Life is Hard

Encouragement when you need it

Author

Lauren Varel
February 11, 2025

The heart beat of this newsletter is to be your guide as you navigate building a life that feels authentic to you. Specifically for women who have ever felt on the outside or who have chosen a path in life that is different than how they originally intended. It’s walking the road less traveled by together.

In walking an unknown path, I find that it’s this constant seesaw of having clarity & confidence one moment, only to be steamrolled by second guessing & discouragement. But one thing is alway clear - I know where I want to go, who I want to be.

What makes the difference between staying stuck & moving forward is how quickly you pick yourself back up to enjoy the ride.

This is where The Unconventional Woman’s Manifesto comes in…. it came to me one morning where I was feeling like I had stayed stuck for too long. I had pulled the covers up over my head too many mornings or drowned out my thoughts with some Taylor Swift or John Mayer too many times. But I knew that I was better than that. I knew that too many good things were ahead of me to keep myself stuck. I started writing out my thoughts as if older wiser Lauren who had accomplished all my dreams was speaking to the Lauren right now. And then this manifesto flowed out of me…

The Unconventional Woman’s Manifesto

How much do you trust yourself? How far are you willing to go? Will you step back in fear, disassembling everything in the name of making it better? Will you tell yourself that you've tried your best but when you look back at what you have done, you realized it was hardly even close to what you were capable of? In the moments of letting it all overflow, will you convince yourself that it's too much & you don't have the energy to continue?

What stories will you tell yourself? For it is the stories that shape what is to come. It is the breaking point that will determine success or failure.

The road ahead is not meant to be easy. If it was easy, everyone would do it. There is no "reality" except what you are actually living. There is no need to get back to reality if there is life you are living right in front of you.

Will you tell yourself that this is necessary work? That this emptiness & second guessing is part of the process? It's the trial that separates the many from the few. Will you dig your heels in deeper, ready your stance for the sprint? Pack up your pouch, will nourishment for the long distance run? It's that feeling that is just ahead of your finger tips when you reach. That bubbling up of joy, that ease of breath in your lungs. The feeling that you are right where you are supposed to be & it's all working out. It's living in the present with a rhythm that supports you now & in the future. You can have that without the safety of someone else on the ground, waiting to catch you. There is no guarantee they will catch you. You are the only one that can do that. You can run with all your might, feeling that wind in your hair, and strength in your bones, and jump without abandon, flying through the air & you can jump right into your own arms. You can land with the grace of a fighter who has long trained for this moment. Whose muscles know what to do before her mind has a moment to register what is around her.

This is the life you were meant to live. You knew it long ago - you know it now if you had the courage to look & see. This is not something hard - it is innate in you. Let go of the fear that it will all fall apart. Let go of the thought that you are walking through mud - of feeling like it's too hard & it won't be worth it because it could all fall apart. You are destined, designed, & innately made to live this life. To create this space.

Let go of the second guessing - of the pull to fit into a box. You were not meant for anyone's box.

You were meant to fly. So fly.

I am betting that if you normally resonate with the things I share in this space, you feel a deep connection to the manifesto. And if that is you - I would encourage you to print it out & put it somewhere that you will see it every day.

Let my words be your words to get you unstuck & enjoying the ride.

Cheers,

Lauren

  • I recently purchased these joggers & they haven’t left my body since.

  • In an effort to hydrate my body, take care of my skin, & have a happy gut, I drink Glōci every day. Use the code ESSENTIALLYLAUREN at checkout to get 25% off your first order.

  • This recipe is still on repeat for us - I highly recommend meal prepping with a friend

  • Started The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins this week - I’m a few chapters in & it’s already on my top 5 list.

If you’re ready to embrace your uniqueness and design a life that feels true to who you are, here are a few ways we can work together:

✨ Struggling with knowing the next best step?
Finding clarity, confidence & connection starts with knowing what truly aligns with YOU. The Alignment Roadmap is your personalized guide to designing a life that feels fulfilling. Download your free roadmap template & training now.

✨ Feeling stuck in a life that doesn’t fit?
The 'Fitting In to Flying Free' guide is your first step to breaking free and building confidence in your own path. It’s the shortcut you need to start living boldly and unapologetically. Download it now.

✨ Craving a community that gets you?
The Unconventional Woman’s Club is where unconventional women like you find clarity, confidence, and connection. With the Alignment Road Map and a supportive community, you’ll have everything you need to create a life that’s truly aligned with your values and aspirations. Join now.

You deserve to live the life you desire - let’s do this together.

Some of the links included in this newsletter are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through them. I only share products and resources I truly believe in and think you’ll find valuable. Thank you for your support!

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