I'm going through an expansion, and it's scary AF.

I feel my nervous system pulling me back to what's familiar.

It's saying, "Just go back to bed for a little while, and things will be clearer." But I know that's not true. I know that writing this email is part of the expansion, and my nervous system can't predict what will happen when I expand, so it's fighting me, trying to keep me here in my patterns of what is familiar, no matter how uncomfortable that is.

I had a different plan mapped out for today entirely. A different email.A different post for Instagram. But, none of it was landing. It didn't feel right. Something has shifted since I wrote out that list for myself on Friday, and that is really scary for my brain to just not do the list. To not stick to the plan.

My brain loves the list. "Just do what's on the list, that's how we will make money today." But that's not true. What is true is that if it doesn't feel good to me, it won't matter what I do or say; it won't help anyone. So if I'm not feeling it, I pivot.

So here I am pivoting.

One more thing to note here is that when I notice my nervous system sensing expansion, change, transformation, its job is to put me into a panic. My job is to notice the panic and get curioius with what the panic is trying to tell me.

For me, the panic = get back to safety.

Also, for me, Expansion = get curious with what is happening. There's something to learn here. And the panic and expansion both happen at the same time.​
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Reader, this is the power of embodiment. To BE IN the body to FEEL what is happenng To feel what is a yes and what is a no. To be able to feel what is and is not aligned with you.

Here's the email my body is asking me to write to you today.

I felt the rush, the stress, the deadline in my dad's voice all the way down 3 flights of stairs.

"Hurry up, Laurie, we don't have time, just get down here and help me unload a few things from the car. Grab your brother, too."

I knew not to bother with putting my sneakers on because it would take too long, so I slipped on my nude flats and ran down the stairs.

I started to unload the car that was full of some heavy things. The stress level was really climbing, though, because no matter how fast we made trips from the car to the basement putting things away, it wasn't fast enough.

My dad handed me a 5-gallon bucket filled with heavy tools. I needed 2 hands on it, and I waddled half-hunched over, carrying it to the basement. I was walking down the stairs when my dad said something to me, but I couldn't hear him. I lost my focus and fell down every step.

The tools and bucket went flying everywhere. The sound of it must have been awful because a neighbor heard it and came flying to the door to see me on the ground. She was so upset. I assured everyone I was okay and got up, heading back to the car to finish unloading. All the way to the car, I was yelled at for not wearing sneakers.

About a week later, that same neighbor came up to me asking how my back was from the fall. I said it was fine and that it wasn't hurting too much anymore. I said I should have had my sneakers on, but I was in such a rush.

She said to me, "Laurie, you shouldn't be doing all that heavy lifting. Those tools were so heavy. You could have been seriously hurt."

In that moment, I had never felt so seen. So acknowledged. So understood. I felt like "Wow, you get me. You see how hard it is." "You're listening to me." The feeling I had in my tummy was relief. Peace. Calm.

As she was talking to me, something life-changing got locked in. For me to be seen, acknowledged, and understood, I had to lift things beyond my capacity. I had to work beyond my capacity. I had to do really hard things that wouldn't be expected of me, and when I did these things, then I would be understood, acknowledged, praised, and seen.

What I was experiencing that day as a 12-year-old would be the driving force in my life for the next 40 years, WITHOUT me even realizing it.

I never asked for help.

I did everything myself because it was my responsibility.

I exhausted myself by overworking, overstudying, and overperforming.

My point is, I never did anything easy ever since that day with the bucket of tools and that locked-in moment of being seen as a result.

But what also got locked in that moment was the overworking, which caused me to miss out on the fun of raising kids. I missed out on the fun of being relaxed. I missed out on what it felt like to not be stressed out all the time.

And maybe you’ve been doing this too, Reader.

Maybe your version wasn’t carrying a bucket of tools down the stairs.

Maybe your version looked like becoming the one everyone relies on…
Overworking in your business…
Never asking for help…
Feeling guilty when you rest…

And maybe—like me—it all traces back to one moment that taught you who you had to become to be loved, safe, or seen.

That’s what I call a Locked-In Moment.

One moment.
One story.
One survival decision your nervous system may still be operating from today.

And the beautiful thing?

Once you identify it… You can begin to rewrite it.

I created a free guide called The Locked-In Moment to help you uncover the moment that may still be shaping your patterns today.

Reply LOCKED IN, and I’ll send it to you.

And if you already know you’re ready for deeper support, breaking these patterns in real time, reply FLOW and I’ll share more about From Freeze to Flow.

Sending you so much love and support

🌟🌟Jess's Testimonial🌟🌟

"I’ve learned how to identify what aligns with my values, when to say “yes” with intention, and how to say “no” with confidence and WITHOUT guilt."

"Laurie is an amazing person and an incredible coach.

Starting her life coaching program was truly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It has transformed my life in ways I never thought possible.

Before working with Laurie, I struggled with saying “no,” constantly overcommitting, and ignoring my own needs. I often said “yes” out of guilt or fear of disappointing others.

One of the biggest shifts for me has been finding my voice, not just speaking up, but truly recognizing that my voice matters. Laurie helped me see that I have the right to express myself, to take up space, and to make choices that honor who I am. I used to feel like I had to please everyone. Now, I show up for myself with confidence and clarity.

Through thoughtful guidance, practical exercises, and compassionate accountability, Laurie helped me understand the value of my own time and energy. I’ve learned how to identify what aligns with my values, when to say “yes” with intention, and how to say “no” with confidence and without guilt.

One of the biggest breakthroughs for me was learning to set and hold boundaries both in my personal life and at work. Laurie didn’t just tell me what to do; she helped me discover how to do it in a way that felt natural and empowering.

I now feel more in control of my decisions and more aligned with who I want to be. If you’ve been people-pleasing, struggling to be heard, feeling unseen, or unsure how to stand in your truth, Laurie will help you find your way back to your voice and to yourself.

If you're dealing with burnout or just feeling stuck, I can’t recommend Laurie enough."

-Jess

Not sure how you got here?

You're a current or past client, or you signed up for one of these. Money Energy Audit, Money Making Mantras, 5 Steps To Declutter Your Brain, Manifesting 101 With Laurie 5-Day Challenge, My Money Tracker, 3 Shifts To Unblock Your Abundance, How To Say No With Love SO You Can Lovingly Enforce Your Boundaries, The YES/NO Challenge, a Vision Board Workshop, or a free workshop I hosted!

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