The Hidden Power of Dreams

There is something quietly mysterious about dreams. Every night, as we drift into sleep, our minds open a doorway into another world - one filled with symbols, emotions, memories, and possibilities. For centuries, dreams have fascinated philosophers, healers, and scientists alike. Today, many people are rediscovering something our ancestors long believed: dreams can be powerful guides for our wellbeing, creativity, and personal growth.

In a recent conversation on my podcast with Bonnie Buckner, founder of the International Institute of Dreaming and Imagery and author of The Secret Mind, we explored how dreams can offer insight into our inner world and support us in navigating our waking lives with greater awareness.

Bonnie has spent years helping individuals, leaders, and teams understand how dreams can become tools for insight, healing, and even problem-solving. What emerged from our conversation was a beautiful reminder: dreams are not random stories from the night - they often reflect something meaningful within us.

Why Do We Dream?

Scientists and psychologists continue to explore the purpose of dreaming, but many agree that dreams help our minds process experiences, emotions, and memories.

When we sleep, the brain becomes incredibly active. During dreaming, our subconscious mind has the freedom to weave together thoughts, feelings, and experiences that we may not fully process during the day.

Dreams can help us:

• Process emotional experiences

• Integrate memories and learning

• Explore unresolved challenges

• Spark creativity and imagination

• Reveal patterns in our thinking or behaviour

Bonnie described dreams as a kind of mirror, reflecting aspects of ourselves that may be hidden or overlooked during our busy waking hours. Sometimes they reveal possibilities; other times they gently highlight where we might feel stuck or blocked.

Dreams as a Mirror of the Self

One of the most powerful ideas Bonnie shared is that every element in a dream can represent a part of ourselves. The people, places, and events we encounter while dreaming often symbolise emotions, experiences, or inner conflicts we are navigating.

When we begin to view dreams through this lens, they become less mysterious and more meaningful. Instead of asking, “What does this dream mean?” we might ask, “What part of me might this dream be showing?”

Dreams can illuminate:

• hidden fears or anxieties

• unexpressed creativity

• inner strengths waiting to emerge

• areas where healing is needed

Seen this way, dreams become not something strange or distant, but a deeply personal language of the mind.

The Gift of Dreams in Childhood

During our conversation, I reflected on how important my dream world was to me as a child.

My dreams were not simply something that happened while I slept - they were a place where I could express, create, and travel beyond the limits of my daily life. They opened a doorway into imagination and possibility.

That dream world became a space of freedom and creativity. Even then, I sensed there was value in paying attention to it.

As I grew older, I held onto that curiosity. Rather than seeing the dream world and waking life as separate, I began to understand that both worlds have something to offer us. When we learn to listen to our dreams and bring their insights into our daily lives, something beautiful can happen—we begin to create greater harmony, healing, and balance within ourselves.

Different Types of Dreams

Bonnie also explained that not all dreams are the same. Our dreaming mind communicates in many different ways, and each type of dream can offer a unique insight.

Emotional Processing Dreams

These dreams help us process experiences from the day or recent life events. They may bring up emotions we didn’t fully express while awake.

Problem-Solving Dreams

Sometimes our dreaming mind works through challenges creatively. Many inventions, artistic ideas, and breakthroughs have reportedly come from dreams.

Recurring Dreams

When a dream repeats itself, it often signals that something in our lives is asking for attention. These dreams may continue until we understand their message.

Healing Dreams

Some dreams bring a sense of release, comfort, or insight during difficult periods of life. They can help us move through emotional pain or change.

Symbolic Dreams

Many dreams speak in symbols rather than literal events. Understanding the personal meaning behind those symbols can reveal deeper insights.

Dreams as a Lens of Possibility

Bonnie beautifully described dreams as a lens of possibility.

Sometimes a dream shows us new directions we might not consciously consider during the day. Other times it gently highlights areas where we may feel blocked or out of alignment with ourselves.

When we learn to listen to dreams with curiosity rather than judgement, they can help us:

• reconnect with creativity

• see new solutions to challenges

• deepen self-awareness

• strengthen intuition

• access emotional healing

Dreams often invite us to explore who we are becoming.

Building a Relationship With Your Dreams

One of the most empowering ideas Bonnie shared is that we can build an active relationship with our dreams.

Just as we nurture relationships with people, we can nurture our connection with our dreaming mind.

Simple practices include:

Keep a dream journal
Write down anything you remember when you wake up - even small fragments.

Notice emotions
The feelings within a dream can be just as important as the events themselves.

Stay curious
Rather than trying to force a meaning, ask gentle questions about what the dream might be reflecting.

Look for patterns
Over time, recurring themes may reveal deeper insights about your life or inner world.

Blending the Dream World and the Waking World

Perhaps the greatest gift of dreams is that they remind us there is more wisdom within us than we often realise.

Our waking life is where we take action, build relationships, and move through the world. Our dreaming life, however, is where our subconscious mind can explore possibilities, emotions, and insights that may otherwise remain hidden.

When we honour both worlds, we create a deeper connection with ourselves.

For me, that awareness began in childhood and continues today: our dream world and waking world are not separate realities but complementary ones. Together they can guide us toward creativity, healing, balance, and purpose.

Listening to the Quiet Wisdom of the Night

Dreams speak softly, but their messages can be profound.

