​Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel

​In a world that often celebrates extroversion and a bold, outgoing nature, introverts and highly sensitive people (HSPs) bring a unique set of gifts and qualities to the world. While the terms are often used interchangeably, they represent distinct but sometimes overlapping personality traits. In this blog post, I've shared with you eight common traits between introverts and highly sensitive people and shed light on some of the valuable strengths and beautiful qualities they both possess.

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​By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel
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Introverts often find solace and strength in quieter, more reflective moments, thriving in spaces where they can recharge away from the hustle and bustle of social interactions. They prefer a peaceful lifestyle while being selective of how, when, and who they spend their time and energy with.

Introverts are sometimes mistaken as shy, and it's usually because they tend to observe the environment they're in until they feel comfortable and "safe." Introverts are great listeners and deep thinkers and they can actually become quite "extroverted" when they're around people who come across as authentic and genuine. If an introvert feels completely comfortable with you, you will see their personality come alive.

If you resonate with these sentiments, you might be an introvert. Embracing your introverted nature can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life. Here are six signs that you might be an introvert:
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​By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel

The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and celebration. However, with the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, events, and gatherings, it's easy for boundaries to become blurred, leading to stress, overwhelm, and even burnout. In this blog, we'll explore the importance of setting and maintaining boundaries during the Christmas holidays, providing helpful and practical suggestions that can help you have a more enjoyable, balanced, and peaceful holiday season.

​In our fast-paced and demanding lives, stress has become a constant companion. The adrenal glands, responsible for producing hormones that help regulate metabolism, immune system, and stress response, often bear the brunt of our hectic lifestyles. Yoga, with its holistic approach to health, offers a powerful tool to support and rejuvenate the adrenal glands. In this blog, we'll explore six yoga poses that can help alleviate stress, promote relaxation, and restore balance to your adrenal glands.
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​By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel

Burnout can happen to anyone, regardless of their lifestyle or profession. The relentless demands of daily life, along with the pressure to perform at a high level, can leave us feeling completely drained, depleted, and exhausted. In this blog post, I share with you six effective strategies to overcome burnout and revitalize your inner spirit. Let's embark on a journey towards renewed energy, purpose, passion, and well-being.
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One of the first steps in overcoming burnout is to reassess your current priorities. Identify tasks and commitments that contribute the most to your overall goals and well-being and consider delegating or eliminating tasks that drain your energy without providing  you positive or significant benefits.

To prioritize your physical and mental wellness, assess whether the things you do on a regular basis are supporting a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Look at factors such as sleep, exercise, and stress management and ensure you are engaging in things that nurture and benefit all aspects of your health. 

Often times we don't even realize that many things we do on a regular basis, aren't actually adding value or contributing to our overall health. Reflecting on our daily habits can help us determine where we might need to make some slight changes or adjustments in our priorities.
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Establishing clear boundaries is crucial in preventing burnout. Learn to say no when necessary, both in your personal and professional life. Set realistic expectations for yourself and others and communicate your limits to avoid overcommitting.

To set healthy boundaries, it's important to first identify your limits. Take some time to clearly define what you're comfortable with and what crosses your boundaries. This might include your time, personal space, emotional energy, or the type of interactions you find acceptable. Be specific and clear about your limits so you can communicate them to others in an effective and concise way.
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Rooted In Wellness: Self Care Journal & Planner | 114 undated pages 7 x 10 | Organize your daily goals, self care routine, appointments, tasks, & more. Includes mindfulness colouring pages. Available in paperback or hardcover.

It's extremely important to prioritize self-care practices that support and nourish your mind, body, and spirit. This includes getting adequate sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, and indulging in activities that bring you happiness, joy, and relaxation. Self-care is a fundamental aspect for our good health.

​Recognize the importance of self-care and acknowledge that it is not a selfish act but something that nurtures the foundation of your emotional, mental, and physical health. Make a conscious choice to prioritize your well-being, understanding that taking care of yourself positively impacts your ability to manage other important aspects of your life. 

Write down some things you can do for self-care and make a strong commitment to engage in a daily self-care practice that contributes to your overall health and well-being.
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Breaks are not a luxury; they are a necessity for maintaining optimal productivity. Incorporate short breaks throughout your day to replenish and recharge your energy. Step outside, stretch, practice deep breathing, write a journal entry, or engage in a short mindfulness meditation to reset your mind and body.

