May's Journey Through the Vacuum Cleaner of Growth

When Life Becomes a Vacuum Cleaner

You know that feeling when you're cleaning house and suddenly realize the vacuum cleaner isn't just picking up dust bunnies—it's somehow managed to suck up your favorite earring, three hair ties, and possibly your sanity? That's been my May. Except instead of losing jewelry, I've been losing old versions of myself.

The word "releasing" showed up in my life this month like an overzealous spring cleaning service I never hired…or did I? It started gently enough, then proceeded to turn my world upside down, shake out all the hidden corners, and leave me wondering what exactly I'd been holding onto all this time.

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The Month in Review: A Soul-Searching Adventure

🌸 Ace's Honoring Mothers Retreat

Picture this: a group of women gathering not to complain about whose turn it is to unload the dishwasher, but to actually honor the sacred work of motherhood. Revolutionary, right?

This retreat was like finding an oasis in the desert of women’s daily life. Surrounded by fellow seekers and workers of light, I remembered that beneath the to-do lists, Zoom meetings, school drop offs, and vet appointments there's still a whole human being with dreams, wisdom, and surprisingly strong opinions about music genres.

Key Release: The guilt around taking time for my own spiritual growth. Turns out, filling your own cup isn't selfish—it's essential maintenance. Stepping into your power allows others to feel safe stepping in theirs.

🎯 Ronda's Reclaim Conference

Some conferences teach you new skills. Others help you remember skills you forgot you had. This one did something even better—it helped me remember what it means to reclaim pieces of myself. I was invited to set the intention for the space and the wonderful women speakers who were invited to share what they’ve learned along the way. The women present made time to show up for themselves through grief, overwhelm, L.A. traffic, and hot flashes to RECLAIM their dreams, their joy, themselves, and the knowing that they are enough.

Key Release: The story that I need permission from anyone (including myself) to step fully into my purpose.

🎙️ Solo Podcast Episodes Coming Soon

Nothing says "releasing fear" quite like talking to yourself in a microphone and then sharing it with the world. It's like diary-writing for exhibitionists, but with better audio quality.

Finding the courage to do solo episodes feels like skinny dipping —terrifying, necessary, and surprisingly liberating once you realize you won't immediately die and no one really is noticing. I’ve challenged myself to do some solo podcast episodes because there’s a lot of things I want to say and since it’s my podcast, who says I need a reason to JUST DO IT!

Key Release: The need for co-hosts, safety nets, or anyone else's voice to validate my own thoughts. Turns out, I have things to say. Who knew?

💻 Website Finishing Marathon

Finishing a website is like finally organizing the trunk of your car—you keep putting it off because it feels impossible, then one day you dive in and wonder why you waited so long. Every page polished, every link checked, every typo hunted down like it personally wronged me. I’d like to encourage you to take a look at my new website: www.garlandfuller.com​

I’ve moved away from career strategy and coaching because while I’ve enjoyed helping people discover their next thing. What I love most is bringing people together in meaningful ways. I create special spaces and events that help organizations achieve their goals through my simple approach: focusing on the right people, creating the right environment, and designing the right activations.

Key Release: Perfectionism disguised as "just making sure it's ready." Sometimes done is better than perfect, and perfect is the enemy of launched.

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Check out the new website here

Books That Rearranged My Brain This Month

The Artist's Way - Week 5: Recovering Possibility

Julia Cameron's Week 5 is like having someone gently shake you by the shoulders and ask, "What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?" It's uncomfortable in the best possible way.

This week's homework from the universe: Stop treating your dreams like distant relatives you only visit on holidays. Invite them over for dinner. Make them comfortable. Ask them what they need. And give yourself permission to do with with reckless abandon. No need to wait to wear the bright dress. Pick the cat eye glasses or the bright red frames because everyday is a special occasion. Lastly, be open to the magic of YET! You don’t know where things will go so be open to the possibility!

Marianne Williamson's "The Divine Law of Compensation"

This book is like a spiritual economics course taught by someone who actually understands that money anxiety and spiritual growth can coexist in the same human. I listened to the audiobook and her voice is both soothing, determined and assuring. There are so many take aways from this book. I’ll leave you with this one.

4 Rules of Positive Work Creation

• Be positive
• Send love
• Have fun
• Kick ass

Major insight: The universe isn't keeping a cosmic ledger of who deserves what. It's actually trying to give us everything we need—we're just often too busy overthinking, justifying our reasons, and not living from a heart centered place out of fear. I haven’t figured it all out however I feel like I’m closer than I’ve been in a while thanks to this book. Thank you for the recommendation Keanna Barnes.

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The Release Checklist: What Got Vacuumed Up This Month

✓ Fear of being seen as "too much" (Plot twist: The right people think you're just the right amount)

✓ The belief that spiritual growth requires suffering (Turns out, joy and pleasure are also a valid teachers)

✓ Imposter syndrome around my own voice (My thoughts are worth sharing, especially when it only makes sense to me)

✓ The need to have everything figured out before starting (Starting is how you figure things out)

✓ People Pleasing has to GO (Me Pleasing is not a crime. It's a birthright.)

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How has your May been going?

What's ready to be released in your life? What possibilities are knocking at your door, waiting for you to stop apologizing for being exactly who you are?

Here's to the beautiful mess of becoming,

Garland