You might have heard these terms before, but what do they really mean? And why are they important for your well-being?
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, sensations and surroundings in the present moment, without judging them as good or bad. It’s a way of being aware of what’s happening inside and outside of you, without getting caught up in the past or the future.
What does it mean to Live in the Present?
Living in the present is the result of being mindful. It means focusing on what you are doing right now, rather than worrying about what might happen later or regretting what happened before. It means enjoying the simple pleasures of life, such as a beautiful sunset, a warm hug or a delicious meal.
What are the benefits of Mindfulness and Living in the Present?
It can reduce stress and anxiety by helping you cope with challenging situations and emotions.
It can improve your mood and happiness by making you more grateful and optimistic.
It can enhance your relationships by making you more attentive and empathetic.
It can boost your creativity and productivity by helping you focus and solve problems.
How can you practice mindfulness and living in the present?
You may find it difficult to completely focus on the present, we all have that internal voice that keeps reminding us of past events or concerns about the future.
Here are a few ways you can practice:
Start your day with a few minutes of meditation. You can use an app, a guided audio or just sit quietly, paying attention to your breath.
Throughout the day, check in with yourself and notice how you are feeling and what you are thinking. Don’t judge or criticize yourself, just be curious and compassionate.
Whenever you find yourself distracted by the past or the future, gently bring your attention back to the present. You can use a mantra, a word or a phrase that helps you stay focused, such as “here and now” or “this too shall pass”. Another way to stop the flow of thoughts is to silently say to yourself ‘what is my next thought going to be?’ This interrupts the thought pattern and puts you in the present.
Try to do one thing at a time and give it your full attention. Whether it’s eating, working, reading or talking to someone, be fully engaged and avoid multitasking.
Find opportunities to appreciate the beauty and joy of the present moment. You can spend more time in nature, keep a gratitude journal, take photos of things that make you smile or share your positive experiences with others.
Little by Little
It’s not necessary to be mindful all the time, or even possible unless you are a Buddhist monk and even then I’m not so sure. We make plans for the future and learn from the past. However, the more you practice then the more you will enjoy the benefits and find it more natural to be mindful and present. You will become more aware when your mind is racing and observe your thought patterns and how they are making you feel, which in turn will make it easier to use some of the methods above.
Even if you only find ten minutes a day to practice, you can benefit from it, you can practice it while you are in a traffic jam, waiting for an appointment, taking a shower and getting dressed. Making the effort to switch off your mind will give you a break from stress and anxiety, bring you peace and happiness and will make a big difference in your life. Give it a try!
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. If you like this article please take look at some of my other pages or blog posts where I talk about different therapies and my own wellbeing journey and if you’d like to see future posts then please enter your email address and click on the subscribe button below and you will be notified of future content. I have no plans to use your email address for any other purpose. Feel free to share my page with anyone you feel may be interested and if you have any feedback about what I write or suggestions for further articles then please use the comment box further down the page. Warmest Wishes, Janet x
I am currently affiliated with Body FX. This page may contain other affiliated links and if you purchase any item from following one of these links I may receive a small commission. Images that I haven’t taken myself are from pixabay.cm, unsplash.com or pexels.com.
When it comes to our wellbeing journey, we often start off with great enthusiasm and motivation. We set goals, make plans, and are enthusiastic about the positive changes we are about to make. However, as time passes, it can become challenging to maintain that same level of enthusiasm and commitment. We may encounter obstacles, face setbacks, or simply struggle to find the motivation to continue. This is when it becomes easy to give up on our wellbeing journey altogether. However, it’s important to remember that this struggle is normal and that giving up is not the answer.
We all have moments when we feel like we can’t keep going, that the effort required is too much, or that we will never reach our goals. The key to overcoming these moments is to understand why we feel this way and to find ways to push through the obstacles. Here are a few examples of the struggles we come across and some suggestions of how to overcome them:
UNACHIEVABLE GOALS
One of the main reasons why we may struggle to maintain our wellbeing journey is that we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves. We may want to lose a certain amount of weight in a short amount of time or feel like we should be able to stick to a strict diet and exercise regimen without fail. When we fail to meet these expectations, we may feel like we have let ourselves down and give up on our goals altogether.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
To overcome this challenge, it’s important to set realistic expectations for ourselves. We should aim to make small, sustainable changes to our habits that we can maintain over time. For example, instead of trying to completely overhaul our diet, we can start by incorporating more fruits and vegetables into our meals, drinking more water or reducing sugary snacks. By setting achievable goals, we can build momentum and confidence in our ability to make positive changes to our wellbeing.
