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Creating Cultures Where Well-Being Comes First

Darlene Hawley

How Living with an Invisible Illness Taught Me the True Meaning of Self-Care

May is Mental Health Awareness Month... and while there’s plenty of buzz around self-care this time of year, I want to share something a little more personal.

But for me, mental health isn’t just a trending topic... it’s deeply personal.

I want to pull back the curtain and share a part of my story that most people don't see.
 
I live with an invisible illness.

You probably wouldn’t know it just by looking at me... It’s quiet, meaning it doesn’t show on the outside, and persistent, always there in the background, shaping how I move through the world. One of the hardest (and most important) lessons it’s taught me is this:

If I don’t take care of myself first... everything else suffers.

Not just my health... but my relationships, my work, my creativity, my presence, my voice.

So I’ve started fiercely protecting the daily rituals that help me feel like myself again. Not just once in a while, but consistently:

✨ I go to bed and wake up around the same time each day... not because I want to, but because my body craves it.

✨ I move my body... not for the calories burned, but so I can keep moving each day. A stretch, a walk, a Pilates class, and a dance party in the kitchen resets my energy in a way nothing else can.

✨ I’ve learned that eating clean, less processed, more home-cooked meals helps me feel more like myself.

✨ I leave white space on my calendar. One of the hardest lessons I've learned is that not every hour needs to be filled... sometimes the most powerful thing I can do is sit in my backyard and just be.

✨ I get outside. Even if it’s just 10 minutes of sunshine on my face or standing barefoot in the grass... nature doesn’t ask anything of me and that’s the reminder I often need most.

These small, consistent choices help me show up stronger... not just for myself, but for my family, my friends, my clients, and my community.

And I believe that kind of well-being—one that starts with awareness and expands into action... is something we can create inside our workplaces too.

That’s why I’m offering my workshop, Speaking Up: The Pathway to Well-Being, to teams and organizations during Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond.

It’s a half-day Step into Your Moxie® experience designed to help employees explore the barriers to their wellness, create healthier boundaries, and communicate their needs with more confidence and power.

If you’d like to explore bringing this session to your workplace or employee resource group... or if you're curious how 1:1 or group coaching could support you or your team’s growth... book a quick call with me.  I’d love to help you create a culture where well-being isn’t an afterthought... It’s the foundation.

Prioritizing mental health... at home and at work, isn’t just important. It’s essential.

Whether you're supporting yourself, your team, or your entire organization, remember this:
Well-being starts small, but its impact is limitless.
Let’s build workplaces (and lives) where wellness isn’t optional... it’s foundational.

✨Ready to Own Your Story and Attract Your Dream Clients?✨

If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your message and start using storytelling as a powerful tool to connect, inspire, and sell—then I’d love to invite you to my It’s Time to Own Your Story: Mini-Course.

In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to:
✔️ Identify the key moments in your story that captivate your audience.
✔️ Share your story in a way that builds trust and positions you as the go-to expert.
✔️ Use storytelling across your website, social media, and sales conversations to attract and convert more clients.


Plus, you’ll get a step-by-step workbook and personal feedback on your brand story—so you can start sharing with confidence.

Get Instant Access for just $47

10 Effective Communication Tips
Darlene Hawley, Personal Branding & Business Coach for service based entrepreneurs

Hey There!

I'm Darlene



As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.


My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.


Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.


Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.


Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.

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