Family Estrangement and Well-Being

Understanding the Roles We Carry and Supporting Ourselves with Compassion

Family estrangement is often misunderstood. It is rarely about one moment, one person, or one decision. More often, it is the quiet accumulation of unmet needs, misunderstood roles, and a deep, human longing to belong within the very place we first learned what belonging meant.

For many, estrangement is not chosen lightly. It can arise when connection feels unsafe, when voices go unheard, or when repeatedly abandoning oneself becomes the only way to stay connected. Over time, the body, mind, and heart may reach a point where distance feels like the only path toward preservation and wellbeing.

The Impact of Estrangement on Well-Being

As relational beings, our earliest family experiences shape how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world. When these early bonds are marked by inconsistency, emotional absence, or unspoken expectations, the effects often extend far into adulthood.

Family estrangement can influence wellbeing in subtle and significant ways, including chronic stress, anxiety, difficulties with trust, emotional fatigue, or a persistent sense of rejection. Even when contact has ended, the internal relationship with family often continues playing out through self-doubt, people-pleasing, hypervigilance, or emotional withdrawal.

These responses are not weaknesses. They are signals of a nervous system that learned to adapt in order to survive.

Understanding the Roles We Play

Within every family system, roles tend to emerge, often unconsciously. These roles help maintain balance, reduce conflict, or meet unspoken emotional needs within the family unit. You may recognise yourself as the caretaker, the responsible one, the peacemaker, the rebel, the scapegoat, or the one who learned to stay small and unseen.

These roles were not chosen deliberately. They developed in response to the environment you were in. At the time, they were intelligent strategies designed to help you belong, stay safe, or reduce emotional pain.

However, when these roles remain unexamined in adulthood, they can continue to shape relationships and self-perception. When our emotional needs were not met consistently or safely, we may internalise a sense of being rejected, sometimes turning that rejection inward by ignoring our own needs, minimising our feelings, or judging ourselves harshly.

Holding Compassion for All Sides

Approaching family estrangement with compassion does not mean denying harm, excusing behaviour, or overriding your own truth. It means recognising that family systems are often shaped by generations of unprocessed pain, limited emotional tools, and inherited patterns.

Compassion allows space for complexity: acknowledging that others may have done the best they could with what they had, while also honouring the reality that your needs mattered and still matter.

True compassion includes you. It does not require self-abandonment.

Gentle Ways to Support Yourself

Healing in the context of family estrangement does not follow a single path. It does not require confrontation, forgiveness, or reconciliation unless those feel safe and aligned for you. Often, healing begins quietly by learning to meet yourself with greater awareness and care.

Simple, supportive practices can include listening to your body’s signals of safety and tension, gently naming the role you carried without judgement, and noticing where you may still be rejecting yourself in subtle ways. Releasing blame - particularly self-blame creates space for responsibility for how you care for yourself now.

Being seen and heard in non-judgemental spaces, whether through therapy, supportive communities, or trusted relationships, can also be profoundly regulating and healing.

A Gentle Reflective Practice

You may wish to approach the following reflection slowly, over time. There is no need to force insight or resolution.

Begin by finding a moment of relative calm. Place a hand on your heart or somewhere on your body that feels grounding. Take a few steady breaths, allowing yourself to arrive.

Bring your family system to mind - not to analyse it, but simply to notice.
What role did you naturally step into?
How did that role help you cope or belong?
What did it protect you from?

Silently acknowledge: This role made sense at the time.

As you reflect, notice your body. Where do you feel ease? Where do you feel tension or heaviness? There is no need to change anything. Your body is offering information, not judgement.

Gently ask yourself:
What did I need then that I didn’t receive?
What do I need now?

Allow whatever arises. Needs are not demands, they are signals of worth and aliveness.

Offer yourself a simple, supportive statement, such as:
I am allowed to need.
I am not wrong for feeling this way.
I can care for myself with compassion.

Finally, ask yourself:
What is one small, gentle thing I can do to support myself today?

It might be rest, movement, journaling, setting a boundary, or simply pausing. Small acts of self-support build safety over time.

Closing Thoughts

Family estrangement is not a failure. Often, it is a signal, a call toward safety, self-respect, and healing. Wellbeing does not come from fixing the past, but from learning how to meet yourself differently in the present.

You are allowed to move at your own pace.
You are allowed to choose peace.
And you are allowed to belong - beginning with yourself.

Listen to my podcast conversation with Karl Melvin- psychotherapist, author & educator on Family Estrangement - The Ache of Belonging

Sharon Fitzmaurice is  Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, Wellbeing Therapist, and Clinical Hypnotherapist. She hosts The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. She is the author of Someone Please Help Me, So I Did and Awaken Your Wellbeing, and founder of the Soulful Journeys Online Community. Sharon’s work centres on supporting others in recovering from trauma, nurturing emotional resilience and reconnecting with their inner wisdom. She believes healing is personal, sacred and possible for everyone, and encourages others to become the most authentic version of themselves.

The Roles We Carry, and the Ones We Outgrow

We all live inside roles. Some are chosen with joy, others are inherited, expected, or handed to us before we ever had the chance to ask if they felt true. We become partners, mothers, leaders, caregivers, achievers, peacekeepers, nurturers, performers. And somewhere in the midst of all of it, our quieter self waits to be asked: Is this still mine?

In my recent conversation with Sara Slattery, she spoke beautifully about her work as a coach and mentor to ambitious women, guiding them to lead with energy and impact in their professional worlds. I found myself sitting with a different question afterwards:

How do we lead in our own lives, not just in our careers?

Leadership in this context is not about titles or influence. It is about integrity with the self. It is the ability to recognise when a role is nourishing us and when it is exhausting us. It is noticing when a role has become a costume we’ve outgrown. It is choosing to honour the changing cycles of our lives instead of questioning ourselves for evolving.

For women, these cycles can be felt viscerally. The Maiden - curious, open, wild with possibility. The Mother - whether through children, creativity, or vocation - the archetype that nurtures, builds, and sustains. And then the Wise Sage - the one who steps into her own authority, no longer willing to contort herself to fit expectations that were never hers to begin with.

The difficulty is that society rewards us for staying in one cycle far past its natural season. Many women feel the pressure to remain endlessly productive, endlessly available, endlessly agreeable. The private truth is that many are deeply tired. Tired from holding up worlds that no longer feed them. Tired from smiling through roles they never consciously chose. Tired from living a life of expectation while secretly hungering for something else.

But here is the quiet revolution: we are allowed to imagine our lives differently. We are allowed to consider what it would feel like to lead ourselves, not just perform the roles assigned to us. We are allowed to ask:

What role is mine?
What role never was?
And what role is calling me toward my next chapter?

And perhaps the most important question of all:

What if I took one step toward it?

The step does not have to be dramatic. It may be as gentle as telling the truth to yourself. Listening to your body. Admitting that a chapter has ended. Claiming a desire you’ve buried under responsibility. Or simply whispering out loud - there is more for me.

To lead in our own lives is to trust that our identity is not fixed. That we are not just one role for all time. That we are allowed to reshape ourselves as the inner seasons change.

The Maiden becomes the Mother becomes the Sage - not through force, but through listening. And perhaps the deepest wisdom is knowing that each stage deserves reverence. Each has something sacred to teach us.

When women begin to imagine what life could feel like if aligned with desire, vitality, and purpose rather than expectation, something remarkable happens. Not all at once, but slowly, quietly, steadily. Life reorganises around truth.

And that, perhaps, is the highest form of leadership - the leadership of the self.

Listen to the Podcast Episode with Sara Slattery

If these reflections resonate with you, I invite you to listen to my conversation with Sara Slattery, where we explore energy, ambition, impact, and the importance of claiming our own inner authority.

🎧 Listen here: The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast

Author Bio

Sharon Fitzmaurice is a Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher & Practitioner, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, and Advocate for Mental Health Awareness and survivors of childhood abuse. Founder of the Soulful Journeys Online Community, Sharon supports others to reconnect with purpose, awaken their wellbeing, and live with compassion and curiosity.