LACK OF SUPPORT
Another reason why we may struggle to maintain our wellbeing journey is that we don’t have a support system in place. We may feel like we are alone in our efforts and that no one else understands what we are going through. This can make it difficult to stay motivated, especially when we encounter obstacles or setbacks.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
To overcome this challenge, we can seek out support from others who are on a similar journey or who have already achieved their wellbeing goals. This can be in the form of a support group, an accountability partner, or a coach or mentor. By having someone to share our struggles and successes with, we can feel more connected and motivated to continue our journey.
SETBACKS AND DISTRACTIONS
Finally, it’s important to recognise that setbacks and obstacles are a natural part of any wellbeing journey. We may experience a plateau in our weight loss, have a difficult time sticking to our exercise routine, or encounter unexpected life events that hinder our progress. In times like this, it’s important to remember that setbacks are not failures and to always be kind to ourselves.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
To overcome these challenges, we can focus on progress rather than perfection. We can celebrate small wins along the way, such as making healthier food choices or completing a challenging workout. By focusing on progress, we can maintain our motivation and continue to move forward, even when we encounter setbacks.
In conclusion, the struggle to not give up on our wellbeing journey is real, but it’s important to remember that it’s a normal part of the process. By setting realistic expectations, seeking support from others, and focusing on progress rather than perfection, we can overcome these challenges and continue on our journey towards better health and wellbeing.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. If you like this article please take look at some of my other pages or blog posts where I talk about different therapies and my own wellbeing journey and if you’d like to see future posts then please enter your email address and click on the subscribe button below and you will be notified of future content. I have no plans to use your email address for any other purpose. Feel free to share my page with anyone you feel may be interested and if you have any feedback about what I write or suggestions for further articles then please use the comment box further down the page. Warmest Wishes, Janet x
I am currently affiliated with Body FX. This page may contain other affiliated links and if you purchase any item from following one of these links I may receive a small commission. Images that I haven’t taken myself are from pixabay.cm, unsplash.com or pexels.com.
Why we should not identify with negative feelings and situations
Our emotions can be incredibly powerful and sometimes overwhelming, influencing our thoughts, behaviours, and even our reality. However, we have the power to control our emotions and not let them define our reality.
Identifying with negative feelings, such as anger, anxiety, or sadness, can be a natural response to difficult situations or experiences. However, it’s important to recognize that identifying with negative feelings can have negative consequences for our mental and emotional well-being.
Identifying with negative feelings can lead to a negative self-image. When we identify with negative feelings, we may begin to see ourselves as flawed or inadequate, which can eat away at our self-esteem and confidence. This can create a negative cycle, where we feel even more negative emotions and become more identified with them.
Identifying with negative feelings can also limit our ability to connect with others. When we are stuck in negative emotions, we can become isolated or withdraw from social interactions. This can make it difficult to build and maintain positive relationships with others.
We can also end up with a sense of powerlessness or helplessness. When we feel like we are defined by our negative emotions, we may believe that we have no control over our situation or our feelings. This can lead to a sense of hopelessness or resignation.
How does acceptance work in negative situations:
By practicing mindfulness and self-awareness we can accept that we have these feelings and thoughts and understand that there is a reason for them, without allowing them to become our reality. This involves observing our thoughts and emotions without judgment, and recognizing that they do not define us. We can also practice self-compassion and treat ourselves with kindness and understanding, even when we are experiencing negative emotions
Change the dialogue of those negative feelings from ‘I am’ to ‘I feel’ like below:
I am tired
I am angry
I am a failure
I am useless
I am sad
I feel tired
I feel angry
I feel like a failure
I feel useless
I feel sad
Can you see the difference?
When you state ‘I am’ you are affirming with your subconscious mind that something is a fact . . . your reality.
However, when you state ‘I feel’ then you are still acknowledging the negativity BUT because you have accepted it as a feeling, there is room for change because feelings are temporary.
