Blog – Leona McDonnell Mindfulness and Wellness

Soothing my Soul

Leona McDonnell — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 19:50:24 +0000

The level of planning, preparing and effort that went into getting this 20 minutes to sit and read a book, by myself (well nearly by myself as the children were playing in the sand in front of me!!) was CRAZY!!!

My husband snapped this shot of me as I fully immersed myself in this moment and wrapped myself in my own cocoon of repair and restore as I got lost in this wonderful book, which I would highly recommend, called Underwater by Claire Walsh!

Why do we struggle so much in expressing our need for our own time and finding the space to get it?

The answer is probably very simple …. GUILT and LACK OF TIME. Doesn’t so much of our lives and how we choose to live them come down to these two elements? There will always be something more important to do or places to go or errands to run than actually allowing ourselves to sit, in our own company and do whatever it is that soothes and ignites our soul …. RIGHT?

100% Wrong!!

It is CRITICAL that we all create, find and take time to connect to ourselves, to our souls, to our likes and loves every day! We NEED to find and nourish the parts of ourselves that we may feel disconnected from or that we may have lost somewhere along the road of childhood to adulthood or particularly as some of us may have become parents in our journey or are perhaps caring for elderly or sickly parents.

As a mum of three children myself, the struggle to gift myself a little bit of my own time is so real. It can be extremely overwhelming at times being blessed with the incredible opportunity to look after and guide these precious young people in their lives, especially without a parenting manual guide on how to do it!!!! The constant questioning and guilt that we can feel as parents and especially as mothers about putting ourselves before our little one’s can be very intense. But yet, if you listen to the safety instructions on board an aeroplane before take-off, it is recommended that parents, guardians or carers ‘fit their own oxygen masks first in the case of an emergency’ so that they are better able to help those that are in their care. Makes complete sense but so many of us would probably try to do the exact opposite in such an emergency and can’t seem to apply this rationale in our everyday living either. We tend to make sure that everyone else has enough air and oxygen and whatever else it is that they need before we do. Where do you think this will end up??

This is why it is imperative that we don’t get lost or defined in any of the roles that we play in our lives and that we do whatever we need to do to ensure that we lively truly, happily and wholly and that we show up and be present and understanding to the best of our own individual ability, while still feeling that we are a recognisable and loving part of ourselves!

My question to you???

What are you going to do today to help to ‘Soothe and Ignite your Soul’???

To leave you with a beautiful and inspiring quote by Michael Singer from his incredible book 'The Untethered Soul':

The truth is, everything will be okay as soon as you are okay with everything. And that's the only time everything will be okay.

Michael Singer, The Untethered Soul

Inside My Anxious Mind

Leona McDonnell — Sun, 10 Oct 2021 15:38:18 +0000

An inspirational and empowering talk by Leona McDonnell in celebration of World Mental Health Day 2021.

Here, Leona describes what it is like to live ‘Inside My Anxious Mind‘ and she talks about her relationship with her own Mental Health.

She also discusses various ways of ‘turning up’ for our lives, of accepting and acknowledging ourselves just as we are in our lives.

This World Mental Health Day and every day afterwards, make time to nurture and nourish your own mental, emotional and physical health. Take the time for yourself today to listen to this motivational talk and enjoy the little treat at the end

#worldmentalhealthday #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #celebration #acceptance #acknowledge #positivementalhealth #mindfulnesss #meditation #yoga #exercise #essentialoils #journaling #selflove #selfcare #leonamcdonnell #debutauthor

Mindfulness for Pregnancy and Birth Preparation (New Online Programme Now Available!)

Leona McDonnell — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 13:41:29 +0000

I am delighted to introduce my brand new Mindfulness for Pregnancy and Birth Preparation Online Programme!

Available to purchase now @

https://leonamcdonnell.com/courses/mindfulness-for-pregnancy-and-birth-preparation-online-course/

Currently pregnant with my third baby and while recording this programme, I have thoroughly enjoyed designing, writing and delivering to you, in this online programme, the amazing daily Mindful and Self Compassion tools, tips, techniques, coping skills, breathing practices, meditations and affirmations that are helping me to remain positive, calm, energised, focused and that make every day of my pregnancy a joyous and grateful experience!

Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Fertility Challenges (New Online Programme Now Available!)

Leona McDonnell — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 12:58:20 +0000

My article this week, one very close to my heart

‘Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Fertility Challenges’

Link to the article on my website is:
https://leonamcdonnell.com/mindfulness-and-self-compassion-for-fertility-challenges/

Having experienced Fertility Challenges personally over the past 13 years, I hope this article will help at least one person who is or who has experienced Fertility Challenges

I have also put together a complete programme called ‘Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Fertility Challenges, where I share my own experiences and life changes that have enabled me to conceive a natural pregnancy, despite the impossibility of medical findings! The programme is available now to purchase at:

Mindfulness and Self Compassion for Fertility Challenges

Today I ‘GET’ to …..

Leona McDonnell — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 13:29:29 +0000

A beautiful concept about how viewing all the things we ‘GET’ to do today as opposed to viewing them as all the things we ‘HAVE’ to do today can change our perception on our lives and enhances the Gratitude we can experience!!

#mindfulness #gratitude #perception

‘Shedding’ and ‘Letting Go’ during Autumn and Covid-19

Leona McDonnell — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 10:03:17 +0000

A few short words about going back into the Level 5 Restrictions today in the Covid-19 Pandemic and how the beauty of nature and it’s life-cycle can help us to ‘shed’ and ‘let go’ of some of the heightened fear, anxiety, worry, panic and so much more that we are all feeling at the moment.

‘Little Acorns grow into Big Oaks’

Leona McDonnell — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 11:53:09 +0000

Everything starts small, one Mindful step at a time!

“Mammy, I don’t think I remember to breathe at night”

Leona McDonnell — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 09:10:56 +0000

A few words on something my little boy said to me the other morning ….

The worries our kiddies have and their heightened anxiety at the moment is huge

Great to be able to give reassurance and take one worry away

‘Good Enough’ Parenting

Leona McDonnell — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 10:36:36 +0000

A couple of words about ‘Good Enough’ or Mindful Parenting!!

#mindfulness #parenting #goodenough #children

Head and Chest Cold in Pregnancy – DoTerra Essential Oils to the Rescue!

Leona McDonnell — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 11:50:06 +0000

DoTerra Essential Oils for Head and Chest Cold in Pregnancy

At 24 weeks pregnant, getting a seasonal head and chest cold is not very pleasant. You feel fairly dosed and crappy and there’s not much over the counter medication that you can take!

I am a DoTerra Essential Oil addict!! I have been using various oils, in different application methods over the last week to help my body process a cold and I just had to share this with you guys, the results have been amazing!!

For me, to be turning the corner after just 7 days is unbelievable. Taking nothing other than paracetamol (always consult your doctor before taking any medications, especially during pregnancy) and using my Essential Oils, I have naturally supported my body in processing this seasonal cold!

In the video, the last oil I couldn’t remember or see when I was discussing the Air Essential Oil Blend was Eucalyptus!!! I knew there was another blend in it but just couldn’t think of it at the time!!!

I hope you all get some tips and techniques from this video! Remember to always use DoTerra Essential Oils responsibly and follow the recommended dilution or application guidelines.

Please contact me if you want any further information on any of the DoTerra Essential Oils for pregnancy or general health!

leona@leonamcdonnell.com
www.leonamcdonnell.com