Trust – One Choice at a Time
Dear Lene,
I've been working a lot with trust lately.
How we build it. How we nurture it. What happens when it's broken, and how we find our way back.
Through this work, I've become increasingly aware of just how much of our lives is built on trust.
Trust is a foundation we build our lives upon.
We live with trust every single day.
Trust in the people around us. In our families, our friends, and the people we love. In the systems and society we're part of. In people taking responsibility, keeping their word, and treating one another with respect.
And at the heart of all this is the trust we have in ourselves.
In our own judgment. In the choices we make. In what we know and feel to be true and right for us.
But how do we actually build this trust?
I believe it begins with the little things.
Getting up in the morning. Showing up when we say we will. Following through on what we've promised. Taking responsibility, even when no one is watching.
And perhaps most importantly, choosing to do what we know is right, even when it would be easier not to.
Because the little choices aren't as little as we think.
They become habits. Our habits shape how we live. And over time, they create a foundation of trust.
Trust in ourselves.
Not because we never make mistakes.
But because we know we're doing our best to act with honesty, responsibility, and love. Because we can acknowledge our mistakes, learn from them, and take
responsibility for the consequences of our choices.
We don't need to know how everything will turn out.
We need to trust that we can meet whatever comes our way.
And as we build this trust within ourselves, it begins to shape how we show up for others.
We become more confident in being honest. In setting boundaries. In trusting others without giving away responsibility for ourselves.
But what happens when trust is broken?
When someone we love does something that makes us question them? When we make a choice we know wasn't right? Or when something we believed in turns out to be different from what we expected?
That's when we begin to understand what trust really means.
Because trust cannot always be restored through words.
It has to be rebuilt through action.
By showing that we take responsibility. That we follow through on what we say. That we're willing to make different choices from the ones that brought us here.
And this takes time.
How long does it take to rebuild trust?
There is no single answer.
We're all different. We carry different experiences, and we each need our own time to find our way back to feeling safe.
Sometimes trust returns quickly. Other times, it takes much longer.
And sometimes we have to accept that trust may never return in quite the same way.
How many times can we rebuild it?
Is there a limit?
I don't believe there's a number that can answer that.
But we can ask ourselves whether what we're doing is actually building trust.
Are we seeing change? Are we taking responsibility? Do our actions reflect our words?
And perhaps most importantly:
Are we acting from a place of love and respect, both for ourselves and for others?
Because love doesn't mean accepting everything.
Sometimes love means giving someone another chance. Other times, it means setting a clear boundary.
And both can come from a place of trust.
Trust in knowing what's right for us, and in our ability to stand by the choices we make.
I believe we can practice this throughout our lives.
Being conscious of our choices. Checking in with ourselves before we act. Being consistent in the little things, so we build the strength to meet the bigger ones.
And this is where the breath comes in.
Our breath gives us an opportunity to pause.
A small moment between what we experience and what we choose to do.
A moment to ask ourselves:
Am I acting from what I truly believe in?
Is this a choice I can stand behind?
Is this building trust, both in myself and in the people around me?
And perhaps this is where we begin building a stronger foundation.
One breath. One choice. One action at a time.
N.B. — Note to self. Breathe.
Northern Breath
N.B. also stands for nota bene, a Latin expression meaning "take special note" or "pay attention."
And for me, these two letters have come to represent something at the heart of what I want to share.
Notice how you feel. What you choose. What you do.
And how the little things you do each day shape the life you're creating.
There's something else I'd like to share with you.
You have chosen to give me some of your time and attention. Perhaps you've breathed with me. Perhaps we've met, or perhaps you only know me through the words I share here.
Either way, you've opened yourself to me and my work.
And that means a great deal.
In a world where we have so many people to follow, so many voices to listen to, and so many ways to spend our time, I don't take that for granted.
I don't simply want to reach people.
I want human connection.
I want to build something meaningful. Something rooted in compassion, honesty, and love.
I want to earn your trust through what I do, not just through what I say.
I don't know exactly where this journey will take me.
But I trust it.
And I trust that when we meet ourselves and one another with awareness, responsibility, and love, we can build something that lasts.
Thank you for being here. And thank you for your trust.
