5 life lessons I learned from my tattoo!

“I am a canvas of my experiences, my story is etched in lines and shading, and you can read it on my arms, my legs, my shoulders, and my stomach.” ― Kat Von D

I got my first big tattoo in April and I couldn’t be more in love with it... the actual tattooing part…not so much, but I did take away some new insights and cool life lessons from the experience.

I waited patiently for almost a full year to get tattooed by my friend Alana Rempel from Bloodline Tattoo Company. I have three small tattoos already, a spiral turtle on my foot from when I backpacked Europe at 19 by myself; a tattoo of three buttons on the cuff of my wrist for my sisters – the three of us hold each other together; and my banana mustache finger tattoo that I got with my sweetheart Chris Kendall on a whim in Brooklyn last year that reminds me not to take life too seriously.   love my little tats and I knew that I was ready to go for something bigger.

I love mandalas and decided to get one on my back to celebrate my spiritual journey. I wanted it to look like henna and to incorporate sacred geometry with hints of fruit and other hints of my spiritual story. I had to have fruit in there because eating a fruit-based diet opened me up to spirituality and my higher self. The cleaner and clearer my body and mind are the cleaner and clearer my connections. It’s a beautiful thing. For the sacred geometry I wanted two symbols: the flower of life and the heart chakra. The heart chakra symbol reminds me to live, act and speak from my heart space, to do all things with love. The flower of life has been a powerful symbol for me on my spiritual path – we are all connected, we are all one. There are other little symbols in there that are important to me as well. This tattoo means a lot and I couldn't have been more excited (as long as I wasn't thinking about the pain!)

But wait! You're Naturally Ashley...tattoos aren't natural or healthy!... 

While it might not be 'healthy' to get a tattoo I found there were definite benefits! Here are some of the insights and life lessons I learned through my experience:

My first lesson: Letting go of control

I started sketching out my tattoo design and halfway through the drawing I turned it over to Alana. This was a challenge for me. I like having creative control over every project I do. When forced to do group projects in school, I preferred to do all the work myself, so that I knew it would get done ‘right’. The old me would have drawn every line of the tattoo to perfection, but I had so much faith in Alana and our collaboration that I asked her to finish it. I was actually inspired to book the appointment with Alana after seeing one of her paintings of sacred geometry. As an artist I respected her artistry and wanted it to be a reflection of the both of us. It wasn’t easy to let go of control, but I was so happy that I did. When she sent me the drawing, I jumping up and down with joy I loved it so much. She finished my vision better than I could have imagined. Lesson one - letting go of control and trusting in the universe... and all was perfect. 

Lesson 2: Pain is temporary (and sometimes in your head)

I was scared of the pain. All my other tattoos took no longer than 15 minutes and they hurt! I didn’t know how I was going to sit through hours of tattooing, but I knew where to start... with my breath. I learned from yoga and watching pregnant ladies on TV that you can let go of pain, at least a little, by focusing on your breath. So I did just that; breathe in, two, three, four - breathe out, two, three, four. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. There were times when I could let go of the pain completely by going into breath and meditation, especially during the first 2 hours. The pain became more numb feeling. My sister and nephew thoughtfully came into to see me but I just wanted to stay in my meditation where the pain was not so painful. The second half was a bit more challenging as my back was getting pretty tender and sore as Alana moved up my neck. The neck was the worst! I found solace in my iPhone, distracting my mind from the pain with Instagram and Snapchat. That only worked for so long before I went back to meditation. I had to kick it up a notch and really tell myself over and over that I was ok, that pain is temporary and that I can choose my experience in this moment. The more you think about the pain, the more painful it is. Negative/worried thoughts are your worst enemy here! Focus on your breath... and when it’s all over you’ve got a beautiful tattoo to keep!

 

Lesson 3: You are stronger that you think you are

I did it! I sat for almost 5 hours with a constant needle going in and out of my back and I was ok! What a powerful lesson in strength and endurance. I was exhausted after lying on that table, I felt sick, my face was puffy, my mind was cloudy, I was weak and just wanted to go to bed. But I did it! And it was worth it. I survived and I didn’t even punch Alana (believe me it crossed my mind a few times!) On the other side of fear is freedom. What are some other things I think I can’t do?... I bet it can do those too! 

