"Life interrupts" - Just think about it. How many times have things not gone according to plan? Or worse, how many moments have you missed because you stuck with the plan, waving away any interruptions? Once I stumbled upon these two little words, I realized just how much stress I created for myself by becoming frustrated with life's interruptions instead of opening up to them.
Most of you know how much I love my mornings. Pajamas on, coffee hot, book or tablet in hand - it's my time. I wake up early every day regardless of work or exercise simply to treat myself to this peace. However, there are days that I will be tapping away on the keyboard or have my nose buried in an enjoyable chapter, totally engulfed in this quiet time, when I hear the soft footsteps of an eye-rubbing, bed-headed Hannah sneaking down the hallway. I would immediately feel frustrated. Thoughts would emerge like "seriously?? Come on! This is the only time I get to myself all day!" I know she wont fall back asleep, but I tell her it's too early and send her back to bed anyway. Then, naturally after being interrupted, I lose my writing flow or my reading roll, leaving me feeling even more annoyed. Neither one of us was left feeling happy in this scenario, and this teeny cuddly thing will only be little and want to cuddle with me for so long. "Life interrupts" I told myself the next time she graced me with her early bird presence. The book closed, the tablet was placed aside, and I chose to accept this interruption and make it enjoyable. Instead of losing 20 minutes of "mommy time" before exercise or the rest of the house waking, I gained 20 minutes of Hannah snuggles, stories, and smiles. Not to mention the look on her face when I invited her to join me and my fuzzy blanket on the couch instead of sending her back to bed. I embraced the interruption - that's life.
A quote that piggy backs this concept perfectly: "There is very little we can actually resolve; instead, the way to have a greater love of life and to become happier, or at last less neurotic, is to increase our capacity for conflict and to increase our capacity for complexity" (Freud) - Now there's a thought I never stopped to have. I was always focused on simplifying in order to create more time for things that made my life rich, but never did I contemplate adding more space for things to go wrong. Life interrupts, yes, but if we don't allow the space for those interruptions, we could never work with them. I've found that I like to think negatively in a positive light; I allow the wiggle room for the unexpected and potential disappointments simply by reminding myself that they could happen. Or even the simple reminder that kids will be kids, fully equipped with sibling arguments, meltdowns, whiny requests, and complaints. Once that "this will be perfect" image of my day is out of my head, I can accept the day for what it is, and what it always will be is interrupted.
Once I started surrendering myself to these interruptions, I realized just how many moments of my day I was missing in my attempt to stick to the plan - another life lesson in letting go, which I'm finding is and will be never ending. Little things, like when my husband comes over to me when I'm doing the dishes, simply to place his hands on my hips and kiss me; instead of putting the sponge down, turning around and surrendering to this sweet marital moment, I would feel aggravated that my chore was being interrupted. I'd give a half-assed smile, and wouldn't skip a beat at the sink. Now, my little mantra of "life interrupts" has brought many more of these moments into my life because I am able to be in it. Or, another example, when my oldest daughter comes into my room after bedtime to tell me a story from school she forgot to share earlier. Very rarely did I actively listen; I found myself more focused on sending her back to bed than taking this small interruption as an extra moment to share with my girl. Mantra time. I started listening.
My life has improved in so many ways through the inspiration of those two little words. By allowing life to interrupt me, I found a way to be less annoyed, a more attentive mother and wife, and more accepting of the daily chaos. Instead of strictly carving out time for myself and my happiness, I cut into it to leave more room for conflict. Nothing is perfect, nothing is under control - just the way it's supposed to be.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Friday, September 2, 2016
Living the Questions, #1
No one knows you better than you do. This is the exact reason why no one but yourself can be responsible for any changes you wish to make in your life. In order for me to be successful, not only as a wellness coach but in my own personal life, I need to answer the questions I ask my clients; to dig deep myself, to experience what this uncovering feels like and relate to the discomforts and loss of true change. While reading The Comfort Queen's Quide to Life by Jennifer Louden, I was challenged with 40 thought provoking questions that required an honest look at my life and things that need change. I decided to take on this challenge, one question at a time, and to share my answers, experience, and thoughts along the way. As your coach, I am beside you - not above you. I will be by your side throughout your journey, and can do this to the best of my ability by always working on my own. We can both get to know me better together, as I share more about who I am while learning more about myself along the way.