With love,
Lene
Northern Breath
The Art of Rest
It begins with a breath.
This morning, I'm writing from bed.
Coffee in hand, laptop open, pillows behind my back.
The girls have left for school, and after a long day yesterday, ending with our Northern Breath gathering, I decided this was exactly where I wanted to begin my Thursday.
Not because I couldn't get up and sit at my desk.
But because I could choose not to.
And that got me thinking about rest.
How we make room for it. How easily we postpone it. And how often we think of rest as something we have to earn.
A room of our own
Our surroundings have a remarkable influence on how we feel, how we breathe, and how well we rest.
The light in our bedroom. The temperature. The sounds around us. Even what and when we eat.
All these small things can influence how well we sleep.
And while much of this may seem obvious, there is something worth remembering:
Our bodies are constantly responding to the environments we create for them.
Light helps regulate our internal clock. A comfortably cool bedroom can support sleep. Noise can interrupt it, even when we don't fully wake up.
And perhaps most importantly, our bodies need an opportunity to settle.
This is something I return to again and again in my work with Northern Breath.
The connection between our breath, our nervous system, and our ability to find moments of calm in the middle of everyday life.
Because sometimes, even when everything around us is quiet, we are anything but.
Before sleep comes the breath
We often think of breathing as something that simply happens.
And of course, it does.
But the way we breathe can also influence how we feel.
When we're stressed, worried or rushing through our days, our breathing can become quicker, shallower or less regular.
And sometimes we carry that same breathing pattern into bed.
Our body may be lying down, but our mind is still running through tomorrow's responsibilities, unfinished conversations and everything we haven't managed to do.
This is where a little awareness can make a difference.
Slow, comfortable breathing can help support the body's natural relaxation response.
Not by forcing ourselves to sleep.
But by giving ourselves an opportunity to settle.
We cannot force rest. But we can create the conditions that welcome it.
And sometimes that begins with a single conscious breath.
Small things that make a difference
Better sleep doesn't necessarily require dramatic changes.
Sometimes it's about paying attention to a few simple things.
Light.
Our bodies respond to the natural rhythm of day and night. Darkness in the evening and daylight in the morning help support our internal clock.
Here in Tromsø, above the Arctic Circle, we experience something quite extraordinary. For several weeks each winter, the sun never rises above the horizon. Our days are reduced to a few hours of twilight, and the distinction between day and night becomes less obvious.
It makes me particularly aware of how important light is to our daily rhythm. Getting outside during those precious daylight hours, even when the sun itself is nowhere to be seen, becomes a small but meaningful habit.
Temperature.
A slightly cooler bedroom can make sleeping more comfortable. There isn't one perfect temperature for everyone, so find what works for your body.
Sound.
Some of us need silence. Others sleep better with a little consistent background sound. The important thing is reducing disturbances that interrupt our rest.
Food.
A heavy meal just before bedtime may make sleep uncomfortable, while going to bed hungry can be distracting. Again, it's about finding a balance.
And then there is the one thing we carry with us everywhere.
Our breath.
A little breathing practice before bed
Tonight, before you fall asleep, try giving yourself a few minutes without your phone, a podcast or another distraction.
Lie comfortably.
Allow your shoulders to soften.
Relax your jaw.
Place one hand on your abdomen if you like.
Breathe gently in and out through your nose, if comfortable.
Notice the movement of your belly and lower ribs.
Allow each exhale to be soft and unhurried.
Continue for a few minutes.
You don't need to count.
You don't need to achieve anything.
And you certainly don't need to breathe perfectly.
Simply notice what happens when you give yourself permission to slow down.
If your thoughts wander, let them.
Return to the next breath.
And the next.
Rest is not a reward
Perhaps this is what I wanted to remind myself of this morning.
We don't always have to wait until everything is finished before allowing ourselves to rest.
There will always be another email.
Another responsibility.
Another thing asking for our attention.
And with November bringing darker days, changing weather and the busy holiday season ahead, perhaps it's worth becoming a little more conscious of how we use our energy.
Our intention at Northern Breath this month is SHAPE.
And that includes shaping the small habits that support the way we want to live.
The way we begin our mornings.
The way we end our evenings.
The way we respond to our own needs.