They invite us to pause, reflect, and listen to the inner voice that often gets lost in the busyness of daily life.

As Bonnie reminds us, when we learn to engage with our dreams, we begin to discover something remarkable: the mind we fall asleep with each night may hold answers, insights, and possibilities we have yet to imagine.

And sometimes, the journey toward greater understanding of ourselves begins in the quiet hours when we close our eyes and allow our dreams to speak.

Listen to my podcast conversation with Bonnie here

Sharon Fitzmaurice is a Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher and Practitioner, Clinical Hypnotherapist, speaker, and host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, which celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. She is the author of Someone Please Help Me, So I Did and Awaken Your Wellbeing, and the founder of the Soulful Journeys online community.

Through her work, Sharon supports people in reconnecting with their inner strength, cultivating wellbeing, and creating meaningful change in their lives. With compassion and lived insight, she encourages others to explore the deeper wisdom within themselves and to live with greater balance, purpose, and self-awareness.

Small Habits That Help Us Thrive

Many of us move through life believing that change has to be dramatic to make a difference.

We imagine that wellbeing requires a complete life overhaul - a new routine, more discipline, or somehow becoming a “better” version of ourselves overnight.

But in my recent conversation with Dr. Janine Van Someren, author of The Well-being Advantage, we explored a very different perspective.

Janine’s work reminds us that the most meaningful transformation rarely comes from radical change. Instead, it grows quietly through small, consistent habits that support us in everyday life.

After more than 25 years working across high-performance sport, academia and corporate consulting, Janine has seen first-hand how pressure and stress can affect even the most capable and successful people. Her approach to wellbeing is also deeply shaped by her own personal experiences with mental health challenges and recovery.

What emerged from our conversation was a compassionate and refreshing truth:

Wellbeing is not about doing more.
It’s about learning to care for ourselves in ways that genuinely work for us.

Each of us is different. Our lives, responsibilities, personalities and nervous systems are unique. What energises one person may overwhelm another. This is why Janine encourages people to step away from rigid wellbeing formulas and instead discover the small habits that help them feel balanced, supported and alive.

Sometimes these habits are beautifully simple - pausing to breathe, stepping outside for fresh air, connecting with someone we trust, or allowing ourselves a moment of rest in the middle of a busy day.

When we begin to build these small moments into our lives, something powerful happens. We start to move with life rather than constantly pushing against it.

And slowly, gently, we begin to experience what Janine calls the wellbeing advantage.

Sometimes the most meaningful changes in our lives begin quietly.

Not with a dramatic shift, but with a gentle pause.
A moment of awareness.
A small habit repeated with care.

As my conversation with Dr. Janine Van Someren reminds us, wellbeing is not about striving for perfection. It is about learning to support ourselves in ways that honour who we are as individuals.

And when we begin to build those small moments of care into our days, we often discover something unexpected.

Life begins to feel lighter.
More balanced.
More in flow.

Listen to the Full Conversation

If this topic resonates with you, I invite you to listen to my full conversation with Dr. Janine Van Someren on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast.

In this episode, Janine shares practical insights and how simple daily habits can help you cultivate greater resilience, balance and wellbeing.

About the Author

Sharon Fitzmaurice is a Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher and Practitioner, Clinical Hypnotherapist, author, speaker and host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, a show 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 the founder of the Soulful Journeys online community. Through her work, Sharon supports people in reconnecting with their inner strength, cultivating wellbeing and creating meaningful, lasting change in their lives.

A thousand ways to begin again

There are people we meet who remind us of what is possible. Jillian Godsil is one of those people. Her life has been a tapestry of adventure and upheaval - divorce, financial loss, her home being taken, eighteen novels published, multiple awards earned, a radio show, a business lost, and most recently, a breast cancer diagnosis. And still, when she speaks about her life, there is light in her eyes. There is curiosity. There is a sense of wonder about what tomorrow might bring.

During our recent conversation, she shared a moment that has stayed with me. She told me there was a time when she had given up on life, She truly believed there was nothing more for her. The adventure felt over. The meaning had drained away. The story had reached what she thought was its final chapter. And then, as life so often does, it placed a sign in her path. A quiet message from the universe, just loud enough to hear, reminding her that there was still more to come.

And she began again.

We don’t often speak out loud about those moments, the silent surrender, the internal giving up, the belief that we are too tired, too worn out, too late to rebuild. Yet so many of us have felt it. Some of us are feeling it now. Jillian reminded me that beginning again is rarely dramatic. It is not always loud or heroic. Sometimes it looks like curiosity. Sometimes it looks like a small moment of joy in a heavy day. Sometimes it’s simply the question: What if there is more for me?

We cannot choose the circumstances life delivers to our doorstep, but we can choose how we meet them. We can soften around our pain. We can stay open to possibility. We can hold joy and difficulty side by side without asking them to cancel each other out. And we can begin again - not once, but as many times as needed.

Jillian reminded me today that life does not run out of chapters. We never get just one chance at purpose, or creativity, or love. The story continues for as long as we are willing to turn the page.

There is hope in that. There is tenderness in that. And there is always—always—a way to begin again.

