"Don't chase butterflies but build gardens that attract them", is one of the methods a Whangārei empowerment coach will be encouraging Northland women to take back their sparkle at a free workshop today.
Michelle Clarke has teamed with Dress for Success Northland to hold the free lunchtime event. The You Matter workshop covers confidence-building techniques to give women a boost after both Clarke and the organisation noticed a decline in women's confidence since Covid-19.
"I really have noticed [more anxiety] and it upsets me. People got scared and the opposite of joy is fear," said Clarke, who has extensive experience in business and life coaching.
One simple activity, which is the first step to happiness, is noticing things we love.
"If you notice yourself feeling small or tight or frustrated or angry or sad, all of those indicators that you've moved away from tapping into yourself, start using your five senses – look, feel, sound, smell and taste - in a positive way and notice what you love instead of what you don't. You can tune in literally to that even while you're out shopping.
