One of the first exercises I do with health coaching clients is the Circle of Life, as it’s a great visual picture of aspects which are fulfilling at this stage of your life, and which need a bit more love and focus.
To feel truly happy and healthy, most of us need to feel satisfied in a range of aspects, including health, physical activity, home cooking, home environment, relationships, social life, joy, spirituality, creativity, finances, career and education.
As Joshua Rosenthal, founder of Institute of Integrative Nutrition, says ‘someone who spends their entire day hating their job is probably not going to go home and make a salad’.
A perfect example of a self-perpetuating cycle easy to get caught in. I certainly have, many times.
When we are feeling stressed, anxious or tired, we’re more likely to make poor food choices, which in turn feeds the very feelings we are trying to dampen.
And while what we shouldn’t be choosing to eat is familiar to us all, such as processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, refined sugars, artificial sweeteners and other inflammatory foods, did you know there are certain foods that are particularly good at boosting the feelings we wish to have more of, and reducing the effects we wish to have less of?
Some might call me the ‘party lady’; or if they were feeling more derogatory, the ‘cleaning party lady’, complete with upturned nose and plummy accent.
To be honest, I called myself that at the beginning too. I was really surprised to find myself wanting the role of party lady so very much, and wondered why.
It took me three months to figure it out.
‘It all started here, in Queenstown’ my husband chimes in.
Which rather took my breath away.
It had indeed.
Just over five years ago, in late summer, I lay curled in the foetal position on the bathroom floor of a Queenstown hotel, in between bouts of vomiting from the sudden pain. Absolutely unwilling to miss my 40th birthday present, trekking the Milford Track with hubbie, my parents looking after our children, I somehow struggled onto the transfer boat and along the 4-day hike. Each time the pain took over, every ten minutes or so, I’d assume the foetal position, initially on the dry track, later in the mud, trying to focus on the rain on my face, rather than the wave of agony rising, and thankfully also falling, in my groin.
I have a confession to make.
I’ve been avoiding putting out a blog post.
Procrastinating. For days – actually, weeks – on end.
Without really knowing why.
It doesn’t really make sense. You see …
It took me a very long drive to puzzle it out. From Queensland to NSW to ACT. About 18 hours all told.
I share this here, as I know some of you are feeling a little lost, or puzzled by your actions – or lack thereof.
I live on a tropical island. I have two healthy girls and husband. I enjoy my work. We have income sufficient for what we need. We have people around the world and nearby who we love, and who love us.
Yet I’m still not happy.
What! Why?
I know. I’m sounding like a selfish b**ch.
Yet I know I’m not alone in feeling this way.
Simply observing clients, friends, social media posts and magazine articles ensures I don’t fall down the rabbit hole of comparisonitis and self-doubt.
Most people, as far as I can tell, are okay at best.
How are you?
Fine thanks.
Do you remember when you last had someone respond with ‘Awesome!’ or ‘I simply couldn’t be better’.
Are we all just holding it together?
Purely surviving. Not thriving?
Not happy?
Feeling alone is a common challenge of relocation.
This interview series aims to shines light on the many ways you can feel more connected, inspired and capable when moving from your comfort zone to somewhere new and unfamiliar.
You may well read about someone who faced similar challenges to your own, and surmounted them. As you can too.
If you, or anyone you know, would like to be featured in this interview series, please contact Kylie here.
Feeling alone is a common challenge of relocation.
This interview series aims to shines light on the many ways you can feel more connected, inspired and capable when moving from your comfort zone to somewhere new and unfamiliar.
You may well read about someone who faced similar challenges to your own, and surmounted them. As you can too.
If you, or anyone you know, would like to be featured in this interview series, please contact Kylie here.
If you, or they, would like to read more, become a newsletter subscriber here, and receive a free gift for doing so.
Living overseas is a rollercoaster of emotions for many.
Wonderful new experiences and friendships, interspersed with moments of acute homesickness.
Particularly at times of celebration or commiseration.
Weddings, funerals, christenings, milestone birthdays.
And most definitely holidays.
Feeling alone is a common challenge of relocation.
This interview series aims to shines light on the many ways you can feel more connected, inspired and capable when moving from your comfort zone to somewhere new and unfamiliar.
You may well read about someone who faced similar challenges to your own, and surmounted them. As you can too.
If you, or anyone you know, would like to be featured in this interview series, please contact Kylie here.
If you, or they, would like to read more, become a newsletter subscriber here, and receive a free gift for doing so.
