Sharon O'Brien

There’s been a lot of talk about masculine and feminine energy recently; how we need to embrace the divine feminine, how to combat the toxic masculine, but what actually is masculine and feminine energy?

And why does understanding this form the basis for a truly happy life?

Here's my take on what masculine and feminine energy is, how the dis-harmony we’re seeing between them is impacting us and how bringing them into harmony can radically shift your perspective and create lasting, sustainable happiness in your life.

Before we start:
First off, this has nothing what-so-ever to do with gender. However you identify, or don’t identify with gender has no bearing here.

Masculine and feminine energy also has nothing to do with your ethnicity, culture, skin colour, financial status, sexuality, relationship status, beliefs, religion, ability, skills, illness, political views or any other differences we may have.

We ALL have a blend of masculine and feminine energy with us.

Just because you are, or identify as a woman, does not mean you have predominately feminine energy, and just because you may be, or identify as a man, does not mean you have predominantly masculine energy.

We all have a unique blend of these energies within us, and how we use them is key to our happiness.

For the past couple thousand years, we’ve lived in a masculine paradigm. The Masculine made the rules, took positions of power, headed up the various institutions we rely on; financial, medical, political and educational.

The feminine was largely dismissed as being weak, ineffectual, emotional and unstable so was not allowed to enter these hallowed halls.

So all in all it’s not been a particularly great time for feminine energy to be expressed in the world.

You may be wondering what the problem is with this, after all we’ve had some amazing advances in education and medicine and we enjoy a much higher standard of living than our grandparents did.

Well, the problem is that it’s been extremely one-sided and completely out of harmony. When that happens, you lose perspective and become very dismissive of anything ‘other’

All of us have been brought up in ‘the man’s world’ and have had to mask our femininity and behave ‘as men’ for century’s, or risk being side-lined, ridiculed, humiliated and bullied for our innate feminism.

The world has become a highly toxic place – both for the masculine and the feminine, and is leading us into the perfect storm of high stress, anxiety, depression, infertility, uncertainty, instability and deep unhappiness.

But now we are entering a new phase. A new paradigm is being created; one on which the masculine and feminine is coming together to build a brighter future and this is our chance to really make a difference.

Just imagine for a moment what that would look like for you in your life today?
• Feeling heard and respected for your perspective and opinions
• A workplace that’s a joy to work in
• Happier and more harmonious relationships
• Financial stability
• Safety to express yourself fully
• Feeling calmer and more serene
• Having more energy
• More joy and happiness and your life….

And much more! Now that’s something to work towards right?

So what is masculine and feminine energy?

Generally speaking, masculine energy is very action-based, results-driven, focused energy. It’s great for projects that require laser-focus and stamina.

It’s also generally about being the ‘best’ and winning and at its worst, is self-centred and narcissistic.

If you have a specific goal to achieve, masculine energy is great at setting the goal and defining the path it – so long as it’s linear and logical.

Masculine energy does not do well with multi-tasking (as you will have found out by trying to have conversation with someone in masculine energy when they’re concentrating on something else!)

On the other hand, feminine energy is slower, calmer and more flexible.

It’s great for taking a step back and feeling into a situation or problem for the solution, or looking at things from different perspectives.

If you want to connect and gain a deeper understanding, feminine energy is great for bringing a team of people together with a common goal.

But the feminine does not do well at extended periods of high activity and focus and requires regular rest times to replenish her energy.

At its worst, feminine energy is ungrounded, confused, messy and powerless.

The aim is not to figure out which one is better than the other, or to think you can only have one type of energy for maximum potential; in fact that way of thinking has got us to where we are today.

The goal here to create harmony between the masculine and feminine.

When you learn how to embrace BOTH masculine and feminine energy within you and learn how to utilise each of them effectively, you discover the power this has and how this can unlock your true potential.

Instead of denying the feminine, or supressing the masculine, allow BOTH to exist within you so you can flow between them and get the best of both worlds.

You want to roll up your sleeves and get the thing done? Pull in your masculine energy and get it done!

You want to have a lovely relaxing evening with friends where you connect and share stories? Pull in your feminine and sink into that cosy, connected gathering.

An overview of what masculine and feminine energies are:
1. It’s nothing to do with gender – we all have both masculine and feminine energy within us
2. One is not better than the other – they both have their place in our day-to-day lives
3. Masculine energy tends to be more driven, individual and analytical
4. Feminine energy tends to be slower, community driven and intuitive
5. A dis-harmonious world is a toxic world
6. Harmony gives us perspective and the opportunity to explore options to better ourselves and humanity

If you really want a happier life for yourself, your family, your communities or the wider world, it really starts with you embracing your masculine and feminine and creating peace and harmony within yourself.

We may need to come together to make great changes, but the first change to be made is always within.