Plan and sync your breaks around your natural rhythms. If you notice your energy tends to dip at a particular time then schedule a break during that period to recharge your energy.

Taking a few minutes for yourself every day will have a positive impact on your health. Give yourself a break.
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Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, walking in nature, journalling, deep breathing etc, can be powerful tools for overcoming burnout. These practices help you stay present, reduce stress, and enhance your resilience. Consider integrating mindfulness into your routine for long-term health benefits.

Remember, cultivating mindfulness is a gradual process that requires patience and consistent practice. Start with small steps and gradually incorporate mindfulness into different aspects of your daily routine. As you build this awareness, you'll likely find that mindfulness becomes a natural and enriching part of your life.

Burnout often occurs when we lose touch with things that once fueled our passions. Reconnecting with hobbies or activities that initially inspired you will bring you a sense of joy, peace, and purpose.

Reflect on things that used to fulfill you and excite you, even things from your childhood, and create a list of activities you can do to bring some joy and balance into your life. Your passions can evolve over time, and it's never too late to explore new interests either. The key is to approach the process with an open heart, curiosity, and a willingness to invest your time, energy, and effort into activities that resonate with where you are on your journey. 

When you engage in the things you love, you are connecting to the playful essence of who you are. And in connection to that space within you, you contribute to the revitalizing of your mind, body, and beautiful spirit.

Do what brings you joy. 
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Overcoming burnout is a gradual process that requires self-awareness, commitment, and the willingness to make positive and healthy changes. By implementing these six strategies, you can take significant steps toward revitalizing your spirit, regaining a sense of balance, and fostering long-term inner wellness. Remember, it's okay to prioritize your mental health and make choices that contribute to a more fulfilling, sustainable, and satisfying life.
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​Vanessa Marie Dewsbury

​Writer, Spiritual Teacher, and Wellness Advocate. Vanessa loves to share her knowledge and wisdom with the intention of helping people live healthy and happy lives while living from a space of authenticity. Born in Ontario, Canada you can find Vanessa spending plenty of time in the outdoors during the warmer months and curling up in her cozy home during the colder months. She finds peace and solace by spending time alone and nurturing her introverted nature.
Connect with Vanessa on Instagram and join her thriving community. 
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​By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel
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Self-care is important for everyone, but for introverts it's particularly important due to their unique emotional and psychological needs. Engaging in self-care practices allows an introvert to manage their emotions and energy as well as reduce their anxiety and stress levels.

Self-care practices help an introvert stay balanced and grounded within so they can live a fulfilling and peaceful life.
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Written by Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
Youtube Channel 
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Mental health and well-being are important aspects of our overall health and quality of life. Good mental health allows us to maintain healthy and fruitful relationships and friendships, it enables us to be able to cope with the challenges of every day life, and it allows us the motivation and inspiration to achieve the goals we set for ourselves.

Taking good care of our mental health and well-being can involve activities such as, mindfulness practices, journalling, exercise and movement, therapy, and self-care. To name a few. Also the quality of food we eat has a profound effect on our overall health as well.

It is important for us to prioritize our mental well-being if we want to create harmony and balance within. And if needed, seeking help from a licensed practitioner or therapist can be highly beneficial if needed.

In today's blog I share with you 6 tips to improve your Mental Health and Well-Being. 
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By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel

​I find the Universe to be so magical and mysterious. And part of the magic and mystery of the Universe is how it brings us signs and messages that help guide us on our journey. These signs and messages can appear in many different ways and one of the most common manifestations of this phenomena is through numbers. Repetitive and consecutive numbers. You may see repeating numbers appearing on the clock/phone, on license plates, advertisements, house numbers, receipts, money amounts, and in other ways.

Seeing repeating numbers can mean many different things to many different people, but if you’re anything like me, you might believe you’re seeing them for a reason. A synchronistic reason. And you may even believe they are being shown to you from a much higher source.

So, what is the significance of seeing repeating numbers and what exactly do they mean? You’re about to find out!

P.S. keep in mind the following meanings may not ring true for you, so it’s important to use your own discernment and trust your own inner knowing. The answers are always within you.

