Have you ever felt like you’ve lost touch with your true nature? This is not to say that anyone feels A+ in every area of their life at all times. But if the best word to describe how you’re feeling lately is “blah,” then a little life re-design is in order.
You may have inner whispers that tell you what you really want or need, but it’s easier to ignore them than to get out of the comfy butt groove you’ve moulded on the couch. Sometimes, it takes an inspiring woman to move you out of your comfort zone into a place that feels even more comfortable.
An even better butt groove? Do tell!
The new face of our lives well series is Melissa Colleret. Melissa works in Lifestyle Design & Coaching and dwells in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec. She’s been in her line of work for about five years now and, at times, has trouble believing it’s all real life.
“If a fortune teller had told me that I’d become a life coach, run an online business, move back to my hometown, and be with a man I had a crush on back in high school–there is no way I would have believed it!” she told us.
Melissa made some radical life decisions once upon a time because she opted to listen to her own “whispers that had become louder and harder to ignore.” After listening to her inner voice and uncovering endless passion along the way, she now helps others do the same.
“My mission is to bring people back to their true nature. To create alignment within themselves in order for all areas of their lives to flow.”
To get where she is now, in a place she never saw coming but feels immensely grateful for, she utilized several mindsets, mantras, and tactics. Lifestyle design may not be something you’ve heard of, but it’s as simple as the name: designing your life the way you want it to be.
It’s far less intimidating than it sounds. In fact, it’s pretty damn exciting. So if you need a little lifestyle design inspo, Melissa’s story should do the trick.
Listen to the Whispers
“In my first year of running my coaching business full-time, I decided to shake things up: I sold most of my possessions, packed my compact car, and drove from East to West in search of good waves, one hunk of a man, and a new life by the ocean.”
Melissa travelled across the U.S. for weeks with her trusty pup, Bali. She chased WiFi to coach clients between long hikes and even longer drives. “I settled in a beautiful surf town at the end of the road on Vancouver Island; Tofino. To call this magical place “home” felt like a dream. And for the most part, it was.” After several months, the whispers returned, and she made her way home to Quebec.
“In less than a year, my life had radically changed. I went from living in Montreal for 15 years to finally giving myself fully to the free spirit in me who craved nature, sunsets, and a slower-paced lifestyle. I moved back to the small town I had grown up in wondering why the hell life had brought me back here.”
Something urged her to be patient. That something big and beautiful was coming.
“I’ve been in my hometown for over two years now. I now see why life brought me back: to build a stronger connection with family, meet the man I had travelled so far to find, and start a family of our own. Not to mention that building my life in a town where hikes and freshwater lakes are the norms, has dramatically impacted the way I now coach.”
Nutrition, Mindset, Movement, and Love
Call them practices, rituals, habits or routines, it’s what we do diligently and daily that make all the difference. When asked about Melissa’s daily wellness practice, her answer was 4-fold: nutrition, mindset, movement, and love.
“The core practices for each of these pillars evolve as I do. Or rather, the practices I devote myself to allow me to evolve and discover something new.”
When it comes to nutrition, she’s got a thing for smoothie bowls and has at least one a day. She also cleanses seasonally when her body begins to feel sluggish.
“I love all food as much as I like to eat clean. When in Rome, I’ll be the first to shamelessly eat more gelato than anyone else and indulge in second helpings of pasta. Therefore, I take intentional breaks from my indulgence to reset.”
As for mindset, she is currently focusing on strengthening her meditation practice. “After years of dabbling with different styles, I have now committed to Vipassana meditation.” Melissa aims to practice for an hour daily when she wakes up.
For her movement pillar, “I love to practice yoga, sweat at the gym and participate in a variety of sports. However, my absolute non-negotiable, when it comes to movement, are my long walks and hikes with my dog, Bali!”
Last but definitely not least: love.
“No matter what practice I am following, love is #1. Be it doing what I need to love myself or skipping the gym to spend the morning cuddling in bed with my man. Love is a practice and one I love to explore and learn more about.”
Will you set love as a conscious ritual?
Flow With the Seasons
Melissa speaks volumes of the power of the seasons and the possibilities when we lean into them rather than trying to resist them.
“I’m consistently inconsistent. This is what works for me. The more I connect to Mother Nature’s seasons, I start to notice my own seasonal flow, which influences how I approach my wellness practice.”
She is sure to take time to review where she’s at in all areas of her life and make adjustments when needed.
“Just as I used to plan my days around the surf, I plan my days around seasonal patterns and current priorities.”
Our energy and creativity certainly don’t remain steady through the summer and winter. Tuning into our own inconsistencies can allow us to be honest with who we are.
Mother Nature is the Best Life Coach
“Mother Nature is truly the best life coach! Whenever I need to clear my mind or find insights, spending time in nature is how I do it.”
In addition to sweet Mother Nature, “For years I have also been inspired by my future children. Asking myself who I want to be today to be proud of the mother I become. This has fueled me in creating my life and business as they are today.”
Back to Your True Nature
To get aligned with yourself is not an easy task. It’s not even easy to conceptualize, let alone actually do! Start with the simple things like listening to the whispers, trusting yourself and the elements around you, and practicing your core truths.
“Setting goals that may seem crazy to others, but that feel true on a soul level, simplifying to focus on what matters most, is how I’ve been finding my true nature. My hope is that you give yourself permission to journey on the path that leads to yours.”
Melissa Colleret lives well, and she helps others do the same by discovering precisely what that means to them and helping them design for themselves.
With many exciting projects and collaborations coming down the pipeline, Melissa is someone to look out for. You can find her at melissacolleret.com.
