Keywords sobriety, self-love, mother-daughter healing, generational patterns, alcohol culture, accountability, meditation, mantra meditation, spirituality, crystals, nervous system, emotional availability, boundaries, conscious communication, Enchanted Minds Studio, healing relationships, recovery, self-discovery, thriving
Summary In this heartfelt episode of Thriving Not Surviving, Helen is joined by Nicola Laurence — mum of Georgia (Ep 38) — for a moving, multi-generational conversation about what it means to wake up to a life you didn’t even realise was “survival mode.” Nicola shares her upbringing in a party-heavy Irish Catholic household, starting alcohol young, the rave scene, loneliness, and the way responsibility and emotional absence shaped her early life and parenting. She speaks with raw honesty about high-functioning chaos, using alcohol as a toolkit, and the painful moments that only make sense in hindsight.
Nicola then takes us through the turning point: a spiritual awakening sparked by crystals, a return to raving — this time fully present — and a profound self-love realisation after reading Danny Gold’s Clockwork Orange story. From there, meditation becomes the catalyst for real change: stored emotions surface, accountability deepens, and her relationship with Georgia begins to repair and flourish. Together they go on to create Enchanted Minds (now Enchanted Minds Studio), sharing meditation and wellbeing with their local community. Nicola’s story is a powerful reminder that healing is possible, relationships can be repaired, and it’s never too late to choose yourself — and become emotionally available for the people you love.
Takeaways
Sometimes we don’t realise we’re surviving — because we think that’s just “life.”
High functioning doesn’t mean healthy — it can still be coping and numbness.
Emotional availability starts with you — you can’t give what you don’t have.
Self-love isn’t fluffy — it’s the foundation for real connection and repair.
Meditation can create the space for stored emotions to rise and heal.
Accountability is uncomfortable… and transformational.
It’s never too late to repair a relationship — especially with your child.
Conscious communication + boundaries create safety, not distance.
Community healing spaces matter — we need places that aren’t built around booze.
Raising your “vibration” often changes what you want — without force or willpower.
Books
Gould Blimey! — Danny Gould (a memoir from the co-founder of the Clockwork Orange party brand)
The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith — Gabrielle Bernstein
Connect with Nicola
Co-founder - @enchantedmindsstudio, 58 Chapel St, Billericay Essex CM12 9LS
Coaching - @nclcoaching_ Empowering people to live intentional while taking accountability
Instagram: @enchantedminds_
Facebook: Enchanted Minds
Website: Enchanted Minds
YouTube: Enchanted Minds
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
WhatsApp: 07971798462
NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions
For full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk
🎵Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios
🎨Cover art: Dave Champagne
For full transcription, contact: helen@inspiredhealing.co.uk
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