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Inspiring Conversations with Michelle Lillicrap of Dwellness Home Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Lillicrap.

Hi Michelle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was working as an occupational therapist for 15 years doing in-patient adult rehabilitation for people with a wide range of diseases and disabilities. I had growing frustrations with the current healthcare model but none of which became clear until I found myself in a sudden role reversal from therapist to a patient in 2018. Shortly after I gave birth to my youngest daughter, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 39. I was whisked away into the cancer treatment world before I even had the chance to come up for air: biopsies, scans, port placement surgery and the dreaded chemo. I had no family history and was negative for all known breast cancer genes. I wanted to know what I could do to optimize my treatment and I was told “Do nothing. Don’t change a thing.” It was the most disempowering moment of my life. I knew in my bones that if I didn’t want to find myself in this place again I would have to make some changes. As a way of taking my power back, I began a deep dive into the research on anti-cancer living, healing, and prevention. I expanded my healthcare team and began acupuncture and reiki. I was blown away by how these modalities were able to eliminate nausea and fatigue better than any drug I was given by my oncologist. I was hooked and became fascinated with energy medicine. It was also during this time I became immunosuppressed and didn’t leave home much. Being sick with less distractions from normal everyday life, I became acutely aware of how much my surroundings were affecting me. Everything from colors to smells, sounds and clutter. Even objects big or small either lifted me up or agitated me. I spent most of my time on our front porch or in our backyard because something in me told me to get close to nature. I yearned for it in a way I hadn’t since childhood.

Later on, I would learn why. A few months after treatment ended I began working in home health. I couldn’t help but notice the common barriers to health and healing as I worked in patients’ homes: clutter, poor air quality, sedentary lifestyle, zero exposure to nature/outdoors. I absolutely love working in people’s homes as I believe this is where we create the most change with healthy daily habits and routines. This is the ultimate place to focus on prevention as it is the only place in the world that we have some semblance of control. On my continued quest for knowledge and finding what lights me up I found Feng Shui. It hit me like a lightning bolt and I signed up to get my master’s certification. Feng Shui is an ancient practice (over 5,000 years old!) that can best be described as acupuncture for the home. Every home has a natural energy pattern based on the time and space (direction) it was built. With Feng Shui, we are able to assess, remedy, and optimize the natural energies of the home (and increase compatibility of the occupants) by bringing in the elements of Nature. A Bagua Map is laid over the floor plan and is divided into 9 areas- each corresponding to a different area of life (and even different parts of the body!). As I applied all of these concepts to my own home I was floored by the results. I was even more blown away by what was happening with my new Feng Shui clients. I just had to incorporate this into my life’s work and alas, Dwellness Home Services was born!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh my goodness, no! I would say the biggest challenge has been the internal work that is required to get a business off the ground. I have never been good at putting myself out there and I never imagined I would ever want to be an entrepreneur. So I had to do a lot of work around the internal thoughts/past stories about why this was so uncomfortable for me. When it came down to it, my vision was bigger than me so I just couldn’t NOT do it. This is such a passion and I believe in it so much and want everyone to experience the transformation that occurs when you shift your external environment, things shift internally. My soul’s purpose is to reconnect people with the healing that Nature provides. We are living in an age where people are spending close to 90% of their lives indoors and so the need for this work is there. I believe a healthy planet begins one healthy home at a time.

We’ve been impressed with Dwellness Home Services, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I work in-person and virtually to create individualized home sanctuaries for healing during illness, injury, loss, and other life changes. This is home health on another level. Not only do I provide the practical service of in-home occupational therapy assessment (home safety, environmental and activity modifications to maximize function) but through Feng Shui I help bring in life force energy (Chi) to the home for optimal healing and well-being. Together we develop an individualized plan to create and maintain a home with mindfulness and intention that is kind to you, your family, and the environment. I love educating clients on the importance of energy flow, sacred spaces, rituals, connecting to Nature, and decreasing your toxic load by eliminating standard household and personal care products. There is SO much you can do to maximize your health. Together we create an environment which leaves you feeling empowered to achieve all your health and wellness goals. I believe when we have this foundation of a home that lifts us up, we are able to go out into the world and be our best selves. With that being said, I meet each person where they are at. Everyone is on their own journey and it can be so overwhelming. One small step at a time makes a big difference. I serve as a guide along the way.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Oh, we are at a huge crossroads in healthcare. We have the most expensive healthcare system in the world and also have the highest rates of chronic disease. It is an unsustainable model. Many people are leaving their doctor’s offices unsatisfied and still in search of answers. We are beginning to realize if we don’t take our power back, if we don’t educate and advocate for ourselves, no one else will. What works for some does not mean it works for all. It’s time to take a breath, quiet the noise of health information overload and get back to basics. I obviously have profound gratitude for the advancements in Western medicine. It saved me. But I also experienced firsthand the ways in which it falls short. I don’t expect Alternative and Holistic healing modalities will take their place. But I do think the two can complement each other to optimize and accelerate healing. Prevention matters. I want to be on the prevention side of healthcare.

Contact Info:

  • Email: michelle@dwellness.space
  • Website: Dwellness.space
  • Instagram: @yourdwellness


Image Credits

Sophia Elrae Photography

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