Lesson 4: We are spiritual beings having a human experience

Do you ever have the ‘what if’ thoughts? They come up when getting a tattoo. What if I don’t like it in ten years? What if it gets wrinkly and saggy? What if I didn’t pick the right placement, what if, what if…. For me, getting a tattoo is a great reminder that our bodies are only temporary vessels in this human experience. Our souls live on long after we exit. There are no mistakes in this life, just beautiful experiences to be had and lessons to be learned. My skin is now a beautiful canvas for my life experiences. Yes it's for as long as I live... but I’m not going to waste my life worrying about the ‘what ifs’ that prevent me from living it!

Lesson 5: Do what you want!

As a Holistic Health Coach, I advocate living a natural lifestyle for health and happiness and some would say that getting a tattoo isn’t natural at all. I wondered, 'Would others judge me for getting a tattoo?' For 5 hours I sat in fight-or-flight mode having a foreign substance injected into my skin. (I did make sure to ask beforehand and Alana uses plant based vegan inks of course!) Before getting tattoos I did the research, weighed the pros and cons and the pros won out. I'm an artist baby! Who cares what others think anyways! It’s my body and my canvas to decorate as I please. LIfe isn't about being perfect. I could have backed out and worried about how it would affect my future, career or my wedding day having to hide or cover it up, but guess what? I want it to be seen! And I wouldn’t choose to work in a place where I would have to cover up my tattoos anyways. Be true to yourself and live your life…it’s the only way to be happy!

Lots of love and fresh squeezed hugs,

xoxo

Naturally Ashley

Ashley Clark is a Holistic Health Coach, artist, photographer and the owner/operator of Naturally Ashley Nutrition. This prairie girl from Saskatchewan Canada loves to nourish her body positive thoughts and ripe seasonal fruits! She wants to share everything she knows about holistic living to inspire others on their journey to create a happy, healthy lifestyle naturally.

Ashley received holistic health coach training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and has been following a raw vegan diet for three years. She has healed many health issues such as candida, gallbladder inflammation, chronic hives and allergies, sinus problems, digestive issues, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic urinary tract infections and more. She now feels lighter and brighter with abundant energy to pursue her dreams!

10 tips to RAWk the no-makeup look!

Last year I did a 7-week no-makeup challenge and it transformed the way I thought about myself and about beauty. I didn’t wear a TON of make-up but I would not leave the house without the basics -wearing tinted moisturizer, mascara, lip-gloss and a bronzer/blush combo. I felt like I needed these products to look beautiful or at least be presentable.

I grew up with a mother that placed the upmost importance on appearance and it was always stressed that my sisters and I be presentable young ladies. I would whine when she curled my hair, occasionally burning my ear or forehead because I wouldn’t sit still. I didn’t get why looks were important; I just wanted to play. It wasn’t until I hit middle school that I started caring about how I looked.

I started wearing make-up when I was 13, mostly because the other girls in my grade were wearing it, and partly because it was a way to express my creativity and individuality. I loved drawing and coloring so naturally I was curios about drawing on and coloring my face. I learned how to keep a steady hand to apply eyeliner, had fun with sparkly eye shadows and had several flavors of  Lip Smackers lip-gloss. Make-up was fun. Somewhere between middle school and high school it went from fun to daily ritual. The make-up got heavier as the years went on and I felt less and less comfortable with my naked face.

While travelling the world, I’ve met some really inspirational women. Many of them leading natural lives, living clean, conscious and free of make-up. These women are beautiful – they radiate pure love for others and for themselves and inspired me to learn to love my make-up-less face. Also, by eating a natural raw food diet of mostly fresh fruits and veggies over the past three years, natural living in all ways became more and more appealing. When I went to Costa Rica last year I knew it would be the perfect time to do a 6-week no make-up challenge and I enjoyed it so much I did it for 7 weeks. 

The first two weeks of make-up-free were difficult. Every time I passed a mirror I didn’t recognize or like the person looking back at me. It was uncomfortable to feel so exposed and I realized that I was wearing make-up as a literal mask to hide the real me. Step one was to work on the inside and become more comfortable being my true self. As the weeks went on this became easier and felt more natural. I stopped looking in the mirror all together except to brush my teeth at the end of the night. I didn’t do this on purpose either, it just happened. I didn’t need to look in the mirror anymore. I loved getting up in the morning, throwing on a pair of shorts and a tank, letting my hair out of my bun and I was ready to go! What a change being able to get ready for my day in 2 minutes, not knowing or caring how I looked. I felt like a kid again, able to focus on the excitement of a new day and fun activities instead of starting it off self-absorbed. I really didn’t realize how many times I would look in the mirror in a day to check and see if I looked good or not. This experience changed my life for the better as I became more aware of my thought patterns and self-image issues. It was a tool to help me release these old behaviors and learn to love myself more fully.  