You can use ‘I am’ statements in a positive way as AFFIRMATIONS
An affirmation is a positive statement or declaration that is used to reprogram the subconscious mind with a new belief or attitude. It is a tool that can help to overcome negative thoughts and beliefs and develop a more positive mindset. Affirmations are written in the present tense and in a positive and specific manner. For example, “I am confident and capable” or “I am worthy of love and respect.” By repeating these statements to oneself regularly, you can start to internalize and believe them, which can lead to positive changes in their behaviour, emotions, and overall well-being.
By taking control of our emotions, we can change our reality and create a more positive and fulfilling life. We can improve our relationships with others, make better decisions, and feel more confident and empowered. It’s not always easy, but with practice and persistence, we can learn to manage our emotions and live a more fulfilling life.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. If you like this article please take look at some of my other pages or blog posts where I talk about different therapies and my own wellbeing journey and if you’d like to see future posts then please enter your email address and click on the subscribe button below and you will be notified of future content. I have no plans to use your email address for any other purpose. Feel free to share my page with anyone you feel may be interested and if you have any feedback about what I write or suggestions for further articles then please use the comment box further down the page. Warmest Wishes, Janet x
I am currently affiliated with Body FX. This page may contain other affiliated links and if you purchase any item from following one of these links I may receive a small commission. Images that I haven’t taken myself are from pixabay.cm, unsplash.com or pexels.com.
When we think about relationships we mostly think externally about how we relate to others and forget the one we should be focussing on first:
Your Relationship with Yourself
Having a healthy relationship with yourself is essential for overall well-being and happiness. Many of us spend a lot of time focusing on our relationships with others, whether it be romantic partners, friends, or family members. However, it’s just as important to nurture and maintain a positive relationship with ourselves.
Awareness
One of the most important aspects of having a good relationship with yourself is self-awareness. This means being in tune with your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and understanding how they impact your life. It also means being honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses, and accepting yourself for who you are.
Self Care
Another important aspect is self-care. This includes taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental health. This can include things like exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep, and taking time to relax and de-stress. It also means setting boundaries with others and learning to say no when necessary.
Be Kind to Yourself
In addition to self-awareness and self-care, it’s also important to practice self-compassion. This means being kind and understanding towards yourself, even when you make mistakes or fall short of your goals. It’s important to remember that everyone makes mistakes and it’s a part of the learning process.
Building a positive relationship with yourself takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. When you have a healthy relationship with yourself, you’ll be better equipped to handle challenges and setbacks, and you’ll be more confident in your ability to achieve your goals.
Ultimately, having a relationship with yourself means treating yourself with the same care, kindness and respect that you would give to a loved one. Remember that you are your own best friend, and it’s important to take care of yourself in the same way you would take care of a friend.
If you are looking to improve your relationship with yourself, try setting aside some time each day for self-reflection, practice self-compassion, and make sure to engage in self-care activities that you enjoy. With time and effort, you’ll be well on your way to a healthy, positive relationship with yourself.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. If you like this article please take look at some of my other pages or blog posts where I talk about different therapies and my own wellbeing journey and if you’d like to see future posts then please enter your email address and click on the subscribe button below and you will be notified of future content. I have no plans to use your email address for any other purpose. Feel free to share my page with anyone you feel may be interested and if you have any feedback about what I write or suggestions for further articles then please use the comment box further down the page. Warmest Wishes, Janet x
I am currently affiliated with Body FX. This page may contain other affiliated links and if you purchase any item from following one of these links I may receive a small commission. Images that I haven’t taken myself are from pixabay.cm, unsplash.com or pexels.com.
After speaking to some of my readers I’ve realised that they have seen my blog posts but not the separate articles that I write. These can be found in the menu at the top of the page and also if I mention them in a blog post there will be links to the pages within the post, usually found when a highlighted word is pressed. However, followers of my site don’t appear to get notified when I publish an article. So with this is mind I thought I’d include some articles in my blog posts. These will be more informative about the subject rather than personal updates on my own journey, however I will also be including personal experiences or opinions on the subject. I will keep the content brief and if you want to know more about the subjects there will also be articles in the menu that will be easier to locate in the future as my blog posts are listed chronologically.
So with this in mind I thought I’d write a bit about Reiki as it is one of the therapies I practice and also use it in my life on a daily basis.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It’s a Japanese technique used for stress reduction and relaxation and also promotes healing. Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. The word Reiki comes from the Japanese word (Rei) which means “Universal Life” and (Ki) which means “Energy”. Reiki practitioners channel energy in a particular pattern to heal and harmonize. Practicing or receiving Reiki will enrich your life and give you happiness and health on all levels. Reiki is Universal life force energy, that sustains life and promotes healing in all living things.
