Have you come out as a “woo woo” believer? Do your friends and clients know that you practice “woo woo”?
I have to admit that, personally, it’s not something I disclose to too many people, mainly because it doesn’t come up in conversation, but when it does, I do claim it.
By “woo woo”, I mostly mean all things spiritual, although I will also throw in astrology, numerology and similar “ologies” in there. Not religion, not alternative medicine, but things like Law or Attraction, meditation, thoughts becoming things and the interconnectedness of all things in the Universe. Yes, Universe with a capital U.
Most people I connect with in my daily business interactions very soon come out as having a bit or a lot of “woo woo” in them. The conversation quickly turns to manifesting, raising your vibration and gratitude practice.
Earlier in the year, a friend, who works at the intersection of “woo woo” and brain science, recounted an interaction from a business event. She was guest speaker at a business women’s lunch here in Ballarat and not wanting to show her “woo woo”, kept her keynote very much to the brain science aspects of her work. Later, during general conversation, one of the participants said something like “Oh, I loved what you said about ‘insert “woo woo” here'” to her. My friend was a little taken aback because she couldn’t recall talking about this particular “woo woo”, but also amused that her “woo woo” was showing despite her best efforts to hide it.
I love that I come across so many women who are active “woo woo” believers and practitioners. Yet most tend to hide it. It’s not something we write about on our websites, in our newsletters or discuss when we first meet a potential client.
In fact, the whole idea of referring to spirituality and good health practices as “woo woo” demeans and marginalises them. I didn’t even know the term until a few years ago when another business woman referred to it as such. I basically always thought of it as “New Age spirituality stuff”, which still doesn’t give it the weight and importance it deserves.
We have been programmed to hide our spirituality in normal business dealings, yet I see lots of people proudly claiming their religious beliefs on their websites and social media profiles. Personally, I’m not terribly interested in a person’s spirituality or religious beliefs unless it is somehow relevant to the relationship I have with them. I don’t want to be preached to by anyone, but when I do find someone who shares my beliefs I do like to talk about them.
My own “woo woo” doesn’t show unless I meet a fellow believer and it is only then that I will admit to it. I don’t want to be defined by it, or discriminated against because of it, but I feel much better when I work with someone who gets it.
I can’t imagine ever including “Law of Attraction practitioner” and “Leo with Taurus rising” on my LinkedIn or Twitter profiles, because I don’t believe my spirituality, life philosophy or good mental health practices are relevant to my business interactions. Or are they? Would I attract more of my ideal clients if I was loud and proud about what I believe? Is that why so many people proudly proclaim themselves as Christian?
When you get to know any successful entrepreneur, you will soon find that they practice some form of “woo woo”. They probably meditate, have a gratitude practice and use visualisation to achieve their goals. Maybe those things aren’t as “woo woo” as astrology and the Law of Attraction, but I do know that when we women talk about them we tend to refer to them as such.
Whatever “woo woo” practice you use and whatever you call it, don’t be afraid to claim it. Stop referring to it as “woo woo” and call it your daily practice.
Acknowledging it and talking about it will help you meet others who are like-minded. It will help you feel more aligned with who you really are. The division between who you show to the world and who you really are will disappear. Being aligned to your true self will allow more flow in your life. And we all want to be “in flow”. Loving and being totally immersed in what we’re doing is the dream for all entrepreneurs. Work ceases to be work and becomes “the thing we love to do”.
Great article, thank you!
I can see how being loud and proud isn’t necessarily relevant in every industry – and even as I type that, I’m wondering if that’s even true? Am I more likely to buy my bread from a baker if I know she chants a little magic over it as she puts it in the oven? Yes, probably I am!
These days I happily claim my woowoo. I’m even claiming back the word and celebrating it. And I’m finding my definition of woo is getting broader and broader. For me, it’s anything with the underpinning of energy, vibration, magic or ritual. And that includes SOME people of faith.
My circle of woo include my amazing Nigerian-born, US-based friend who’s in Christian seminary right now and preaches like a goddess; as well as the scientist who recommends meditation for its power to change the brain’s happiness set point. My only requirement for something to be included in my own woowoo world is that it focus on the positive. I don’t entertain warnings and omens and the trouble’s-a-comin’ crap that is popular in some woowoo circles. And that makes me happy!
And BTW yes, for the curious reader – I’m the woowoo-loving brain science geek mentioned by Dorothy LOL. It’s been a long time coming, but I don’t think I hide it any more. And for that I’ll give a hearty wooHOO!!
I definitely connect better with people who are out with their woo woo. But I still want to know that their skills are sound and that their knowledge is deep. Not all those who practice woo woo are my people, but some are. I will fight for my right to practice woo woo, but I won’t tell anyone that it’s the only way.
Wonderful! I struggle with this in my writing, but it’s who I am. If I want full expression, it has to show a bit more. Thanks for the inspiration.
I do too, Minda. I tend to write more about this on my personal blog, but keep my woo woo under wraps here. But here I am, letting it all out for a change. Be loud and proud!
I do show my woo woo and it’s done me no favours.. As you know my blog is all about the Temple but it’s not religious in fact when I meditate i sit and chant… Ommmmmmniiiii…… I often chat to the moon for the big decisions in my life and the wall when no one else listens.. I think woo woo balances us. Love it.
In some circles in P-town blogging is seen as a bit of woo-woo and a free service which makes life interesting.