{"id":33094,"date":"2023-07-26T13:00:01","date_gmt":"2023-07-26T11:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/?p=33094"},"modified":"2024-04-10T10:45:26","modified_gmt":"2024-04-10T08:45:26","slug":"happily-in-the-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/blog\/2023\/07\/26\/happily-in-the-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Happily-in-the-now"},"content":{"rendered":"

Once-upon-a-time … is how all fairytales start. And for Sunningdale\u2019s Senta Seele it all appeared to be going great. Until two years ago, when she found herself at 43, divorced, with no children, and having to start life from scratch.<\/p>\n

We all share the dream of a fairytale life and look forward to our happily-ever-after, but what happens if our story doesn\u2019t turn out how we hoped it would? In her new book My Epic Fail Fairytale<\/em>, local author, podcaster and motivational speaker Senta shares how to shift your focus from happily-ever-after to happily-in-the-now.<\/p>\n

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Photo: Tilanie Grote Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThe life I wanted for myself was no longer possible, and I grieved it. I also had to face and process my inner struggles with self-worth, intimacy, body image and more. I felt like I had stepped out of a cage, which brought relief but, at the same time, I was terrified.\u201d<\/p>\n

And so Senta started journaling. She became more vulnerable with her friends and made a firm decision to rewrite her life story, one that embraced happiness and kindness, with boundaries.<\/p>\n

\u201cJournaling became a massive part of my healing journey. I did the work.\u00a0 I felt all the feelings. And i worked hard to truly get to know myself. I made the choice to heal –\u00a0 to be an active participant in my own life story. And I wanted this for other women too.\u201d<\/p>\n

In her book, Senta \u2013 who is also the founder of The Maya Company, a successful Egyptian belly dance studio – talks about what to do when your fairytale goes wrong. She questions what epic fails really are and shares insight on how to step out into the world with strength, power and positivity. Her greatest desire is to help people live better, happier lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m passionate about sharing and educating the public through teaching, performing, shows, festivals and other events. I also host tours to Egypt – she\u2019s already done 25 trips – which is one of the most sacred and spiritual places on this planet.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Photo: Tilanie Grote Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As chairlady of KZN Women in Business for 2020 and 2021, Senta also had the perfect platform from which to make an impact on so many women\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted this to continue after I finished my time as chair.\u201d<\/p>\n

And so the doors opened for Senta, through motivational speaking, workshops, a coaching membership programme and now her book.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s MC\u2019d for a slew of women-inspired and charity driven events over the years, and is particularly passionate about engaging with young women, on issues like body image, and embracing their own (not society\u2019s) definition of beautiful.<\/p>\n

Senta launched her podcast, Champagne Moments, focussed on empowering and uplifting conversations, and those special life moments worth celebrating; and last year, founded the Champagne Club where she coaches women through different topics every month.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve all had at least one failed fairytale in love, business, friendship or life, so we can all relate to having to pick ourselves up and keep going. In my case, I desperately wanted children and I feel the sadness of not having had them every day. But after a lot of self-work, I reached a space of acceptance and I\u2019m totally okay with being alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

That doesn\u2019t mean she\u2019s given up on the idea of sharing her life with a wonderful man. Just that she\u2019s found her happy place \u2013 through journaling and friends, sunrises, the full moon, nature\u2019s cycles, music shows, dancing, and balancing quiet, alone time with busy, public time \u2013 and she continues to work on healing her soul.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cMovement is my therapy \u2013 when I have bad days I dance, or go for a walk on the promenade, or workout. But I also feel the feelings. It\u2019s a way of moving through them better. Living life fearing what may never happen is living a half-life. If something doesn\u2019t make you happy, don\u2019t do it anymore. Set boundaries that make you feel safe, be clear on who and what deserves to be in your life, and then throw yourself completely into life!\u201d<\/p>\n

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About the book<\/strong><\/p>\n

My Epic Fail Fairytale is available for R200 from Lady Boho Beauty in Westville Junction, Home Baked on Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Impala Ridge in Drummond or online at senta.life<\/a><\/p>\n

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Photo: Tilanie Grote Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Senta\u2019s top tips for shifting your focus \u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n