A Pause at 55: Living with Intention, Compassion… and a Little Fire

There’s something about milestone birthdays that quietly ask us to stop and take stock, and sometimes, if we’re paying attention, they also give us a gentle nudge (or a not-so-gentle kick!) to step forward with renewed energy.

As I approach my 55th birthday on 18th February, I’ve been reflecting not just on age, but on meaning. And when I looked a little deeper, I smiled, because the symbolism around this year feels beautifully aligned.

In numerology, 55 is the number of freedom, expansion, and change. It’s associated with adventure, personal evolution, and breaking free from old limitations. It’s not a number that whispers - it invites you to live more boldly, more authentically, and more in alignment with who you’ve become.

That feels about right.

This birthday also arrives during the Year of the Horse, which begins on 17th February, just one day before I turn 55. The Horse symbolises independence, vitality, courage, and forward momentum. It’s about trusting your own rhythm, following your inner knowing, and moving forward with heart rather than force.

And perhaps unsurprisingly, this year is also calling me back to something deeply meaningful.

In April, I’ll be returning to walk the Camino, almost eight years since I last did it. The Camino has a way of meeting you exactly where you are, not where you were, not where you think you should be.

Eight years ago, I walked it as a very different version of myself. This time, I return with more softness, more trust, and a deeper respect for my body, my pace, and my inner voice. I’m not going back to recreate the past, I’m going back to honour who I am now.

This past year has invited me to re-evaluate many things:
my work, my time, my energy, and where and with whom I choose to invest them.

I’ve reflected on the connections that nourished me, the conversations that stayed with me long after they ended, and the opportunities that arrived sometimes quietly, sometimes unexpectedly. I’ve also met challenges that stretched me, slowed me down, and reminded me to listen more carefully to myself.

Some lessons arrived gently.
Others arrived with clarity I couldn’t ignore.

At this stage of life, I’m learning that success isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters. It’s about sustainability, integrity, and creating a life and body of work that doesn’t cost you your wellbeing.

Perhaps the greatest lesson of this year has been the reminder to be kinder to ourselves.

To rest without guilt.
To honour our energy.
To allow ourselves to change direction - even when the old path once fit perfectly.

There is a quiet confidence that comes with age. A knowing. A sense that you don’t have to prove yourself anymore - only to be honest with yourself.

So as I step into this new chapter - guided by the freedom of 55, the forward-moving energy of the Horse, and the steady footsteps of the Camino, I do so with gratitude for the years behind me, compassion for the versions of myself that were still learning, and curiosity for what lies ahead.

If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this:
It’s never too late to realign, to reclaim your energy, and to walk your path in a way that feels deeply true to who you are now.

So I’ll ask you what I’m asking myself:
Where in your life are you being invited to move forward with more freedom, more trust, and a little more joy?

A Special Birthday Bonus ✨

As a way of saying thank you for the connections, conversations, and shared moments along the way - I wanted to offer something special as I step into this new chapter.

🌿 Weekend Retreat – Delphi Resort
To celebrate my birthday, I’m offering a discounted rate on my upcoming weekend retreat at the beautiful Delphi Resort in Co. Galway.

This retreat is an invitation to step away from the busyness of everyday life, to pause, rest, and reconnect with yourself, your energy, and what truly matters to you.
✨ [Click here for full details and booking]

💗 Heart Space Gathering – Claregalway, Co. Galway
On Saturday 14th February, I’ll be hosting a Heart Space Gathering in Claregalway - a gentle, heart-led space for connection, reflection, and presence.

To honour friendship and shared growth, you’re invited to bring a friend for half-price. Because some journeys are meant to be shared.

✨ [Click here for full details and booking]

If either of these offerings speaks to you, you’ll be so welcome. And if not, simply know how grateful I am to be walking this path alongside you.

💗Gift Vouchers - 10% discount if bought before the 13th February - Contact Sharon

About Sharon

Sharon Fitzmaurice is a holistic wellness coach and well-being practitioner with over 18 years’ experience supporting individuals and groups in their well-being. She is a Reiki Master Teacher, clinical hypnotherapist, mindfulness & meditation teacher, author of Someone Please Help Me, So I Did and Awaken Your Wellbeing, speaker, and host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, as well as the founder of Soulful Journeys.

Through her work, retreats, and community spaces, Sharon creates compassionate, grounded environments that support healing, reflection, and sustainable personal growth.

Soulful Reunion

There are some people we meet along the way who leave an imprint on our lives long before we fully understand how or why. For me, one of those people was the wonderful Marilyn Whall.

Our paths first crossed in 2013 during a Mediumship Development Program in Dublin. Marilyn and the renowned James Van Praagh were leading the week-long training, helping students deepen their connection with Spirit. That experience opened inner doors for me that I still treasure. It shaped not only how I worked, but how I listened, trusted, and surrendered to the subtle language of Spirit.

So much can unfold in thirteen years. Life weaves, teaches, stretches, and guides. When Marilyn and I recently reconnected , this time for my podcast. The conversation felt like no time had passed at all. From the first moment we began to speak, it was as though our souls recognised one another instantly. There was familiarity, ease, and a shared purpose beneath every word.

Our exchange was deeply spiritual, and at times profoundly moving. We reflected on how our work with Spirit has evolved over the years, how mediumship becomes less about doing and more about being. There is a steady knowing within us now that Spirit is ever-present. We spoke openly about the quiet lessons, the surrender, the trust, and the unseen agreements mediums make: to listen, to show up, and to allow.

Marilyn has spent many years traveling the world, demonstrating mediumship and serving international clients with grace and humility. What continues to stand out about her is not just her remarkable ability, but the grounded humanity she brings to the work. She has held space for others in their hardest moments, and celebrated with them in their brightest. Like me, she never felt alone in this work, Spirit has always been there, steady and guiding.

One of the most extraordinary aspects of mediumship is witnessing how profoundly the Spirit world can touch those who receive their messages. They offer hope, comfort, healing, wisdom, and reassurance, not only for the clients we serve, but for us as mediums as well. It affirms that love does not end with physical death and that none of us are ever truly alone.

Listen to the Episode

I invite you to experience our conversation for yourself. It’s filled with insight, laughter, honesty, and the kind of spiritual companionship that reminds us why we do this work.

🔗 Listen to the episode here:
The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast

Explore Marilyn’s Work

Marilyn’s books Knowing and Growing offer even more depth and wisdom, and are available through her website:

➡️ marilynwhall.com.au/about-marilyn/

Closing Reflection

To sit with Marilyn again after all these years was a gift. To share our journeys and speak freely of Spirit reminded me how divinely we are guided, not only toward our work, but toward one another.

Author Bio

Sharon Fitzmaurice is a Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Podcast Host, Speaker, and Author dedicated to empowering others on their healing and self-awakening journey. Through her private practice, online community, workshops, and podcast, she supports individuals in reconnecting with their inner resilience and sense of purpose. Her books, Someone Please Help Me, So I Did and Awaken Your Wellbeing, share personal insights and guidance for those seeking healing, hope, and transformation.

Learn more about her work, offerings, and events at:
Sharon Fitzmaurice

Awakening the Ancestral Pathways of Healing

Exploring the link between personal healing, the earth’s wounds, and our soul purpose.

Introduction
Ancient stories, sacred sites, and the resilience of the human spirit are themes that continue to arise in conversations around collective healing. In a recent discussion with spiritual storyteller and earth healer Alan Dempsey, we explored how connecting with the land and the Spirit world may offer insight into our shared past and illuminate our future.

The Land as a Keeper of Memory

Alan believes that the stories held in our landscape — in ancestral fields, stone circles, ancient pathways, and sacred sites — are not mere historical accounts. They are living memories. When these memories are acknowledged, they can help heal both the earth and humanity.

His work involves listening to what the land remembers, challenging conventional versions of history and opening space for narratives that feel more interconnected, spiritual, and culturally rooted than the ones found in traditional textbooks.

