We talk Imposter Syndrome, powerful healing + the Luna Room with Hannah Lily

Your digital channels + Luna Room feel like such calming places… 

Hannah, tell us your story.

Well, it’s safe to say that my path to Self Mastery first began by walking an utterly uncomfortable, chaotic + wildly dysfunctional road in life. Thankfully, I was destined to alchemise these burdens into my blessings and transmute my complex trauma into self-transformation. Those early years of survival mode + dysfunction alchemised into my greatest gift to be a healer + a way-shower for self-actualisation. 

I always knew I was a Healer, for as long as I can remember I was the agony aunt at school + had such a drive to help people and to see less suffering in the world. But by the time I had grown up… I found myself in the fast lane of life, on the neat path paved out by society, chasing a vision that looked ‘successful’ on the outside, but felt desperately unfulfilling on the inside. I had ended up as a corporate cog, and it was slowly sucking the life force out of me.

Through this wave of unfulfillment, I started to listen more carefully to those little whispers of my intuition, and one day I responded with a bold move. On a whim, I decided to take a sabbatical from my corporate job… little did I know that this decision would lead me to the Mayan Temple of Inscriptions in Mexico, this is where my Dharma was revealed to me. The unraveling of my life’s purpose was so clear! Hand on heart, that moment changed me forever. As soon as I returned from my trip, I began to retrain and invest my time + money into a career change. It’s cliché, but the rest really was history!

As an expert in mindset, self-sabotage, Imposter Syndrome and so much more, tell us your journey to where you are now.

The reason I speak to all of these areas is that once upon a time, I was a master of self-sabotage and an absolute pro of letting the Imposter Syndrome prevent me from reaching my potential! However, I used these defense mechanisms + limiting beliefs as signposts, to direct + show me the way to what needed healing within me. It was a powerful process to journey through and that’s why I am so unbelievably passionate about sharing these insights and guiding the way for my clients. I always remind my clients that ‘I am on this human journey with you.’ It’s through my lived experienced that I have really refined my professional expertise. 

Your events + workshops look incredible, we always ooze over your offerings. In short, what is a sacred place + why are they so important?

I’ve always had a clear vision of creating a place of healing that stirred up inner inspiration. After stepping into numerous temples across the world and placing my feet on ancient lands, I wanted to capture that feeling I used to get from visiting places like these. That is how The Luna Room was born in. 

Of course, sacred spaces don’t need to be as grandiose as this! In fact, I encourage all of my clients to create a sacred space of their own, whether that’s an altar in their bedroom or anchoring into a spot in nature, regardless of what form it takes, it’s a place for you to return home to yourself.  

A sacred space is somewhere that is held with pure intention. It’s the resting place where you can return to your true essence, settle into the now and quieten down the busyness of the mind. When we invite the essence of sacred space into our lives, we find the magic in the mundane and transform elements of our routine into ritual. It’s a  place where you can remember who you really are before the world told you who you had to be! 

How exciting that you can now begin to reopen the Luna Room. What can we expect to see soon? And, can we book immediately!?

Frankly, I cannot contain my excitement! After 6 long months, I can now finally hold face-to-face sessions back at The Luna Room. I have so much in store: from 1:1 Therapy Sessions, Private Healing Journeys, Women’s Circles, Full Moon Ceremonies, Fire Circles, Goddess Supper Clubs, Meditation Classes & Retreats! My events page is up and live with a few gatherings already, so hop on over to www.hannahlilyhealing.com to take a look! Can’t wait to see you there my love.

A big topic for us + the business bosses we love to work with is Imposter Syndrome. What are your initial thoughts on the subject?

By the very nature of the Imposter Syndrome, it leaves you feeling like you’re the only imposter in the room. Like everyone else has it figured out and sussed apart from you. So, firstly, let me oust this… it’s important to note that a whopping 70% of people experience it at one point in their life – so you most definitely are not alone! Imposter Syndrome is a distorted view of your capabilities that is rooted in the feeling of not being enough. If we track this feeling right back to where it began, you’ll find that it often develops in our childhood, and as a result, we adopt various subconscious defense mechanisms or strategies that we use right into adulthood. So, the things that we once used to help us get by can indeed be the very same things that stop us from making progress in the future.  

We love the ideas of the 5 different types of Imposter Syndrome. Could you talk us through these?

The wonderful Dr. Valerie Young has dedicated a lifetime of work to unpacking the Imposter Syndrome and I bring a lot of her theories into my work with clients. Here is an overview of the 5 different types:

The Perfectionist:
This type of person will set extremely high expectations for themselves, even if they meet 99% of their goals, they feel like a failure. Even a small mistake will make them question their own competence and bring on self-doubt. For this type, getting work done is rarely satisfying because they always believe that they could’ve done even better, finding the fault in all that they do.