Benefits from Reiki
brings about deep relaxation
destroys energy blockages
detoxifies the system
provides new vitality in the form of healing universal life energy
increases the vibrational frequency of the body
It is a safe, gentle, non-invasive form of hands-on healing. Reiki energy is channelled via the practitioners hands into “dis-eased” individuals for rebalancing and to help boost the body’s natural healing process. Reiki can also be performed distantly, where the energy can be sent to an individual who isn’t physically present for them to receive at a time when they are ready.
Hands-On Treatment
A hands on treatment would involve the individual to lie down and the practitioner would either lay their hands gently on their client in a sequence of positions or work in their aura a few inches above the body. Some practitioners may first scan the aura to see if they can locate any imbalances or they may start working on the body right away, usually beginning on the head and working down the body. It doesn’t make any difference how the treatment is performed as the healing energy of Reiki will go to areas that it’s needed. The energy of Reiki heals the Body, Mind, Emotions and Spirit. You and the practitioner may or may not feel various sensation during the process. Some people feel heat, tingling or pulsing and the practitioner may also pick up areas where there is pain or disease but not always. In my own experiences as a Practitioner/Master/Teacher I mostly see colours as I work and only recently have I noticed a subtle sensation in my hands. Some of my clients have also seen the same colours or feel sensations as I work. The treatment itself is a very relaxing and peaceful experience and the effects can be felt on a very subtle level or have a deeper impact. It can bring buried emotions to the surface enabling you to release them and move on with life in a more healthy way. It can help you find the motivation to make positive changes in life, give you the courage to let go of things that not good for you or inspire you to notice and act upon new possibilities etc.
Distant/Remote Reiki
This is when a practitioner will send healing to a person from another place, it could be a different room, building, town or country. They perform the treatment as if the client is with them, there a a few ways to do this:
Using a witness – this could be a soft toy, doll or even cushion. They do the hands on treatment on the witness as though they would with the actual person.
A photograph/visualisation – focusing on an image of the person or even imagining them between the palms of your hands.
Healing list/box – some practitioners have healing lists of people who they send Reiki to on a regular basis, sometimes they may have a special box they put the names into and hold this box whilst sending the healing.
In order to send distant healing to people it is necessary to have their permission, their names, location and condition are normally stated before the Reiki session. Sometimes an agreed time will be used but it is possible to send it out to be used when the person is ready for it. Intention is the key with Reiki. Faith or belief is not necessary to benefit from this healing system however a person who strongly disbelieves may quite possibly, consciously or unconsciously, block or reject the energy. In the case of requesting healing or sending healing to someone you can’t get permission from, maybe someone in a coma, a young child or an animal for example, healing can still be sent with the intention that it is for the highest good and will of the recipient. Reiki will not go where it isn’t wanted.
A personal story about faith
Many years ago my father in law was in hospital after having a serious stroke, the doctors were unsure at the time that he would survive. Every day I would send distant healing to him and one day I was stood by a harbour sending healing and I asked for a sign that what I was doing was actually helping, that there really were energies at work and I wasn’t wasting my time. It was a dark and rainy day and my attention was drawn to turn to the right to look over the sea, I was amazed to see that the dark clouds had separated slightly and the sun was shining through in the form of an angel. The sceptic in me first said it was a coincidence but I had asked for a sign, not an actual angel. I have never been able to find an image to resemble what I saw that day, I did see greeting cards with a similar shape of the angel in a shop shortly after and I wish I had bought one now. Maybe I will try to paint it one day.
Signs
The thing about signs is, it’s our conscious mind becoming aware of images, words or numbers, insects, birds and animals etc. possibly at times when we need guidance, reassurance or comfort, maybe even to alert us to danger. It’s as though our subconscious mind is trying to help us by drawing our attention to things that in ordinary circumstances we wouldn’t necessarily notice. Some people believe they could be messages from loved ones who have passed or guides and angels etc. whatever you believe they are there to serve you in a positive way.
Using Reiki for Personal Use
Think about what you do if you hurt yourself, the natural instinct is to put your hands on the area and hold or rub to try to relieve any pain.