Listen to the Conversation

If this message speaks to you, I invite you to listen to my podcast conversation with Jillian Godsil on The Re-Purposed Life. Her courage, honesty, and humour are powerful reminders that curiosity is a lifeline and reinvention is always available.

🎧 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Opening to Love again

There are moments in life that change everything in an instant. A phone call, a diagnosis, a loss , they can shatter the world as we know it, leaving us standing in the debris of what once was.
My guest this week, Jenny Brandemuehl, knows this truth all too well. A single phone call changed the course of her life forever, and yet, it also led her toward a deeper understanding of healing after loss, resilience, and the power of love and hope.

Jenny’s husband, Mark, was an experienced pilot and her soulmate for more than three decades. On what should have been a routine flight, his plane crashed and burst into flames. Miraculously, he survived - but with burns over 80% of his body. In the aftermath, Jenny became his voice, his advocate, and his unwavering companion through countless surgeries, painful recoveries, small victories, and heart-breaking setbacks.

From this unimaginable experience came her deeply moving memoir,
Forever Fly Free: One Woman’s Story of Resilience and the Power of Hope and Love.
It is both a love story and a story of rebirth, one woman’s journey through grief recovery and personal transformation, finding purpose in her darkest moments, rebuilding her identity from the ground up, and learning to open once more to the fullness of life.

In our heartfelt conversation, Jenny spoke with warmth and authenticity about the healing process, the courage it takes to live and love again, and how grief can become a gateway to personal growth. Her story is a reminder that even in the depths of loss, there is always a spark of life waiting to be rekindled, if we are willing to open our hearts to it.

So much of what Jenny shared resonated deeply with me. We will all, at some point, experience profound loss - moments that shift our entire perspective and quietly transform us from within. In those moments of deep emotion, something within us awakens. We begin to see, feel, and sense the world differently - perhaps more tenderly, more truthfully. It’s as though we begin to truly wake up to life again.

Even though I did not experience the same trauma as Jenny, I felt an undeniable connection to her words, the recognition that love is constant and change is inevitable.
And when we can find acceptance in this truth, we begin to move through the hardest days with a little more grace, a little more softness, and a deeper appreciation for the love that still surrounds us.

Jenny’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, to the healing power of hope, faith, and love.
May her courage remind us all that no matter how life may change, love will always find a way to lead us home to ourselves.

🌷 Listen to the Full Conversation

Join me on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast as I sit down with Jenny Brandemuehl to explore her powerful journey of love, loss, and renewal.
Her wisdom will inspire anyone seeking emotional healing, self-discovery, and the courage to live again after heartbreak.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here

If Jenny’s story touches your heart, please share it with someone who may need a gentle reminder today that even through deep loss, hope and love can guide us back to ourselves.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

The Journey of Remembering

There was a time in my life when I thought I had lost everything - not in the physical sense, but in the way that leaves you hollow on the inside. What I call my darkest night of the soul. It was a place of despair, self-doubt, and disconnection. And yet, it was in that same darkness that a light began to flicker - a knowing that I was more than the pain I carried, more than my body, more than the roles I played in life.

That moment was my awakening. Not an instant transformation, but the beginning of a slow, tender journey of remembering. Remembering that I am soul in physical form. Remembering that there is a deeper wisdom always available to me when I dare to turn inward.

It’s why soul-led work isn’t just something I do now - it’s who I am. Every client I sit with, every group session, retreat or workshop I hold, every podcast conversation I share comes from this place of knowing. It is the compass that guides me back when I forget, when I stumble, when life feels heavy again.

This week on the podcast, I had the joy of sitting down with Suzanne Roberts, someone whose journey resonated so deeply with my own. Suzanne, Founder of Unifying Solutions and author of It’s Deeper Than That: A Pathway to a Vibrant, Purposeful Life, also walked through the fires of pain and self-hatred. Her childhood trauma led her into darkness, but her love of physics opened a doorway to something greater -the reality of polarity, of energy, of soul.

Listening to Suzanne describe her “inner laboratory” - the way she turned inward to explore and discover the truth of who she really is - felt like hearing my own story reflected back to me. That same turning inward is what saved me too.

In our conversation, we explored the science of magnetism and the current of life force that runs through us all, how meditation and mindfulness open the gateway to soul presence, and how healing is never about becoming someone new but about remembering the wholeness that was always there.

What touched me most was her reminder that being of service is at the heart of a purposeful life. That, I believe, is why so many of us who have walked through darkness feel called to guide others toward their own light.

As I sit with this episode, I feel an immense gratitude for my own journey - even the painful parts. Without that dark night, I might never have woken up to the truth of who I really am. Without it, I would not be living this soul-led path today.

My hope is that in listening to Suzanne’s story and hearing a little of my own, you will be reminded of your soul too. That quiet voice within that whispers: you are so much more than the physical, you are light, you are energy, you are soul.

✨ Listen here https://www.youtube.com/@sharonfitzmauricepodcast

An Invitation to You

If this conversation touched something within you, I’d love to invite you into my Soulful Journeys Online Community. It is a heart-centred space where like-minded souls gather to connect, share, and support one another on the path of healing, awakening, and purpose.

Inside, you’ll find monthly soul circles, guided practices, live teachings, and a community of people who truly understand the ups and downs of walking a soul-led path. It’s a place where you don’t have to pretend to be anything other than yourself - where your story, your light, and even your struggles are welcomed and honoured.

