THE VITAL SHIFT NEWSLETTER

 Reflections & Practices for Growth

A gentle invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with yourself as you navigate life’s shifts, both big and small.   

As summer reaches its peak, offering us fruits and seeds for new beginnings, the season also begins to wane. Yet its warmth still supports us with the energy to explore, reflect, and expand—opening us to the desires that burn quietly in our hearts.

I invite you to consider that too often these desires are silenced by cultural conditioning, fear of failure, or the pressure not to disappoint others. And yet, heart-driven desires are part of our vital force: they fuel motivation, resilience, and determination. Listening to them improves our well-being and prevents the inner discomfort that can so easily turn into procrastination, emotional blocks, or even unhealthy dependencies.

Welcoming these desires requires creating a safe space of emotional intimacy, where we can be both vulnerable and courageous. Sometimes that space is found in loving friendship; other times in a professional relationship where we are heard without judgment. In my coaching practice, desire is one of the eight fundamental areas we must recognize and cultivate if we want to grow authentically and sustainably—for ourselves and for those around us. 

👉 If you feel ready to open this inner space safely, book your free 40-minute exploratory session and take advantage of my special summer offers.

The slow days of August are a good time to let these feelings flow, to bring out those burning desires that sometimes slumber within us. Not to rush to fulfill them, but to begin listening and recognizing them as our own—without immediately judging them “right” or “wrong” through a mindset conditioned to favor convenience or defend the status quo.

It is an act of self-love to listen to our desires with curiosity, as we would to a child experimenting with their first words, and to remain present long enough to recognize what silently burns deep within.

Distinguishing authentic desires from those induced by cultural, educational, or commercial conditioning is not always straightforward: it depends on how well we know ourselves and the level of emotional self-awareness we have reached. But there is one clear difference: the desires of the heart are not exhausted by urgency. They can wait, change shape, be fulfilled in ways different from how we imagined—and above all, they never vanish. Sometimes they arise from a sudden event, like a journey that changes our lives. Other times they are born in childhood and remain like fire beneath the ashes, ready to reignite at the first opportunity.

I know this from my own life. As a child, I would run through the fields until I lost my breath, then lie in the grass and close my eyes. When I opened them again, I longed to see the world as if for the very first time. That yearning—for wonder, curiosity, and awe—never left me. It became the guiding desire behind my studies, my choices, and my work. Even now, it calls me to live fully into who I am and to help others do the same, beyond clichés and judgments.

Vital Shift Focus: What Is a Heart-Driven Desire?

A heart-driven desire is both vulnerable and wise. It is often postponed or dismissed as “too big” or “not practical.” But desire speaks the language of vitality: when we listen, what we feel, what we want, and what we do begin to align.

We call them heart-driven because they come from the core of our being. Neuroscience has discovered that the heart possesses its own independent neural network, capable of coordinating vital functions both autonomously and in connection with the brain. This finding underpins the work of the California-based HeartMath Institute, which for decades has studied the connection between heart, mind, and body—with particular focus on cardiac coherence and its impact on health and well-being.

Science shows us that our body, mind, and spirit are deeply one. Listening to desire is not indulgence. It is self-love, and it fuels authentic growth.

 To Go Deeper 

Researcher Brené Brown reminds us that courage literally begins in the heart. Choosing to honor our true desires—even when they stir vulnerability and fear—is what gives life meaning.

Her book Daring Greatly shows that vulnerability is not weakness, but our greatest strength: the doorway to courage, authentic connection, and creativity.

Client's Story 

One client longed to deepen her spirituality but hesitated. At the end of our program, she chose to listen to her desire: she enrolled in yoga teacher training in Bali while continuing her psychology studies. Today she continues her career as a psychologist without giving up yoga—which now nourishes her personally and allows her to support others in their well-being.

Listen to Desire

You can begin with simple practices:

• Stay with yourself.Hands on your heart. Sit in silence, breathe, and think of a possibility. Do you feel warmth or a quiet “yes”? Trust it.
• Express yourself.Write or paint freely. Ask: “What would I do if I allowed myself to truly want what I desire?” Let words and images flow without judgment.

Sometimes desires shout, sometimes they whisper. What matters is making space to hear them—and finding the courage to honor them when they fuel your vitality.

Don’t Forget

I'm here to support you if you want safely to take a step toward a deeper and more tender listening to your world.

👉 Book your free 40-minute exploratory session today. Together, we’ll discover how to bring clarity and vitality into your life.

And you will find out what next. I’m also still  offering these summer packages at a competitive price:

🔹 Listening & Vitality
A 90-minute individual session to uncover your guiding mindset and the desires of your heart, and to prepare a well-being strategy based on what matters most right now.

🔸 Essential Plan
A 3-session journey to listen, clarify, and align your mindset and desires. You’ll walk away with a concrete action plan and tools to continue on your own—without stress or overwhelm.

Are you ready to listen to your heart-driven desires?

With encouragement for your journey,
Franca

 P.S Let's Stay Connected 

If something in the newsletter sparks a realization, a question, or a desire for deeper exploration, I’d love to hear from you. Sometimes, the proper conversation at the right time can bring the clarity you need to move forward. Your journey is yours alone, but you don’t have to walk it alone. Let’s connect!

📩 Send me a message at franca@francafoligatti.com 

📩 Book a Call