Reiki is available to everyone, some people naturally use this form of healing without any training or attunements.
However it is helpful to have some kind of training and attunement to the first level of Reiki. These days you can even do this online but from personal experience I think it is very beneficial to attend a course or workshop with a Reiki Master. My training and attunements were over two days for each level. They involved lots of discussions and lessons on how to use Reiki in different ways, meditations, four attunements for each level and then practice on other students. With level two my master also asked us to provide details of our experiences sending distant healing in order to gain our certificate.
Ways to use the first level of Reiki
Self healing by placing your hands in various positions on you own body
Healing family, friends and animals
Holding your hands over food and drink to ensure it’s optimum goodness
Plants love Reiki and will thrive from receiving it
If you use crystals it’s possible to cleanse and charge them with Reiki
Higher Levels
If you want to practice Reiki on clients then you will need Reiki II training, this level involves the use of symbols so that you can perform Mental/Emotional healings and Remote Healing for distant healing and healing past and future events.
Master/Teacher Levels
These levels are only needed if you want to pass on attunements to others and provide workshops of your own. You may also learn other enhanced methods on this level, I learned about psychic surgery, crystal grids and other healing symbols but each master has their own ways of teaching and content of courses.
So that’s a short introduction to Reiki and hopefully you understand a bit more about it. If you want to know more about Reiki there are loads of websites and books available on the subject and I also plan to write more in-depth articles about it in the future. I would also like to run workshops and attune people to Reiki if I get enough people interested or even start my own website with online training and attunements.
I hope you found this article interesting and useful. Please take look at some of my other pages or blog posts where I talk about different therapies and my own wellbeing journey. If you’d like to see my future content then please enter your email and press subscribe below and you will be alerted when I publish anything new. Thank You for taking the time to read this. Until next time, I wish you all the very best. Janet x
I am currently affiliated with Body FX. This page may contain other affiliated links and if you purchase any item from following one of these links I may receive a small commission. Images that I haven’t taken myself are from pixabay.cm, unsplash.com or pexels.com.
I’m still working on my health and fitness regime which is up and down depending on my energy levels and how busy I’ve been. For example, with the arrival of the lovely spring weather I’ve spent a lot more time working in the garden, mainly weeding but planting summer bulbs and seeds too. However, at the end of the day I find myself wondering why I’m in so much pain. Then I remember how I’ve been getting up and down off the floor, using my arms to help myself and my hands digging up those deep roots.
FIBROMYALGIA – URGH!
It doesn’t take a lot of work to feel like you’ve ran a marathon when you have fibromyalgia. I’m so determined not to identify myself with the condition that I forget that this is what causes the symptoms I get. So I thought give you a little bit of insight into how fibromyalgia impacts my life.
PAIN
One of the main symptoms is widespread pain. I consider myself luckier than many because I’m not in constant agonising pain and relying on pain medication to function. However, I suffer with painful stiffness most of the time, it’s worse in the mornings after being in bed all night and in the evenings after resting, it’s like I turn to stone when I’m still for too long and I feel like a rusty tin man trying to get up and walk.
I have problems with my knees, I struggle to get down on the floor and getting up from a chair can be agonising, I’m not sure if this is fibromyalgia or not. The numerous times I’ve been to a doctor over the years, they examine me and say there is nothing wrong, they won’t even send me for x-rays or scans. I’ve had physio but that didn’t help. I know losing weight will reduce the stress put on them and that’s all part of the plan but sometime exercise is very painful.
The rest of the pain I get is more a feeling of being bruised all over, any pressure can be felt right down to my bones. When I use the blood pressure monitor, the inflated band causes excruciating pain, as though it was a metal clamp with nails penetrating the skin. At my worst I get random stabbing pains and any area I’ve been putting stress on through work or exercise is very painful, I get hot tingling sensations occasionally from my sacrum area up to my waist and very restless.
I don’t like taking medication and try to avoid painkillers if I can help it. I can’t take anti-inflammatories anymore due to the heart medication I’m on so all I can take is paracetamol which I will take if its too difficult to sleep etc. I try to manage with Epsom salt baths and homemade pain relief oils with essential oils.
The main thing I focus on is that it is only temporary, I’m not in this state constantly and I’m very grateful for that.
