Laura Rain Holistic Spiritual Counselor

What would it feel like to spend a few days without the constant pull of notifications, schedules, and the pressure to keep up?

This July, I'll be serving as an assistant facilitator for Enter the Quiet, a silent retreat at Hope Springs Institute.

Silence isn't about empty space. It's about creating room to hear your own thoughts, reconnect with what matters most, and simply be present without needing to do, fix, or accomplish anything.

If you've been craving a little more peace, clarity, or breathing room in your life, this retreat may be worth exploring.

You can learn more through Hope Springs Institute's website. I hope it finds the people who need it.

https://www.hopespringsinstitute.org/events-1/enter-the-quiet-summer-silent-retreat-2

Today I am sitting in my office between clients and feeling inspired to share something. A little over two years ago, I felt a persistent nudge from Spirit that said: "Use your voice to bring more healing and more light to more people. Your words, your message, and your story are needed."

I hadn't written much professionally since my book's publication in 2019, so I started writing again with a blog. Outside of some corporate mindfulness trainings, I hadn’t spoken publicly since the Walk the Talk event in 2017, so I started speaking again with a podcast.

Since January 2024, I've written 38 blog posts, and in April 2025, I launched The Holistic Spiritual Counselor's Podcast, which now has 18 episodes and has reached nearly 600 downloads.

Putting personal stories out there has been one of the most vulnerable things I've ever done. I've had to let go of perfectionism, stop worrying so much about what others might think, and trust in “it’s good enough”.

The feedback I get from people about how my work has helped them has been incredibly fulfilling and brings a deep sense of personal satisfaction and purpose. I am so grateful and blessed.

I now know that my voice and story matter and that your voice and story matters too. You never know how having the courage to truly show up, connect with people, share your story, your kindness, or your light might make a difference in someone else's life.

Thank you for being part of the community of people bringing more light and love to the world! 🙏💕

https://www.holisticspiritualcounseling.com/podcast

https://www.holisticspiritualcounseling.com/blog

https://www.holisticspiritualcounseling.com/self-help-book-not-from-here

Sometimes we're not failing—we're simply carrying more than we have the capacity to hold.

In this week's podcast, I'm talking about over capacity—why so many of us feel overwhelmed, how it affects our nervous systems, and a few gentle ways to begin creating more space for ourselves.

If you've been feeling stretched too thin lately, I hope you'll give it a listen. ❤️

https://www.holisticspiritualcounseling.com/podcast

In July, I'll be serving as an assistant facilitator for Enter the Quiet, a silent retreat at Hope Springs Institute.

One of the things I value most about silent retreat is the opportunity to step away from the constant noise and stimulation of everyday life. In the quiet, we often hear ourselves more clearly. We remember what matters. We reconnect with a deeper sense of presence.

If you've been feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or simply longing for some space to breathe, this may be a meaningful experience to explore.

You can learn more about the retreat through Hope Springs Institute. I'd love to see you there.

https://www.hopespringsinstitute.org/events-1/enter-the-quiet-summer-silent-retreat-2

A new word recently entered a conversation my husband and I have been having for years: over-capacity.

Sometimes life is full of things we love, and still feels like too much to hold.

In my latest blog, I share some personal reflections on family, overwhelm, burnout, and what it means when the demands of life consistently exceed our available energy and resources.

If you've been feeling stretched thin lately, this may resonate.💚

Read the full post on my blog --> https://www.holisticspiritualcounseling.com/blog/when-life-feels-like-too-much-understanding-over-capacity

Or link in the bio.

I’m in the middle of a big decision right now… and honestly, parts of me completely disagree with each other.

One part of me says yes. Another says no. And both make really valid points.

If I’m being honest, it’s uncomfortable and a little frustrating to sit in the not knowing. I want clarity. I want an answer.

But I’m learning that rushing to a decision just to feel better doesn’t always lead to alignment.

