Such Different Vixens: Julie Parker

Like a warm hug, Julie Parker reels you in and leaves you wishing for more. I mean seriously, look at those eyes. They make me crinkle up my forehead and think Oh, Julie…

I had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful self-love advocate in person last August at a meet up in Melbourne. I had only just started my business, and sitting at a table surrounded by women who I was inspired by rattled me a little, until Julie came and took a seat next to me. I felt every muscle relax as she spoke and softly listened to what everyone had to say. She’s one of ‘those’ people who carves out time and love for everyone around her, making everyone feel valued and validated and as though they belong. She certainly made me feel that way.

Hiring Julie as a coach to help me launch the Party Girls Guide to Peace was a no-brainer; she had what I wanted the program to embody: spirit and discipline, ambition and presence, and without her, well… let’s not go there.

She’s wise and strong and I am SO thrilled to be introducing you to her…

Helping women find and live their true beauty, work and life.

Can you share with us one of your most vulnerable moments (and in hindsight, what made it so beautiful?).

When I first began dating my husband I knew I had to make myself more open and trusting if I didn’t want to get my heart broken for the umpteenth time. It was SO hard but SO worth it, as the more vulnerable and open I became, the more we fell in love.

I used to think that being or feeling very vulnerable was a terrible thing, but I have now realised it is often the pathway to lots of wonderful feelings, connections and moments.

What turns you on?

You mean besides Jon Hamm as Don Draper in Mad Men in those vintage suits and come hither stare? Besides that? Ummmmm…. I’ll get back to you!

What makes your blood boil?

Arrogance. I’m no better than you. You’re no better than me. Let’s breathe.

How do you define confidence?

When younger I would have said wearing a bikini. Now, to me, confidence means showing up in the world as myself. All day. Every day.

One of the things that I have learned as I have gotten older and experienced more of life, is that it really is true that what you worry about as your younger self, often pales in significance as we move through life, and find more and more things we want to do, experience, touch and taste with increasingly LESS time to do them in. One thing that has seen my confidence sky-rocket is letting go of the need for approval from others around me and even for others to like me. When I was younger and not as confident, that was something that was incredibly important to me. I used to believe that if someone didn’t like me it meant that there was something wrong with me. It was such a strong belief I held for such a long time without actually realising that it is impossible, no matter how beautiful inside and out you may be, for everyone to like you or indeed for you to like everyone. It’s just not the way we connect and relate as human beings.

Age, experience and living life to its fullest within my own values has taught me that releasing myself of the need to be liked by others has been the most incredibly liberating and confidence boosting thing I have ever done for myself. Now, I am only concerned with how much I like me. How much I love me. If others like and love me too – that’s truly wonderful – but no longer necessary for me as it once was.

When was the last time you experienced pure, unadulterated joy? Can you give us the juicy details?

There are so many moments I could share but the most recent one was in a session with a client. She excitedly told me that she had ‘found her calling’ and that she felt like her heart had opened for the first time and that she was now really living. Her unbridled enthusiasm and joy first gave me goosebumps and then I don’t mind admitting – made me cry. She was overwhelmed with joy and belonging for the first time in her life and I knew I was being witness to an incredible moment. It made me feel so blessed.

What makes you feel most ENLIVENED?

Waking up from a deep, restful sleep, having a delicious whole food breakfast and then deciding how I want to spend my day.

I have always believed that the strongest marker (in fact potentially in my opinion – the only marker) of success, or someone having a successful life, is that they get to spend their time doing exactly what they want to do. That thing or things that makes them happy, alive, connected, strong, themselves. That’s real success. And damned if I don’t feel so blessed that I get to experience that level of success every day of my life with Beautiful You. For me – it’s my own little miracle.

Combining my passions with a business I love makes me feel…

Whole. Grateful. Successful. Blessed. Living the Dream.

I am MOST grateful for…

The love that surrounds me every day.

I secretly wish I could…

Be Don Draper’s next ilicit affair…

To me, the words ‘Such Different Skies’ mean…

New beginnings.

Julie Parker is a certified life and business coach and clinical counselor for women who want to shine with confidence and take magnificent strides towards beautiful businesses and lives. Julie supports her clients to sift through their dreams, set crystalline goals, dissolve limiting beliefs and celebrate their successes as they begin to live their song. At Beautiful You, Julie shares inspiring images and empowering words to help women claim their brilliance. Find her online at BeautifulYouByJulie.com where you can download her free guide ‘101 Tips to Living Your Most Real, True and Beautiful Life.