Together, we remind each other that we are never alone. Together, we walk each step more courageously and more lovingly than we might on our own.

If your soul feels called, you are so welcome to join us. 💜
👉 Join our Community — Sharon Fitzmaurice

Reiki Energy Therapy: Why Attunement and Self-Awareness Matter

In recent times, I’ve noticed many conversations online about Reiki and whether one truly needs to be attuned by a Reiki Master in order to practice it. The argument is often this: Reiki is universal life force energy, and since we are all part of that universal flow, we already have access to it.

To this, I wholeheartedly agree. Reiki is not something that only a select few can access, it flows through all of us because it is life itself. We can all learn to connect more deeply with this energy, and we often do so in different ways throughout our lives, whether through meditation, prayer, breathwork, nature, or quiet moments of inner stillness.

But here is where I’d like to pause and offer some perspective, not only as someone who has worked with Reiki for over 18 years, but also as a Reiki Master Teacher and Practitioner:
Just because we all have access to universal energy does not mean we are all ready to hold space for others.

The Responsibility of Holding Space

When someone comes to you for Reiki, whether they are struggling with physical pain, mental stress, emotional wounds, or spiritual blocks - you are not simply placing hands on them. You are holding a sacred container for their healing process.

In that space, emotions may surface. Old trauma may stir. Physical sensations may arise that the person does not fully understand. Your role as a practitioner is not only to channel Reiki but to remain grounded, compassionate, and responsible for how the person is supported during and after the session.

This responsibility requires more than just a good intention- it asks for presence, maturity, and self-awareness. Without these, the person seeking healing may feel unseen, unsafe, or even more destabilised.

Why Attunement Matters

Attunement is not about hierarchy or exclusivity. It is not a “certificate” to say you are more spiritual than someone else. Rather, attunement is a process of alignment, a way of opening yourself more fully to the Reiki energy while learning how to hold it responsibly for others.

Through attunement and training with a Reiki Master, you are guided into the practice with awareness, ethics, and tools to support not only those you treat, but yourself as well. It’s a path of humility and service, not ego or control.

The Value of Training and Experience

I often see criticism directed at Reiki Masters for charging for attunements or classes. What is rarely spoken about is the amount of time, energy, and resources we have invested - not only in our training, but in our personal development.

For me, this journey has spanned over 30 years. Along the way, I have dedicated myself not just to studying Reiki, but to exploring my own healing, deepening my self-awareness, and developing the skills to support others safely and effectively. This work is not just about “learning a technique” - it is about becoming a person who can truly hold space for another’s vulnerability and transformation.

Charging for attunements or classes is not about “profiting from energy” - it is about recognising the years of learning, healing, and lived experience that allow a teacher to guide others responsibly. Just as in any profession, the exchange honours the value of what has been cultivated and the support being offered.

Self-Awareness Comes First

In my classes, whether Reiki or other healing modalities, I always begin with one essential truth: you cannot truly support others until you are willing to look within yourself.

Before we step into the role of a practitioner, we must first learn to meet our own wounds with compassion. We must cultivate the ability to sit with discomfort, to recognise our own triggers, and to heal from the inside out. Only then can we safely and authentically hold space for someone else’s journey.

A Gentle Invitation

So, yes - Reiki is universal, and it belongs to all of us. But if you feel called to share it with others, I encourage you to approach it not only with openness, but also with responsibility. Seek guidance. Explore your own healing first. Allow yourself to be attuned not only to the energy, but to your own heart and awareness.

Because Reiki is not just about energy - it’s about how we embody it, how we hold it, and how we serve others with it.

“I had the pleasure of completing my Level 1 Reiki and Seichem with Sharon. There are no words to explain what a beautiful, empowering, healing and uplifting experience it was. In my opinion, Sharon is an amazing professional teacher, practitioner and facilitator who also brings a gentle, human and compassionate approach. I felt in very safe hands. The energy and healing over the 2 days was magic....and I'm going back for Level 2 soon. Can't wait 😁💫” Elaine Long

“I had such a positive experience with Sharon during my reiki session. The atmosphere and energy in the room was so calming. From start to finish Sharon gave me her undevided attention, all the information Sharon gave me was so relevant to my experience. I couldn't recommend her highly enough. And will make it my business to visit her again soon! An absolute lady” Maura O’Callaghan

“Blown away in the first 30 minutes of our session. Sharon was compassionate and kind. By tapping into my energy, she accessed another level I never knew existed. I will recommend to others and I will be back.” Ria Mannion

“Had an amazing experience doing the level 1 Reiki training, being around such beautiful souls made it all the more special, I concur with all the previous reviews that Sharon is a Great teacher, very welcoming, compassionate and her laugh is very infectious! Enjoyed every minute of it and would highly recommend, thanks again Sharon” Jason Coyne

“I recently attended Sharon's reiki level 1 training in Galway. Having had no experience with reiki before. I am so grateful to have attended this course with Sharon. From the very start we were met with a warm welcome from the lovely Sharon and made to feel totally at ease. Her deep knowledge, kindness and sense of fun creates a wonderful space to explore, learn, grow and connect. Having listened to her wonderful podcast, attended her course and recently joined her community I cannot help but feel inspired and empowered by all this lady has to teach and share. I'm excited and grateful to learn more!” Grainne McLaughlin

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Reiki Master Teacher & Practitioner

Facing The Unknown - The journey through cancer and beyond

For many women, the journey begins with a moment of noticing something different - a lump, a change in texture, or perhaps nothing noticeable at all, only for a routine check to bring unexpected news. From that moment, life feels suspended. The waiting begins: waiting for tests, waiting for results, waiting for clarity. It is a time filled with questions that few dare to voice aloud - Is it cancer? If it is, what will happen to me? How will my family cope?