Question #1
What is one thing I need more of in my life right now?
- silence
- energy
- health
- rest
- time with my partner or close friend
- time with my children
- time alone
- creativity
- health food
- fresh air
- moving my body
- peaceful work environment
- relaxed daily routine
- money
- fill in the blank _____________
I read the question, pondering all the possible answers, and using the process of elimination to try and narrow it down to just one. It was harder than I thought. I craved alone time just as much as I craved family time. I often battle with the need to move my body and to rest. And who doesn't want a more relaxed daily routine? Just one, pick just one, I reminded myself. Where do I feel I fall short? What area do I feel could use a real tune up? The answer was tough to swallow; it forced me to admit my short comings, areas of weakness, come face to face with parts of me I liked the least...my choice was parenting.
Facebook is a liar if it leads you to believe that all of my time spent with my daughters is pleasant. True, a lot of it is, and I do truly enjoy being their mother and the wonderful moments we share. But some days, days like yesterday when my daughter arrives home from school and I'm ready to send her right back in the first 5 minutes, those are the days where I'd like to be better. Often, I feel like I spend so much of my energy focusing on my own wellness that my kids get the short end of the stick. I once read that you are only allotted so much self control in one day; this is why its easiest to control ourselves (food intake, patience, healthy decisions) earlier in the day, and slowly have less control as the day goes on. With this in mind, it's easy to see how people can fall apart at the end of the day; they feel snappy, intolerant, reach for that dessert or extra drink, and are running on empty. This is me, 100%. My mornings are wonderful; peaceful coffee sipping while reading or writing, followed by exercise. I make breakfast for the girls in an upbeat, positive manner, and am ready for a day of healing at work. By the time I arrive home, I have given my own needs as well as those of my clients so much attention, that I feel I have little left for the tiny humans I created. I crave more "me-time" to unwind, and find myself feeling frustrated when they demand my attention. I am not enjoying parenting as much as I could be because my energy dispersion is unbalanced. So there. Problem identified, now what?
What one modest step am I willing to take to get more of this one thing in my life?
So, now that my need for more focused energy in my parenting has been identified as a priority for change, just how can I take "one modest" step towards getting more of it? I know it has to be something manageable, something I can easily commit to, but what? Knowing that the end of the day tends to be where things can fall apart, I'll aim for then. But where, specifically, could I apply this modest step that will allow me to engage with the girls without feeling rushed, aggravated, or forced? The answer was obvious, and was found in the place that seemed to be the most rushed, unpleasant part of the day: bedtime. Bedtime could be a very nice, calm experience with cuddles, books, story telling, and reflection. In our house, it's the end of our rope, our last nerve, and focused on the quiet that is to come once the girls are down. It's exactly where I want my "one modest step" to be, and so it needs to be prioritized. I commit to making bedtime a pleasant experience; something we all look forward to, and not just because I get to kick my feet up with tea or wine after, but because I love those little humans, and I want their last moments of the day to be enjoyable. I want to develop a mindset that views my nights with the girls on the same level that I view the mornings with myself: something I crave, cannot wait for, and most important of all, commit to. This little change in attitude will allow me more genuine time with the girls, which is just what I feel I need more of in my life at this time.
Last night as I put the girls to bed, I took my time. I sat in the bathroom with them while they brushed and flossed. I asked to help brush their hair, which is one of my favorite things I don't do often enough; I'm reminded of Lyla as a newborn who was completely bald except for this one "Grandpa strip" of hair along the base of her skull, and of Hannah who recently decided to be her own hair dresser. Instead of rushed hugs, kisses and goodnights, I read each of them a book in bed before leaving their rooms. This was exactly the change we all needed; I wasn't thinking about the time to myself ahead, or viewing their bedtime as a break - I truly enjoyed it, and felt better as a mother for it.