Sometimes shaping our lives means taking action.
And sometimes it means choosing to do a little less.
This morning, it meant coffee, a laptop and a few extra hours beneath the duvet.
And I couldn't think of a better place to be.
N.B. – Note to self. Breathe.
With love,
Lene
Northern Breath — Your Breath. Your State. Your Life.
Breathable Fabric on a Breathing Body
Hi everyone,
What are you wearing today?
I've always loved fashion. Not simply for its beauty, but for the stories it tells.
A dress can change the way we enter a room. A piece of clothing can hold a memory, reveal something about us, or allow us to become someone entirely different for an evening.
Having spent years in front of the camera, I've come to appreciate just how much a costume can say before a character speaks a single word.
But I've also become increasingly interested in what lies beneath the beauty.
The fabric itself.
What we choose to place against our skin. What we allow our bodies to live in, move in, sleep in.
Because elegance, to me, should never come at the expense of feeling at home in our own bodies.
Imagine a dress beautiful enough for a dinner party, yet so comfortable you could fall asleep in it.
That is what drew me to AWAN — As We Are Now, the Scandinavian clothing brand founded by Anette. Her designs bring together elegance, comfort and thoughtfully chosen, breathable fabrics.
Breathable fabric on a breathing body.
Recently, I had the pleasure of wearing AWAN for a photoshoot in our beautiful Arctic surroundings.
Last Friday, Anette stepped into my world and experienced Northern Breath for the very first time.
Two women, two creative worlds, discovering where our ideas and passions meet.
More on that soon.
With love,
Lene
N.B. – Note to self. Breathe.
November's intention: SHAPE.
As we are now.
We begin where we are. We shape what comes next.
Through the choices we make, the actions we take, and the way we choose to live.
It all begins with a breath.
Northern Breath
Your Breath. Your State. Your Life.
Trust.
Looking back, I can see that the biggest decisions in my life all had one thing in common.
I never knew exactly how they would unfold.
I simply knew it was time to take the next step.
Not with certainty.
With trust.
Trust to move north.
Trust to begin renovating a house that often felt bigger than I knew how to manage.
Trust to keep showing up as a mother.
Trust to build Northern Breath one conversation, one class, and one breath at a time.
Looking back, I can see that trust never gave me all the answers.
It simply gave me the courage to take the next step.
Perhaps that's why Trust has become our practice this month.
Not because it removes uncertainty.
But because it allows us to keep moving, even when we can't yet see the whole path.
Perhaps taking the leading role in our own lives doesn't begin with confidence.
Perhaps it begins with trust.
Trusting ourselves.
Trusting our breath.
Trusting our hearts.
Trusting our becoming.
This Week's Practice
Take a quiet moment today and ask yourself:
Where is life inviting me to trust a little more?
Don't rush the answer.
Just notice what comes.
Then choose one small step.
One breath.
One choice.
One meaningful action.
With love,
Lene 🤍
I'm Opening the Door
For a long time, I've quietly been building.
A home.
A business.
A community.
A life.
Today, I'd like to open the door and invite you in.
Not because everything is finished.
Quite the opposite.
Because this story is still being written.
Over the coming months, I'll take you behind Northern Breath and The Arctic Villa.
I'll share the chapters that shaped this life—the move north, the renovation, motherhood, rebuilding, and the moments that shaped me.
But most importantly...
I'll share what we're creating today.
Because I believe life isn't something we simply look back on.
It's something we continue to build.
One breath.
One choice.
One meaningful action at a time.
I'm not sharing to be seen.
I'm sharing because stories connect us.
Because seeing someone else keep building can remind us to keep building our own lives too.
Thank you for being here.
N.B.
This month, we begin a new chapter.
The Leading Role.
Our practice is Trust.
Trust your breath.
Trust your heart.
Trust your becoming.
Every meaningful story begins with a single choice.
This month, let's practice trusting ours.
Welcome in.
With love,
Lene 🤍
If today's letter spoke to you, I'd love to hear your story. Just hit reply.
Before September comes to an end...
A few weeks ago, I invited you to live with one simple intention.
Not as an affirmation.
Not as something to achieve.
But as an action.
Receive.
