Lucia Santa Maria has a few pretty amazing life skills up her sleeves, which are beautifully turned out for the record. She is a transformational life coach who is also a whizz in the style department, with a successful career in costume design for TV and film, most recently dressing the cast of Motherland and hit Netflix series Geek Girl.
But though Lucia clearly loves fashion, and is well aware of the influence of how we look on how we feel, her primary (and holistic) approach is most often one of substance first, then style.
“Coaching starts with a client’s core values and life transitions,” she says, speaking from her home-cum-office in Chiswick, West London. “When I’m working with someone, we may look at how they can move forward or retrieve a stronger sense of identity. Image work can follow, and they may want to restyle their wardrobe and/or refresh their personal brand – but some clients do only come for coaching.”
Lucia is trained in NLP, or neuro-linguistic programming, a psychological approach that involves analysing strategies used by successful individuals and applying them to reach a personal goal. She also uses the Core Value System method. Her Core Values Package is designed to ‘align your inner life with your outer expression’ and uncover the ‘profound connection between our deepest beliefs and your personal style’.
Life goals clients want to work on can be career development or change, how to parent a child with a disability, dealing with grief or simply feeling stuck.
A session with her is split into three parts:
- Reflective discovery, when you will be given three “pivotal questions” that delve into your core values and personality and how they align with your current image and style.
- The in-depth consultation: lasting 60-90 minutes when you will explore your unique inner life; self-talk (inner chatter that can lead to self-sabotage) and your relationship with your body (such a biggie for many of us). From this, she helps you identify how you can make positive change and growth.
- Finally, you will be sent a personalised mood board; a board of images and ideas that reflect your style values. This, with helpful pointers, are designed to help you discover a good balance between who you are and how you present yourself.
Lucia always follows a session with a round-up of helpful ideas and pointers, so you can be clear on how to make progress that’s right for you.
I was lucky to have a session with her, and to be guided through my core values, personal goals and public image. It felt just like a chat with a good friend, one who leaves you feeling more positive and with an awareness of what you may need to work on. For example, it’s fine to want to be seen as a kind person but what about boundaries? Where does being kind cross over into being taken advantage of? Does wanting to avoid conflict say something deeper about you that needs changing? Lucia followed up with lots of clever helpful tips and a smorgasbord of images to inspire my style: an array of earthy colours and textures with an ethnic feel, plus some gloss and glamour thrown in. What’s not to like?
While identity is a common theme in her work, it’s not confined to any specific age: “I think in our 20s, 30s and 40s, we’re establishing our individuality and finding our identity… then as one gets into the 50s and 60s, certain issues come from our ancestral attics, so to speak, and start to rear their heads.” She also sees burnout in all ages: she describes it as “a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress where we fulfil roles that do not align with our own internal value system”. Women can be more susceptible to burnout than men, finds a study by Mental Health UK (January 2024), and pressures in balancing work, family and societal expectations of them are big factors in this.
Lucia believes her approach, which focuses on helping women rediscover their identities and core values, can help counteract burnout, reduce stress and lead to a greater sense of wellbeing. Setting achievable goals, and connecting to your true self are good ways to go, she says.
With that in mind, here is a taster of Lucia Santa Maria’s approach – her top 10 tips for aligning your core values and reducing stress:
- Rediscover your True North: Dive deep into your core values by reflecting on what defines you. Explore your beliefs, principles, and passions to understand what drives you.
- Master the art of saying ‘No’: Protect your time and energy by setting firm boundaries in both your personal and professional life. Learn to say no without guilt.
- Indulge in self-care rituals: Prioritise activities that rejuvenate your mind and body. Whether it’s yoga, a nature walk, or learning a new skill, make time for what revitalises you.
- Embrace the present moment: Practice mindfulness to stay grounded and manage stress. Techniques like meditation and deep breathing can significantly enhance your well-being.
- Build a support network: Lean on your friends, family, or a professional network. Don’t hesitate to seek help when you need it; a strong support system is crucial.
- Delegate like a pro: Lighten your load by sharing responsibilities at home and work. Effective delegation can prevent burnout and ensure your day to day runs a bit more smoothly.
- Organise your life: Use a journal or planner to keep track of your tasks and commitments. This helps you stay on top of what matters to you most.
- Cultivate positivity: Surround yourself with uplifting influences and engage in activities that bring joy. Positivity, in the right dose, can significantly impact your mental and emotional state.
- Balance your worlds: Maintain a healthy work-life balance by dedicating time to both professional and personal spheres. Balance is key to reducing stress.
- Reflect and realign: Regularly assess your life choices to ensure they align with your core values. Continuous reflection helps you stay true to yourself and your goals.
Fees to work with Lucia start at £450
