The Princess and the Pea – with Socks On

~ womeninlivingness

Do you remember the story of the Princess and the Pea? It is the one where the princess can feel a pea under her mattress. More and more mattresses are piled on top of it but she can still feel the pea. Most of us do not have royal status but it is interesting to ponder on our own human sensitivity and how we often override what we feel.

For example, how often do we put up with uncomfortable clothing because it is fashionable, looks good or is a particular colour? This can apply to any outfit ­– dresses, trousers, coats, even underwear, shoes and socks.  Continue reading “The Princess and the Pea – with Socks On” →

It’s the little things – Breast Screening – Mammogram

~ womeninlivingness

Mammogram emerged in the mid 1960’s and by the late 1970s mammography was widely used, but had become a source of tremendous controversy. On the one hand, advocates of the technology enthusiastically touted its ability to detect smaller, more curable cancers. On the other hand, critics asked whether breast x-rays, particularly for women aged 50 and younger, actually caused more harm than benefit. Despite the publication of hundreds of research studies, this dispute about mammography persists.

I recently received a letter (and a small pile of explanatory leaflets) to invite me to go for breast screening – as this service is available every three years for women over 50, like me. On reading the letter I could feel the value of having regular screening as part of taking care of myself. Continue reading “It’s the little things – Breast Screening – Mammogram” →

Dressing for Men or Living My Own Rhythm?

~ womeninlivingness

Yesterday morning I heard the chuckle of the kookaburras and the playful steps of my little niece on our timber floor. It was Saturday morning and I had begun my day with a warm shower. I prepared myself for the day by making a delicious salmon breakfast, gently doing my hair and sitting at my duchess, applying loving attention along with my make-up. I enjoyed ironing my beautiful red dress to wear for the day. I felt lovely and my day felt in rhythm. Continue reading “Dressing for Men or Living My Own Rhythm?” →

2013 in review

~ womeninlivingness

A 2013 Annual Report for Women in Livingness

Women in Livingness was viewed approximately 96,000 times in 2013.

The most visited blog was Breast Massage and the Esoteric Breast Massage – An Open Approach – written back in 2012, and still generating a lot of interest and support for women online.

Viewers logged in from 128 different countries.

Women of the world, this is a blog for you – signalling a sea change in the online trend toward criticism, irresponsibility, blame and seeking outward – women sharing their return to and reclaiming of the TRUE WOMAN within.

Click here to see the complete report.

No Children – I am No less of a Woman

~ womeninlivingness

A very normal and common question to ask a woman is whether she has children or not, especially on a first encounter this is something we tend to ask. The other day I was visiting a friend’s house and I met a man there who was house-sitting the house at the time, we started talking and quite soon in the conversation he asked me if I had children, “No” I replied, “I don’t”.

In the past I used to not leave it at ‘no’ because I always felt I had to explain myself as to why I don’t have children. I was always feeling uneasy and awkward with the silence that would follow my ‘no’ so I would fill that gap with just letting out words and explaining my situation. Continue reading “No Children – I am No less of a Woman” →

Learning to Express Myself

~ womeninlivingness

What is it that gets in the way of me truly expressing myself?

  • Wanting to please other people and make sure that I act in a way that makes them feel reassured and accepted
  • Wanting to be the best, to be noticed or to be rewarded in some way for taking part…always after that A* prize of recognition
  • Fear/shame/embarrassment of not wanting to reveal myself as some kind of inept imposter
  • The ‘children should be seen and not heard’ mantra from childhood
  • Not wanting my expression to spiral into an uncomfortable emotional reaction, because I’ve been holding back for so long, and there is so much to say Continue reading “Learning to Express Myself” →

Using a Clothes Steamer: My shopping Purchase and Supporting Me

~ womeninlivingness

I love to shop. Recently my husband and I were talking about how some shopping purchases can be truly supportive and others are just unnecessary objects we buy because we are trying to fill a void or distract ourselves from feeling “stuff” that is coming up. We had this fun conversation about items we had brought (runners and a clothes steamer), and expressed a loving appreciation for ourselves when we brought something that was truly supportive.  Continue reading “Using a Clothes Steamer: My shopping Purchase and Supporting Me” →

It’s the Little Things – Cervical Screening

~ womeninlivingness

by JK, UK

I recently had a few routine health checks that came around at the same time, a cervical smear examination, a few blood tests and breast screening (as now I am over 50 and breast screening is available every three years). Each experience gave me an opportunity to deepen my awareness, not only of myself but more so about the way women undergo these kinds of routine health checks.  Continue reading “It’s the Little Things – Cervical Screening” →