Many women I talk to say that they couldn’t imagine going make-up free for even one day. I would love to share some tips to help you feel more comfortable in your own skin and bare it all. I’ll give you a hint – It’s all about that glow! Instead of painting it on, you can glow from the inside out and let your beautiful self shine! 

1. Wear a smile! - It’s your best feature! True beauty radiates from the inside. Smiling, even when we are in a bad mood releases endorphins that make us happy. When we are happy we glow and there’s nothing more attractive than tha
2. Know that you ARE beautiful! - Learn to love yourself exactly the way you are inside and out. Work on those negative thought patterns in your head that say you’re not good enough, pretty enough, successful enough, etc. You are a goddess and you are perfect! If you see yourself as beautiful, others will see that in you. We are all divine reflections of each other.
3. Take care of your skin – Get rid of the chemical cleansers and toners that dry up your skin. Your natural oils will balance and you won’t need to replenish them with moisturizers. If you want a natural moisturizer, use some quality coconut oil. Wash with clean water only and pat dry with a clean towel.
4. Hydrate! - Our bodies are comprised of mostly water and it’s our job to keep it hydrated with fresh, clean water.
5. Eat more fruits and veggies! - Get that glow from eating a raw vegan or high raw diet comprised of mostly fresh fruits and veggies. Healthy body = healthy skin. Fruits and vegetables are high in water content and full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals essential for healthy glowing skin. Most raw foodies I know are radiant beauties that don’t need to wear any make-up. Plus we detox through our skin so the less processed, junk foods and animal products you eat the less toxins your body will have to get rid of. Eating healthy is one of the most essential tips to beautiful skin.
   
   
   
6. Get some sun! – Sun kissed skin has a beautiful glow. Some women feel more comfortable wearing less makeup in the summer with a tan. Lots of skin care gurus will tell you to stay out of the sun, but the sun is essential to healthy glowing skin…you just have to be smart about it. Don’t go out and bake in peak UV hours. Get sunlight in the morning or late afternoon for a healthy tan.  
7. Rest and Relax – They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing. Getting around 8 hours of sleep each night will do wonders for your skin and for the bags under your eyes. Stress also plays a big factor in pre-mature aging and it shows on your face. Do whatever it takes to reduce the stress in your life, whether that means finding a new job you love or ending relationships that don’t serve you anymore. Sometimes it just takes a simple shift in perspective to look on the bright side to let go of stress.
8. Start your day with exercise! – Getting your blood pumping with some physical activity brings a lovely rosy color to your cheeks and gives you a natural glow to start off your day.
9. Stop licking your lips! – Licking your lips dries them out, creating the ‘need’ for lip-gloss, especially if you live in drier climates. Start to pay attention to how often you lick your lips - you might be surprised! If you do wish to moisturize use coconut oil. You can also use coconut oil as a natural make-up remover!
10. RAWk your natural hair color – The closer to your natural hair color your hair is, the more natural you’ll look without makeup. Colors that contrast heavily can bring out blemishes on your skin. Keep your hair healthy with natural hair care. Use products that are free from sulphates, parabens and other nasty chemicals, or try the poo-free method!

Now I still enjoy wearing make-up sometimes, but the big difference is that I don’t feel like I need it to feel beautiful and I actually feel more beautiful wearing less. I can leave the house au natural without feeling like a gargoyle and that is freeing! There is nothing more beautiful than feeling comfortable and happy in your own skin. Plus my skin is happier being able to breathe! I challenge you to try having a few make-up free days and see how you feel. It all starts with caring about yourself and starting a more natural beauty routine to let your inner glow out.  

Lots of love and fresh squeezed hugs,

xoxo

Naturally Ashley

Ashley Clark is a Holistic Health Coach, artist, photographer and the owner/operator of Naturally Ashley Nutrition. This prairie girl from Saskatchewan Canada loves to nourish her body positive thoughts and ripe seasonal fruits! She wants to share everything she knows about holistic living to inspire others on their journey to create a happy, healthy lifestyle naturally.