Karen Kruger is one of those women - a mother of three, coach, and breast cancer survivor who shares not only her story of survival, but also her wisdom on navigating the emotional and physical upheaval that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

Karen knows this waiting well. First diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2021, what doctors initially thought was stage 1 later revealed itself as stage 3. In a matter of weeks, her life turned upside down. The days of waiting in uncertainty, she recalls, were some of the hardest. It wasn’t just the unknown - it was the silence between appointments, the powerlessness, and the way fear can creep into every corner of your mind.

A cancer diagnosis affects far more than the body. It touches every layer of being- your mind, your emotions, your relationships, even your sense of identity. Suddenly, life’s certainty is gone, and you are faced with your mortality in ways you may never have imagined.

So how can you support yourself during this waiting period, when the medical plan has not yet been made and your body feels like it belongs to the unknown? Here are a few compassionate practices:

Nutrition as nourishment – Focus on gentle, balanced meals that support energy and calm. Eating regularly, staying hydrated, and avoiding extremes can provide your body with a sense of steadiness in uncertain times.

Movement with kindness – Whether it’s walking in nature, gentle yoga, or simple stretches, moving your body in ways that feel good can release tension and remind you that you are alive, present, and capable.

Rest and renewal – Sleep may feel elusive, but allowing yourself to rest—even short naps or quiet pauses—can help restore your nervous system. Giving yourself permission to slow down is an act of self-compassion.

Nurturing practices – Journaling, meditation, or even moments of mindful breathing can bring you back to the present moment. Lighting a candle, listening to music, or enjoying a warm bath are simple ways to soothe your spirit.

Here are some affirmations you might gently repeat during this time:

• I am safe in this moment, even if I don’t have all the answers yet.

• My body is doing the best it can, and I choose to support it with love.

• I allow myself to rest, to receive, and to be cared for.

• I am not defined by fear—I am guided by hope and courage.

• One step, one breath, one day at a time is enough.

Connection and community – Reaching out to trusted friends, family, or support services can ease the burden of carrying everything alone. Sometimes just having someone to listen is enough. For more information contact Breast Cancer - Cancer Ireland

Karen speaks with deep gratitude about the support she received from Purple House Cancer Support Centre in Wicklow, where she found comfort, connection, and reassurance that she was not alone. It was this web of support—family, friends and community that carried her through the darkest days.

Now, four years on, Karen has transformed her experience into a beacon of hope for others. With more than 20 years of coaching experience, she now supports women navigating life after cancer, particularly the unique challenges of menopause following treatment. Through her coaching, workshops, and Ireland’s first dedicated podcast for women with a cancer diagnosis who are experiencing menopause, Karen continues to inspire resilience, healing, and empowerment.

Her story is one of courage, vulnerability, and purpose. It reminds us that while cancer changes everything, it can also awaken a new way of living - one day at a time. You can listen to our conversation on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast

To anyone waiting for answers or walking this path: your feelings are valid. You do not have to be strong every moment. Be gentle with yourself, seek support where you can, and remember - you are not alone.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

September Sparks - Awakening the Energy of Excitement

September always feels like a turning of the page, doesn’t it? The light softens, the air shifts, and there’s a sense of fresh possibility all around. It’s as if life is inviting you to pause, breathe, and begin again.

This month, I’ve been tuning into a powerful energy: excitement. And I wonder, can you feel it too? That spark within you that reminds you of what’s possible, that lifts you up when you give it your attention.

Excitement isn’t just a fleeting emotion. It’s Spirit’s way of nudging you, showing you alignment. When you allow yourself to feel it deeply, your mind sharpens, your focus strengthens, and your body awakens with energy. That spark doesn’t just feel good, it guides you into movement, into inspired action.

The Sacred Connection: Thought – Emotion – Action

Your thoughts are not simply clouds drifting through your mind. They are seeds, carrying the power to shift your entire being. When you nurture a thought with intention, it blossoms into emotion, which then moves through your body as energy.

Think about it: a thought of joy or inspiration changes your posture, your breath, even the way you see the world. Your energy field expands, and suddenly opportunities seem clearer, more possible. This is how Spirit whispers to you, showing you the path forward.

In your own life - in love, work, and the quiet moments in between, the thoughts you choose become the lens through which you live:

✨ If you guide or support others, your energy ripples out and lifts them higher.
✨ If you are creating something new, your inner dialogue determines whether fear or faith leads the way.
✨ And when you wake in the morning, your very first thought can become a prayer -shaping how the day unfolds before you.

Wisdom Through Story

Last month on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, I’ve been honoured to share conversations with incredible souls, each one reflecting this mind–body–spirit connection in their own way.