If you are operating out of harmony, feeling a disconnect with who you are in life, feeling like you’re always the one taking charge, carrying the weight of responsibility, feeling a low-grade depression and fatigue, you need to take a look at your masculine and feminine energy and see where it needs to be harmonised 💕

I thought I'd share some of my creations with you 😘

Life has it's ups and downs, it's hardships and really, really sh*tty moments.

But if you are waiting for life to be easy before you decide to be happy, you risk missing out on all the joy life has to offer.

Yes, life sucks at times, but in the spaces between, the happiness and joy is limitless 💕

Sitting by the pool and so excited to hear my great friend Debbie Wills has been nominated for South West Women in Business award in the health category....so deserved! 🥂👏🙏🙌

What's the difference between worrying and planning? This.....

Worrying = expending your energy on a fictional future without any result

Planning = consciously considering what may happen and creating solutions

Worrying keeps you in a state of fear. Planning places you in a position of power 💕

REMEMBER HER?

Somewhere inside of you,
there’s a little firecracker with her arms folded and a frown on her face.
She isn’t happy about all the times you said no when you wanted to say yes.
All the times you said yes when you wanted to say no.
She wanted you to buy the ticket.
She wanted you to take that trip.
She definitely wanted you to take that risk,
the one that may have just opened a whole new world.
She wants you to remember what it feels like to run to the sea without a care in the world and splash and laugh till you ache. To face the day without a fear in your heart and embrace every opportunity that comes.
She doesn’t understand why you won’t wear the bikini.
She doesn’t understand why you won’t eat the cake.
She doesn’t understand why you don’t let it go.
She definitely doesn’t understand why you accept second best.
Somewhere inside there is a little girl who wonders at the adult you’ve become..
She still has many things she wants to learn and so many people still to meet.
She still has food she’d like to taste and parties she wants to dance at.
She still has places she wants to visit and wonders she wants to stare at.
Somewhere inside you, there is a little firecracker, desperate to see more of this thing we call life.
Go get her, she’s fun. 💕

Poetry unknown

*** WARNING, THERE IS SWEARING IN THIS POST***

I’ve been on my personal growth journey for over 10 years and through that time I’ve seen lots of buzz words and phrases come and go.

As I go deeper with each cycle of learning I gain a different perspective on these ideas and start to challenge them.

Usually this ends up with me not feeling quite ‘right’ about some of them and wanting something less superficial and more on a cellular level.

One of the latest to come under scrutiny is ‘Fill your cup first’ a wise saying indeed and definitely something to live by.

If you’re not familiar with this, it basically means make sure you’re OK before you start handing out your time and energy to everyone else.

Of course, this goes directly against the doctrines that most of us have grown up with.

In my work I use my intuition and often get really vivid images that explain what my client is feeling much more eloquently and clearly then words.

When I share these images it usually blows the lid off something hidden and leads to major insights and awareness.

Recently I’ve received the image of champagne glasses in a pyramid multiple times, you know, the ones where you fill the top one and that overflows into the next ones and so on until the whole pyramid is awash with bubbly (or any drink of your choice).

I’ve used it as an analogy of gaining confidence. To start feeling more confident you have to take some small actions to fill that first glass.

Once it’s full and overflowing, it fills the next layer and you feel slightly more confident. Keep topping up that first glass and as the layers start to fill, you feel more and more confident until you’re overflowing with confidence with all your glasses filled.

But I now see that it applies to many more things. Filling your cup for example.

We have so many areas of life that we want to experience happiness and joy in.

We have so many roles to fulfill and hats to wear, is one cup really enough to incorporate everything?

I don’t think so.

And anyway, who decided we could only have one cup to fill? Really? ONE cup? Sorry love, that’s not gonna sustain us!!

My life is made up of many things, a bit like a diamond. Yes the diamond is one big glittery, shiny thing but the fire that sets it apart is made up of many facets all carefully created in order to make this one incredible stone, reflecting and refracting light and separating it into a million rainbows.

So one cup does not do my life justice – but a pyramid of champagne glasses? That’s more like it!

Here’s how my theory goes….

My whole life is the pyramid and every aspect of my life is denoted by a glass. The levels aren’t important, the fact that part of my life is in the pyramid is sufficient.

In order for me to have all aspects of my life filled, ALL the glasses need to be filled. So I need to make sure that very top one; the keystone (or key-glass) is being constantly replenished and able to fill the others with the overflow.

If that constant feed stops for any reason, the whole pyramid runs dry and I’m on shaky ground.

Does this make sense to you?

Are you feeling that every area of your life is being filled? If not, you need to look at that top glass and if there isn’t any juicy stuff running into it, it’s definitely something you need to address.

Here are my tops tips for getting the pyramid flowing:

1. Make sure your needs are at the top of any to-do list you make.

2. Make some space in your calendar for yourself. All it takes is 30 minutes a day of time for you to make a huge difference.