I love a good challenge. Questions like this provide just that - it allows us to become aware of areas in our lives that could be improved, and to do so with just the tools we already have via small, manageable steps. Sometimes its hard to swallow the truth that we could be doing better in specific categories of our lives, but it's also empowering to know that we are in control, and ultimately those things we do not like are changeable. The first step is identifying them, and the questions in this challenge do just that. Everyone's experience with these questions will be different; even those who choose the same "thing" will have different reasons for doing so, and have to take different steps to get there, but I am in this thing called life with you, and together we can ask ourselves such things to create a life worth living.
Question #1
What is one thing I need more of in my life right now?
- silence
- energy
- health
- rest
- time with my partner or close friend
- time with my children
- time alone
- creativity
- health food
- fresh air
- moving my body
- peaceful work environment
- relaxed daily routine
- money
- fill in the blank _____________
I read the question, pondering all the possible answers, and using the process of elimination to try and narrow it down to just one. It was harder than I thought. I craved alone time just as much as I craved family time. I often battle with the need to move my body and to rest. And who doesn't want a more relaxed daily routine? Just one, pick just one, I reminded myself. Where do I feel I fall short? What area do I feel could use a real tune up? The answer was tough to swallow; it forced me to admit my short comings, areas of weakness, come face to face with parts of me I liked the least...my choice was parenting.
Facebook is a liar if it leads you to believe that all of my time spent with my daughters is pleasant. True, a lot of it is, and I do truly enjoy being their mother and the wonderful moments we share. But some days, days like yesterday when my daughter arrives home from school and I'm ready to send her right back in the first 5 minutes, those are the days where I'd like to be better. Often, I feel like I spend so much of my energy focusing on my own wellness that my kids get the short end of the stick. I once read that you are only allotted so much self control in one day; this is why its easiest to control ourselves (food intake, patience, healthy decisions) earlier in the day, and slowly have less control as the day goes on. With this in mind, it's easy to see how people can fall apart at the end of the day; they feel snappy, intolerant, reach for that dessert or extra drink, and are running on empty. This is me, 100%. My mornings are wonderful; peaceful coffee sipping while reading or writing, followed by exercise. I make breakfast for the girls in an upbeat, positive manner, and am ready for a day of healing at work. By the time I arrive home, I have given my own needs as well as those of my clients so much attention, that I feel I have little left for the tiny humans I created. I crave more "me-time" to unwind, and find myself feeling frustrated when they demand my attention. I am not enjoying parenting as much as I could be because my energy dispersion is unbalanced. So there. Problem identified, now what?
What one modest step am I willing to take to get more of this one thing in my life?
So, now that my need for more focused energy in my parenting has been identified as a priority for change, just how can I take "one modest" step towards getting more of it? I know it has to be something manageable, something I can easily commit to, but what? Knowing that the end of the day tends to be where things can fall apart, I'll aim for then. But where, specifically, could I apply this modest step that will allow me to engage with the girls without feeling rushed, aggravated, or forced? The answer was obvious, and was found in the place that seemed to be the most rushed, unpleasant part of the day: bedtime. Bedtime could be a very nice, calm experience with cuddles, books, story telling, and reflection. In our house, it's the end of our rope, our last nerve, and focused on the quiet that is to come once the girls are down. It's exactly where I want my "one modest step" to be, and so it needs to be prioritized. I commit to making bedtime a pleasant experience; something we all look forward to, and not just because I get to kick my feet up with tea or wine after, but because I love those little humans, and I want their last moments of the day to be enjoyable. I want to develop a mindset that views my nights with the girls on the same level that I view the mornings with myself: something I crave, cannot wait for, and most important of all, commit to. This little change in attitude will allow me more genuine time with the girls, which is just what I feel I need more of in my life at this time.