🌿 Yvonne Reddin — courageously reinventing her life in her 40s.
🌿 Rita Lussier — navigating the tender space of life after children.
🌿 Rebecca Galli — choosing fullness in a life that didn’t go as planned.
🌿 Ashleigh Tobin — reclaiming her authentic voice.

🌿 Andy Campbell — rising again after life’s deepest challenges.
🌿 James Sweetman - showing up for yourself

Each of these conversations is a reminder that you too hold the power to navigate change, reclaim your truth, and live more fully - even when life looks different than you imagined.

Celebrating Soulful Journeys

September also marks the third anniversary of Soulful Journeys, the online community I founded as a sanctuary of connection and compassion. What began as a small gathering has blossomed into a vibrant circle where hearts meet, stories are shared, and souls support one another.

Together, we’ve celebrated wins, held each other through challenges, and reminded one another that healing and growth are journeys we don’t have to walk alone. If you’re reading this, perhaps Spirit is nudging you to remember - you are part of this greater circle too.

A Sacred September Practice

I’d love for you to try this simple practice to harness September’s vibrant energy:

🌸 Ask yourself each morning: “What excites my soul today?”
🌸 Visualise it for one sacred minute: See it, feel it, and notice how your body responds to the joy of it.
🌸 Act while the spark is alive: Take one step - no matter how small - toward bringing it into being.

Remember, your thoughts are not just passing ideas. They are prayers, intentions, and seeds of creation. When you choose them with love, you invite your life to bloom in ways you may never have imagined.

Here is a free guided meditation to help you - Spark Your Joy

Blessings for a new month ahead

See my upcoming events for remainder of 2025 including:

Mindfulness Program in our online community Soulful Journeys

Reiki Healing and Group Meditation in person monthly events in Claregalway

Reiki Refresher Course in Co. Galway

Retreat Weekend in Delphi Resort, Co. Galway

Level 2 Reiki Energy Therapy Training in Co. Galway

Level 1 Reiki Energy Therapy Training in Co. Galway

One to One Appointments with Sharon in person or online

Sharon

Why We Sabotage Our Success - A Reflection on Healing and Choosing Ourselves

After my powerful conversation with my guest, Carol Look on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, I found myself deeply moved and reflective. We explored the ways in which we often sabotage our own success, whether in our careers, relationships, or simply in allowing ourselves to thrive. Carol spoke with such clarity and compassion about how unresolved trauma and limiting beliefs can keep us stuck in patterns of fear, self-doubt, and self-sabotage.

As I listened to her, I couldn't help but reflect on my own journey.

There were many moments in my past where I didn’t allow myself to even imagine what could be possible. I was so entrenched in survival mode - caught in the aftershocks of trauma, that I couldn’t see beyond the pain. It was as if I was living in a small, dimly lit room, unaware that there was a door leading out into the light. I see now that I wasn't broken; I was simply trying to stay safe in the only way I knew how.

But healing has taught me something beautiful: we are allowed to choose ourselves. In fact, that choice is the beginning of everything.

When we make the decision to no longer stay small, when we stop dimming our light to fit into places that no longer serve us - we begin to reclaim our power. That first step is often the hardest, because it requires us to believe in something we may not yet fully see: the possibility of transformation.

As Carol and I spoke, I felt an energy within me ignite - sparks of something familiar and sacred. It was that deep knowing, the quiet but powerful affirmation that this work - helping others to heal, to rise, and to reconnect with their truth - is not only purposeful, but vital.

We often get lost in trying to protect ourselves, constructing walls so high that no one, not even our true selves, can get in. And while those walls may have once felt like safety, over time, they become our cages. Instead of feeling secure, we feel more isolated, more disconnected from the world - and from our own potential.

But here’s the truth I want to share with you, from one soul to another:

There is hope.

You are not alone in feeling stuck or unsure. You are not the only one who has questioned your worth or shrunk yourself to fit into someone else's version of safety. But the beauty of this journey is that we can always choose again. We can choose to soften, to open, to trust. We can choose to remember who we are beneath the pain.

Healing isn’t about becoming someone new - it’s about coming home to yourself.

So, if you find yourself sabotaging the very things you desire, pause. Breathe. Be gentle with yourself. And know that every small act of self-love, every boundary you set, every time you say yes to your own growth, is a step toward the life you were always meant to live.

You are worthy. You are powerful. And you are never too far gone to begin again.

With love,

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Author, Holistic Wellness Coach & Podcast Host

Compassion, Resilience, and Gut Health

This week’s on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast conversation with Rachel Crowder was one of those deeply enlightening moments that stays with you, and reminds you of the importance of what we eat, doesn’t just feed our bodies, it feeds our minds.

Rachel is a qualified Nutrition and Health Coach, but more than that, she is a woman on a mission - one that is deeply personal and profoundly purposeful. Her passion to help women reclaim their energy, reduce chronic symptoms, and feel empowered in their health is not something she learned in a textbook; it’s rooted in the kind of life experience that shapes who you are and how you show up in the world.

At just nine years old, Rachel became a young carer for her mother, who battled with rheumatoid arthritis and complex chronic health issues. She was cooking meals, cleaning, and managing a household long before most children her age even considered such responsibilities. Her school had no idea. There was no outside support. She simply did what needed to be done.