Connecting with Spirit to Reveal the Past

Like me, Alan connects with the Spirit world as part of his work. Guided intuitively, he travels to places in Ireland and around the world where stories emerge through energy, sensation, and spiritual communication. These stories often reveal forgotten aspects of our history, reminding us that the past is alive beneath our feet.

Through this process, healing occurs not only for the land itself but for our collective consciousness. The more we remember, the more we understand who we truly are.

Healing as a Personal and Collective Journey

One theme that echoed throughout our conversation was healing — both the beauty of it and the difficulty of it. Healing is rarely linear. It can be uncomfortable and confronting, yet it is also deeply transformative.

For many of us, this journey does not feel optional. It feels like a soul directive. As we follow it, our awareness deepens, our purpose clarifies, and the interconnected nature of inner and outer worlds becomes harder to ignore.

Restoring Integrity to the Earth and Ourselves

When Alan works with sacred sites, he is not only gathering historical insight. He is restoring integrity to places that carry wounds from conflict, colonization, trauma, neglect, or suppression. As these energies release, the stories they guarded begin to rise.

This process suggests that healing the land and healing ourselves may not be separate tasks but two expressions of the same purpose. As we re-story our past, we re-shape our future.

Why Remembering Matters Now

Our conversation revealed a key insight: the past is not static. The stories we carry inwardly and the stories the land carries outwardly continue to influence our present reality. When these stories are acknowledged, they loosen fear, expand compassion, and invite us into a future that feels more conscious and heart-centred.

This perspective reframes our soul’s purpose. It becomes less about a destination and more about how we awaken — through challenge, synchronicity, intuition, and remembrance.

Listen to the Full Conversation

To go deeper, you can listen to our full podcast conversation, where Alan shares more about sacred sites, ancestral stories, and the healing of our collective past.

Lister HERE

About the Author

Sharon Fitzmaurice is a Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher & Practitioner, Clinical Hypnotherapist, and host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, a space that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. She is the author of Someone Please Help Me, So I Did and Awaken Your Wellbeing, and a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and survivors of childhood trauma. Sharon supports individuals in reconnecting with their soul’s purpose, awakening inner wisdom, and creating meaningful change. She is also the founder of the Soulful Journeys Online Community.

Reflections on Story, Spirit and Ancestral Wisdom

Irish Ancestral Wisdom, Spirituality and the Creative Imagination

This week I had the privilege of speaking with Dr Ger Moane about her debut novel Keeper of Stones, a book rooted in Irish mythology, ancestral memory and the sacred landscapes of ancient Ireland. Our conversation invited a deeper reflection on how story, spirituality and psychology intertwine, and how ancestral wisdom continues to inform our personal journeys in the present.

Ger’s work bridges multiple worlds. As a former associate professor of psychology at University College Dublin, she specialised in human development, gender and sexuality. Today, as a writer and shamanic practitioner, she brings that academic depth together with mythic imagination, emotional intelligence and lived spiritual experience. Keeper of Stones has already resonated widely, earning a place on the Irish Times bestseller list and drawing readers into a story that feels both ancient and timely.

One of the themes that emerged during our conversation was the idea that ancestral knowledge is not merely historical or symbolic, it is embodied. It moves through our families, our choices, our identities and even through the creative imagination. Ger and I spoke about how change, transition and grief can become pathways into deeper awareness, and how the loss of loved ones can soften the heart enough to sense the unseen. Many people feel a longing to understand or feel the presence of those who have passed, to recognise that connection doesn’t end when a life does. It was beautiful to explore how psychology, spirituality and ancestral belief all meet here.

The landscapes surrounding Newgrange became another point of reflection. Ger described the land not as scenery, but as witness, holding memory, story and energy across thousands of years. Ancient sites, stone circles and earthworks are part of a continuity of wisdom that still speaks, if we take the time to listen. This way of seeing invites us back into relationship with the land itself, acknowledging that our ancestors understood this connection intuitively.

Our conversation also touched on how story becomes a form of activism, healing and social engagement. Ancestral wisdom becomes relevant when it guides the way we show up in the world. Speaking up for equality, dignity and human rights is not about being right, but about honouring the truth that our humanity is measured by how we treat one another. These are old teachings made new again.

What stayed with me long after we finished recording was the reminder that the worlds of story, spirit and psyche are far from separate. They braid together through lineage, imagination and lived experience. They accompany us through loss and growth, and they offer us a sense of belonging to ourselves, to our land, and to those who came before us.

Listen to the Full Episode

If you are drawn to Irish mythology, ancestral healing, spirituality, grief, psychology, this is a conversation that will nourish you.

🎧 Listen here

Sharon Fitzmaurice
Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

January Doesn't Need To Be Rushed

There’s often a quiet pressure that arrives with a new year.
A feeling that we should feel refreshed, motivated, clear, and ready to move forward immediately.

But if January feels slower, heavier, or more uncertain than you expected, there is nothing wrong with you.

At the end of 2025, I found myself feeling quite tired and eventually came down with a viral infection. My body left me with little choice but to stop and rest. It wasn’t the first time it had been signalling the need for a pause — this time, I chose to listen.

Rather than rushing back as soon as I felt better, I gave myself extra time before returning to work. Not because I couldn’t push through, but because I didn’t need to. That space allowed my nervous system to settle, my energy to return more steadily, and my perspective to soften.

It reminded me that rest is not a setback.
It’s a form of self-respect.

Since then, I’ve been much more intentional about protecting my personal space and time. For me, that looks like scheduling dates with friends, long weekend walks, and proper rest — not as an afterthought, but as something just as important as my work.

It’s been a gentle reminder not to fill every day with doing, producing, or achieving, but to leave room for living too.

After the fullness of the festive season, it’s natural for energy to dip. Focus can take time to return. Clarity doesn’t always arrive simply because the calendar has changed.

For many of us, January is less about momentum and more about recalibration.

This can be a month of easing back in rather than pushing ahead. Of listening to what your body and mind are asking for. Of noticing what truly matters to you now — not what should matter, not what you think you ought to be doing.

This gentler pace isn’t a lack of ambition.
It’s wisdom.

We are already enough. Nothing needs fixing or proving. And yet, January can offer an opportunity to gently explore what “enough” means for you in this season of your life — in your career, your relationships, your wellbeing, and your personal world.

A gentle question to reflect on might be:
What would it look like to create a little more balance and breathing space in your days this month?

As part of this slower, more intentional beginning to the year, I’m holding space through my new online programme, Awakening Your Inner Truth, starting on 8th January.
It’s an invitation to remember the essence beneath our experiences — to honour what has shaped us, while acknowledging the part of us that has never been lost, only waiting to be recognised and welcomed.

There is no rush to reinvent yourself.
Sometimes the most meaningful work is remembering who you already are.

Sharon

Closing the Year with Gratitude, Compassion & Hope

As we move through December and towards a brand-new year, my heart is filled with deep gratitude for every one of you who has walked alongside me in 2025.

To my clients, thank you for trusting me to guide you in your healing, your vulnerable moments, and your courageous steps forward. Each session has been a reminder of the incredible strength of the human spirit.

To my retreat groups, Reiki students and practitioners, and all who gathered in shared intention, your openness created spaces where healing could unfold in the most beautiful ways. Every circle this year held its own magic.

To my beloved Soulful Journeys online community, thank you for showing up with honesty, humour, and heart. Your willingness to connect, learn, and grow together continues to inspire me.

To everyone who attended the Heart Space Gatherings, thank you for bringing your presence, your energy, and your wisdom. These moments of reflection and connection have woven a thread of unity through the year.

And to my podcast guests and listeners, thank you for your stories, your support, and your curiosity. Each conversation has been a celebration of resilience, and every listen has helped these stories reach the hearts that needed them most.

Honouring Where You Are This December

December carries its own rhythm, quiet reflection for some, emotional heaviness for others, joy and celebration for many. Wherever you find yourself, may you meet that place with compassion rather than expectation.

