CosmopolitanAustralia201507 .

“

I realised literally

days before turning

30 that the man I’d married

three months prior wasn’t

right for me. It soon became

what would be the most

tumultuous year of my life...

After all, this was the man

I had said ‘yes’ to spending

the rest of my life with and

all of a sudden it seemed like

my whole world was crashing

down around me. I fought to

save ‘us’ to the point where

I became a shell of the person

I used to be – I felt like my

only purpose was to try to

make my husband happy and

save my so-young marriage.

“

My 28th year was

the worst. I’d lost

all confidence in my career,

struggling with the demands

of a new cruel and bullying

boss... and then my boyfriend

of four years dumped me. We

were just about to move in

together – I genuinely thought

he was the man I was going to

marry. I was destroyed. Cue

marathon crying sessions,

drinking far too much, and

sleepless nights wondering

how my lovely life had all

gone so wrong. Then I got

offered a freelance travel

writing gig to climb Mount

Kilimanjaro. It was the focus

THE

ROCKS

THAT

I GOT

Crystal healer

Madeleine Marie

(thecrownchakra.

com.au) shows how

gemstones can

transform your

weekend – whether

through actual

superpowers or

just adding sparkle.

Keep on your desk

or carry with you...

84 COSMOPOLITAN.com.au TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 136 116

BACKTOBACK

MEETINGS:

Tiger’s Eye

Sharpens the senses and

helps you to be practical.

You’ll be in total #girlboss

mode for that meeting.

MOTIVATION FOR

MORNING BOOT CAMP:

Hematite

Energises and vitalises

the physical body (you’ll

need any help you can

get once burpees start).

OVERSHARING GUILT

FROM LAST NIGHT:

Amethyst

Kill o
 any anxiety with

this stone of contentment.

It bestows stability,

strength and inner peace.

AFTERNOON ENERGY

SLUMP:

Smoky Quartz

Dissipates blocked energy

and negativity, and could

save you from sending

that snarky email.

BEFORE HEADING OUT

FOR BRUNCH:

Green Aventurine

Balances male and female

energies and promotes an

easygoing attitude. You’ll

be the life of the party.

MEAL PREP FOR THE

WEEK:

Carnelian

Restores vitality,

motivation and stimulates

creativity – when all you

want to do is watch TV.

PREDATE VINO:

Rose Quartz

Opens your heart,

preparing you for possibly

a new romance. Also

promotes forgiveness

and compassion.

STUDY SESH BEFORE

COCKTAIL HOUR:

Selenite

Enhances clarity of the

mind and concentration,

helping you get through

that weekend to-do list.

ROAST DINNER WITH

THE FAMILY:

Black Tourmaline

Disperses stress, tension

and negative energy so

you’ll keep your cool if

things get heated.

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

I needed. And sitting on top

of that damn mountain at 7am,

exhausted from climbing all

through the night, gave me

the clarity I needed and a

huge confidence boost that

this was my life and I had

to overhaul it. I put all my

energies into finding a new

job – and after a few months

landed my dream job. The

boyfriend took a little while

longer, but I knew I was on

the right path again. I hadn’t

realised how unhappy I’d been

and how much that life wasn’t

right for me. By the end of my

29th year I was back. Happy

again.” – Rachel*, 36

It wasn’t helping that this

person, who I once thought

was the love of my life, was

emotionally tearing me down

as much as he could. After

almost a year of living a total

nightmare, I had a lightbulb

moment and I realised that

I didn’t deserve what was

happening to me. The battle

finally came to an end, and I

came out the other side much

happier and more ‘me’ than

ever. I have a new perspective

on how I should be treated

and I’ve been lucky enough

to fall in love again – with

someone who I believe is The

(Right) One” – Stephanie*, 32