When she later met her now husband, he was amazed by her resourcefulness. To Rachel, it was just what she had always known - her normal. But it made me wonder: how many other children are out there, quietly carrying the weight of the world on their small shoulders, unseen and unsupported? In Ireland alone, we know there are over 4,000 carers under the age of 15, but those are only the ones recorded in the census. How many more go unnoticed?

Rachel’s story is a powerful reminder of how deeply intertwined our life experiences are with our health journeys. After 20 years in the retail world, she retrained in nutrition and health coaching - driven not just by her own family’s history of autoimmune conditions, cancer, and heart disease, but by her husband’s decade-long struggle with digestive issues. It was through exploring gut health and functional nutrition that they found answers and healing.

Today, Rachel helps women facing similar challenges - autoimmune issues, arthritis, hormone shifts, reclaim their vitality using whole-body, gut-focused nutrition. She reminds us that chronic illness does not have to define our future. That our bodies are far more capable of healing than we often believe.

As we wrapped up our conversation, I was reminded of the deep connection between what we eat, how we live, and how we feel. Science is now confirming what many in the wellness world have long known that conditions like Alzheimer’s and diabetes often begin in the gut.

So if something within you feels off, or if you sense that your food is not serving you, don’t wait for the perfect time to start over. Try just one small change today. Add a nourishing whole food to your plate. Drink a little more water. Tune in, gently, to what your body is asking for.

Your body and your mind will thank you in the days, weeks, and years to come.

If you enjoy my blogs and podcasts, please subscribe/follow and share for more soul-nourishment content. Thank you for your support.
Sharon

Author, Wellness Coach & Host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast

Love Beyond Vision: A Father's Journey Through Grief, Awakening and the Power of Presence

Some conversations stay with you long after the recording ends, echoing not just in your mind, but in your soul. My recent guest on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast Mohan Ranga Rao, shared one such story. A story not of overcoming, but of becoming. Not of fixing, but of feeling. A story shaped by profound loss, and an even deeper love.

Mohan’s life changed irrevocably with the birth, and devastatingly, the loss of his beloved daughter, Yogita. Born blind, Yogita’s presence shattered everything Mohan thought he knew about fatherhood, strength, masculinity, and identity. Just four days after her birth, when he learned of her blindness, something within him cracked open. Not just his heart, but his very worldview.

What followed was not just a medical journey, but an emotional and existential one. He had to unlearn the idea that to love meant to protect and to fix. He had to let go of the illusion of control. And in doing so, he began to understand what it meant to love someone purely, without condition or expectation, a love that transcends even time and space.

His first book, Inner Trek: A Reluctant Pilgrim's Journey to Tibet, emerged from a spiritual reckoning. What began as a physical trek through the Himalayas became a soul-deep pilgrimage - an inner awakening that helped him begin to make sense of the unimaginable. The mountain path became a metaphor for the rugged terrain of his heart: unpredictable, painful, sacred.

His newest book, Myopia: A Father's Journey into Love, Loss and Sight Beyond Vision, is even more intimate. It does not tie grief up in a neat bow. It doesn’t offer hollow comfort. Instead, it gives us something much more powerful: truth. Raw, unfiltered, beautifully human truth. It is a meditation on pain as transformation, love without form, and seeing not with the eyes, but with the soul.

Reading it and speaking with Mohan, invites us into a space we often avoid: the space of suffering. But what if suffering, rather than something to escape, was something to engage with? To sit with, breathe into, learn from?

That is the philosophy behind Amopia, a community and conscious framework Mohan has founded. Blending science, spirituality, and resilience, Amopia teaches us not to fear suffering, but to see it as a wise teacher. It offers courses, workshops, and a deeply supportive community for those navigating grief, change, or simply the deeper questions of life.

As I reflected on our conversation, I felt so moved by the sacred vulnerability Mohan embodies. It reminded me how many men, fathers especially, are never given the space to grieve out loud, to cry, to fall apart, to speak of their pain without shame. Yet grief lives in all of us. It is not bound by gender. It is not something to be hidden. It is a sacred rite of passage, and it deserves to be witnessed.

For anyone who is grieving, feeling lost, or walking through the wilderness of emotional pain, know this:

You are not broken.
You don’t have to have answers.
Grief is not a problem to solve, but a journey to honour.
There is still beauty in the world, even if you can’t see it right now.
You are allowed to love and mourn at the same time.

Here are some holistic tools that may gently support you on this path:

✨ Mindful Presence – Allow yourself to feel without needing to fix. Simply being with your emotions can begin the healing.

✨ Breathwork & Meditation – Even a few minutes of conscious breathing each day can create space between you and your pain, helping you ground and soften.

✨ Creative Expression – Whether through writing, music, art, or movement, let your grief have a voice. It doesn’t need to make sense. It just needs to be heard.

✨ Spiritual Inquiry – Whether through journaling, prayer, sacred texts, or silent reflection, let your heart ask the big questions. Answers may not come, but peace often does.

✨ Connection with Nature – The natural world holds us without words. A walk among trees, sitting by the sea, or watching a sunrise can return us to the rhythm of life.

✨ Community Support – Surround yourself with those who honour your process without rushing it. Connection is medicine.

Mohan’s journey is a reminder that we cannot always choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we walk through it. And sometimes, the most courageous act is simply to keep our hearts open, even when they’re breaking.