This month is an invitation to pause…
To soften…
To breathe…
And to honour what this year has asked of you.

You don’t need to be anything other than who you are in this moment.

Meeting Yourself with Kindness, Meeting Others with Patience

As the world speeds up with festivities and obligations, the inner world often needs something slower and gentler.

A few reminders that may help:

• Your energy is precious - protect it.

You are allowed to say no. You are allowed to rest. You are allowed to choose where you show up and where you don’t.

• Boundaries are acts of love.

They protect your wellbeing and allow your “yes” to be wholehearted. Choose the engagements, conversations, and spaces that feel aligned.

• Remember that everyone carries their own story.

Patience gives others the space to be human too.

• Pause often. Breathe deeply. Ground yourself.

A moment of presence can shift an entire day.

Caring for Your Wellbeing Over the Holidays

This season can be nourishing, but it can also be overwhelming. Consider these gentle practices:

• Create small rituals of stillness: a morning cup of tea in silence, a mindful walk, a few minutes of stillness or breathwork.

• Stay connected to what supports you: your journaling, your grounding practices, your community.

• Let joy in where it naturally flows not where you feel pressure to perform it.

• Balance giving with receiving: allow others to support you too.

• Choose simplicity whenever possible: you don’t need to do everything for this season to be meaningful.

• Please enjoy a guided meditation I recorded to support you through the holidays

Stepping Into the New Year

As 2026 approaches, I look forward to continuing this work with you, supporting your healing, growth, and inner awakening.

I’m delighted to share some of the upcoming offerings for the new year:

Upcoming Events for 2026

• Reiki Training & Share Circles — deepening your connection to your healing gifts.

• Retreat Days & Soulful Journeys Gatherings — spaces to reset, reconnect, and nourish the spirit.

• Heart Space Community Meet-Ups — continuing to build a compassionate, supportive circle.

• Online Program — to guide you into clarity, alignment, and wellbeing as the year begins.

• New Podcast Conversations — more stories of resilience, healing, and human courage.

I can’t wait to welcome you into whatever calls to your heart.

With Deep Gratitude

Thank you for being part of this beautiful year of healing, learning, and soulful connection. You have touched my life in ways I hold with great appreciation.

May this December bring you gentleness.
May the holidays offer you moments of true rest.
And may the coming year open with hope, intention, and the knowing that you are supported every step of the way.

With love,
Sharon

What does it mean to live your Soul Purpose

Every one of us carries a quiet inner knowing, a soft pull that guides us toward a life that feels deeply aligned. Some call it intuition, others call it calling. I call it the voice of the soul. When we talk about finding your soul purpose, we’re really talking about remembering who you truly are beneath the noise, expectations, and busyness of everyday life.

Your Soul Purpose Isn’t Something You Chase, It’s Something You Uncover

Many people imagine purpose as a single grand mission, a lightning bolt moment, or a path lined with certainty. In truth, your purpose is often revealed gently, through experiences, healing, and the willingness to listen inward.

It lives in the things that light you up.
It grows in the spaces where you feel most connected.
It shows itself in the ways you naturally help, love, and uplift others.

Your soul purpose is the essence of you, the energy you bring into the world simply by being who you are.

The Journey Begins Within

Finding your soul purpose starts with coming home to yourself. This may look like:

• Pausing long enough to truly feel what your heart is asking for

• Letting go of old stories that were never yours to carry

• Healing past wounds so they transform into strength

• Rediscovering your passions, the ones that feel like nourishment, not obligation

When you create space within, your soul has room to speak.

Your Purpose Is Already There

One of the most comforting truths is that you are never without purpose. Even in moments of doubt, confusion, or stillness, your soul is guiding you. Every challenge, every connection, every chapter has shaped the wisdom you carry today.

Often, people realise their purpose by noticing:

• What feels meaningful

• What brings peace

• What keeps nudging their heart

• What they feel naturally called to share with others

Your soul purpose doesn’t need to be extraordinary in a worldly sense. It becomes extraordinary because it is true.

Alignment Feels Like Freedom

When you begin living your life in alignment with your soul purpose, something shifts. You feel more grounded, more alive, and more open to growth. There is a sense of inner freedom, a peaceful certainty that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be, even if the path ahead is unfolding one step at a time.

That’s the beauty of purpose: it evolves as you do.

Following the Signs

Sometimes the soul whispers. Sometimes it roars. You might recognise your purpose in:

• Synchronicities

• A sudden clarity

• A long-held dream resurfacing

• A deep desire to help or heal

• A knowing that you can no longer ignore

Pay attention. These moments are invitations.

A Conversation That Inspires This Journey

This week on my podcast, I shared a beautiful and deeply insightful conversation with Dr. Jeanne Comeau, a woman who embodies what it means to take a courageous leap inward. After years of success in a corporate career, she felt the unmistakable pull of her soul urging her toward a more aligned path. Her transformation became a powerful example of how purpose can shift, expand, and call us into a life that feels more authentic.

Today, Jeanne supports others by offering astrological blueprints that illuminate their highest purpose and most aligned direction. Her work helps people understand the cosmic patterns that shape their strengths, challenges, and soul-led path.

Listen to our conversation

You Are Here to Grow, Love, and Contribute

At its heart, your soul purpose is about expansion, growing into the fullest, most authentic version of yourself and sharing that truth with the world in your own unique way.

Whether your purpose leads you to nurture others, inspire through creativity, support healing, build community, or simply spread kindness through your presence, it is powerful.

A Gentle Reminder

You don’t have to have everything figured out.
You don’t have to rush.
You don’t have to compare your journey to anyone else’s.

You are already on the path.

Your soul purpose is unfolding with every breath, every intention, every choice that honours who you truly are. Join our Soulful Journeys Online Community for a transformational program - Walking as Soul in Body with Mentor Sharon Fitzmaurice

About Sharon Fitzmaurice

Sharon Fitzmaurice is a Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, Clinical Hypnotherapist, and host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, a space that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. She is the author of Someone Please Help Me, So I Did and Awaken Your Wellbeing, and a dedicated advocate for mental health awareness and survivors of childhood abuse. Through her Soulful Journeys Online Community and one-to-one work, she supports others in reconnecting with their inner wisdom, healing their stories, and creating a life rooted in purpose and wellbeing.

The Spiral Path: Rediscovering Ourselves Through Recovery and Ancient Wisdom

When we talk about recovery, we often begin with the struggle, the heavy moments, the setbacks, the emotional storms that leave us feeling fragile and uncertain. Yet there is another side to this journey, a quieter truth that often goes unnoticed: the magic begins the moment we choose ourselves. Recovery is not just about leaving pain behind; it is about opening to what becomes possible once we gather the courage to take even one step forward.

Recently on the podcast, I had the joy of speaking with Sunshine Witchski known to many as The Pink-Haired Sober Witch, whose journey to sobriety began in 2019. She shared how traditional recovery methods didn’t quite speak to her heart, so she turned inward and returned to the spiritual path she knew best: witchcraft. Her healing became a tapestry woven with rituals, intuition, energy work, and a deep connection to the natural world.

Listening to her story, it became clear that healing does not follow one path. It does not need to be tidy, logical, or conventional. It simply needs to be true. Sunshine’s journey illuminated something profound: when we align recovery with the wisdom of our soul, transformation unfolds in the most unexpected ways.

We often hear the phrase “healing is not linear.” But what does that really look like? It means moving in spirals rather than straight lines. It means returning to old lessons with new awareness. It means moments of expansion followed by moments of contraction, both equally essential. It means the journey deepens us, softens us, and reveals layers of ourselves we once tucked away.

And sometimes, healing asks us to remember the ancient threads of wisdom that our ancestors lived by.