By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel
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Creating a New Moon Ritual is a powerful way to connect with the New Moon and the abundant energies it brings. It’s an opportunity to set new goals, renew past goals, and to self reflect. As a result, you will know where you are on your journey, how far you’ve come, and where you want to go. Use this powerful New Moon Ritual to bring in abundance, love, and prosperity, and to help you release all negativity and self doubt.
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By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel
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In 2012 I experienced a Spiritual Awakening. There were many circumstances leading up to my awakening, however, at the time there was a theory going around that the world was going to end due to the end of the Mayan Calendar. I'll be honest, I was scared sh*tless. My anxiety was high, my stress was out of control, and all I thought about was that everyone was going to die. Everyone I loved was going to perish. It was horrible.

Needless to say, I was living in an all encompassing state of fear. Everything I did, said, and felt came from the energy of fear. I couldn't escape it. And it definitely wasn't healthy for me, or anyone around me. ​
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By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel

​“We make it especially hard for others to observe our trait because we are so responsive to our environments that we can be something like chameleons when around others, doing whatever it takes to fit in.
​- Elaine N. Aron

By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel

​Every word, thought, and belief we repeat to ourselves is an Affirmation. The Reticular Activating System in our brain makes these Affirmations a part of our identity and how we see ourselves and perceive the world around us. The more we think or speak of something, the more ingrained it becomes in our belief system. Imagine your brain as a computer, and your thoughts, words, and beliefs as the "downloads", which together becomes your operating system. Affirmations are a way to reprogram your computer so you operate from a more healthy and positive place that is aligned with your core truth.

By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel

There are seven main chakras in the body, starting from the base of your spine through to the crown of your head. To visualize a chakra in the body, imagine a swirling wheel of energy where matter and consciousness meet. This invisible healing energy, called Prana, is vital life force energy which keeps you vibrant, healthy, and alive.​ 

These swirling wheels of energy correspond to massive nerve centers and major organs in the body, as well as our emotional, psychological, and spiritual states of being. To keep our chakras balanced and healthy, it’s essential that our seven main chakras stay open, aligned, and fluid. When blockages occur, the energy flows are restricted and can cause emotional disruptions, as well as illness or dis-ease.

Since the mind, body, soul, and spirit are intimately connected, awareness of an imbalance in one area can help bring all the chakras back into balance. 

By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel
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Are you experiencing a shift in your soul? Is something awakening within you, making you question everything, including yourself? Are you starting to remember the truth of who you really are, but feel confused, lost, and alone?

What you may be experiencing is a Spiritual Awakening. Your soul is wanting to transcend beyond itself and transition into the next level of evolution. This is a good thing, but it can also be "scary" and unsettling when you don't know what is happening.

Spiritual growth is a process and it comes in waves. At times your soul may be in "rest mode", yearning for peace and quiet, for reflection of sorts. At other times it may feel like you are surging forward at high speed and there's no way to stop or slow down. When you experience deep transformation and inner growth, there will be moments of pain and grief as you let go of who you thought you were and become who you're meant to be.  
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By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel
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Life seems to throw us chaos and stress on a regular basis—whether it’s our relationships, our work life, our finances, or our health, there always seems to be "something" that we're dealing with.
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​In response to the stresses we experience we just keep pushing through, doing our thing, and running on adrenaline to get us through each day. But all this does is deplete us, burn us out, and drain us of the energy we need to function in a healthy and balanced way.

It's important during stressful times that we take good care of our emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual health. When we are stressed, our immune system is lowered thus potentially allowing illness and dis-ease to enter our bodies more easily. Taking the time to take care of yourself will only provide you with the vital energy you need to be more healthy and productive.

I've shared with you some simple ways you can tap into your calmer state of mind so you can be more resilient to the often chaotic world around you.

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By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel
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I remember from a young age that I was able to feel the emotions of others. Whether it was a family member, friend, or even a stranger, I could feel what they were feeling. Being so young however, I had no idea what was going on. I just knew I felt so deeply, and at times this "sensitivity," caused me anxiety and confusion. It also make me introverted and needing to spend a lot of time alone.

It wasn't until I started working with energy through my Reiki Practice, that I began to understand what was happening and why I was feeling what I was feeling. I also came to the realization that some people are a little more sensitive to energy than others. This is what one would call an Empath or a Highly Sensitive Person. An Empath is a person who can consciously and unconsciously tune into the emotional state of another.

After understanding that Empaths are highly sensitive to energies, things started to make more sense for me. Like the fact that I couldn't watch the news, and any kind of violence or cruelty would leave me feeling completely down and depressed for the entire day. I was holding onto energy and emotions that were not mine. It's no wonder why my anxiety was so high at times.