So instead, I’ve been practicing something different. Slowing down. Listening to each part of myself. Letting them all have a voice instead of trying to force one to win.

I wrote about this process in my latest blog post, because I know I’m not the only one who feels this way when facing a big life decision.

If you’re feeling torn right now, this is for you.

Read the full post here: https://www.holisticspiritualcounseling.com/blog/how-to-resolve-inner-conflict

Or link in my bio

I’m back with a new podcast episode after taking a two month break from recording and writing.

During that time, every time I sat down to create something, I realized I had nothing to say. The words simply were not there. Instead of forcing it, I allowed myself to step away and sit in the quiet. That experience led me to reflect on something we rarely value in our culture: the importance of silence.

In this new episode, Permission to Shut Out the Noise: How Practicing Silence Can Be an Act of Deep Self-Care, I talk about why choosing silence is not the absence of care or engagement. Sometimes it is actually the most supportive thing we can do for ourselves. Silence creates space for clarity, wisdom, and healing.

We live in a world that constantly pushes us to stay informed, produce, respond, and keep up with everything around us. But we are not wired to be “on” all the time. We need rest. We need quiet. And sometimes the most meaningful thing we can do is pause long enough to listen inward.

If you have been feeling overwhelmed by the noise and pressure of the world lately, I hope this episode offers you permission to slow down and create small moments of intentional silence in your day.

You can listen to the episode here: https://www.holisticspiritualcounseling.com/podcast

As always, thank you for being here and for allowing me to be part of your journey.

🌿 New Blog: Permission to Pause the Noise: How Practicing Silence Can Be an Act of Deep Self-Care

After a two-month break from writing, I realized something important: sometimes silence isn’t emptiness. It’s wisdom.

We live in a world saturated with opinions, information, and constant demands for output. There is pressure to speak, advocate, produce, and stay engaged at all times. But silence is not the absence of care. It is not complacency.

Silence can be a conscious pause.
A reset.
A way to reconnect with clarity before moving forward.

Self-care isn’t just about rest in the traditional sense. At its core, it is about listening deeply to yourself and honoring your natural rhythm. Sometimes that means stepping back from the noise and allowing quiet to do its work.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or pulled in too many directions, this blog is an invitation to give yourself permission to pause.

👉 Read the full blog here:https://www.holisticspiritualcounseling.com/blog

Where in your life might silence be exactly what you need right now?

I just released a new podcast episode called: How to Cultivate Joy When Life Feels Hard

At the time of recording this, it’s December — a season that’s often described as joyful and happy. For me, it often feels like the opposite. It can be overwhelming, exhausting, and emotionally heavy.

In this episode, I talk about the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness tends to come from something external. Joy is an internal state of being — one that can exist even when life is hard, uncertain, or imperfect.

I also share honestly about why joy has felt elusive for me at times, especially when I’m aware of the suffering in the world or when someone I love is struggling. For a long time, I didn’t feel like I had permission to experience joy unless everything and everyone was “okay.”

This episode is an invitation to stop forcing happiness and instead gently practice joy through presence, gratitude, rest, and self compassion — even in seasons that feel heavy.

If joy feels hard to access right now, you are not alone. I hope this conversation offers you a sense of permission, grounding, and support.

🎧 Listen to the episode here: https://www.holisticspiritualcounseling.com/podcast

If it resonates, feel free to share it with someone who might need it too.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the difference between happiness and joy, especially in a season where many of us are carrying heavier things. Happiness is tied to circumstance. Joy is something deeper. It’s quieter, steadier, and something we have to practice if we want it to stay with us.

In my newest post, I share how joy has been a challenge for me over the years, why it can feel vulnerable to let ourselves experience it, and the daily practices that help me return to a place of peace even when life isn’t perfect.

If you’ve been struggling to feel lightness lately, I hope this offers some grounding and gives you permission to feel joy again, right where you are.

Read it here --> https://www.holisticspiritualcounseling.com/blog