EXAUSTION
I think this is the worst part of it, my energy levels are very low most of the time. If I do feel particularly energetic, I have to be very careful not to overdo it and clean the whole house or do two hours in the gym. It’s so tempting when you feel good to just get all those tasks out of the way but if I don’t pace myself I will crash and end up having to rest for far longer. The frustrating thing about this is no matter how many times you tell people about your condition, they forget and don’t understand, notice or make allowances for you. You end up feeling lazy and useless and feel that everyone thinks you are just making excuses, this can lead to trying to do more than you should so that you don’t feel judged and then end up in a worse situation having to recover from another flare up. Anyone with an ‘invisible’ illness will understand this.
BRAIN FOG
Fibromyalgia also causes brain fog so I get very forgetful and struggle to concentrate for long periods of time. I have to remind myself of this too when I struggle with the French language and beat myself up for not trying harder to learn it. If I don’t make a ToDo List I sometimes get a bit disorientate not knowing what to do because I have so many things I’m trying to do it can get overwhelming.
HYPERSENSITIVITY
I have a very sensitive sense of smell, I can’t tolerate artificial fragrances and any fowl smell is extreme, I can smell the cat’s little tray from the other side of the house. My nose is constantly blocked but not congested, as though my airways have closed up which makes using the CPAP machine difficult. I can’t stand very loud noises or the wind either, they make me very on edge and anxious.
TRIGGERS
There are things that make my condition worse and I try to be careful to avoid them or at least prepare myself for them, these are:
Mental/Emotional Stress: Any form of stress puts me into a state where I find it difficult to function. It could be having to deal with official matters, tax etc. The vast amount of administration for the children’s education or sometimes healthcare. Worries about financial security. Unexpected change of plans that require me to take some form of action.
Lack of Sleep: If I have a bad nights sleep my symptoms are quite often at their worst the following day which isn’t too bad if I don’t have plans, I just take it easy, but if I have to work, go to appointments or social engagements I find it extremely difficult.
Overwork: Like I said earlier, too much exercise or manual labour cause a flare up. Even though it’s essential to exercise for my heart and weight control, too much physical work can have a detrimental effect. It’s necessary to get the right balance. If I pace myself, I may feel bad at the end of the day but usually recover by the next day.
Negativity: All of these setbacks can lead to spiralling negative thoughts and feelings. Frustration leads to despair to feeling useless, feeling trapped in a cyclone of obstacles. There have been times when I have given in to self-pity, feeling alone in my world of pain. No matter what I try nothing improves. The exhaustion has sometimes got to a point where I wish I could go to sleep for weeks and wake up healed. You start to believe the judgement of medical professionals. They all tell me to lose weight ‘eat less and move more’ as if I didn’t know that. During my last visit to the doctor I told her how desperate I was to lose weight but that it was difficult having a family to cater for too and she simply said ‘children don’t need biscuits either’!!!! I didn’t have the energy to explain that it wasn’t the unhealthy snacking but that sometimes I can’t even think about what to make for dinner let alone have the energy to prepare it so I let the family cater for themselves and eat whatever is easy. I felt she would just think I was making excuses and no one will take me seriously until I lose a lot of weight. These negative scenarios do not help me in any way, just make me want to give up.
MORE POSITIVITY
Generally, I am a very positive person though. I am a complementary therapist, I go to healing workshops and study various other healing methods and still believe that life is good and will be even better. But I also have a shadow side and even the most positive person can feel sorry for themselves. I don’t always practice what I preach and have never tried to be a saint or guru etc.
I truly believe that we have a purpose in life, or that we can create one. My passion is Self-Healing, Therapy Work and Writing and this is what this blog is about.
Putting myself out there and sharing my journey helps me to centre myself and get back on the right track.
HEALING
The healing methods I’m focussing on are the ones I write articles on, you can find them in the menu at the top of the page. I’m also studying other therapies for my business that will have a positive effect on my own wellbeing too.
After recently seeing other people go through problems where I was not able to help such victims of wars, poverty and ill health, I felt very sad. But I reflected on it for a while and decided that even though I can acknowledge these matters and help in whatever way I can like, donating money or clothing, sending healing etc. If there is nothing else I can do, then I need to focus on the things I can control. These things are my own personal health, finding ways to earn a better living, work in the garden, continue my studies and find time for my creative hobbies. I am so fortunate that I have so many options no matter how I’m feeling physically.
