It seems that the trend over the past few years has moved away from rigid New Year’s resolutions towards choosing a single word or phrase to guide the year ahead. This year, the phrase that keeps resonating with me is ‘At Home.’

But what does it truly mean to feel ‘at home’? Not just in a physical space, but within myself—to feel comfortable, balanced, at ease, and unapologetically me.

Expanding My Philosophy: What It Means to Feel ‘At Home’

When I first expanded my philosophy of Inner Feng Shui early in my Yinning the Yang journey, I coined the phrase ‘Feel At Home Within.’ Many people associate Feng Shui with balancing the elements in a space to create harmony, comfort, and ease. But what about creating that same feeling within ourselves? What about surrounding ourselves with people who embrace our most authentic selves?

Over the past six years, my little family of three has weathered immense challenges. We’ve been judged, ostracised, and pushed to our limits through experiences that tested us—but through it all, we’ve emerged stronger, wiser, more conscious and more compassionate. For too long, I dimmed my own light to make others feel comfortable or to avoid conflict. But now? I’m ready to let it shine.

In 2022, I asked the Universe for time and space to heal deeply—and it responded. That year gave me the opportunity to prioritise my personal needs, reflect on past adversities, and gain clarity on what I truly desire. It was a period of deep inner work: facing my fears, practising nurturing self-love and self-care, forgiving myself and others, and releasing blame, shame, and guilt. I rediscovered who I am at my core and embraced the beauty of being unapologetically me.

What 2025 is Calling Me Towards

2025 is the year of completion (2+0+2+5 = 9 = Completion). After much soul-searching, I’ve decided that this is the year I officially resign from Education Queensland, stepping away from a system that no longer aligns with my strengths and gifts. Instead, I am stepping fully into my true purpose.

I feel called to use my knowledge and gifts to empower conscious mothers to harmonise their inner worlds and outer spaces. Now in my role as a mentor, digital creator, and support worker, my mission is to help women and families reconnect with themselves and create lives filled with calm, flow, and joy—free from the guilt and overwhelm that so often accompany motherhood.

It’s time to build safe havens and supportive communities, both locally and globally, to reawaken our natural instincts and break free from the limiting narratives we’ve been conditioned to believe through schooling, social media, and societal expectations.

In my heart, I know my work has the power to transform lives. It’s time to feel truly ‘at home’ in offering my gifts—without fear.

The Biggest Hurdle: My Own Reflection

Honestly, the biggest challenge in embracing this new chapter is facing my own reflection in the mirror or in photos.

I know the woman I see has a beautiful heart and soul, with a gentle, nurturing nature that recognises the beauty in others. There’s so much to love about the Lauren within, yet years of adrenal fatigue, abuse, blame, anxiety, and inner battles have left their mark on my physical appearance, making me feel vulnerable.

It’s a struggle to embrace my ‘protective layer’ and see beyond it. This makes my ‘At Home’ mission even more meaningful, as I work to share my authentic self while also learning to embrace the outer version of me—a version I’ve unfairly labelled a ‘failure’ for far too long.

Releasing stress-induced weight after 35 comes with its own challenges, especially as a single mother navigating the ebbs and flows of life. This journey is about shifting perspectives—embracing every version of myself that has brought me here and creating an environment of calm and acceptance.

It’s also about finding balance—allowing space for healthy habits while also giving myself grace when life gets hectic and perfection isn’t realistic.

This journey of coming “home” to myself isn’t just about healing my inner world—it’s about embracing and honouring the outer version of me, too.