🦋 Conscious Living – March 2026
This month sure did fly past us, didn’t it?
This month, as we celebrated women, I found myself slowing down – taking small moments to breathe, notice, and appreciate what is already around me. In those pauses, I was reminded that while we give so much to those around us, so they may gain, sometimes we need to simply step back for a moment. Creating space to just be invites a quiet yet powerful sense of peace we often overlook.
It also led me to reflect on the examples of self-care we model for our children, how we can nurture the notion that even something out of the norm like taking a bubble in the middle of the afternoon is okay to do, perhaps even necessary.
I recently delved into the importance of recognising our own power. Something many people – especially women – sometimes struggle with. We all have an innate ability that has always been there, but maybe not always recognised for the power it truly holds – be it the ability to lead, to nurture, to create and so much more.
☘️ March Highlights
🌿 International Women’s Day
We paused for a moment to think about the women who helped shape our lives.
A mother. A teacher. A mentor. A friend. A colleague who believed in us.
Someone, somewhere, gave something that helped you grow.
This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” reminded us of a quiet but powerful truth: when women support, encourage, mentor, and uplift one another, the impact multiplies.
And the ripple continues.
✨ International Women’s Day was a beautiful opportunity to reflect:
Where can I give – my time, my encouragement, my voice, my support – so that another woman can flourish?
Because when one woman rises, she rarely rises alone. She lifts families, communities, workplaces, and future generations with her.
🌱 When women give, the world gains.
#InternationalWomensDay #GiveToGain #SheRisesWeRise #ConsciousLiving 🌱
🌿 Give to Gain
I recently posted a question on TikTok:
✨ What’s the best advice a woman has ever given you?
The responses have been so uplifting and empowering. Please add yours so we can create a thread of wisdom passed from woman to woman – helping more women rise.
👇 Share your advice here:
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSu2FeY4H/
#GiveToGain #WomenSupportingWomen #CollectiveWisdom #SheRisesWeRise #ConsciousLiving 🌱
I did something that felt both rebellious and magical… ✨
In this video, I unpack what it taught me about creativity and modelling self-care for our kids.
What’s something your kids or family would be surprised to see you doing – but you’d feel proud to model?
🌱
🐱 The Cat in the Coffee ☕
A small moment at a coffee shop stopped me ☕️
A couple of days ago, as I was grabbing a cappuccino, rushing from one thing to the next, I saw it.
A cat. Carefully crafted into the foam.
It got me to stop for a moment and compliment the barista on his beautiful work.
He instantly softened. “I’m so happy you noticed. Do you know how many people don’t?” he said.
That stayed with me.
How much do we miss, in our rush to get it all planned and done?
Conscious living isn’t always about big breakthroughs. Sometimes it’s simply about noticing.
Because when we notice, we don’t just see more – we connect more.
A gentle reminder for the month:
slow down just enough to notice the “cat in the coffee.”
👀 What might YOU be missing?
Yes… read that again.
It’s the opposite of what most of us have been conditioned to believe.
When things feel uncertain, uncomfortable, or overwhelming, our instinct is usually to do more.
Fix. Solve. Respond. Act.
But sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is… sit there. Pause. Be still.
I’ll be honest – “just sitting there” doesn’t come easily to me. My mind loves movement, solutions, productivity.
Yet again and again I’m reminded that clarity, insight, and regulation often arrive in the quiet spaces we normally rush past.
So if a day offers even a small pocket of stillness, perhaps use it.
Step outside. Breathe. Notice. Put your phone down and let your nervous system catch up with your life.
Sometimes doing less is actually where the deeper work begins.
#ConsciousLiving 🌱
Don’t Hurry. Be Happy. 🐌
Meet Speed… the tiny snail on my wall, moving slowly, intentionally, without urgency.
I only noticed it because I paused between sessions – long enough to see.
Slowing down isn’t just a mindset – it’s physiological.
When we rush, we spend more time in a sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state, increasing cortisol and reducing our capacity for clear thinking, regulation, and connection.
When we slow our pace, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system – supporting calm, restoration, and presence.
Research shows:
* Slower, mindful attention reduces stress (American Psychological Association)
* Constant busyness reduces focus and depth (Cal Newport)
* Slowing the body supports nervous system regulation (Stephen Porges)
A gentle invitation today:
Choose one ordinary activity – making tea, walking, replying to a message – and do it slower.
Notice what shifts.
#DontHurryBeHappy #InPraiseOfSlow #ConsciousLiving 🌱
🌿The leader I've always been, but was slow to meet…
A quiet reflection on something I’m only now fully owning.
If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit the mould of a “leader,” this might resonate: 🤍
“Leadership doesn’t have to be loud or forceful.
It can be relational. Attuned. Steady.
Perhaps the work – especially for women – is not becoming more of what we’re not, but recognising the power in what we already are.”
Read the full article on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bronwyn-russo-conscious-living_authenticleadership-womeninleadership-personaldevelopment-activity-7442466323001147394-D7AU?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAF8_IGEBln5RJeXmf-b5VRtblb74BJic_Ps
🌍 Earth Hour | The Biggest Hour for Earth
On 28th March, 8:30–9:30 PM (SAST), we switched off the lights for one hour …
and switched on our commitment to protect our planet.
But what if we also chose to switch off…
📵 devices
🤍 the noise
🌿 the rush
So we can switch on presence …
and reconnect with ourselves, our loved ones, and the Earth beneath our feet.
Because when we become more conscious in how we live,
we naturally become more gentle with the world around us.
Let’s honour our home – together. 💚
#BiggestHourForEarth #EarthHour #ConsciousLiving 🌱
Holding the flawed parts of yourself with care…
this is how we become what we needed.
This is the work of reparenting 🤍
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☀️March Affirmation☀️
Consciously,
Bronwyn Russo
Clinical Psychologist
M.A. Clin. Psych. (Curtin University, Australia)