To Mohan, thank you for reminding us that vision is not always about what the eyes can see, but about what the soul can feel. That love endures beyond all loss. And that grief, when held with tenderness, can become a sacred teacher.

With deep reverence and love,
Sharon

A journey through Motherhood

Life doesn’t always unfold as we imagine it will - especially in motherhood. Often, it takes us on a journey that cracks us open, reshapes us, and ultimately reveals the depth of our inner strength. On this week’s episode of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, I’m honoured to sit with Tracy Holmes - a devoted mother of three and wife to Andrew, living in the beautiful surroundings of Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

Tracy’s story is a profound and heartfelt reflection of what it means to grow through motherhood, especially when faced with challenges that shake us to our core. In her raw and beautifully written memoir Raising Resilience, published by Orla Kelly Publishing, she shares the emotionally charged experience of the premature birth of her twin boys, the diagnosis of Down Syndrome for one of her sons, and the early separation of the twins during that tender first year.

But at the heart of Tracy’s story lies something even more universal - the often unspoken reality of maternal mental health.

So many women, as Tracy so vulnerably shares, suffer in silence. Afraid of being judged, of not being seen as a "good enough" mother, they carry their pain alone. But Tracy’s message is one of deep compassion and truth: to be the kind of mother - or father - our children need, we must first care for ourselves. Looking after our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing is not a luxury; it is a necessity. When we tend to ourselves, we model to our children the power of self-love, resilience, and emotional integrity.

Tracy's healing journey included finding time for herself, reclaiming small yet powerful moments of peace and connection. One of her greatest sources of strength came from sea swimming - an act that brought her not only clarity and calm, but connection to a tribe of supportive women. She also found solace and understanding among other parents raising children with Down Syndrome, discovering that shared experience creates a sacred space where vulnerability is met with empathy rather than judgement.

This conversation is a call to all mothers and parents: you are not alone. Your struggles do not make you less - they are part of the courageous path you walk. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness; it is a profound act of love - for yourself, and for your children.

Tracy's story is a gentle yet powerful reminder that motherhood is not about doing it all perfectly, but about being real, being supported, and being kind to ourselves through the ever-evolving journey. In sharing her truth, she offers a guiding light for others to follow—out of isolation and into connection, out of fear and into trust.

Tune in to this soulful and healing episode. Let Tracy's voice and vulnerability remind you of your own strength, and the sacredness of tending to your own heart as you care for the hearts of those you love.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Author, Wellbeing Coach & Podcast Host

The Garden of Life

The Garden of Your Life
By Sharon Fitzmaurice

Recently, I had the pleasure of being a guest on Your Time with James Sweetman, for a heartfelt conversation. While I absolutely love hosting my own podcast and holding space for others to share their stories, being the one asked the questions this time offered me a powerful moment of reflection, a pause to appreciate just how far I’ve come on my own healing and personal development journey.

I spoke about the little girl within me, the one who once had no voice. Today, she not only speaks, but shares the airwaves with others, celebrating their resilience and truth. In sharing my story with James, I felt a deep wave of gratitude for all the opportunities I’ve been given, the ones I’ve bravely stepped into, and the ones I’ve consciously created for myself.

It reminded me - and I hope reminds you, that no matter what your past holds, you can create a new chapter, each and every day.

During our conversation, James asked a profound question that many are asking these days: “What’s the difference between wellness and well-being?” And is the language becoming overused or diluted in today’s wellness industry?

It’s a valid question. These terms are often tossed around, but to me, their essence is sacred, and their meaning deeply personal.

Wellness, to me, is more than self-care rituals or ticking boxes for health. It's the active pursuit of vitality on every level - physical, emotional, mental, and beyond. Wellness becomes a lifestyle, one that requires conscious engagement and a willingness to ask ourselves:

• Am I living in alignment with what nourishes me?

• Do my habits support the life I want to create?

• Am I listening to my body’s whispers before they become cries?

Wellness is a daily devotion. It's how we show up for ourselves with care, presence, and intention. It’s the gardener within us, tending lovingly to the soil of our life.

Well-being, on the other hand, is the feeling state that arises when we walk that path with heart. It’s not just about how we feel in our bodies or minds—though that's part of it. Well-being reaches deeper, into our connection with life itself.

It encompasses:

• Emotional resilience

• Spiritual connection

• A sense of peace with who we are

Well-being is not something we chase, but something we cultivate, moment by moment. It’s the gentle bloom that unfolds when we’ve been lovingly tending to the soil.

So if wellness is the gardener, well-being is the garden in bloom.
Wellness is the effort—conscious, attentive, sacred.
Well-being is the result—the soft breezes, the joy, the wholeness.

And here’s the beautiful truth:
Without the gardener, the garden becomes overgrown or forgotten.
Without the garden, the gardener loses their purpose.

Wellness and well-being are not separate - they are sacred partners.
Each gives meaning and purpose to the other.

As I continue to walk my own path and share space with others on theirs, I am reminded that every one of us has a garden within—a place waiting to bloom. You are the gardener of your life. Your hands hold the power to clear, plant, nourish, and awaken what longs to thrive.

Tend it with love.
Walk with intention.
Let your well-being bloom.
Sharon 🌸