Purrmione
The joy of watching a cat open up
This is Purrmione. She is very curious, playful, and communicative. But she wasn’t this way when I first received her. She had changed owners 5 times in the 4 years she’s been alive so she was scared and would hide most of the time. But I gave her space to let her be. If she wanted to hide, I let her hide without intruding on her and her safe space. If she came to me, I would play with her and stroke her fur. Her favorite place is around her neck. I let HER dictate when to interact and when not to interact.
By not proactively engaging with her or forcing her to do more than she was ready for, she slowly opened up to trust me. She used to come out around 11 PM and be back in her hiding spot by 7 AM when I woke up. But little by little, she started to come out of her hiding place more often. In fact, she’s changed her schedule to more closely match mine. Now, she frequently follows me to the bathroom when I go to the bathroom. When I work, she often comes and takes a nap on my desk or behind me. When I’m chilling on the couch, she settles down near my feet or on my slippers. When I’m asleep and she wants to be play, she brings her toys to me from the living room into my bedroom and I find them scattered across the floor every day when I wake up. Every day. And she often meows at me in response when I call her name or when she wants something from me.
It is so heart-warming seeing her feel safe to open up to me. Because now she gets to be the curious, sweet, and playful cat she was meant to be. And I have the privilege to witness and get to know her real self that she’s now showing to me.
Like animals, the most young and tender part of ourselves that may have closed up needs our gentle attention and care before it feels ready to open up and be curious to come out and play again. Holding space in this way is one of the best things we can do for ourselves and one another. Because we bloom when we are treated with the utmost gentleness, patience, encouragement, and warmth. It is also the best gift you can give to yourself. And it brings me joy when I get to do this through life coaching because I get to see you come to life in becoming who you are meant to be. You get to experience what it feels like when I hold space for you to be accepted as you are, and you also learn how to hold space gently, lovingly, and compassionately for yourself in the process.
I am offering my six 1-hour session (3-4 month) coaching package on a $100-$600 sliding scale. I don’t want cost to be a big hindrance in your decision to work with a life coach because I truly believe in the power of coaching to transform you and your life. And I want this service to be accessible for you. If you are curious about life coaching or interested in working with me as your coach, please reach out to me or complete my pre-coaching questionnaire, and I will be in touch with you: https://forms.gle/HMMHYo1TzR6Qp29r7
Here are ways you can support me and my work:
I am a heart-centered coach who supports Asian millennials to deepen self-love and bridge intergenerational & cultural gaps, leaving them feeling more joyfully connected to themselves, to family, and to community, as well as empowered to live in greater alignment with their personal values and needs. Book a coaching series with me through my website: alaliwei.com
If you love this newsletter, get value out of it, and want to support the time and work that goes into these posts, consider donating to me by becoming a paying subscriber even if you don’t get anything extra. You’ll encourage me to continue what I’m doing!
Shop for stickers and prints of my artwork via RedBubble (@Liwei-Doodles). I get a cut of what you buy.
Follow me on Instagram @tidbitsfromliwei