Witches as the Healers of Old

During our conversation, Sunshine spoke beautifully about reclaiming the word “witch.” Historically, witches were the wise women and men of their communities, the ones people sought for guidance, comfort, and care. They were:

• Midwives who helped bring new life safely into the world

• Herbalists who understood the healing power of plants long before modern medicine

• Spiritual advisors who offered rituals, blessings, and counsel

• Keepers of earth wisdom, attuned to the cycles of the moon, seasons, and nature

• Community healers, tending to the body, mind, and spirit

These individuals held knowledge that was intuitive, inherited, and deeply respected. Their work was rooted in connection with the land, with spirit, and with the human heart. It wasn’t until later, through fear, control, and misunderstanding, that the term “witch” was distorted into something to be feared. Yet the true essence, the healer, the guide, the wisdom keeper never disappeared.

Sunshine’s path is a reclaiming of that lineage. In her sobriety, she draws strength from ritual, energy, and intention. Her healing is connected to the ancient ways of honouring the unseen, trusting the intuitive, and celebrating the sacred within everyday life. This, too, is recovery, returning to who we truly are beneath the noise.

The Magic Found Along the Way

The magic of recovery rarely bursts through in dramatic moments. It arrives softly and steadily:

• The first time you breathe without heaviness

• The moment clarity breaks through the fog

• The unexpected laughter you thought you’d lost

• The pull toward something meaningful and soul-aligned

• The strength to set a boundary or speak a truth

• The desire to care for your body, your heart, your spirit

These moments may seem small, but they are signs of profound inner shifting, signs that your spirit is awakening, remembering, and reclaiming.

Recovery invites you to step back into your own wisdom. It reminds you that nothing is wasted, every setback is information, every pause is guidance, every spiral is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of yourself. Healing is not about becoming someone new; it is about returning to the essence of who you have always been.

Reflection

If you find yourself somewhere on this winding path, at the beginning, in the messy middle, or circling back again, know that you are not behind. You are not broken. You are not failing. You are unfolding.

Your healing is sacred.
Your courage is real.
Your journey is worthy.

The spiral path may feel unpredictable, but it is ancient, wise, and uniquely yours. And along the way, there is so much magic quietly gathering around you, waiting to be noticed.

A Gentle Invitation

If this resonates with your heart, I invite you to listen to the full conversation with Sunshine Witchski on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast. Her story offers insight, honesty, and a reminder that recovery, like magic is a deeply personal, beautifully powerful path of returning to ourselves.

May it inspire you to honour your own healing, in your own way, at your own pace. If you would like support and guidance along the way, join my new online program starting on the 8th January - Awakening Your Inner Truth

Sharon Fitzmaurice

With over 18 years of experience as a Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, and Clinical Hypnotherapist, Sharon Fitzmaurice has dedicated her life to guiding others toward healing and self-discovery. Through Reiki Energy Therapy, Personal Development coaching, her online community Soulful Journeys, wellness retreats, mindfulness programs, and workshops, she empowers clients to embrace their true potential and cultivate inner peace.  

Author and Advocate 

Sharon's books reflect her passion for resilience and transformation. "Someone Please Help Me, So I Did" shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming childhood trauma, anxiety and depression, offering inspiration to those seeking healing. In "Awaken Your Wellbeing"  she collaborates with 13 other therapists to provide a powerful collection of wellness tools, with all proceeds supporting Galway Simon Community.  

The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast  

Launched in 2020, The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast is a platform for honest and inspiring conversations on mental health, resilience, and personal growth. Sharon and her guests share stories of overcoming adversity, offering encouragement to listeners worldwide.  

Mentor & Speaker  

Sharon’s expertise goes beyond one-on-one mentorship. She has been an exceptional speaker on topics including mental health, overcoming adversity, resilience, and transformation, inspiring audiences at wellness events, corporate settings, and community workshops. Her compassionate and engaging approach makes her a sought-after voice in the field of holistic well-being.  

Through her books, podcast, mentorship, workshops, and speaking engagements, Sharon Fitzmaurice continues to inspire and guide people toward healing, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Finding the Courage to be Seen and Heard

I had the privilege of sitting down with the inspiring Dr. Caren Hession – a woman whose passion for voice, music, and personal transformation shines through everything she does.

Dr. Caren Hession is a vocal coach, choir leader, creator, director, and social entrepreneur, specialising in guiding others on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment through music. Drawing on over 15 years of education and experience in Music, Creative Arts, Philosophy, Neuroscience, NLP, and Special Needs, Caren brings together a rare and powerful blend of wisdom, science, and soul.

She is the creator of Born To Rise – Ireland’s first Self-Development Programme through Music, and is currently leading a 100-voice choir preparing for a live performance at the Town Hall Theatre. Alongside her one-to-one coaching, workshops, public speaking, and research, Caren’s work is a beacon for those ready to find their voice – both literally and spiritually.

In our heartfelt conversation, we explored the courage it takes to stand up, be seen, and be heard. Caren spoke about the profound connection between our voice and our sense of self, how when we use our voice authentically, we begin to reconnect with the deepest parts of who we are.

So many of us have been taught to stay quiet, to be seen but not heard. Over time, that conditioning creates distance between what we feel and what we express. Through music and song, Caren helps people to bridge that gap, to release the emotions that live within and allow them to flow freely. Singing becomes a beautiful way to transform vulnerability into strength, and to share that truth with others.

Caren reminded us that we are all born singing. From the moment we exist in our mother’s womb, we are immersed in rhythm, the sound of her heartbeat and her breath. This primal connection lays the foundation for how we experience our own voice. For some, life’s challenges lead to silence; for others, finding their voice again becomes the path to healing.

When we allow ourselves to express freely – not perfectly, but authentically – we give permission to others to do the same. As Caren beautifully said, finding our voice is not just about sound; it’s about feeling. It’s about reclaiming our right to show up in the world exactly as we are – whole, imperfect, and real.

Our voice is more than an instrument – it’s a bridge between our inner and outer worlds, a way to connect, to heal, and to rise.

✨ Tune in to this empowering episode with Dr. Caren Hession to reconnect with your own voice and remember the power that lives within it.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the conversation on YouTube.

💬 I hope this conversation awakens something in you – share your reflections in the comments below, or connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

Sharon

Sharon Fitzmaurice is a Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher & Practitioner, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Speaker, and Host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast. She is the author of Someone Please Help Me, So I Did and Awaken Your Wellbeing, and the founder of Soulful Journeys Online Community.

A passionate advocate for mental health awareness and survivors of childhood abuse, Sharon’s mission is to inspire others to heal, grow, and reconnect with their authentic selves. Through her work, writing, and conversations, she reminds us that within every story lies the power to transform and rise.

Who Am I Beneath the Noise? Rediscovering Our Own Beliefs in a World of Influence

We often hear that social media is shaping our opinions, manipulating our emotions, and influencing how we see the world and in many ways, it does.

But if we pause for a moment, we might realise that influence isn’t new. Long before we began scrolling through feeds and hashtags, we were absorbing the beliefs and worldviews of others.

From the moment we’re born, we’re taught how to see the world. Our parents or caregivers pass down their experiences and beliefs, many shaped by their own upbringing and fears. Teachers guide us with the best of intentions, but within the framework of what society deems acceptable. Religion, culture, politics, books, and media all layer on top of one another until, without realising it, our inner world is painted in colours chosen by someone else.

So how can we ever know what we truly believe?

The Many Voices That Shape Us

Every story we read, every film we’ve watched carries someone else’s perspective. None of this is inherently bad - after all, it’s how we learn and connect.

But there comes a time when we begin to question:

Is this what I believe, or what I’ve been told to believe?

For many, that question arises during moments of change, when a long-held value no longer fits, or when an experience shakes what we once thought was certain. That discomfort is often the first whisper of awakening: the moment when our true self begins to stir beneath layers of conditioning.

The Pull of Collective Thinking

It’s easy to see how others can be swept away by strong opinions or divisive narratives, especially in the digital age. We see people fiercely defending their beliefs online, joining movements, or sharing outrage. But beneath that surface noise lies something tender - a deep human need to feel seen, heard, and safe.

