Black Friday Madness
It seems to me that Black Friday madness is sweeping the nation, or perhaps much of the globe. Parts where we are not war-torn or struggling to survive at least. It feels a very first world phenomenon for sure. And whilst I love the holiday season and the season of giving and showing gratitude; I'm not sure this black friday madness is really good for us at all. All I see is pressure and impulse and frentic "not enough" scarsity mentality.

We have enough "stuff"
I genuinely feel like most of us have enough stuff. In the aftermath of COP27 and the plight our planet and therefore we are in, I find it completely at odds that the media and companies are literally dragging us in to buy more plastic, more electrical items, more stuff that we most like don't need, that clutter our homes and lives, drive up debt and what for? To have more "stuff"? There's no trailer on a coffin as they say! This year I urge you with all my heart to invest in experiences, in learning, in local businesses and in things that will make a huge, positive impact on your life in the long-term.

Pressure on small business
I also feel that it puts huge pressure on small businesses to drop our prices, when our profit margins are already so tight. Small businesses like mine, do not sell huge volumes, or volumes high enough to compensate for the discounts that are now common place. My yoga classes are €11 per person in a class pass, after paying rent, bills, subscriptions to booking sites, spotify, training, etc there isn't much left. I don't know how I could stay afloat if I offered 50% off? I'd be out of business I'm afraid.

Investing with intention
I also understand that this year perhaps more than ever we are all feeling the pinch. We are being more cautious about how we spend and what on - that's good! We should be more intentional about how we spend our money, money is energy and the process of giving that to another is the transfer of energy, you are right to think it through. Bear that in mind when buying on Amazon! I also know that this year has been one of the most stressful, uncertain and difficult years of many of our lives. 2022 was rough! And I'm not sure how 2023 is shaping up yet, so perhaps we need all the help and support we can gather around us.

My work is so valuable & important
The work I do is important, it is valuable. I help people like you to relax, feel better in yourselves and your body. I guide you on how to easy pain and discomfort. I hold space for you and encourage you to take better care of youselves so that you can show up thriving for others in your life. I support you to makes small but powerful, consistent changes that result in greater contentment and fulfillment. I want my work to seen, to be easily found by the people who need it the most. I'm putting myself and my work out there for you to make a choice on, for you to consider carefully. In particular I invite you to consider if Seasonal Soul, my 12 month women’s wellbeing programme is right for you. We begin our journey together through the seasons of the year and all they bring, on the the 1st December 2022. I recently did a live Instagram Q&A all about it and shared some journaling prompts and a self-care exercise for you to try if you wish. You can watch it back on my Instagram page.

Black Friday Invitations
And so with much careful consideration of all the above, I am putting forward 3 Black Friday Invitations to you. Invitations that if you feel called to invest in, I would be absolutely delighted to have you join me. I am confident it will make a positive difference to your life, but it will also to mine and I thank you for that. I bet you won't ever hear Amazon et al. say that!

3 Black Friday Invites:
(1) €40 off Seasonal Soul when you join on the annual pass Enter the discount code "PINKFRIDAY40" at the check out
(2) 10% off 12 yoga class pass & 12 class gift cards. Both can be found here
(3) Over 10% my new Christmas Escape Evening Retreat taking place on 11th Dec.

My pricing will revert back to it's usual great value rates at midnight on Friday night 25th November once I've finished crying into my mulled wine over the Late Late Show!!!

I've put together three lovely events for December for you to consider this year too. A Christmas Escape Evening Retreat and Silent Night by Candlelight - a fundraiser in aid of Baile Mhuire Day Care Centre, Tralee on 16th Dec. And sunrise Forest Bathing to watch the sun climb up over the trees on the 17th December. You're so welcome to join me. Then I'll be taking some time off until the new year to rest.

Thanks for reading everyone, I appreciate it and your support.

Le grá agus buíochas,
Maeve x