My name is Laura Willis, I’m 48 years old and live in Leeds with my husband and two children. Born in Scotland I moved to Leeds when I was 22, working as a self-employed hairdresser. I set up my business at 27 and became freelance.
I’ve always been a people person, enjoying the one to one with my clients and a lot have become friends along the way. Throwing myself into work, meeting myself coming backwards; not having the headspace to stop and think about my direction in life.
I started my spiritual path five years ago after hitting a very dark place in my life and coming to a crossroad. Looking back at what seemed like the darkest of times led me to a journey in finding my true self, and finding a deeper connection and happiness within it.
Choosing sobriety five years ago was the starting point, also entering the menopause at 40 threw me completely off balance but forced me to take a good look at my life and how I was living it. Realising that I wasn’t truly living, I was a prisoner of my own mind!
I started soul searching, I barely recognised myself or knew myself really, I was lost and had lost my sense of self.
Choosing sobriety after drinking from the age of 13 years old, and battling an unhealthy relationship with alcohol throughout this time, holding contradictory values and beliefs around alcohol, was much easier than I thought it would be. I was ready, I wanted to change. I decided enough is enough and from that day I have had no urge to turn back, finally free of the addiction I held all of those years … but still holding shame and guilt and all of those negative emotions, not really understanding why and how, I began searching.
I looked at different modalities: meditation, subtle energy systems, connecting back to nature. But something was still missing, then I came across Shamanism, and my heart instantly felt drawn towards these teachings. After a taster session I was hooked, and it has completely changed my life … a more deeper, meaningful life.
Shamanism helped connect me so much more to nature, the cycles of the seasons, and the elements that surround us. I established a deeper connection to my spirit, delving into myself deeper and deeper, unravelling layers and layers of negative beliefs, recognising patterns and habits we fall into, ancestorial patterns carried through generations affecting us in our lives today – right now.
Through working with these issues I’ve learned to live life in a more harmonious way, creating balance and peace within, learning to face the challenges and changes of life in a calmer way. Being the best version of myself, and being aware of how we treat each other; remembering that what energy we give, we get back.
Through these teachings I have unravelled the story I told myself, finally finding who I truly am. There have been a few shadows along the way and this work has not been easy, but a beautiful way of being when you get to the other end.
Letting go of the material world and finding the beauty within, the simple things in life and the small things we may miss by not being present. Having a deeper connection with nature and more stillness in my meditations, affirmations, mantras and chakra work. Using my Reiki teachings has also given me a more relaxed and healthier way to live my life, balancing mind, body, and spirit. Happiness comes from within, and when we clear out the old cobwebs and find space, we can find that beautiful place again and just learn to be, be in this moment, not thinking about the past or future, truly being present in this moment.
Self love is so important, and when we do truly learn to love ourselves, we can be free of judgement, taking things personally, and remember to find that calm place within, the seat of self, letting everything flow around you, not taking on any drama or negative emotion.
I’m not saying I have a magic wand and all my troubles are over, but when things arise, I can deal with them from a much better place, enabling me to let go and leave room for more positivity in my life.