When we feel threatened, uncertain, or powerless, we instinctively reach for belonging. We look for others who share our feelings and validate our fears. This is where confirmation bias creeps in, the comforting thought that if others think this too, it must be true. And negative bias makes fear and anger louder than calm reason, because those emotions make us feel momentarily in control.

When groups unite around shared fear, they often need an “other” to blame someone to project their discomfort onto. This pattern has existed throughout human history, from tribal divisions to online shaming.

What’s heart-breaking is that much of this behaviour doesn’t come from hatred, but from fear.

When we forget who we are at our core - loving, aware, connected beings - we cling to what feels familiar, even if it hurts others.

The Courage to Question

Learning to think for ourselves isn’t about rejecting everything we’ve been taught. It’s about seeing clearly where those beliefs came from and choosing, consciously, what we want to keep.

This takes courage, because questioning inherited beliefs can feel like betraying our families, our communities, or even our faith. But true self-awareness doesn’t destroy connection - it deepens it.

When we understand our own conditioning, we also develop compassion for the conditioning of others.

We begin to see that everyone is carrying stories - stories that shaped them, just as ours shaped us.

Finding Our True Voice Amid the Noise

To rediscover our own beliefs, we must learn to listen inwardly again. The world is loud, but the soul speaks in whispers.

Here are a few gentle practices to help you return to your inner truth:

Pause and notice. When you feel strong emotion about a topic - outrage, fear, or certainty - take a breath. Ask yourself, What part of me feels unsafe right now?

Question with compassion. Before sharing or agreeing with an opinion, reflect: Does this align with love, empathy, and the person I am becoming?

Create stillness. Spend time in silence, nature, or journaling. When the noise of the world fades, what truths rise within you?

Stay open. True wisdom isn’t about being right; it’s about being willing to see differently.

Through these practices, we begin to separate what is ours from what we’ve inherited. It’s not an act of rebellion - it’s an act of remembering.

Coming Home to Authentic Truth

When we strip away the conditioning, we don’t lose ourselves - we uncover who we’ve always been.

Beneath the noise, beyond the narratives and the borrowed beliefs, there is a quiet knowing that has never been influenced or swayed.

It’s the part of us that recognises truth not because others agree with it, but because it feels like peace.

When we live from that space, we don’t need to shout to be heard or cling to what others believe. We simply stand in our own authenticity - gently, courageously, and with love.

“In learning to think for ourselves, we don’t reject others - we just stop abandoning ourselves.”

A Reflection from My Heart

As a holistic wellness coach, Reiki Master, and soul guide, I have seen how easy it is for people to forget their own inner wisdom beneath the noise of life. Every day, I meet souls who are longing to reconnect with their truth - not the version of themselves the world expects, but the one their spirit remembers.

This journey back to self isn’t about becoming someone new; it’s about remembering who you’ve always been before the world told you who to be. Healing happens when we come home to that remembrance - when we reclaim our beliefs, our voice, and our capacity to love, beginning with ourselves.

That’s why I’m inviting you to join me and our beautiful Soulful Journeys Online Community as we embark on a transformative new chapter.
The Soulful Journey Series: Awakening Your Inner Truth

Together, we’ll explore the tender art of coming home to ourselves through shared wisdom, guided practices, and heartfelt connection.

If this message resonates with you, know that you are warmly welcome.
Come journey with us and remember, you’ve never truly been lost. You’ve only been finding your way back to love. 💫

Sharon Fitzmaurice is a Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher & Practitioner, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Speaker, Author, and Host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast. She is the author of Someone Please Help Me, So I Did and Awaken Your Wellbeing, and the founder of Soulful Journeys Online Community.

A passionate advocate for mental health awareness and survivors of childhood abuse, Sharon’s mission is to inspire others to heal, grow, and reconnect with their authentic selves. Through her work, writing, and conversations, she reminds us that within every story lies the power to transform and rise.

Reclaim Your Well-being

This week on the podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Elizabeth Gaines, a woman whose journey into functional health didn’t begin in the world of science, but in the world of survival.

For more than a decade, Elizabeth worked in non-profit trauma recovery, supporting victims of domestic minor sex trafficking. She poured her heart and energy into helping others heal from the unimaginable. But like so many who dedicate themselves to service, she did so at great personal cost. The emotional weight, urgency, and unrelenting pace led her into burnout and chronic illness, an experience far too many people quietly carry.

When conventional medicine dismissed her symptoms, she was left feeling unseen, unheard, and unwell. And this is where her turning point began.

Through Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN), Elizabeth discovered a different way of understanding the body, not through labels or guesswork, but through deeper investigation. Functional lab testing opened a doorway into the true state of her health, revealing imbalances in hormones, immune function, digestion, detoxification, energy production, and diet. With this knowledge, she was finally able to create a personalised path to healing.

What began as a desperate search for answers evolved into purpose.

Today, Elizabeth is the Director of Education at FDN, leading curriculum design, live training and mentorship for one of the most respected health certification programmes in the world. She is living proof that when we understand what’s actually going on in the body, we can take back our power, our clarity, and our energy.

The Hidden Physiology of Burnout

In our conversation, we explored something many of us feel but rarely name:

Burnout isn’t just emotional. It’s physiological.

So often we believe we just need more rest, more motivation, or more willpower to “bounce back,” but the truth is that burnout changes the body. It shifts hormones, drains energy reserves, weakens digestion, disrupts immune function and creates inflammation long before symptoms show up on a standard medical report.

Which means many people are walking around unwell, and being told: “Nothing is wrong.”

Yet their body knows something is very wrong. And so do they.

The Lie We’ve Been Conditioned To Believe

We also reflected on the cultural programming so many of us have absorbed:

• Work harder.

• Move faster.

• Push through pain.

• Don’t slow down.

• Rest equals laziness.

At what point did we begin believing that exhaustion was normal and self-neglect was strength?

Like nature, we are designed to move through seasons: activity and rest, growth and stillness, expansion and retreat. But we’ve built a world that only rewards one season -productivity.

And when we finally collapse under the weight of it, we are left feeling broken or ashamed, when in truth, we are simply out of rhythm with the way we are meant to live.

The Four Rooms of Holistic Wellness

There is a beautiful metaphor that guides my own work:

We each live in a house with four rooms - emotional, mental, physical and spiritual.
Wellness comes from visiting each room every day.

But so often, we camp out in only one or two, usually the mental and physical - while the emotional and spiritual rooms gather dust and silence.

So I ask you:

• When was the last time you checked in with all four rooms?

• What needs clearing, tending, or listening?

• What part of you has been ignored because life is “too busy”?

When we ignore the imbalance long enough, the body will speak louder, through fatigue, inflammation, pain, brain fog, anxiety, or a sense of disconnect from ourselves. And when we are told “there’s nothing wrong,” we begin to feel invisible.

You Are Not Invisible – And You Are Not Meant to Do This Alone

If you are reading this and feel depleted, stretched thin or lost in symptoms you can’t explain, know this:

There is nothing lazy about needing rest.
There is nothing weak about breaking down.
There is nothing wrong with you for not being able to keep going the way you used to.

What is wrong is the belief that you must continue alone.

Elizabeth’s story is a reminder that when we finally understand what the body is trying to communicate, we create space for real healing. And when healing begins, purpose returns. Energy returns. Hope returns.

There is always support available.
There are always answers available.
And you deserve both.

Ready to Go Deeper? Listen to the Full Conversation

If this message speaks to something inside you, if you’re tired of feeling unwell, unheard, or uncertain about where to turn next — I invite you to listen to the full podcast episode with Elizabeth Gaines.

In our conversation, she shares:

• the real physiological roots of burnout

• why so many people are misdiagnosed or dismissed

• how functional lab testing can reveal what traditional testing often overlooks

• empowering next steps for anyone ready to reclaim their well-being

And as a gift to you, Elizabeth is offering a free resource to support your next steps on the healing journey.

🎧 Click here to listen to the episode and receive your free gift.