​I also noticed that I felt overly uncomfortable engaging in "small talk," and inauthentic connections would make my skin crawl. I could just sense when something, or someone, didn't feel right. 

By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel
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Creating a morning ritual can be essential to achieving a successful, thriving, and abundant life. Studies have shown that the most common trait of highly successful people is the understanding of the power they have when it comes to co-creating their reality with the Universe.

One of the most effective ways of being a conscious co-creator is by implementing and maintaining a morning ritual. Ancient traditions clearly understood the power of rituals when it comes to reinforcing habits and changing the way we see and create our reality.

Many successful people tend to be early risers, waking up at what is often referred to as “the magical hour.” The early mornings are said to be a very spiritual time as it helps to soothe the soul and prepare you for the day ahead. Waking up a little bit earlier than usual will give you more time to focus on your goals as you begin the day with more energy, ease, and peace. Creating a morning ritual can reduce stress levels, improve mental clarity, and calm any anxieties you many be experiencing as you start your day.

Having a more structured morning helps you set the tone for your day and allows you to control your schedule, rather than having your schedule control you. As you start each day feeling refreshed and energized, you can better focus on the tasks ahead and where you need to prioritize your time and energy. Committing to a morning ritual will not only increase your productivity throughout the day, but as a result, it will also increase your levels of confidence and self esteem.

By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel
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What is Self Love anyway, and what exactly does it mean? Self Love means, loving and caring for yourself like you do someone you love. It means holding space for yourself from a place of love, compassion, empathy, and non-judgment. It's also doing healthy things for yourself that nurture and nourish your mind, body, soul, and spirit. 

Love for self is so important, yet many of us don't give to ourselves the way we give to others. Why is that? Why do we not feel deserving or worthy of our own love? Well, it can be for many reasons, maybe we weren't loved the way we needed to be as a child and so we carried this unconscious belief that we aren't worthy of happy, healthy, and healing love. Maybe it's because we give to others so much of our lives, that we just don't know how to receive the very thing we give. Whatever the reason is, it's never to late to start working on how you show up for yourself and learning how to love every piece of who you are.

​First thing I want you to know is you are, without a doubt, worthy of the greatest love of all and it's up to you to give yourself what you innately need and desire. When you love and accept yourself for all that you are, you build a strong sense of confidence that is unwavering and unstoppable. It's beyond powerful. Believe me, I've been there, I've done the work, and now here I am sharing with you. I'm also still a work in progress, as we all are, but for me, it's not about perfection, it's about learning and growing as we go, and doing the very best we can from where we are.

​My Affirmation Journal - Guided Affirmations To Help You Discover Your Beauty And Your Worth. Available on Amazon
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By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel
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The Universe is full of abundance, you can find it everywhere you go, and everywhere you look. The truth is, many of us focus on all the things we don't have, instead of focusing on all the things we do have. ​

When we focus on what we don't have, we tend to live in a state of lack with the desire to accumulate more and more in material things, never feeling satisfied or fulfilled. However taking time to recognize and acknowledge all the blessings we do have in our lives, will help create an abundant mindset that will leave you feeling like you have enough, and that you are enough.

​​This beautiful state will bring you more freedom, bliss, prosperity, and peace.

My Entrepreneur Journal - A Daily Practice for Achieving Success and Abundance
Available on Amazon

By Vanessa Marie Dewsbury
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel
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I realized many years ago that success is created and cultivated from within. It is not defined by the size of our house or the kind of car we drive, true success is found in the richness of our life experiences and how we feel on the inside. ​

​It’s important to know this because it helps us understand that success isn’t something we need to constantly chase or strive for externally, success is created internally, and it's also from having gratitude for all that we already have.

I've shared with you 8 things that can help you achieve a successful and abundant life. I hope they can help you too!
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Interview by Jen Klementti 
Celebrate the Art of Life
​Instagram @soulalivebarrie
​Youtube Channel

I recently had a Reiki treatment with Vanessa Marie Dewsbury, Soul Alive Barrie, and I loved it so much. I have always been drawn to alternative health care techniques, but I had never tried Reiki before. I thoroughly enjoyed the Reiki treatment and the benefits that I felt afterward. If you have been considering Reiki, Vanessa shares with us what you can expect, how Reiki works as well as the kinds of energetic or emotional responses that one may have after a Reiki treatment. Thank you Vanessa for sharing with us!
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