3. If you know you ‘should’ be doing something to take better care of yourself but you’re not, do some journaling around this and ask yourself questions like: ‘How would my life be different if I did XYZ?’ ‘What do I want to move towards having/feeling/experiencing in my life that I’m not seeing in my life today?’ ‘What’s the long-term impact of me not doing XYZ?’

4. Sleep. You’re probably not getting enough, so do what you have to do in order to get more.

5. Lighten up! None of us gets it right 100% of the time (even the guru’s) so stop beating yourself up about it. If you start something and it falls by the wayside, forgive yourself and move on.

6. Ask for help. There are some things in this world that are not in your skill-set my lovely. There are some things that drain the life out of you and stop you doing what you want to do. So ask for help, outsource, delegate and get those jobs out of your life and make space for more joy and happiness.

The next time you’re feeling out of sorts, or overwhelmed, or anxious or stressed, just take a look at your pyramid and make sure that top glass is being constantly replenished – and f**k the idea of one cup – you’re worth much more that that!

photo credit Dorigo from Pixabay

Sometimes you just need a couple of tacky flamingoes to make you smile!

Embracing my wild! Thick curly hair is often a dream....until you have to deal with it (half my locks are tied back here 😲)...

What do you have and hate that others would love to have?

Perfect summary! Boundaries are one of the keys to harnessing happiness in your life.

Want to know more? Comment below or send me a DM 👇💕

A reminder for you....get your big rocks in first! 💕

PS You should be the very first big rock 😘

Being happy just may be the most rebellious act of the 21st century!

Who wants to read
'9 Bad Habits That Make Me Happy'?
Comment 'YES' below 👇

I've been a little obsessed with crafting this last week and am creating something new and exciting which I'll share with you later, but I thought I'd share my messy, disorganised creative 'process' with you just in case you're feeling less than great about the state of your desk 🤣 I've shown you mine, now you show me yours.....👇👇👇

This! 💕

Big skies and teeny flowers plus al fresco food 😍

Fill in the blank...I'd love a guided meditation to help me '_____________'

How beautiful is this? 💕

Yes 👍 or No 👎 to this.....

Ooh this one struck a chord...

Just leaving this here...

Your mission should you choose to accept it......

Show yourself whatever emotion you’re not feeling from others right now!
💗Not feeling the love? Love yourself – fiercely
💪Not feeling respected? Respect yourself – unapologetically
🙏Not feeling accepted? Accept yourself – unconditionally
👩‍❤️‍👩Not feeling seen or heard? See yourself, listen to yourself – lovingly

My whole work has developed into helping women like you reclaim themselves, love the woman they see in the mirror today and be their own cheerleader in life.

If you want some more of that (yes please!) pop over to https://buff.ly/39feycg for more info 💕

ReClaim Academy - Sharon O'Brien Welcome to The ReClaim Academy, your place for dramatic mindset shifts, cutting-edge women-inspired methodology and a generous sprinkling of magic!

I have two programmes open for enrolment right now that may be the answer you’re looking for 👀👀👀🙏

BE UNSHAKEABLE! Private intensive:
12 weeks to a more bold and abundant you.

In this cutting edge program you will take a deep dive into your own personal power. If you find yourself in any way lacking boundaries, lacking focus, uncertain - you’ll tap into confidence and clarity and discover a strong sense of self and purpose.

At the end of the 12 weeks you’ll have worked deeply with the 5 Women’s PowerTypes™ and experienced a huge transformation in at least one area of your life. So you are in the right place!

Enrolment is by application only at https://buff.ly/3L6DHmY

FLOURISH & FLY! Hybrid group programme:
4 months to reclaiming your emotional independence and becoming your own anchor in life with self-study video’s, group support sessions and 1-1 rocket-fuel coaching calls.

Learn deep-rooted self-resilience and self-reliance by harnessing your inner superpowers and applying them in everyday life.

Perfect for you if you’re feeling uncertain in today’s rapidly shifting world, lost in the maelstrom of 21st century living or that you’re constantly going into battle just to get through the day.

Together we’ll shift old paradigms, re-code beliefs, and give a voice to who you are now, and by the end of the 4 months you’ll be feeling more stable, calm and grounded with more energy and focus.

Enrolment is by application only at https://buff.ly/3L6DHmY
More details at https://buff.ly/3M8KqxP

Are you feeling unloved right now? Or dis-respected? Or maybe unseen or unheard, like you’re slowing fading away and becoming invisible? Or for you, maybe you’re feeling uncherished or unaccepted? 😔😔😔

In this week’s blog I talk about the promise of The One and how it leads us to feeling lost, alone and uncertain.

We discover just how detrimental the culture of The One is to our relationships, our business and our careers and I give you the solution to taking a different stand and start reclaiming all those feelings. 😍😍😍

Head over to https://buff.ly/39cISo0 and read all about it!