Join our Soulful Journeys Online Community for our upcoming 2026 Program -

Walking as Soul in Body with Mentor Sharon Fitzmaurice

Sharon Fitzmaurice is a Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher & Practitioner, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Speaker, and Host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast. She is the author of Someone Please Help Me, So I Did and Awaken Your Wellbeing, and the founder of Soulful Journeys Online Community.

A passionate advocate for mental health awareness and survivors of childhood abuse, Sharon’s mission is to inspire others to heal, grow, and reconnect with their authentic selves. Through her work, writing, and conversations, she reminds us that within every story lies the power to transform and rise.

Honouring The Stories That Shape Us

Some stories are written because they want to be told. Others are written because they need to be remembered. My guest on this week’s podcast, Jane Buckley, is a writer who carries both intentions close to her heart.

Born in Derry, Londonderry in Northern Ireland, Jane grew up during one of the most turbulent periods in Irish history – the Troubles, a conflict that shaped generations from the late 1960s until the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. For many, this era is a chapter spoken about in hushed tones, half-remembered or misunderstood. But for Jane, it was lived experience. It was childhood. It was home.

Writing to Remember, Writing to Heal

Jane’s powerful four-part book series, Stones Corner — Turmoil, Darkness, Light, and Hope brings readers right into the emotional core of that time. Although the characters and storylines are fictional, they are rooted in real events and lived realities. Through her writing, Jane shines a light on the human cost of conflict, the fear, the quiet acts of bravery, the divided streets, and the resilience that helped ordinary people survive extraordinary circumstances.

Her books don’t just tell a story, they honour a generation.
They invite readers to understand the Troubles not as a distant headline, but as something deeply human, personal, and still echoing today.

Jane writes to make sense of it all.
She writes to honour those who lived through it.
She writes so it will not be forgotten.

From Checkpoints to Imagination

During our conversation, Jane shared how ordinary life was anything but ordinary. Passing armed checkpoints. Being warned not to speak to children from “the other side.” Navigating a world divided not just by politics, but by fear.

And yet, she still found escape - not in place, but in books and swimming.

She buried herself in stories, long before she began writing them. That love of reading became the seed of her storytelling years later, proving once again how imagination can carry us through what reality cannot soften.

A New Chapter: Project Children

Jane’s next work returns to the theme of hope, this time through a true story many have never heard. Between the 1970s and 1990s, a US initiative called Project Children flew 23,000 children from across the Northern Irish divide to America. For a few weeks every summer, they lived in peace, welcomed by families who simply wanted to offer safety, possibility, and normal childhood memories.

It wasn’t a political movement. It was a human one, changing lives not through speeches or treaties, but through compassion. One child. One home. One summer at a time.

Jane is writing this story not only to honour the people behind it, but so her own grandchildren in New Zealand will one day know where she came from, and more importantly, the strength, solidarity, and hope that existed even in the darkest times.

Why Stories Like Jane’s Matter

As we spoke, I found myself reflecting on how many people only know history through a single perspective, a headline, or a distant documentary - never through the voices of those who lived it.

Jane’s work reminds us that storytelling is a bridge. Even when told through fiction, truth finds a way through. And when we listen to stories that challenge our assumptions, something powerful happens, we expand our understanding, and healing becomes possible.

We cannot rewrite the past, but we can learn from it.
We can choose to listen.
We can choose to open our hearts.
We can choose to make sure these stories are never buried again.

🎧 Listen to the Full Conversation

If this story speaks to you, if you are curious about the human side of history, the power of storytelling, or the resilience of the Irish spirit, I invite you to listen to my full conversation with Jane Buckley on the podcast.

Her wisdom, warmth, and honesty will stay with you long after the episode ends.

Click here to listen now.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Sharon Fitzmaurice is a Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher & Practitioner, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Speaker, and Host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast. She is the author of Someone Please Help Me, So I Did and Awaken Your Wellbeing, and the founder of Soulful Journeys Online Community.

A passionate advocate for mental health awareness and survivors of childhood abuse, Sharon’s mission is to inspire others to heal, grow, and reconnect with their authentic selves. Through her work, writing, and conversations, she reminds us that within every story lies the power to transform and rise.

Some people Make the world a little brighter

This week on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, I had the honour of speaking with someone I can only describe as an Earth Angel . Her story is one of compassion, courage, and purpose, reminding us of the power one person has to make a difference in the world. From a single act of kindness that changed countless lives to her unwavering strength in the face of adversity, Karen’s journey is a true celebration of the resilience of the human spirit. I invite you to take a quiet moment, listen to her story, and feel inspired by the extraordinary impact of an open heart.

There are moments that stay with you because they awaken something deep within your heart. My latest guest, Karen Olson, is one of those extraordinary souls who reminds us what it truly means to live with purpose, compassion, and courage.

When I called Karen an Earth Angel, I meant it wholeheartedly. Her story is one of grace in action, a life transformed by a simple act of kindness that rippled out into the world in ways she could never have imagined. In 1981, when she stopped to help an elderly homeless woman named Millie on the streets of New York City, Karen’s heart opened in a way that would change not only her life, but the lives of countless others.

Out of that single encounter, Family Promise was born, a national non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting homeless and low-income families. What began with one woman’s compassion became a nationwide movement that has now touched thousands of families, offering them not just shelter, but dignity, stability, and hope.

Karen’s journey is one of incredible resilience. Behind her compassion lies deep personal pain, the loss of her mother to suicide when she was only 12 years old. It’s often through our own heartbreak that we find the strength to reach out and heal others, and Karen embodies that truth so beautifully. Her purpose became clear not through what she planned, but through what life presented, a gentle reminder that we are often guided toward where we are needed most.

Even when faced with unimaginable challenges, like the accident six years ago that left her with severe injuries, Karen’s light has never dimmed. Through faith, gratitude, and sheer determination, she continues to move forward, walking with the help of a special walker and sharing her story with such humility and grace. Her spirit radiates resilience; her gratitude, even in adversity, is a lesson in itself.

As I listened to Karen speak, I found myself deeply reflecting on the power of one person to create meaningful change in the world. Her story reminded me of my own small act a few years ago, when I decided to sleep out in my back garden to raise awareness and funds for the Galway Simon Community, an organisation close to my heart that supports those affected by homelessness here in the West of Ireland. What began as a personal gesture soon grew beyond me , the following year, I was joined by family and friends, and today, the Sleep Out for Simon has become their largest community fundraiser in the West. It’s a powerful reminder that when we take one step with intention and compassion, the ripple can reach further than we ever imagined.

Inspired by that experience and by stories like Karen’s, I felt called to do more. In 2020, I reached out to some of my therapist colleagues and invited them to collaborate on a book that would share personal stories of overcoming adversity, healing, and finding purpose. That book, Awaken Your Wellbeing, was launched on November 1st, 2020 and every single copy sold supports the Galway Simon Community and their vital work. It’s yet another example of how when hearts come together, healing expands outward into the world.

Homelessness is something that touches me deeply. It’s easy to pass by and not see, yet behind every person sleeping rough or struggling to find shelter, there is a story, a life, a human being who longs to be seen. Many who experience homelessness describe feeling invisible, as though they no longer belong anywhere. But the truth is, every one of us deserves to have a place to call home, a place of safety, warmth, and belonging. It could be any of us. Lives can change in an instant through illness, job loss, family breakdown, or circumstances beyond our control. When we open our eyes and hearts to that reality, compassion becomes not just a feeling, but a responsibility.

Karen’s book, Meant for More – Following Your Heart and Finding Your Purpose, captures that same spirit, reminding us that we are all meant for something greater when we lead with love. Her story is a living example that kindness, even in its smallest form, can change lives and ignite a movement.

As Karen shared during our conversation, if you are not sure how you can help, maybe start with volunteering, connecting with a local homeless organisation, or simply finding a way to offer your time or support, every little helps. Her message is a beautiful invitation to look within and ask how we can each contribute to the collective healing of humanity, no matter how small our actions may seem.

