CAROLINE PALMY, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR, SPEAKER AND HEART FLOW HEALER
Caroline Palmy is a self-love pioneer leading the way for women over 40 to release their blocks, regain a deep sense of self and step onto the path to a fulfilled, purposeful life. Using a mix of her personal life experiences, powerful, intuitive Energy Healing, and deep insight, Caroline certainly walks her talk.
A mother, empath, introvert, and Spiritual Sherpa, Caroline is taking all who meet her on a gentle yet potent path of self-discovery and inner healing, leading from the front as she grows in wisdom from her shared adventures. Her books and courses continue to inspire and educate women worldwide, and I am thrilled she's taken the time to come along and share her story with us. Over to you, Caroline...
SO, CAROLINE, WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
I was born and raised in Basel, Switzerland, with strong bonds to the beautiful mountains and had many fabulous vacations in our ancestral home near Davos. Dad was very sensitive and an alcoholic (a gentle one). As children, we always had to hush around him and let no one know we had a problem.
My Mom was a stay-at-home mother, and I have two younger sisters who are identical twins. Growing up, I had to help my Mom a lot, and I always carried a sense of guilt because I felt my parents only got married because they had me, and were not truly happy in their marriage.
I always wanted to become a doctor, but learning by heart wasn't my forte; I was good at physics and math, so someone suggested studying physics, although my heart wasn't in the subject. I started my studies regardless and worked until my dad suffered a brain tumour, at which point I stopped and went to work in a bank as an analytical programmer and went on to become a business manager in Equity Research.
I married in 93, and my dad passed away in 94. It was the first death I had experienced in my close family (I was too young when my grandfather died). From there, I had a series of moves. From Basel to Zurich to London, back to Zurich, and on to New York, during which time I became a mother to my two sons and daughter.
2008 was the year that changed everything. A near-death experience with an anaphylactic shock, and then, on New Year's eve came the announcement from my then-husband that he was going to leave. As the clock struck into 2009, the year I turned 40, I wondered how I would hold it all together.
Despite the difficulties of keeping the home (and myself) together for the children, I started to feel lighter. I began to re-learn about myself and quickly realised I had no idea who I really was. There began my journey of reconnection with myself. Having heard how I needed to toughen up and stop being so sensitive all my life, I learned that I was an empath and an introvert, and that was all ok. There was nothing wrong with me! I also realised that I had been in an emotionally abusive relationship and was healing from a narcissistic marriage. The divorce was tough, and I had to learn to stand up for myself, despite my fear, and in 2009, we signed the papers, and I was finally free.
Finally, free from the constraints of my emotionally abusive marriage, I met another man. He felt like my soulmate, and I finally got to experience great sex! The relationship lasted around eighteen months, and when it ended, I found myself deep in a place of sadness. I felt unloveable, and it was then that I realised that I only ever felt loved when I was in a relationship. That's why I held on to relationships which didn't serve me for so long. It was a revelation that reignited my passion for learning about myself. I began to understand self-love, acceptance and worthiness.
A skiing accident made me look closely into my independence, and I had to care for myself. I was a full-time mother, and I loved looking after my children, so I began researching Pranic healing and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). I read books on Angels (Diana Cooper) and connected to the spiritual world.
I finally went out and offered my services to others (not just myself, kids and family) but the broader world with a website and business. I dove deeper into my work with Angels and Angelic healing, Mediumship and healing Grief, and finally, I started to write.
I had always loved writing as a child (even though my father would force me to write in a journal), and I published my first two books and an E-book on life with an Indigo Child, the story of my firstborn, and what I learned from him. I was invited to speak on podcasts and video shows and loved inspiring others. I grew more into myself and re-started my website under my name.
I am still growing. As a Mom of three young adults, I understand that change is the only constant in life, and we all adjust to it daily. I am a recovering doormat, but I came back in full swing and now can serve from an overflowing jar, and I LOVE giving from my whole heart.
Creating my twelve-week course was a big step from offering single sessions; the transformation is fantastic. It truly helps to be with my clients one on one every week over a period of time, and being with them when they grow is a heart-warming experience.
Finally, I feel empowered, a word I always had trouble with. Power to me felt negative, scary and often misused. On the other hand, female self-empowerment is gentle, loving, compassionate and feels so good.
LIKE MANY OF OUR READERS, YOU HAVE BEEN A LIFELONG NURTURER. HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU CONSIDER IT TO BE TO PROTECT OUR ENERGY, AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN WHO TEND TO PUT OTHERS FIRST AND THEMSELVES LAST?
You always hear the analogy of the oxygen mask on an aeroplane, but honestly, that never helped me, and I would still put the oxygen mask on my kid first. Having said that, I know what it feels like to go through burnout and experience feelings of depletion and exhaustion and, therefore, the importance of looking after yourself to look after others.
