Suzanne Goulden
Intentional Living Consultant
~ Intentional living is a life long journey. It’s not somewhere you ever “arrive.” At some point a little switch goes off in your brain and the mindset becomes a way of living. It’s a journey I began as I recovered from stress burnout. Simplfying my life creates release from overwhelm and stress and allows me to find much needed time for me. Living with intention isn’t easy. It takes some work and changes and growth to get to simple, but the road is worth it.
~ My superpower is patient, non-judgemental problem-solving and finding win-win solutions.
~ I believe that if everyone did things imperfectly, rather than avoiding change because they fear lacking perfection, the positive affect on the environment would be outstanding. I encourage everyone to do what they can, big or small, it all has impact.
~ In January 2022, I began my recovery from severe, non-functioning burn out. I have been on a path of regaining focus, simplifying my life, listening to my body. At the beginning of my recovery, I couldn’t even read. It’s not that I lost the ability to read, it’s that I couldn’t focus on the words on the page. I couldn’t comprehend or retain information that I read. And I’m a reader! It took eleven months of rest and recovery before I read a novel, slowly, re-reading many pages. It was a start. By January 2023, I was able to read again, for short periods of time, without needing to re-read sections. This was just one small area. My whole life had turned into short segments and manageable pieces and naps. So many naps. I’m not 100% better, sometimes, I am still exhausted just thinking about a project (so I don’t do it.) But I’ve come such a long way and I’m so elated to be working on creative projects again!
On a more personal note, some fun facts about me:
~ I love to travel. In my lifetime, I have been fortunate to see Canada from coast to coast, plus north to Yellowknife; several places in the US including Disney World (Florida), New York, California, and Hawaii; and across the pond to India and England.
~ I am a creative being, I love to paint, crochet, and recently got into decoupage and multi-media art. I recently crocheted an 8′ stuffed dragon. Yep, not a typo – eight feet! See below for a picture!
~ I breathe the fresh air of country living near Winnipeg, Canada. My husband, James, and I are recent empty nesters. We now live with our three little shih tzu mix rescue dogs. We have our own bit of forest where we’re beginner gardeners. Follow along for our simplified life journey and gardening adventures on Instagram.
~ I’m a Certified Ultimate Professional Organizer™. However, I take these skills steps further into the lifestyle of minimalism. I have the knowhow, skills, and systems to assist you in making your space a place you love. To me, minimizing belongings is essential to reclaiming your space and reducing overwhelm. Organization comes automatically with minimizing.
~ I’m a Culinary Nutrition Expert honours grad. This means I understand the healing value of cooking from scratch; using whole, organic foods, sourced seasonally and locally.
~ I’m a Certified Advanced Stress Management Consultant graduate with distinction. I have plenty of personal experience with high stress and burnout and how it effects physical and mental health. I am familiar with the paralyzing affects of major depression. I’m committed to creating positive life habits that are key to dealing with stress in healthy ways and bringing my life intentionally into balance. I can help you make intentional choices.
