#148: Glin & Tonic - Why I'm choosing presence over performance
and how it's changing my life.
This last week was one of the most transformative weeks I've had this year.
I attended a long-awaited Human Design retreat with Emma Dunwoody, and it certainly did not disappoint.
Even though I first discovered Human Design around seven years ago, it was only two and a half years ago that I had my own profile fully explored. Over the past year, I've been consciously integrating Human Design into my daily life. Six months ago, I committed to going deeper, fully embodying my Design, making it a signature theme in my everyday experience.
This week's retreat, alongside eight incredible women, Emma, and her wonderful right-hand woman Taylor, was extraordinary.
Allowing myself the luxury of a private retreat for four nights was divine. Immersed in luscious surroundings, nourished by meals lovingly prepared by a professional chef, the experience was pure bliss.
Time spent in meditation and decompression in the sanctuary, enjoying the pool, sauna, and cold plunge was deeply restorative. Though, admittedly, one minute in the cold plunge was enough to leave my fingers and toes numb and my heart racing!
Beyond the beautiful environment and nourishment, the retreat provided a profoundly safe space. It allowed each of us to explore our truths and unpack our energetic blueprints. The intention was to powerfully align with the work we are meant to do, the life we're here to create, and the person we're becoming.
Not everyone was ready for the transformation offered. One participant chose to close herself off, attaching to her performance rather than allow for the presence of her truth to be examined and explored.
She isn't alone. Many of us remain attached to stories about why our lives look a certain way, blaming external circumstances rather than taking responsibility for creating the future we desire.
It was fascinating to observe how the energy shifted each time she left the room, reinforcing how important it is to protect our energy from those who unintentionally drain it through their attachment to staying stuck.
This week provided the deepest understanding of myself I've experienced so far this year. Emma created a powerful container that helped me uncover parts of myself I had been hiding away.
I'd allowed my playful side to be buried beneath a belief that playfulness meant I wouldn't be taken seriously. Old corporate stories of needing to prove my credibility had stifled a core part of my Design, which is naturally playful, adventurous, and experimental. Life had become serious for so long that I'd unintentionally suppressed an essential part of myself.
I felt my heart open when tears streamed down my face as my fellow retreat members danced joyfully to "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield. It reminded me vividly of how free and hopeful I felt when that song first came out. Singing along in the car, I used to feel excited knowing that the story of my life was yet unwritten.
As emotions arose, I turned briefly away to shield my tears, gazing across the beautiful grounds around us.
In that moment, I recognised I needed to feel the song's message again, to release my own inhibitions and honour the truth that no one else could speak the words on my lips.
Every day we begin our story on a blank page. Today is always our fresh start, and we choose what gets written if we see it that way.
As my heart opened wider, held gently by memories of my younger self when I first heard "Unwritten," I smiled, knowing she was still within me. The part that knew play and joy, free from the weight of expectations around me.
I'm choosing her again. I'm choosing to be SimplyGlin. Over the next quarter, you'll see me embrace myself fully, without apology. I will no longer hide behind business brands like Heart of Human or The Value Negotiator. While these brands will still play a role, I will now allow myself to be openly seen as me.
You'll witness the integration of all parts of my life and work. Negotiation training will continue, enriched transparently with deeper inner transformation journeys and Human Design, something I've already quietly integrated behind closed doors. I've always believed negotiation is not just about skills but who we become through mastering ourselves and our communication with others.
You'll also see my Unstoppable Woman program evolve under Heart of Human to include men who want to reconnect with parts of themselves they've hidden.
I'm merging my business identities under SimplyGlin, creating one community from my previous separate audiences, inviting those who value all aspects of my offerings without needing me to fit a traditional corporate mould. You'll see me openly embracing my own becoming so that if you're on a similar path, you'll know you're not alone.
![]() |
|
I'm sharing this because I'm happiest when I'm fully myself. Now you will witness me bringing this vision to life. For the first time, I don't feel discomfort about being seen as I shift. I'm no longer questioning what others think or if this is commercially risky. That's an old fear-based narrative I'm ready to let go of.
I'm ready to embrace myself fully, holding myself with love, strength, and openness, demonstrating it's safe for you to be fully yourself as well.
The book I'm writing begins with me crafting a new narrative for my life, showing you it's never too late, wherever you are on your journey, to choose yourself and create a life that truly lights you up.
Remember, your life is always waiting to be written, one courageous choice at a time.
Your life isn’t a performance for others; it’s about allowing your presence to shine.
What new story will you choose to start writing today?
Keep going and keep growing.
Love Glin x
P.S. Three wins from my week:
- My Heart Opening. I honestly hadn't realised how much I'd closed my heart down or how much I'd let my mind take priority over my body. It feels incredibly freeing to deeply feel again.
- Validation that I can trust myself. I got very present to the signals and intuitive guidance that my body has been trying to get me listen to. This week I really got present to the insight that I can trust myself and my emotions.
- Choosing myself and my presence. I'm done performing, no longer preoccupied with how the world's audience needs me to show up. Instead, I'm choosing presence and openly expressing what's truly aligned for me.
Responses