I am deeply grateful for our conversation, for Karen’s presence, wisdom, and the light she continues to share. She truly is an Earth Angel walking among us, and her journey reminds me that we each have the power to be one too - one act, one heart, one ripple at a time.

Listen to our full conversation here: https://youtu.be/RA3T0j6btBw

November is National Homelessness Awareness Month

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

Adapting to Life's challenges

There are some stories that reach into the very core of your being, stories that don’t just move you, but awaken something inside. My recent podcast conversation with Tracy Martin was one of those moments.

By the age of fifteen, Tracy had already experienced profound loss, both her parents gone before she had even finished growing up. Just three years later, a life-altering car accident changed everything. At eighteen, she was left a paraplegic, grieving the loss of her then-boyfriend who died in the crash, and their unborn child.

To sit across from Tracy and listen to her speak with such honesty, strength, and grace was a humbling experience. Her story is not one of simple survival, it is one of continual adaptation. She had to learn to live in a body that no longer felt like her own, to rebuild a life after unimaginable pain, and to find purpose where only loss once existed.

As I listened, I found myself reflecting on my own younger self, the part of me who once lived in survival mode. When we face trauma, whether it’s the pain of abuse, loss, or any kind of deep suffering, our instinct is to protect ourselves. Our brains and bodies move into survival mode, doing whatever it takes to keep us safe. But survival, while necessary in the moment, isn’t a place we are meant to stay forever.

Living in survival becomes exhausting. It narrows our world and limits our capacity for joy, love, and connection. The real healing begins when we start to unlearn the coping mechanisms that once kept us safe but now hold us back. We begin to adapt in new ways - ways that invite in trust, surrender, and courage.

This journey isn’t easy. It requires us to do the very thing that once felt impossible, to let go of control and allow life to hold us again. To believe that we can be more than what happened to us.

Tracy’s story is a testament to that truth. Through immense loss, she found the strength not only to keep living but to use her voice and creativity to inspire others. Her debut book, So Not Me, is loosely based on her own experiences and delves deeply into the themes of trauma, healing, and the power of human connection. It’s a reminder that even through pain, we can create meaning, that adaptation can lead us to transformation.

Listening to Tracy reminded me that adapting isn’t about forgetting who we were before the pain, it’s about allowing life to reshape us into who we are meant to become.

May we all find the courage, like Tracy, to adapt, to grow, and to keep choosing life - even when it breaks us open.

Listen to the full conversation here: What keeps you going when you are told - You will never walk again.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

Honouring the Darker Half of the Year - Listening to what you need

As November begins, nature quietly invites us inward. The days grow shorter, the air cools, and light softens into shades of gold and grey. For some, this darker season brings a deep sense of comfort, a time to rest, reflect, and replenish. For others, it can feel heavy, lonely, or uncertain, as though the spirit itself is dimming with the fading light.

Neither experience is wrong. Both are part of our human rhythm.

Our ancestors recognised this turning of the year as sacred, a time to honour the cycle of life, death, and renewal. Today, science offers another understanding through the circadian rhythm, the internal clock that governs our sleep, energy, hormones, and mood.

As daylight fades earlier, our brains naturally produce more melatonin, inviting us to rest, and less serotonin, the chemical that supports motivation and balance. This shift can make us feel slower or less energised, not as a failing, but as a biological reflection of the season itself.

The darker months are, in many ways, a mirror, showing us where we need to pause, tend, and realign.
True wellbeing is not about constant brightness or endless productivity. It’s about learning to move with the natural ebb and flow of our energy, rather than against it.

Some of us may find nourishment in quiet evenings, comforting rituals, and deeper self-reflection. Others may feel supported by gentle movement, laughter, or creative expression that keeps energy flowing. What matters most is that we listen, really listen to what our bodies, minds, and hearts are asking for.

This season invites us to ask:
What does wellbeing mean for me in this moment?
What truly helps me feel balanced, whole, and at peace?

A few ways to nurture yourself as we enter the darker half of the year:

• Seek light each morning. Even a few minutes outdoors helps balance your natural rhythm and lift your mood.

• Nourish your body kindly. Warm foods, rest, and gentle movement support both physical and emotional wellbeing.

• Create cosy rituals. Candlelight, music, gratitude journaling, or mindful breathing, small acts that ground and soothe.

• Connect with others. Shared warmth, conversation, and community remind us we’re never alone in our cycles of change.

The darker season is not something to endure; it’s an invitation to realign with your inner light, to restore balance, deepen connection, and remember that every pause has a purpose.

Darkness is not the absence of light. It is where light is nurtured, where healing begins, and where wellbeing quietly takes root.

Reflection

As you move through this month, take a few quiet moments to ask yourself:
What part of me is asking to slow down?
Where might I bring more gentleness and care?
What does my soul need to feel well this season?

Write what comes, breathe deeply, and know that you are exactly where you need to be, moving in harmony with the rhythm of life itself. 

Enjoy my guided Mindful Awareness meditation to support you.

Catch up with my latest podcast guests to keep you company in the darker evenings.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

Taking a leap

I was in my fifties when I finally did my first stage dive.
Yes, you read that right, fifty-something and flying through the air into a sea of strangers’ hands. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, I felt weightless. Then came the rush, the laughter, the freedom, the deep knowing that I had just rewritten an old story.

For much of my life, my body carried memories of fear and survival. It remembered what it meant to brace, to protect, to hold back. Healing taught me that trust isn’t something that simply arrives one day, it’s something we build, breath by breath, choice by choice. That night, standing on that stage, I wasn’t just jumping into a crowd. I was leaping into trust in myself, in others, in the sheer joy of being alive.

As a coach and therapist, I often encourage others to step beyond what feels safe, to challenge the stories that whisper, “You can’t.” But this time, it was me putting that wisdom into practice , embodying what I so often share. It reminded me that healing doesn’t end when the pain subsides; it deepens when we allow joy to take up space where fear once lived.

When I jumped, I wasn’t just stage diving, I was surrendering the weight of “what if” and choosing “why not.”
And in that surrender, I discovered something beautiful: our bodies and our spirits are capable of more than we ever imagine when we trust them to soar.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

Finding our Creative Path

This week on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Leslie A. Rasmussen, a woman who truly understands what it means to start over and to keep rediscovering herself through the seasons of life.

Leslie’s journey is one of courage, creativity, and reinvention. From writing beloved sitcoms like Roseanne and The Wild Thornberrys in Hollywood, to running her own nutrition business, to becoming a novelist and speaker, Leslie has lived many creative lives - each chapter guided by a deeper sense of curiosity and authenticity.

Leslie’s honesty about how life’s transitions can be both daunting and defining. She began her career wanting to be an actress, but when the industry’s treatment of women dimmed her spark, she chose to pivot rather than lose herself. That decision led her to writing comedy - a space where her voice could flourish without compromise. Later, as a mother, she made another heartfelt shift, training as a nutritionist so she could nurture both her family and her own interests.

And then, as life gently nudged her once more, she returned to her first love - writing. With humility and determination, she began again: reading, learning, researching, and taking baby steps toward a dream that had never truly left her. Today, Leslie is the author of three novels, including her latest, When People Leave (May 2025), a moving exploration of family, forgiveness, and the quiet resilience of women navigating loss.

What I find so inspiring about Leslie’s story is that it reminds us creativity isn’t a straight path - it’s a living, breathing journey that evolves as we do. Every turn, every pause, every new beginning is part of finding the rhythm that feels most true to who we are.

Sometimes we think we’re moving away from our purpose, only to find that we were actually circling closer to it all along. The careers we choose, the roles we play, and the shifts we make are not detours - they are pathways toward self-discovery.

Leslie’s story is a beautiful reflection of how we learn who we are through the choices we make, and how we shine brightest when we align our lives with what we love.

We don’t have to have it all figured out. We just need to listen to the gentle callings of our soul, to the quiet excitement that comes when we do something that feels right, to the creative spark that asks us to begin again, no matter how many times we’ve already started over.

Because, in truth, starting over is not about beginning again from nothing. It’s about beginning again from wisdom.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host