Last night as I put the girls to bed, I took my time. I sat in the bathroom with them while they brushed and flossed. I asked to help brush their hair, which is one of my favorite things I don't do often enough; I'm reminded of Lyla as a newborn who was completely bald except for this one "Grandpa strip" of hair along the base of her skull, and of Hannah who recently decided to be her own hair dresser. Instead of rushed hugs, kisses and goodnights, I read each of them a book in bed before leaving their rooms. This was exactly the change we all needed; I wasn't thinking about the time to myself ahead, or viewing their bedtime as a break - I truly enjoyed it, and felt better as a mother for it.
I love a good challenge. Questions like this provide just that - it allows us to become aware of areas in our lives that could be improved, and to do so with just the tools we already have via small, manageable steps. Sometimes its hard to swallow the truth that we could be doing better in specific categories of our lives, but it's also empowering to know that we are in control, and ultimately those things we do not like are changeable. The first step is identifying them, and the questions in this challenge do just that. Everyone's experience with these questions will be different; even those who choose the same "thing" will have different reasons for doing so, and have to take different steps to get there, but I am in this thing called life with you, and together we can ask ourselves such things to create a life worth living.
Monday, August 29, 2016
Habits
"The habit of the habit is more important than the habit itself"
Yup. No matter what the habit is, whether it's considered good or bad, healthy or unhealthy, the fact that you do it habitually is what matters. Understanding this is a key component of behavior change. By identifying which habits you'd like to outgrow, you create time and space for new ones. Acknowledging which current habits enrich your life allows you to strengthen and add to them.
To gain this clarity, begin by holding yourself accountable in those areas you wish to improve. If you claim you don't have time for yourself, it's because you don't MAKE the time for yourself. There is no reason why you can't work full time, have a family, colorful social life, and still create healthy habits. You can tell yourself over and over again that you're too busy, that it's too late, that you're too tired - but you will get yourself nowhere. If you are ready for true growth, know that these excuses and justifications are ones you give yourself; it's not the fault of your job, your children, your spouse, or even the hours of the day that you are continuing on with old habits, it's your own. You have an incredible power to choose how you treat yourself in terms of your own wellness. The ability to identify areas of improvement when it comes to old habits requires you to take ownership; no one is in control of you - except you.
"By guarding against excuses and justifications, and by making our habits as enjoyable as possible, we help ourselves succeed"
Habit formation takes time, and because of this, it's important to build habits that you truly enjoy. If you'd like to change your exercise habits in order to lose weight, but absolutely hate the gym, signing up for one will only have you dreading your new habit. Find a form of exercise that appeals to you, motivates you to get there, and inspires you to stick with it! The same goes for any new habit you wish to form for better wellness - you don't need to eat salad to eat healthy, you don't have to take on your husband's hobby to spend more time together, you don't have to start running for exercise...there will always be a way to incorporate positive change into your routine, but for it to become habitual, your success lies within the enjoyment of the habit.
Of course, there are still going to be things in our lives that we may not enjoy but cannot simply give up because of it. I like to take these things and "make an experience" out of them, in order to add just a little pleasure to something seemingly less pleasant. Take the dishes: I'm a girl who likes her dishes done. Sometimes when I just want to relax, I find that I'm unable to do so with that sink piled high. Instead of dreading this chore and getting frustrated at my inability to kick my feet up at this moment, I turn it into something positive. I'll put on my favorite Pandora station and zone into the music. I'll play along with my daughters favorite game of "waitress" and "ask the staff" for help. Sometimes I'll even race the microwave when heating a coffee or meal (how many dishes can I put away in this 3 minutes!?) Now, this doesn't mean I'm skipping merrily into the kitchen, clicking my heels at every opportunity to get this chore done, but I did manage to create an enjoyable habit around it, and because it was something I enjoyed, it stuck. Habit of the habit.
Change is hard. It's time consuming. It can be frustrating, draining, and challenging. But you have to start somewhere, and this start comes from being ready; ready to tackle the challenge, to openly assess your previous failures and what habits need to be changed to avoid another failed attempt and gain success. Ready to identify your needs for improvement and to hold yourself accountable for why you are where you are, yet giving yourself the power to change and grow. Nothing is as easy at it sounds, but start with the basics: don't like a habit? Change it. Love a habit? Nourish it. Wish to create new habits? Make the time, put in the effort, and make it happen. It's no ones decision or responsibility but your own. As a Welllness Coach, I come in to support you in these changes and habit formations, stand by your side instead of above you, remind your of your strengths and abilities, and help you uncover the difference between who you are now and who you wish to be. This creation is possible through habits, now let's do this.