Ashley received holistic health coach training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and has been following a raw vegan diet for three years. She has healed many health issues such as candida, gallbladder inflammation, chronic hives and allergies, sinus problems, digestive issues, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic urinary tract infections and more. She now feels lighter and brighter with abundant energy to pursue her dreams!

I Can Fly! Flying Trapeze in Costa Rica

Taking the leap and facing your fears >>>

Looking back on 2014, I noticed there was a theme happening in my life. The theme was letting go. Letting go of attachments, what other people think of me, what I think of me, negative thoughts, material possessions and general control issues. I still have some work to do, but have come a long way. This year, I’ve noticed the theme extend to facing my fears. I originally thought I could just let go of fears but it turns out there’s a bit more work to it… I actually have to face them.

Part of my journey in facing my fears this year included taking a flying trapeze class in Costa Rica. I have a fear of heights, and I thought that learning how to swing like a monkey would be a fun way to overcome this… plus I could wear my ‘Go Bananas’ monkey tank and banana leggings to channel my inner ape. I had it figured out. We went during our retreat with our guests so there was no backing out anyways.

I totally under-estimated how scary this would be, even with my fear of heights. But it was by far one of the coolest things I’ve ever done!

I thought the class was going to be super basic; that I’d spend the majority of the time watching the three instructors swing through the air gracefully in awe from the safe and stable ground. That I might climb the tall ladder once, maybe twice, to swing through the air myself, a little less gracefully and hopefully not die. I didn’t even know if my chicken arms would be strong enough to hold up my entire body.

To my surprise, the first thing we were going to learn was how to do a knee hang where you swing from your knees and let go of the bar! Say what?? Let go??? I wanted to run. There’s no way I can do that. Nooo way… Oh wait there’s more… you have to let go by doing a back flip. Grrrreat! Not only was I scared, I still didn’t believe I could do it. I started to calm down as I watched the others go first and seen that most of them were able to do it so I thought maybe, just maybe I could too.  I held off till last, shocker, and while standing at the bottom of the ridiculously skinny and wobbly ladder, my heart started to pound. Hard. 

I looked up as they attached the safety line, assessing if I really wanted to go through with this… Yes, yes I do. I want to face my fear and swing like a monkey, or at least try to. Trying not to let on how scared I was I climbed the tall and ridiculously skinny ladder, trembling all the way. Everyone in the group was so encouraging cheering me on and that helped a lot. I got to the top and had to step out onto a tiny hanging platform with one of the trainers on it. Don’t look down. Taking that small step was terrifying being up so high but it wasn’t as scary as the next part - Trusting the trainer to hold me while I thrust all my weight forward to grab the bar. Breathe Ashley. Breathe. One hand. Then two hands holding the bar. Now comes the jump. The leap of faith…can I do this?? Ahhhhhhhh.

I jumped! And once I was flying through the air I forgot about everything else and focused on listening to the trainer. Legs up. Let go! I’m doing it!!! I’m flying! Yay!! I even did the back flip onto the net.  What an amazing feeling. I felt free.

 
Then they told us that if we practiced and could get the timing right we could do a catch! (at the end of the first video I say that I don’t know if I could do it again.) I really didn’t want to climb that ladder again, but I felt motivated by the group and I really wanted to do the catch so I practiced. I climbed the ladder again and again, and it was just as terrifying. Trust. Have faith. Let go. These things take some practice. I can see how doing something like this can have a profound effect on other areas in your life.

The practice paid off and I did the catch! (video below).  I fully channeled my inner banana-eating monkey and learned that my body was way stronger than I give it credit for. What a great reminder to keep trying new things in life. You never know what you are capable of accomplishing.

I encourage you to try something new! Maybe it isn’t the flying trapeze but do something outside of your comfort zone. Embrace the fear of the unknown and take the leap. It’s worth it!

Lots of love and fresh squeezed hugs,

xoxo

Naturally Ashley

Ashley Clark is a Holistic Health Coach, artist, photographer and the owner/operator of Naturally Ashley Nutrition. This prairie girl from Saskatchewan Canada loves to nourish her body positive thoughts and ripe seasonal fruits! She wants to share everything she knows about holistic living to inspire others on their journey to create a happy, healthy lifestyle naturally.

Ashley received holistic health coach training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and has been following a raw vegan diet for three years. She has healed many health issues such as candida, gallbladder inflammation, chronic hives and allergies, sinus problems, digestive issues, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic urinary tract infections and more. She now feels lighter and brighter with abundant energy to pursue her dreams!