I would recommend clearing your energy daily or several times a day. Learn to stay in your own energy by shielding yourself in gorgeous pink light, which will help you become aware of what is yours and what is from others.
I learned by looking after myself that I was also helping my daughter to look after herself and not to overgive or be taken for granted. Remember, you can't give if your battery is empty; if your phone is dying, you recharge it! Look after yourself and implement self-care daily. It only takes 3 or 5 minutes.
HOW DID YOU BEGIN IDENTIFYING WHAT YOU NEEDED TO HEAL? DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE GO-TO PRACTICE TODAY?
In the beginning, I tried everything. I looked to many others to help me, but I soon realised that I needed to look to myself to see what I needed. The more I looked inward, the more I was able to help myself.
My favourite practices are as follows:
Put your hands on your heart, take a deep breath into your belly (expand your belly) and close your eyes. Take some breaths and arrive in the here and now. Connect to your heart, soothe your thoughts (this happens naturally by touching your heart and focusing on your breath) and then ask yourself, What is it that I need now? Listen for the insights; these might come as a voice in your inner ear, a picture in your inner eye, a sense in your body, or just knowing. Be open to receiving your answer and promise to take the time to do that one thing for yourself.
This is also a helpful tool for making decisions and anything you need to connect with your inner wisdom about. It's also great for releasing stress or worry.
I also love to ask the angels for help, especially before going to bed, so that I receive answers in my dreams.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE CRITICISM?
No one likes to be criticised, right?
I used to be deeply hurt and always took it personally, but I have since grown. Now, if someone criticises me, I take a minute, go within, and feel into the situation. If it is productive, justified or helpful, I take it in and adjust the process. If it's unjustified or someone is trying to blame others, I breathe through it and clear, cleanse and release, sending love to the person and letting it go.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?
I love connecting heart to heart with my clients, seeing the sparkle develop in their eyes and watching them open up, grow in trust and connection to themselves and become bolder and more self-assured. It really is the best feeling in the world.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
I define success as reaching the hearts of others. I don't link success to how much money comes in; I define it by how satisfied my clients are, how happy my heart is and how much time I can spend with my children. Success for me is to maintain my energy and my values. When I published my book, I told myself; If I can reach just one person and help just one woman, this book has been successful.
WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND DIFFICULT ON YOUR JOURNEY, AND WHAT WOULD YOU AVOID IF YOU COULD DO IT ALL AGAIN?
I often looked for the answers outside myself, believing others knew better. I invested far too much in courses that didn't help me further or only showed me what NOT to do. My feeling of not being good enough kept me from fully stepping up and always hoping others knew the answers. If I could go back, I would invest in more inner work, listen to my guidance and do my thing, trusting myself more.
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR ENTREPRENEURS READING THIS ARTICLE?
- Listen to your OWN Intuition. Deep down, you already have all the answers.
- Don't wait for the perfect moment when you feel you are ready; it will never come; go out, do it now, and be flexible.
- Being an entrepreneur is so much about inner work and inner growth. Let your business evolve alongside you.
- Don't invest in too many expensive courses, do your thing, and don't let anyone tell you how to do your thing!
- Listen to others, take in what feels right and create your own thing.
- Walk your talk and be authentic. That's what your clients need: sharing you, being you, and inspiring them by walking your talk.
WHICH MOTIVATIONAL SONG WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO ADD TO THE FEMALE CEO'S #GIRLBOSS PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY FOR YOU?
Beneath you are beautiful, Labyrinth
DO YOU HAVE A BOOK OR FAVOURITE PODCAST RECOMMENDATION FOR OUR FEMALE CEO MEMBERS?
My all-time favourite book is Eat Pray Love, and though I have been on many podcasts and love sharing my insights, I have to admit, I don't listen to podcasts. I am not an audio person, and I'd much rather read.
IF YOU COULD SIT DOWN FOR DINNER WITH ANYONE TONIGHT, WHO WOULD IT BE, AND WHAT WOULD YOU TALK ABOUT?
Wayne Dyer (if it is ok to choose a person who has already left the earthly realm), we would talk about anything and everything!
WHAT DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE?
Nothing! We are all here to experience life and learn from it, and there is never only ONE answer.
One thing I do know, however, is that when we open our hearts, be in the flow of love and let compassion lead us, we can all be our best version and truly experience life as it was meant to be. Our true essence is Love. What is holding you back from being love?
WHAT'S YOUR SUPERPOWER?
My sensitivity, empathy, feeling into my clients, genuinely feeling their pain and hurt, and letting my Intuition guide me on how best to help them.
IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE MESSAGE TO THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
You are so loved.
WHAT MAKES YOU TRULY HAPPY?
Outings with my children, hiking in nature, playing with my dog, petting my cat, family dinners, helping others, mountains and the beach.
If you want to know more about Caroline you can find more information here. You can also connect via Instagram, YouTube and Facebook