Yup. No matter what the habit is, whether it's considered good or bad, healthy or unhealthy, the fact that you do it habitually is what matters. Understanding this is a key component of behavior change. By identifying which habits you'd like to outgrow, you create time and space for new ones. Acknowledging which current habits enrich your life allows you to strengthen and add to them.
To gain this clarity, begin by holding yourself accountable in those areas you wish to improve. If you claim you don't have time for yourself, it's because you don't MAKE the time for yourself. There is no reason why you can't work full time, have a family, colorful social life, and still create healthy habits. You can tell yourself over and over again that you're too busy, that it's too late, that you're too tired - but you will get yourself nowhere. If you are ready for true growth, know that these excuses and justifications are ones you give yourself; it's not the fault of your job, your children, your spouse, or even the hours of the day that you are continuing on with old habits, it's your own. You have an incredible power to choose how you treat yourself in terms of your own wellness. The ability to identify areas of improvement when it comes to old habits requires you to take ownership; no one is in control of you - except you.
"By guarding against excuses and justifications, and by making our habits as enjoyable as possible, we help ourselves succeed"
Habit formation takes time, and because of this, it's important to build habits that you truly enjoy. If you'd like to change your exercise habits in order to lose weight, but absolutely hate the gym, signing up for one will only have you dreading your new habit. Find a form of exercise that appeals to you, motivates you to get there, and inspires you to stick with it! The same goes for any new habit you wish to form for better wellness - you don't need to eat salad to eat healthy, you don't have to take on your husband's hobby to spend more time together, you don't have to start running for exercise...there will always be a way to incorporate positive change into your routine, but for it to become habitual, your success lies within the enjoyment of the habit.
Of course, there are still going to be things in our lives that we may not enjoy but cannot simply give up because of it. I like to take these things and "make an experience" out of them, in order to add just a little pleasure to something seemingly less pleasant. Take the dishes: I'm a girl who likes her dishes done. Sometimes when I just want to relax, I find that I'm unable to do so with that sink piled high. Instead of dreading this chore and getting frustrated at my inability to kick my feet up at this moment, I turn it into something positive. I'll put on my favorite Pandora station and zone into the music. I'll play along with my daughters favorite game of "waitress" and "ask the staff" for help. Sometimes I'll even race the microwave when heating a coffee or meal (how many dishes can I put away in this 3 minutes!?) Now, this doesn't mean I'm skipping merrily into the kitchen, clicking my heels at every opportunity to get this chore done, but I did manage to create an enjoyable habit around it, and because it was something I enjoyed, it stuck. Habit of the habit.
Change is hard. It's time consuming. It can be frustrating, draining, and challenging. But you have to start somewhere, and this start comes from being ready; ready to tackle the challenge, to openly assess your previous failures and what habits need to be changed to avoid another failed attempt and gain success. Ready to identify your needs for improvement and to hold yourself accountable for why you are where you are, yet giving yourself the power to change and grow. Nothing is as easy at it sounds, but start with the basics: don't like a habit? Change it. Love a habit? Nourish it. Wish to create new habits? Make the time, put in the effort, and make it happen. It's no ones decision or responsibility but your own. As a Welllness Coach, I come in to support you in these changes and habit formations, stand by your side instead of above you, remind your of your strengths and abilities, and help you uncover the difference between who you are now and who you wish to be. This creation is possible through habits, now let's do this.
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Who The Hell Are You, Anyway?
Comparison to others; everyone has done it. Sometimes these comparisons can be motivational when used to empower and inspire you, but mostly they leave you feeling inadequate, self loathing, and negatively toward yourself. But most importantly, it takes away from who we really are because we are wasting our energy trying to be like someone else. There is always going to be someone who can do something you can't, who has reached a goal you are struggling with, who is more patient or works harder or whatever it may be - that person will not go away, and, has nothing to do with you.