One way to help others and myself is by reaching out to them by writing this blog and putting positive posts on social media. When I write a post or article, I get inspired to take action myself because I feel more optimistic and enthusiastic about the subjects I’m exploring.
A healing method I’m writing about now is ‘Forgiveness’, I wont talk about it too much here because I will publish it at the same time as this post. But it’s one of the best ways to release emotions that are locked in your body and mind enabling you to move forward.
I hope you found this article interesting and useful. If you like this take look at some of my other pages where I talk about different therapies. If you’d like to see my future content then please enter your email and press subscribe below and you will be alerted when I publish anything new. Also, as this is a new website I would love to hear your opinions and suggestions about what I write and you can make comments at the bottom of the page. Thank You for taking the time to read this. Until next time, I wish you all the very best. Janet x
I am currently affiliated with Body FX. This page may contain other affiliated links and if you purchase any item from following one of these links I may receive a small commission. Images that I haven’t taken myself are from pixabay.cm, unsplash.com or pexels.com.
I am currently affiliated with Body FX. This page may contain other affiliated links and if you purchase any item from following one of these links I may receive a small commission. Images that I haven’t taken myself are from pixabay.cm, unsplash.com or pexels.com.
I have been making small changes in my habits that I’m hoping will become natural instincts in my daily routine. I haven’t started a ‘diet’ as such and I am reluctant to do that because I’ve done it all before and even though it works it has to be maintained for life so I really just want to change my habits.
I haven’t lost weight but I’m gradually changing my eating habits and have a healthy breakfast and lunch to start with. This doesn’t meant I eat pizza for dinner though (only occasionally) but I may still have a desert or snack afterwards. I’m incorporating more of the low calorie meals from the Pinch of Nom books and Slimming Eats websites because the whole family enjoy them.
I did go without alcohol for about five weeks and now only have it at the weekend or if we occasionally eat out for lunch.
EXERCISE
I’ve started doing a weekly Zumba workout with a friend which encourages me to do a longer sessions than I would on my own. I also manage to fit in shorter exercise sessions in between, so even if I don’t do a full workout I’m still doing more than I was before and I’m improving each time. I suffer from knee pain which makes a lot of the movements difficult but it seems to be less restrictive each time. I listen to my body and if I’ve been too still for too long I get up and move. I’ll do a short workout, take a walk or even l do some standing crunches from the Figure 8 workouts whilst cleaning my teeth or waiting for the kettle to boil etc. It’s not much yet, but every little helps.
WRITING
It’s a couple of weeks since I updated my blog but I have written a couple of articles. I’m not sure if people get alerted to them being published like they do with the blog but you can find them here:
I will be adding these in the next few weeks and will update this post with the links when they are published.
HOBBIES
I have a few creative hobbies that I enjoy and have a few small projects on the go. I started macramé last year and enjoyed making lots of Christmas decorations and wall hangings. Also a couple of years ago I decided to make Christmas gifts for family in the UK, I made a selection of things like tote bags, jewellery and even some homemade balms and incense etc. I also made dreamcatchers and suncatchers and enjoyed making these so much I started to make a lot more. I’m trying to add this activity to my business so that I can eventually sell them. Also I’ve been practicing making beads with polymer clay, I used to do this years ago and saw some clay for sale recently so thought I might make a bit of jewellery for myself.
Currently I’m finishing off a few embroidery projects too. I love making gifts for people but rarely finish off things I start for myself so I’ve decided I need to do this as part of a self-nurturing process. I started embroidering a Shamanic Medicine Wheel a couple of years ago and as I still attend workshops in this field I am focussing on finishing it before I start anything else. I will publish a photo of it when it’s complete.
MULTI-TASKING & NEW DISCOVERIES
I have lots of online courses, podcasts and videos that I intend to get around to when I have the time and since one of my recent articles was about time management, I realised that I didn’t talk about Multi-Tasking. I often multi-task when doing housework but I decided to do this with recreational things too, like listen to podcasts whilst walking the dog and loading up my YouTube playlists whilst doing some embroidery. The good thing about algorithms is that you discover new material in the areas of interest you have and in my recommendations were videos of ‘Mel Robbin’s 5 Second Rule’.
