Small steps. Real progress. A softer way to notice how far you've come.

Last Thursday, I had the privilege and honour of speaking at the annual Soirée de reconnaissance des usagères d'Ellevive. Ellevive is our local francophone Women's Centre which offers FFrench language services to women and their ddependentswho have experienced or are experiencing violence.

I gave my first intimate gathering talk at Ellevive last year at this same event. Since then, I have been offering wholehearted experiences: wellness talks, trauma-informed community yoga, creative healing through Artful Expression, one-on-one holistic wellness coaching all through the lens of Reconnect with Joy.

Ellevive has been part of my professional and personal life for many years. Back in the day, I worked there when it was known as Centre Passerelle pour femmes. I was mentored and learned a lot about core values, the inherent value of women and how society shapes the idea of what it means to be a woman (or a man, or gender-diverse for that matter).

As a woman who has experienced violence, I have also received services from Ellevive, as well as other services and supports locally and throughout Ontario. In the summer of 2014, I spent 2 months at Homewood Health Centre in the Post-Traumatic Stress Recovery program in Guelph, Ontario. My life looked very, very different at the time.

My work today is informed by lived experience, trauma-informed training, and years of walking alongside women as they reconnect with their bodies, creativity, and inner wisdom.

The point I want to make is this:

Anything is possible when you commit to taking small manageable steps toward healing. You've likely done many things already yet just haven't truly noticed them. I promise, it does not have to be big to make a difference.

This is a compilation of my TA-DA! list, part 1, while I was at Homewood.

Back then, I didn't realize the impact this TA-DA! list would have. Heck, it wasn't even called that! I put 2 and 2 together and made it up! Nonetheless, this is what stood out:

• How far I've come

• How small, yet powerful these are

• The practice of mindfulness and presence

• I'm still actively working on some

This holiday season, instead of noticing what is lacking or what you didn't get to do, I encourage you to note down the little things that you did do, that you are proud of, those moments when you were fully present and felt most alive.

As always, listen to your body, honour the more difficult moments and respect your need for rest.

I'd love to hear if this speaks to you!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season.

May you be happy.

May you be healthy and safe.

May your heart know peace.

May you trust in the goodness within you.

This work is rooted in trauma-informed, body-based practices and lived experience, and is offered as supportive wellness education rather than clinical treatment.

Michelle is a trauma-informed holistic wellness coach, artist, speaker, and founder of Owl’s Nest Coaching & Wellness Studio. Her work integrates somatic healing, body-based mindfulness, and expressive art practices rooted in lived experience, supporting individuals and communities in reconnecting with presence, resilience, and joy.