The difference between "changing" and "transforming" is rooted in who we really are, and therefore cannot be done until we find out who the hell that person is. What is this person passionate about? What are their strengths and struggles, their goals and fears? Even the most simple questions like "what do I hate? What do I love?", when answered honestly and with clarity, can begin thr process of behavior change in order to transform permanently into the person you are truly meant to be. Hate something? Find ways to say no. Love something? Find ways to incorporate it into your life as often as possible.
It won't happen overnight - you've taken away from yourself by comparing to others for this many years - it'll take some time to get back to basics and realign with yourself. However, identifying some hard facts about yourself based on your own values, opinions and gut feelings will help naturally create a priority list for living. This list is key. It's a clear image of what matters most to you, and puts you in the drivers seat of how you spend your time according to no one but yourself. Ultimately, this creates a much more enjoyable life and happy being, which opens endless doors for further happiness.
One thing I constantly remind myself and others of is that you are allowed to be selfish when it comes to your own happiness, because it allows you to be the best version of you; the version your kids, spouse, coworkers, clients, and even strangers deserve. Again, this is rooted in getting to know YOU. For me, I've learned that I like a tidy house. It doesn't have to be perfect, but I know that I cannot fully relax or enjoy a game with my daughters if there is a sink full of dirty dishes or cluttered countertop. I used to compare myself to others who were able to let these things go and turn their full attention to their kids, but I found when I tried this approach I was less tolerant, more snappy, and not a whole lot of fun to be around. Then, I would feel bad and talk negatively toward myself about why I was unable to be like the others, leaving me feeling inadequate and down about myself. On top of having a messy kitchen I now had a bad attitude and ruined what should have been enjoyable time with my girls. This wasn't helping anyone be happy, so I had to get to know myself better in this situation instead of looking to others. Maybe so-and-so could thrive with a list of chores, but I could not. Once I allowed this to be okay, things improved. I would quickly load the dishwasher and clear the countertops before agreeing to engage in something else, and found I was actually able to relax and enjoy the time spent afterwards. All from completing two freaking chores! How easy was that? Of course, this wasn't the one solution to my daily happiness and didn't prevent other stressors from arising, but it was an opportunity to learn something about myself, and let go of the thought of how others may handle this differently. So, kitchen clean up moved to the top of my priority list. This was a small change but one that mattered since it allowed me to remove a little daily stress from my life, wasn't time consuming, and created a space for focus in other areas. It wasn't selfish to make my kids wait a few minutes, it was what I needed and the outcome was a more present, patient mother to be around.
It can be as simple as getting a chore done, or as big as getting a divorce - but whatever it may be it needs to come from getting to know yourself. Clarify your needs, your obstacles, and also your joys, and make small changes. These changes will eventually lead to a transformation into the person you are truly meant to be, and cannot be done when comparing yourself to anyone else. But first, you have to introduce yourself - find out who the hell you are.
It can be as simple as getting a chore done, or as big as getting a divorce - but whatever it may be it needs to come from getting to know yourself. Clarify your needs, your obstacles, and also your joys, and make small changes. These changes will eventually lead to a transformation into the person you are truly meant to be, and cannot be done when comparing yourself to anyone else. But first, you have to introduce yourself - find out who the hell you are.
Monday, July 25, 2016
The Kickoff
As much as nutrition and exercise are major factors in health and wellness, they are only the tip of the iceberg. True wellness comes when you love and respect yourself enough to make those choices wisely, and hold yourself accountable for making lasting lifestyle changes to support them. Wellness Coaches can have endless "jobs" from grocery shopping for clients to programming exercise routines, but my interest has always been in rebalancing. Whether it's the marathon runner who only runs, or the working parent who struggles with the balance of work and family, picking people's brains to get to the bottom of their thought process and coming up with a personalized plan for better balance is what drives me in this field of wellness.