As autumn quietly settles in here in the Arctic, I've been wondering what this simple word has invited into your life.
Receive support.
Receive rest.
Receive beauty.
Receive what life is quietly offering you.
Perhaps you've noticed yourself receiving something unexpected this month.
A conversation.
A quiet morning.
A helping hand.
A moment of clarity.
A deep breath.
Or perhaps you've discovered something else.
That receiving isn't always easy.
Many of us have spent a lifetime learning how to give.
To help.
To work harder.
To hold everything together.
Receiving asks something different.
It asks us to soften.
To trust that we don't always have to carry everything alone.
As an actor, I was taught that every scene begins with an action.
Not a feeling.
Not an idea.
An action.
Something clear enough to live.
Something you can return to, moment after moment.
Over the years, I've come to believe life works much the same way.
One simple action, lived with intention, quietly begins to shape who we become.
This month, my action has been simple.
I receive.
Not perfectly.
Not every day.
But intentionally.
And something beautiful happens when we slow down enough to receive.
We begin to notice how much life has already been offering us.
Before we step into a new month together...
I'd love to leave you with just one question.
What have you received this month that you couldn't have planned?
Perhaps the answer isn't something big.
Perhaps it's simply the person you've become while paying attention.
Stay with that for a little while longer.
Keep receiving.
September isn't quite finished with you yet.
Your Practice
This Month's Intention
Receive
This Month's Action
I receive.
I receive support.
I receive rest.
I receive beauty.
I receive kindness.
I receive this season.
I receive what life is quietly offering me.
This week, gently practice your action.
Notice every opportunity life gives you to receive.
One breath.
One intention.
One meaningful action.
With warmth,
Lene ❤️
Receive
This month, our intention is simple: Receive.
Not as an affirmation, but as a way of living.
The breath is one of our greatest teachers.
Every inhale is an act of receiving.
You don't force it.
You allow it.
You trust that what you need will come.
Then, when the time is right...
You let it go.
As an actor, I was taught to choose an action.
Not a feeling.
Not an idea.
An action.
Something clear enough to live.
Something you can return to, moment after moment.
Over the years, I've come to believe life works much the same way.
Rather than asking,
"How do I want to feel?"
I find it more helpful to ask,
"What is my action?"
Your Practice
I receive.
I receive support.
I receive rest.
I receive beauty.
I receive kindness.
I receive this season.
I receive what life is quietly offering me.
Notice what begins to change when you choose to live this action.
One breath.
One intention.
One meaningful action.
With warmth,
Lene ❤️
This Month's Intention
Receive
This Month's Action
I receive
Lene's Tuesday Breath
Receive
What if this month wasn't about doing more?
Here in the Arctic, I can feel the seasons changing.
The air is a little cooler. The light is softer. Nature begins to slow down.
Every season has something to teach us.
Spring invites us to begin.
Summer encourages us to grow.
Autumn asks something entirely different.
It invites us to receive.
Receive where you are today.
Receive support.
Receive rest.
Receive love.
Receive new opportunities.
Receive this season exactly as it is.
For many of us, receiving is far more difficult than giving.
We're comfortable helping others.
Working harder.
Doing more.
Holding everything together.
But receiving asks something else of us.
It asks us to soften.
To trust.
To believe that we don't always have to carry everything alone.
At Northern Breath, we'll explore one intention each month—not simply as an affirmation, but as a way of living.
A word to breathe with.
A word to notice.
A word to practice.
For this month, our intention is:
Receive
The breath is one of our greatest teachers.
Every inhale is an act of receiving.
You don't force it.
You allow it.
You trust that what you need will come.
Then, when the time is right...
You let it go.
As an actor, I was taught to choose an action.
Not a feeling.
Not an idea.
An action.
Something clear enough to live.
Something you can return to, moment after moment.
Over the years, I've come to believe life works much the same way.
Rather than asking,
"How do I want to feel?"
I find it more helpful to ask,
"What is my action?"
This Month's Practice
I receive.
I receive support.
I receive rest.
I receive beauty.
I receive kindness.
I receive this season.
I receive what life is quietly offering me.
Notice what changes when you choose to live this action.
One breath.
One intention.
One meaningful action.
With warmth,
Lene ❤️