It takes courage to follow your instincts and intuition, especially when it is leading you to major life changes. Vanessa Finnigan chose to heed her inner voice and it led her to the Sunshine Coast and to the creation of Holistic Bliss magazine. The magazine features natural therapies and holistic health. It is full of interesting people and techniques. Many from the Sunshine Coast.

One year on, the magazine has increased production and is going from strength to strength. Vanessa states that the whole journey has been a bit surreal - both immensely rewarding and undeniably challenging. She never dreamed that she would end up in publishing when she began her psychology degree straight out of high school.

However it was a sense of disillusionment with the clinical approach to treating clients that inspired Vanessa to question and investigate a more holistic approach to healing. Through ten years of experience working with children and families, observations in clinic, ongoing professional development and her own personal growth, Vanessa realised that a singular approach to healing could not cater for everyone. Consequently her interest in alternative therapies increased. Learning Expressive Therapies and Art Therapy only reinforced her belief that the creative process is potent in the healing journey. Intuitively she knew for deep healing to occur there had to be a balance between the clinical and the body/mind consciousness.

Ultimately Vanessa felt the need to move in another direction and with her passion for alternative healing flourishing, she followed her bliss and began writing articles on holistic healing for a variety of health magazines. Convinced there needed to be an integration of the two, writing the articles allowed her to give voice to her new understandings.

The move to the Sunshine Coast fourteen months ago forced Vanessa to make a decision about what career path she wanted to follow. It seemed almost an organic progression for her to create the magazine. The name Holistic Bliss and the idea of a quick read publication just emerged. The first eight page edition in March 2009 was published at home with a circulation of 5000.

'My intention was to create a forum for people to express their unique message. To be a small part of someone’s awakening, their growth and change is amazing,’ Vanessa explains.

Last month the circulation increased to 10 000 and now covers an area from Hervey Bay to Brisbane. Vanessa is amazed at the magazines success and incredibly grateful for the support it has received. When I asked where her instincts might take her next and whether it might include another publication Vanessa smiled and replied, “It feels more congruent for me to write a book.”
I also happen to know that following her bliss would include learning about, cultivating and using herbs for healing. Perhaps the combination could again prove a resounding success.

Wherever Vanessa’s instincts lead her next I am sure that it will bring joy both to herself and others.