We recently had the chance to connect with Valerie Wong and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Valerie, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, birding has been bringing me so much joy. Spending time in nature is one of my favorite forms of self-care—it’s where I can slow down, breathe a little deeper, and remember there’s more to life than my to-do list. I’ve always loved animals, so falling in love with birding felt like the most natural thing in the world.
Florida is a bird lover’s dream, and I’m lucky to live where there’s such an incredible variety to see. Whether it’s spotting a bright flash of color in the trees or watching a heron glide across the water, those moments feel like little gifts.
I also want to give a shout-out to the Orange Audubon Society. Their Birding 101 class was the perfect introduction and gave me the confidence to get out there with my binoculars. They’re a small but mighty team of volunteers who care deeply about supporting both birds and birders, and I’m so grateful for the work they do.
There’s something magical about tuning into the rhythms of the natural world—it’s a beautiful reminder to be present, pay attention, and find joy in the little things.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure! I’m Valerie and my company is The Intentional Soul. I’m a life coach, journal author, decluttering expert, and lover of all things “woo.” I help people use the power of intentional living to declutter their lives and consciously create a life that feels more peaceful and purposeful.
So often, we’re chasing someone else’s version of success and wondering why it doesn’t feel right or fulfilling. My work is about helping clients slow down, release the mental and physical clutter that’s keeping them stuck, and tune in to what really matters to them—then aligning their thoughts, time, energy, home, relationships, career, and self-care around that vision.
I do this in a few ways — through online coaching, creating lifestyle tools like journals and printables, and my newest service, in-person decluttering and organizing for your home or office. Through all of these, I blend the practical with the spiritual—think Tarot and Oracle cards, nature’s cycles, and astrology—because I believe our inner wisdom is one of our greatest guides. One of my favorite tools to share with my coaching clients is my Find Your Center Daily Self-Care Journal, a 10-minute-a-day guided practice that’s been a game-changer for many of my clients (and for me, too!).
At the end of the day, my work is really about helping people feel more aligned, more present, and to have more time and energy for what truly matters to them.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I think for me, it’s the part that believed I had to do everything perfectly to be worthy or successful. That perfectionist streak served me for a while—it helped me stay driven and organized—but it also kept me from taking risks or enjoying the process. These days, I’m more interested in showing up as my whole, imperfect self, because that’s where the real connection and joy happen.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me that life is always a mix of light and shadow—and that we actually need the dark times to grow. Those harder seasons have made me more resilient and shown me I’m capable of far more than I ever imagined. They’ve also taught me that so much of suffering comes from our thoughts. While we can’t always control what happens, we can choose how we think about it, and that shift alone can ease a lot of the pain. This type of thought work is an important part of my work with my clients.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my friends would tell you that animals, nature, and taking care of Mother Earth are close to my heart, and they’d laugh about the fact that no matter what I’m doing, I’ll drop everything to look at a bird or pet someone’s dog. They’d probably also say I’m big on finding the magic in everyday life, and that I believe joy, kindness, and intention aren’t just nice ideas—they’re how I try to show up in the world.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m out in nature, where everything just seems to move at the pace it’s meant to. As an introvert and highly sensitive person, I really value my alone time—it’s how I recharge and reconnect with myself. There’s also something so grounding about curling up at home with my cats, listening to their purrs, and writing in my journal, just being fully in the moment. Those simple, quiet spaces are where I feel most peaceful and connected to my higher power.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://valeriewong.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriewong_lifecoach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valeriewonglifecoach/
Image Credits
Lauren Schoepfer
