“In the palette of life, lavender paints a picture of tranquillity.”
Lavender is a gentle colour that heightens your intuition and awakens the leadership qualities rooted deep within you: the trinity of body, mind and soul. This colour doesn’t call for outward leadership, but inward leadership. It invites you to take charge of yourself. We often neglect our body, mind and soul and there are countless understandable reasons for that. Our loved ones, parents, partners, children and so on, always come first; financial pressures build; work becomes overwhelming; and we rarely find the time or stillness to pause. What we forget is that the balance between these three parts is what keeps us standing. The human spirit can endure an astonishing amount. Throughout our lives, we’ve faced obstacles, heartbreak and trauma.
Take five minutes to reflect on everything you’ve lived through …
And yet here you are. Stronger.
Every reason you’ve ever had to push yourself aside begins and ends with you. Your being can carry a lot, but there comes a moment when the flame dims. And then … I want you to imagine what happens around you if you’re forced to stop completely.
Caring for yourself and putting yourself first is often labelled selfish, especially for women. Women, in particular, tend to be harsh on themselves and on each other. Let’s turn that around. You’ve just pictured what might fall apart if you were suddenly unable to function. Isn’t it, in a way, a little selfish not to make time for yourself, knowing what the impact could be on everyone who depends on you? Giving yourself attention is, indirectly, an act of care for those around you.
But here’s the reality: most of us keep going until our body and mind finally cry out. Only then do we hurriedly book a short break, a spa day, a walk in the woods, a dinner with friends and some of us push on stubbornly until the summer holiday. I always compare it to starting the day full of energy and then, at the point of collapse, downing an energy drink just to keep going. Day after day, until your body gives out and your mind feels like it’s snapped. Have you noticed I still haven’t mentioned the soul? It’s hovering somewhere in between, shaking its head.
Building self-care into your daily life may sound idealistic or impractical, but that’s because self-care has been romanticised. Social media is full of women creating elaborate rituals, immersing themselves in hours of relaxation and lovingly tending to every detail afterwards. That’s great and well deserved, if you have the time and space for it.
My heart goes out to every woman who carries her family, works hard and still tries to meet the needs of relatives and friends beyond her household. Some barely have a moment to enjoy a quiet cup of tea, let alone read a book. That’s why it matters to let the colours around you support you, so you can continue without interruption. Self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate. Here are three simple ways to surround yourself with the energy of lavender, helping your body, mind and soul stay aligned.
Candles
Light a lavender-scented candle in your living room or workspace. If the fragrance isn’t for you, choose a candle in lavender tones instead. Even a white candle or tealight placed in a lavender-coloured holder works beautifully. The flame carries the energy of this colour into every corner of your home, helping you unwind the moment you step inside.
Stones
Carry a small stone in your pocket, purse, bag or wear it as jewellery. Amethyst and Lavender Quartz are especially powerful. A stone is a sustainable self-care option, a single investment that lasts a lifetime.
Clothing
If candles and crystals aren’t your thing, here’s a third option: clothing. What you wear doesn’t just influence how you feel; it also shapes how others respond to you. Consciously choosing certain colours can gently shift your behaviour and energy. So add touches of lavender to your outfits: a scarf, socks, underwear, a blouse, a cardigan. Patterns work beautifully too, as long as lavender touches your body somehow.
The purpose of lavender is to help you slow down, live consciously and stay connected to yourself to keep you from getting lost in the busyness of life. It helps you remain aware of your being and recognise what you need before you run empty.