannot imagine how they’re able to overcome the fear. I’ve been out in the ocean in waves that were too big or me to surf and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. The fear kept me save and told me my limit had been reached. Go big or go home? Home please!

Fear is natural. We all know that voice that’s telling us that it isn’t comfortable with something or simply that it’s just not ready for what’s coming. Whether it’s surfing big waves or putting your creative work out in the world.

I surfed on the internet and I found three tips from the famous surf writer Nick Carroll to ‘reset the system’. These three things will get you out of the ‘fear loop’ and give yourself a chance to see the situation clearly again. I think that these tips are also relevant for creative processes.

Three things you can try to overcome fear:

Share your fear and talk to others about what spooks you.
Concentrate on your breathing. Take 10 deep breaths and feel what it does to you.
Try it, do it anyway! Catch that wave! This is the fastest way to freedom. Enjoy whatever it is with a fearless and open heart. Consider this: A wipe out is even better than a frozen and stuck position as it makes you feel alive.

I wish you all the courage that you need,

november 10, 2018

Surf lessons from the experts

Some of these surfing animals are naturals. Others are sharing a surfboard with their human. Sharing the same passion for waves, isn’t that the coolest thing? Watching these animals surf makes my heart melt.

Nature’s magnificent and oh so creative. What (creative) inspiration do you get from it?

november 2, 2018

Believe in magic

What were your creative plans before you had to make a living? What dreams did you have before you became responsible for others?

Let me guess; you’d be a painter, a dancer, a photographer, a goldsmith, a writer or a musician.

You felt so alive. Bursting with creative energy and ideas. Feeling inspired and unstoppable. You were (and still are!) a beautiful little bundle of pure joy, energy and confidence.

Along the way, that inner creative fire slowly died. But you know what? It only needs one tiny magical spark. And that’s possible for everyone! You can choose to rewrite your future life story. If you decide to do things differently from this very moment on.

You are and you belong.

Decide to reclaim your what’s truly yours. Your creativity is your unique voice and when you use it, magic will happen. Don’t just sit and wait for it to happen though. It’s in the action and in the doing where you’ll feel those sparks of inspiration, passion and joy.

Which stories of the past are you letting go? How will you rewrite your future life story?

oktober 25, 2018

Try and fail but don’t fail to try

What’d happen if we freestyled a bit more in life and let go of our expectations?

Here’s a little surf inspired story: One day while I was getting out of the water I found a surfboard on the shore with a broken leash. I looked around for its owner and just when I started to worry I spotted someone waving at me. Apart from the broken leash there was something else about the surfboard that caught my eye: it didn’t have fins.

Fins allow you to control your board in the water. Without them it’s way harder to manoeuvre the surfboard. Curiously, I asked the owner what’d happened. He told me that he’d been surfing for years and that one time by accident the fins of his board broke. Instead of fixing the fins he paddled out again and discovered, against all odds, that surfing finless was loads of fun!

I think this is such a great example to illustrate that it’s important to let go of the expectations that we have. You might already (think that you) know that something’s impossible. That it won’t work… But. What if you knew that you’d be fine no matter what the outcome would be? Would you try?

With this message I hope you’ll give one of your (creative) ideas a try: Failure is an experience, it won’t make you less worthy as a person.

oktober 19, 2018

Chill out

Feeling blocked, stressed or uninspired? Take a break! When you do something fun, BAM, inspiration will hit. Always. So give that beautiful brain of yours a break. You’ll see that a healthy and rested brain takes your creative ideas to the next level!

Here are 5 suggestions for relaxation that’ll boost your creativity:

Take a bath. Don’t forget to light a candle and add some sea-salt or essential oils!

2. Listen to your favourite music and sing out loud. Music lifts your soul!

3. Make yourself a nice cup of tea and read a book. There’s nothing like it!

4. Immerse yourself in nature and its colours. Simply go outside, take a walk and soak up the sunlight.

5. Do some exercise like running, dancing, walking, yoga or swimming. Movement helps you to get out of your head and stimulate new thoughts.

From my heART to yours,

mei 26, 2017

How to be a surfer

When I lived in San Sebastián I used to go to the seaside almost every day. It really is my happy place. I always draw tons of inspiration from the ocean and learning how to surf its waves. Now that I’m landlocked and can’t go surfing regularly, I miss being in and near the ocean more than ever. However, I like to think that being a surfer is a mindset.

Inspired by PlanetSark’s poster ‘How to be an artist’ I made this poster which is also a reminder of how I want to live my life.