Time, Boundaries & Creativity — Val's Coaching Testimonial
Published
"I learned how to stop invading my own boundaries — to be clear about how I want to show up and how I want to use my time. For me, it was a life-changer."
My name is Valerie. I'm a professional astrologer, a ketamine-assisted facilitator, and I'm completing a training to become a childhood deconditioning therapist.
Chandra and I have known each other a long time, and when she offered to do a trade — her coaching for my astrology — I had hesitations. I'd had a disappointing experience with another coach in 2021. I was also in the middle of a profound personal transformation and felt I couldn't see the path ahead. Nothing was motivating me. I felt cautious about getting involved with any type of coaching because it felt like another thing I had to do. And then there was the time and the scheduling — I felt flaky, like I couldn't support a regular schedule.
But the trade felt aligned. I love the idea of sharing my gifts and having my friend share hers.
A Space Customized to What I Needed
The overall experience — every session — was that I could speak to a friend. The feeling of safety and intimacy was really important to me. I remember sessions where I felt I'd wasted Chandra's time because I was just crying and completely below the line — but this is what I needed to go through. She created a space that was customized to what I needed in the present moment.
Time, Energy, and Boundaries
Managing my time and energy was probably the most significant thing I learned. I'm a mother, my partner travels, I'm building my business, I'm studying, I'm going through my own process of blossoming — so time and energy are limited.
I learned how to be efficient with the resources I have. I learned how to stop invading my own boundaries — to be clear about how I want to show up and how I want to use my time. It's basic stuff that I needed to learn, and for me, it was a life-changer. I still practice it today.
Now I'm so much more present. If I know I'm going to be working straight on this project for two hours, then that's what it is. And then for one hour I'm with my daughter. There it is. I put the phone away.
Questioning My Thinking + Unblocking Creativity
I also really learned to question my thinking. I'd always considered myself super creative — and yet I would completely block my creativity by defaulting to "I don't know" for everything. It was a defense mechanism. With Chandra's guidance, I learned to actually face those obstacles. You can do better. You can make up an answer here — it doesn't have to be true, just use your imagination. Groundbreaking for me.
Emotion as the Doorway to Clarity
"As soon as I would pop the abscess and allow the emotion to flow, then clarity would come and then I could work."
When I'd show up loaded and try to deny my emotional state, it would block the work. Emotions are important — they bring a message, they're your body's way of sharing something you need to know. They're not meant to be trapped in the body. Allowing them to flow in and out — allowing yourself to live your grief or sadness or anger — is the key to seeing the blue sky again and seeing the path ahead.
Why I Recommend Her
I 100% recommend Chandra's coaching. She helps people think differently about themselves and about how they perceive life. Sometimes the shift is minor, but the change is radical, and it opens you up to so much more. She also holds you accountable for your progress — which is something we so often need.
— Val
