The one where I chat with Vienda Maria!

Hi friends,

Before we get into today’s Venus Call video replay, I’ve gotta tell you: yesterday was my Substack’s first birthday! 🎂 I’ve been sending newsletters regularly since 2013, but it’s been one year of doing so here on this lovely platform, and of sharing more intimate writing with paid subscribers.

So thank you for being here!!!!

In the spirit of celebration and reflection, I have a favour to ask.

There’s a short survey at the bottom of this post. Would you complete it? It’s just four multiple choice questions that shouldn’t take you much time to answer, but will give me more insight into what you’re loving about what I’m sharing here, and what you might like to see more of this year. I know surveys can be a bit annoying, but they do help, so I appreciate you taking a moment to click some boxes — or maybe leaving a longer comment if the mood strikes!

It felt so right to have Vienda join us as our first guest on the Venus calls. She’s the person who introduced me to the concept of the planets aligning with the energies of the days of the week, which is why I called these monthly Friday calls Venus Calls. Have you ever noticed you feel more reflective on a Monday or playful on a Friday? Vienda has shared more on that here and here’s a free workbook we put together a few years ago on mapping your best work week using this concept.

Vienda is someone who has been with me through the last 12 years of building a business, sharing teachings online, writing and creating, and living our lives across countries and continents — maybe you have been in one of the many courses we’ve taught together over the years? Or perhaps you’re being introduced to her now. Either way, I hope you enjoy our chat! 💗

Feeling all reflective and appreciative for this beautiful friendship: creating and teaching together in London, frolicking at festivals and by the sea, being an "anchor" for each other through the last decade plus.

Press play to hear us talk about:

• The transitions we both find ourselves in (new countries, new relationships, post-pandemic feels, and how life transitions often take a lot longer than we think they will)

• Why we’re de-prioritising our businesses and creating more separation from them

• How Vienda’s Instagram page was hacked and stolen at the beginning of this year and how she’s dealt with that (you can follow her new account here)

• I also found an interview I did with Vienda back in October 2013! So I ask her what still resonates from her responses… this was very cute.

• What it really takes to be a truly prolific and devoted writer and creative

• Two things that make life meaningful for us both

  And more…

I loved this chat with my dear friend and co-creator and I hope you enjoy listening in.

I’m curious who you’d like me to speak with for future Venus calls? We’ll return to the journaling/teaching format at times, but I quite like the idea of bringing other voices and stories in too. Let me know if there’s someone you would LOVE me to connect with.

Now, onto the survey! 🙏

If there’s anything you appreciate about what I share here, or something you’d like to see change or evolve… pop it in the comments or send me a message in chat.

Sending loads of love!

Ps. Editing to add this piece by

Sonia Bavistock

that I mention to Vienda re: how long transitions actually take.