We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lacey Melguizo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lacey , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Confidence and self-esteem are two qualities I have had to work hard at growing in my life. Throughout the years, I have faced many challenges, pivots, and setbacks that made me question my worthiness and obstacles that planted seeds of doubt. There were also seeds of strength and hope that I have watered over time and have taken root. My confidence and esteem had a growth spurt when I went through a 300 hour meditation teacher training. Each day, we committed to practicing for 20 minutes. At first, the weeds of negative thoughts and emotions were all I could see, but over time I began to understand that the voices from my past and inner critic did not define me. I started to believe and understand that I didn’t have to live out the script that was given to me, I could author my own story. I began to feel peace of mind and found confidence in each moment and in my breath. Minutes of confidence became hours, which evolved into days, and months and alongside daily practices has given me a foundation of confidence that I can create the life that my heart most longs for. Being supported by a loving community of friends, family, and framily (chosen family) helps these qualities to continue to flourish over time.
Motherhood has also been a huge gift that has helped me develop confidence and self-esteem. As they have grown, so have I and they point out all the areas that need pruning and tending to. Small stepping stones have become successes that have rooted and produced the unshakeable belief of the quote from Rumi that “what we are seeking is seeking us”. So I listen to that small quiet voice within, for I know it is God’s voice guiding me. Faith turned into action for me continues to produce confidence and self-esteem. All of these for me are practices, like tending a garden. Each day I have a choice to look within and trust that still quiet voice while weeding out the fearful voices that try and tell me otherwise. My hope is that the garden I am growing will inspire and nurture others in a way that empowers them to grow.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My mission is to transcend the ordinary photography experience and empower heart-centered humans by collaborating together through the magic of creative visual storytelling. I love working with multi-faceted and talented people who want to creatively connect the dots on “all the things” to a clear, concise, and FUN branding experience. I recently rebranded my business and launched a new website to focus on mindful and intuitive photography experiences as well as helping brands to distinguish their visual identity through a values based coaching experience. I have experience as a dental hygienist as well as a mindfulness-based meditation coach which gives me a unique ability to pay attention to details as well as create stress-free experiences. I am intuitive, compassionate, and skilled at helping people feel comfortable in uncomfortable situations, which being in front of the camera can be for a lot of folks. Creativity and artful living fuel my passion to bring joy to the people I have the honor of creating with. I am excited to be offering branding photography and coaching as well as continuing to capture families, seniors, and other important moments in people’s lives. I am also very exciting to be partnering together with a dear friend on her passion project, “Mindfully Austin” which is a community that offers events and connection for other entrepreneurs who are uplifting humanity with their work!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
As I look back on my professional and creative life, the three qualities that have been the most impactful in my journey would be consistency, flexibility, and a growth mindset. My advice to any one looking to follow their dreams and make them a reality would be to follow your joy and learn where your gifts and your joy intersect. From there, create an action plan and be consistent in working hard and taking the steps necessary to consistently follow your dreams. Be flexible and able to pivot when life throws you curveballs and setbacks, don’t give up. As Banksy said, “If you get tired, learn to rest, not quit.” Be open-minded and keep evolving and growing. Learn from others, fail forward and evolve as you grow. The mind is a powerful tool, use it to your advantage and believe in yourself. Prioritize your future self and take action steps each day. Celebrate the wins, big and small! Before you know it, your future self will be you and your dreams will be your life!
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I take time to rest, reflect, and practice gratitude. I have come to understand as a highly sensitive person that the world and all of its demands can create overwhelm within me so I plan ahead and schedule rest and reflection into my daily life. Retreat is one of my favorite practices to intentionally create space. I have learned that once a quarter I need this time away in quiet reflection and mindful practices to refill my own cup. When I take this time away there is much more ease in clarity and the energy of overwhelm transforms into clarity and understanding. Overwhelm has knocked me off my feet and caused me to slow down and pivot several times in my own life and throughout my journey. These moments remind me I am a human being, not a human doing. In the space between overwhelm and clarity there is always an abundance of joy and peace that can be found when I slow down and savor the gift of the present moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.unscriptedheart.com
- Instagram: @unscripted_lens
Image Credits
Alicia Leigh Photography
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