{"id":24953,"date":"2026-03-31T09:00:46","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T09:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bronwynrusso.com\/?p=24953"},"modified":"2026-10-28T08:53:04","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T08:53:04","slug":"conscious-living-27-celebrating-women-small-moments-plus-discover-your-inner-leader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bronwynrusso.com\/?p=24953","title":{"rendered":"Conscious Living #27: Celebrating Women, Small Moments, plus Discover Your Inner Leader"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\ud83e\udd8b Conscious Living \u2013 March 2026<\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

This month sure did fly past us, didn’t it?<\/h2>\n

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\u00a0to simply step back <\/strong>for a moment. Creating space\u00a0to just be<\/em> invites a quiet yet powerful sense of peace we often overlook.<\/p>\n

It also led me to reflect on the examples of self-care<\/strong> 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, <\/strong>perhaps even <\/strong>necessary<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u2618\ufe0f March Highlights<\/h2>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf3f International Women\u2019s Day<\/h2>\n

\nWe paused for a moment to think about the women who helped shape our lives.
\nA mother. A teacher. A mentor. A friend. A colleague who believed in us.<\/p>\n

Someone, somewhere, gave something that helped you grow.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s theme, \u201cGive to Gain<\/strong>,\u201d reminded us of a quiet but powerful truth: when women support, encourage, mentor, and uplift one another, the impact multiplies.\u00a0
\nAnd the ripple continues.<\/p>\n

\u2728 International Women’s Day was a beautiful opportunity to reflect:<\/strong>
\nWhere can I give – my time, my encouragement, my voice, my support – so that another woman can flourish?<\/p>\n

Because when one woman rises, she rarely rises alone. She lifts families, communities, workplaces, and future generations with her.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf31 When women give, the world gains.<\/strong><\/p>\n

#InternationalWomensDay #GiveToGain #SheRisesWeRise #ConsciousLiving \ud83c\udf31<\/p>\n


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\n<\/a><\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf3f Give to Gain<\/h2>\n

\nI recently posted a question on TikTok:<\/p>\n

\u2728 What\u2019s the best advice a woman has ever given you?<\/em><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc47 Share your advice here:
\nhttps:\/\/vt.tiktok.com\/ZSu2FeY4H\/<\/a><\/p>\n

#GiveToGain #WomenSupportingWomen #CollectiveWisdom #SheRisesWeRise #ConsciousLiving \ud83c\udf31<\/p>\n

I did something that felt both rebellious and magical\u2026<\/strong> \u2728\u00a0<\/h2>\n

\nIn this video, I unpack what it taught me about creativity and modelling self-care for our kids.
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n


\n\"Image
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What\u2019s something your kids or family would be surprised to see you doing – but you\u2019d feel proud to model?<\/em>
\n\ud83c\udf31<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc31 The Cat in the Coffee\u00a0\u2615<\/h2>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

A small moment at a coffee shop stopped me <\/em>\u2615\ufe0f<\/h3>\n

\nA couple of days ago, as I was grabbing a cappuccino, rushing from one thing to the next, I saw it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A cat. Carefully crafted into the foam.<\/p>\n

It got me to stop for a moment and compliment the barista on his beautiful work.
\nHe instantly softened. \u201cI\u2019m so happy you noticed. Do you know how many people don\u2019t?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

That stayed with me.<\/p>\n

How much do we miss, in our rush to get it all planned and done?
\nConscious living isn\u2019t always about big breakthroughs. Sometimes it\u2019s simply about noticing.<\/p>\n

Because when we notice, we don\u2019t just see more –\u00a0we connect more<\/em>.<\/p>\n

A gentle reminder for the month:
\nslow down just enough to notice the \u201ccat in the coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc40\u00a0What might YOU be missing?\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

Yes\u2026 read that again<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the opposite of what most of us have been conditioned to believe.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When things feel uncertain, uncomfortable, or overwhelming, our instinct is usually to do more.\u00a0
\nFix. Solve. Respond. Act.<\/p>\n

But sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is\u2026 sit there. Pause. Be still.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll be honest – \u201cjust sitting there\u201d doesn\u2019t come easily to me. My mind loves movement, solutions, productivity.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yet again and again I\u2019m reminded that clarity, insight, and regulation often arrive in the quiet spaces we normally rush past.<\/em><\/p>\n

So if a day offers even a small pocket of stillness, perhaps use it.<\/p>\n

Step outside. Breathe. Notice. Put your phone down and let your nervous system catch up with your life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sometimes doing less is actually where the deeper work begins.<\/p>\n

#ConsciousLiving \ud83c\udf31<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Hurry. Be Happy. \ud83d\udc0c<\/h2>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

Meet Speed\u2026 the tiny snail on my wall, moving slowly, intentionally, without urgency.
\nI only noticed it because I paused between sessions – long enough to see.<\/p>\n

Slowing down isn\u2019t just a mindset – it\u2019s physiological.
\nWhen 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.
\nWhen we slow our pace, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system \u00a0– supporting calm, restoration, and presence.<\/p>\n

Research shows:<\/strong>
\n* Slower, mindful attention reduces stress (American Psychological Association<\/em>)
\n* Constant busyness reduces focus and depth (Cal Newport<\/em>)
\n* Slowing the body supports nervous system regulation (Stephen Porges<\/em>)<\/p>\n

A gentle invitation today:<\/strong>
\nChoose one ordinary activity – making tea, walking, replying to a message – and do it slower.<\/p>\n

Notice what shifts.<\/p>\n

#DontHurryBeHappy #InPraiseOfSlow #ConsciousLiving \ud83c\udf31<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf3fThe leader I've always been, but was slow to meet…<\/h2>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

A quiet reflection on something I\u2019m only now fully owning.
\n
\nIf you\u2019ve ever felt like you don\u2019t fit the mould of a \u201cleader<\/em>,\u201d this might resonate: \ud83e\udd0d<\/p>\n

“Leadership doesn\u2019t have to be loud or forceful.
\nIt can be relational. Attuned. Steady.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the work – especially for women – is not becoming more of what we\u2019re not, but recognising the power in what we already are.<\/em>”
\n
\nRead the full article on LinkedIn<\/strong> –\u00a0https:\/\/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<\/a><\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf0d Earth Hour | The Biggest Hour for Earth<\/h2>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

On 28th March, 8:30\u20139:30 PM (SAST), we switched off the lights for one hour \u2026
\nand switched on our commitment to protect our planet.<\/p>\n

But what if we also chose to switch off\u2026
\n\ud83d\udcf5 devices
\n\ud83e\udd0d the noise
\n\ud83c\udf3f the rush<\/p>\n

So we can switch on presence \u2026
\nand reconnect with ourselves, our loved ones, and the Earth beneath our feet.<\/p>\n

Because when we become more conscious in how we live,
\nwe naturally become more gentle with the world around us.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s honour our home – together. \ud83d\udc9a\u00a0<\/p>\n

#BiggestHourForEarth #EarthHour #ConsciousLiving \ud83c\udf31<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

Holding the flawed parts of yourself with care\u2026
\nthis is how we become what we needed.<\/p>\n

This is the work of reparenting \ud83e\udd0d<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd1d Join the Conscious Living Community<\/h2>\n

If you haven\u2019t already, join our\u00a0Conscious Living WhatsApp channel<\/strong>\u00a0to see all the above\u00a0content, polls and have access to more resources and insights.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf2\u00a0Scan the QR code below to join:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

\u2600\ufe0fMarch Affirmation<\/strong>\u2600\ufe0f<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

Consciously,<\/em><\/p>\n

Bronwyn Russo
\nClinical Psychologist
\nM.A. Clin. Psych. (Curtin University, Australia)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

View the original newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Celebrating the women who shape us, finding joy in small moments, and discovering the leader within.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24954,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24953","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-conscious-living"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronwynrusso.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24953","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronwynrusso.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronwynrusso.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronwynrusso.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronwynrusso.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24953"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bronwynrusso.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24953\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24965,"href":"https:\/\/bronwynrusso.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24953\/revisions\/24965"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronwynrusso.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/24954"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronwynrusso.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24953"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronwynrusso.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24953"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronwynrusso.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24953"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}