The Superwoman/man:

This can show up by being a workaholic and often results in burning out. They will work tirelessly hard towards unrealistic goals, pushing to work harder and harder to measure up. But this is just a false cover-up for insecurities. This type feels the need to succeed in all aspects of life. At home, work, relationships, parenting + projects. As they are driven by validation, they aren’t addicted to the work itself but the validation that comes from working.

The Expert:

They fear being exposed as inexperienced or unknowledgeable. They feel the need to know every piece of information before they start a project and constantly look for new certifications or training to improve their skills. This type of person will hold back a lot from speaking out as the fear of saying something incorrect will hinder them from sharing their message and work with the world.

The Natural Genius:

They judge their success based on ease and speed, rather than their efforts. In other words, if they take a long time to master something, they feel shame. This type of person is used to skills coming easily and when they have to put in the effort, their brain tells them that’s proof they’re an imposter.

The Soloist:

They have to accomplish tasks on their own, and if they need to ask for help, they think that means they are a failure or a fraud. It’s okay to be independent, but not to the extent that you refuse assistance so that you can prove your worth.

Is there one can you identify with? Maybe a bit of them all?!

What are your top tips to help navigate the Imposter Syndrome?

Here are a few things to keep in mind when working with Imposter Syndrome.

• Imposter Syndrome quite often arises when you are getting out of your comfort zone, you’re entering new territory and expanding your wings. Your subconscious mind chimes in and it’s essentially trying to keep you safe within the confines of that comfort zone. But we know nothing grows there, right? When this is the case, don’t take it as a sign to stay small, take this as an invitation that you are expanding and growing towards your fullest potential! When there is growth, at times there can be growth pains too. 
• One thing to remember is that our inner narrative is a direct reflection of the state of our nervous system. If you want to think differently, you have to FEEL different. Quit living life on hypervigilant survival mode energy, this will not drive the success of your business. Take time to slow down, learn the language of your nervous system and tune into what it’s saying. This shift from hustle to flow will help you lead from an empowered + regulated place. 
• Another thing to note, Imposter Syndrome is ultimately a distorted view of your capabilities. With this in mind, make a list of your achievements to date, this is something concrete to focus on even when that distorted view wants to come + make an appearance. 
• Imposter Syndrome also arises when we start comparing ourselves and our journey to others. Do you find yourself doing this? If so, please remember to stay in your lane, shift that focus back to you and your own progress. You are your only competition. 
• If you find that Imposter Syndrome has become so overwhelming for you that it’s inhibiting the progress of your work, it can be a sign that it’s time to heal your relationship with your self-worth + bring your dysregulated nervous system back into homeostasis. This is the time to seek out support. Trust me, in the future, you will thank you for it! Talking to a trusted friend, go to a local women’s circle, book yourself a session with a coach or a therapist. 

How can our girl-boss readers reach out to you for further healing?

Come have a cuppa + chat with me at The Luna Room! I offer free consultations to anyone who is feeling the call to journey with their healing. This is an informal platform to explore what you need support with – be it anxiety, Imposter Syndrome, or unearthing your purpose. It’s also a place for you to get a real feel for me and how I work, clicking with your therapist is key! For anyone who lives further afield, I offer sessions via Zoom too. 

You can contact me on any of my channels:

Hello@hannahlilyhealing.com

www.hannahlilyhealing.com

www.instagram.com/hannah___lily

As a gorgeous energy, we would love to know your morning routine? 

My routine changes all the time, it will shift and adjust to the energy of the time of year or where I am in my menstrual cycle. It’s so important to remember we are cyclical beings and bring a different energy into each day, so I like to give space to + honor that. I suppose the only routine thing about my morning is asking myself ‘What do I need right now, at this moment?’ This might be to bring some badass energy through energetic breathwork + cold water shower. Some days it’s a slower pace with journaling and a cup of Cacao. Regardless, I have a phone-free morning and make it a priority to fill my cup before I get into the space of work. 

When working with ancient healings, how do you stay on top of new ideas + external pressures in business? 

This is a really great question… when facilitating sacred space for ancient healings, it is really about igniting innate wisdom + traditions of my native land. It is my duty to be grounded and authentic in my work and offerings, not falling into the trap of creating ‘new ideas’ to just keep up with business pressures, as this will take away from the ethos of having a heart-centered + soul-led business. Being a white woman in the wellness industry, it’s also my responsibility to maintain integrity with my offerings and not to cherry-pick healing practices from other cultures just to glamourise the work I’m offering. I always strive to be aligned in my work as this is what lights me up. I’m all for slow and sustainable growth rather than pushing boundaries to keep up with trends + external pressures. 

Finally, what advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

Something as simple as this: 

Trust the process, everything is unfolding just as it needs to. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, to get it wrong, or to walk the ‘wrong’ road in life. It all serves a purpose + eventually, it will lead you to exactly where you need to be in the end.