A truly well person feels balanced, and this balance decreases stress and, obviously, increases happiness, which, in my opinion, is the root of wellness. Happy people think with more clarity, and therefore encompass the natural ability to make good food choices or want to work out because, as earthy-crunchy as this may sound, they love themselves enough to do these things to respect themselves and their bodies. This is why true happiness must come first; it gives us permission to say no, it allows us to put ourselves first, it forces us to be mindful, it shines light on our strengths and forces us to work through our weaknesses, it prioritizes - which creates a natural balance and, ultimately allows us to create the life we want. Once this happiness is found, everything else falls into place because you make a place for it; exercise, healthy eating, self care, family time, me-time...learning to say no to what you don't want frees up time and energy for those things you do want, and in this way, true wellness can be achieved.
Sounds easy enough, right? Just say no to a few things, make a salad, go for a walk, and hang out with the family. Boom, done. That's pretty much what my brain sounded like 4 years ago when I began my own happiness journey - how hard could it be to be happy? Turns out, very hard. Training your brain to think differently is like teaching an old dog new tricks. I am fortunate to have discovered Wellness Coaching after years of working towards my own happiness goals, because as I studied, I found I could relate to the foundations of wellness and just how difficult they truly are. Because of this, I am able to not only draw from my studies and research but also my own experiences over the last 4 years in order to help clients on a deeper level.
To me, becoming a certified Wellness Coach is simply adding on to a profession I already love; I already have the "body" part covered with Massage Therapy, and now I have the tools to add the "mind and spirit" aspects in order to treat the "whole person". By doing this, I have created a job and lifestyle for myself that I love, and therefore will undoubtedly be successful because my days will be spent sharing a passion. True wellness is a difficult level to reach, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to help. I look forward to enriching my own life in the process through continued reading, writing, continuing education, and relationship building. Being an example of wellness will force me to continue to hold myself accountable for my own choices, as I am there holding you accountable for yours, thus creating the cliché "help me help you" scenario.
Happiness. Balance. Wellness. Let's do this.
A truly well person feels balanced, and this balance decreases stress and, obviously, increases happiness, which, in my opinion, is the root of wellness. Happy people think with more clarity, and therefore encompass the natural ability to make good food choices or want to work out because, as earthy-crunchy as this may sound, they love themselves enough to do these things to respect themselves and their bodies. This is why true happiness must come first; it gives us permission to say no, it allows us to put ourselves first, it forces us to be mindful, it shines light on our strengths and forces us to work through our weaknesses, it prioritizes - which creates a natural balance and, ultimately allows us to create the life we want. Once this happiness is found, everything else falls into place because you make a place for it; exercise, healthy eating, self care, family time, me-time...learning to say no to what you don't want frees up time and energy for those things you do want, and in this way, true wellness can be achieved.
Sounds easy enough, right? Just say no to a few things, make a salad, go for a walk, and hang out with the family. Boom, done. That's pretty much what my brain sounded like 4 years ago when I began my own happiness journey - how hard could it be to be happy? Turns out, very hard. Training your brain to think differently is like teaching an old dog new tricks. I am fortunate to have discovered Wellness Coaching after years of working towards my own happiness goals, because as I studied, I found I could relate to the foundations of wellness and just how difficult they truly are. Because of this, I am able to not only draw from my studies and research but also my own experiences over the last 4 years in order to help clients on a deeper level.
To me, becoming a certified Wellness Coach is simply adding on to a profession I already love; I already have the "body" part covered with Massage Therapy, and now I have the tools to add the "mind and spirit" aspects in order to treat the "whole person". By doing this, I have created a job and lifestyle for myself that I love, and therefore will undoubtedly be successful because my days will be spent sharing a passion. True wellness is a difficult level to reach, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to help. I look forward to enriching my own life in the process through continued reading, writing, continuing education, and relationship building. Being an example of wellness will force me to continue to hold myself accountable for my own choices, as I am there holding you accountable for yours, thus creating the cliché "help me help you" scenario.
Happiness. Balance. Wellness. Let's do this.
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