Recently we decided that we needed to hear more from those in the community that live harmonious lives every single day.
People who inspire us and motivate us to find happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.
We want to know how they do it and what they can offer as advice.
This post represents the first of the interviews, with the awesome Cassie Mendoza-Jones!
Cassie Mendoza-Jones is a kinesiologist, naturopath and the author of You Are Enough (Hay House). She works with women and mindful, heart-centred entrepreneurs who feel stuck, burnt out, unworthy and disconnected to themselves. She shows them how to increase their self-care, self-worth and self-acceptance on every level, while making it all feel like it’s the most natural thing in the world. (Truth: it can be.)
What are some of the ways you make your day-to-day life more harmonious?
I always start my day with some time for myself, be it yoga, a walk and podcast, some other kind of exercise and on some days, just self-permission to take the morning a little slower. I’ll often grab a coffee and do some writing first thing in the morning, which always makes me happy. I make time each day to do something that feels good to me, grounds me, and helps clear my mind, such as journaling, meditating, pulling oracle cards or something like that. I also make time to eat well, spend time with my hubby and family, and friends. I love being organised so keeping a de-cluttered office and home makes life feel more harmonious to me too.
How do you stay creative and inspired about the things you do every day?
I truly love what I do, so for me it’s often more about slowing down and giving myself time to rest, rather working to stay inspired – I need to find my ‘off’ button sometimes! I also trust in my creativity, and allow myself to be creative all throughout my day, from how I write in my daily planner and plan out my work, to how I organise my desk and even to how I make lunch. When it comes to inspiration, I believe our muse arrives when a) she decides to but also b) when we sit down to do the work, and I’m very good at the latter, so my muse arrives often. I honour this as often as I can by always trusting in my creative process (even when it seems messy and non-linear — as it so often does) and by releasing my work into the world when it’s done, not when it’s “perfect”. Inspiration also hits us when we’re in those spaces in between, so taking a break and resting is as important as doing the work.
How do you stay focused on the things that are important (love, happiness) and not be distracted by all the drama that goes on around us?
I learnt the hard way (through burn out) that it’s so important to keep our lives rich with love and happiness from outside of our businesses, so with that knowledge I find it much easier to work less hours in the day and week, knowing I’ve planned to spend time with the people I love. I don’t cancel social arrangements for work, but I also know when I need to honour my work schedule and focus on that, meaning I won’t make lunch plans in the middle of a big deadline, so I’ll make dinner plans instead! The best way to release drama is to stay grounded in who you are, and one of the best ways to do that is to spend time with those you love, and who love you.
What sort of yoga do you practice? Favourite pose? This is a yoga site after all 🙂
I practice vinyasa flow yoga, with some yin on the side. Yoga has been a part of my life for many years, and continues to be an almost daily practice, even if it’s not going to a class but simply rolling my yoga mat out in the living room and doing a 10 minute practice in the middle of the day. My favourite pose is actually malasana — I find it so calming and grounding, and could sit there for hours! I also find it so amazing for my hips and lower back, which often get tight and a bit sore if I’ve been sitting at my desk all day.
What’s the biggest thing that people can do right now to create more harmony in their life?
Block some time out in their calendar and do something for themselves that feels joyous and uplifting, guilt-free.
What are your goals for the future? What have you got planned for this year?
There are lots of things to celebrate this year; the launch of my first book, You Are Enough, my 30th, and my sister’s wedding, so I’m celebrating all of those things. I’d love to start writing my second book and I’m excited to dedicate some more time to this when the time is right. I’m also hoping to keep reaching more and more people with my work and message, because I know how much we all need to be reminded that we are, indeed, enough.
Cassie Mendoza-Jones is a kinesiologist and naturopath, and the author of You Are Enough (Hay House), a book that’ll help you elevate your thoughts, align your energy and get out of the comparison trap. She works with women who feel stuck, tired, unworthy and disconnected to themselves, and with mindful, heart-centred entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses from a space of ease and flow, without burning out in the process.
Through her writing, online courses and guides, private sessions and social media presence she helps them increase their self-belief, elevate their thoughts and align their energy.
Her lessons and insights have been featured in national and international publications such as Collective Hub, CLEO, Body + Soul, Women’s Fitness and Gourmet Traveller, and on popular websites such as The Daily Guru, news.com.au, Vogue.com.au, Sporteluxe, marie claire and smh.com.au. She’s spoken at events and workshops around Australia for a variety of companies such as Barre Body, New Balance, LinkedIn, Morgan Stanley and Eat Fit Food.
Meet Cassie and get ready to create more freedom and harmony in your life and business at www.elevatevitality.com.au.
Or you can find her on social media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/elevate.vitality
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cassiemendozajones
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/cmendozajones
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cmendozajones