5 Second Rule
In brief the system explained in the video is simply counting down from five to one to motivate you into action. The video explains how to use it and the book that you can find in the links on the sidebar goes into more detail of how to use for different purposes. At the moment I’m using it to stop negative thoughts, as soon as I recognise my mind drifting into areas that eventually bring me down, e.g. reliving how someone may have upset me in the past, I count down 5,4,3,2,1 and stop thinking about it. Also when I suddenly lose the motivation to do something that I really want to do I count down and do it anyway. It’s quite subtle, you don’t suddenly get an overwhelming impulse to do something but it stops you spiralling and can do it anyway even if you don’t feel like it. The more I’ve been doing it the less I’ve needed to use it. For example, during times of exhaustion and more pain from the fibromyalgia, just getting up out of a chair can be a real struggle and leads me to put off doing things, so I used the 5 second rule and did it anyway. I’ve since noticed that I don’t even need to count and I’m responding naturally to getting up to go and get something or do something without the fear of pain or the voice in my head saying I’m too tired.
Spring is in the air
Daffodils in my Garden
It seems like winter is never ending, although we are at the end of March we’ve had continuous gale force winds for the last couple of weeks, I really don’t like the wind, I hate the sound of it howling around the house, it chills me to the bone. I don’t mind a gentle breeze in the summer, but the bitter cold blasts we’ve had recently I can do without. However, they seem to be dispersing and I’m hoping to get out into the garden next week to get it ready for the summer. I find gardening very therapeutic, it can be quite meditative and being in nature is very good for the soul so that is more multi-tasking I can look forward to.
You Tube
I’ve mentioned before that I have a YouTube channel, at the moment there are a few meditation videos on there with lovely musical soundtracks. I am in the process of creating my own guided meditations and I’m looking to put together some of my own background music as I’ve heard of a lot of scams where royalty free music is changed once it’s embedded into peoples video and people having to then pay a ridiculous amount for the copyright or lose any monetisation from it. I don’t want to spend ages making a video only to have to take it down and re-do it if it gets popular.
I also have a few other ideas for the channel and that is to do some demonstrations of the therapies I provide and also some instructional videos on self massage and reflexology etc.
I also thought of doing a few personal updates on my progress with health and fitness. This is something I will have to pluck up courage to do though, but eventually I hope to get there. You can see my channel by following one of the links on the side bar and when I do my personal videos I’ll link to them in future posts.
Tortoise and the Hare
As the heading of this post suggests I’m making slow and gradual progress (tortoise), in the past I’ve enthusiastically thrown myself into regimes and do really well to start with (hare) but I get distracted and don’t continue with my efforts. I hope that by taking things slow and steady, gradually introducing new habits, I can make long term changes that will produce the results I want and be able to maintain them.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. If you like this article please take look at some of my other pages or blog posts where I talk about different therapies and my own wellbeing journey and if you’d like to see future posts then please enter your email address and click on the subscribe button below and you will be notified of future content. I have no plans to use your email address for any other purpose. Feel free to share my page with anyone you feel may be interested and if you have any feedback about what I write or suggestions for further articles then please use the comment box further down the page. Warmest Wishes, Janet x
I am currently affiliated with Body FX. This page may contain other affiliated links and if you purchase any item from following one of these links I may receive a small commission. Images that I haven’t taken myself are from pixabay.cm, unsplash.com or pexels.com.
I am currently affiliated with Body FX. This page may contain other affiliated links and if you purchase any item from following one of these links I may receive a small commission. Images that I haven’t taken myself are from pixabay.cm, unsplash.com or pexels.com.
I started writing this about how ‘lack of time’ affects me but it was turning into a novel so I decided to just identify some common issues and reflect on ways in which people can overcome them.
Do we really lack time?
We all have the same amount of time in a day, it’s how we utilise that time that matters. Some people have very busy lifestyles with work, family and social commitments but that is not a lack of time is it? that is how we spend our time. Thinking of ‘not having enough time’ puts into a negative thought patterns that cause us to feel deprived and resentful in some way, leading us to feel stressed and overburdened etc. Obviously, many of us would prefer to spend our time doing other things and may compare other people’s situations as better than ours but it doesn’t help us deal with day to day life.
Even now whilst writing this I find myself ‘wasting time’ because I keep digressing into more detail about the way we use our time, but I’m trying to keep this post short so I have to reel myself back in and try to get to the point so I’m not taking up too much of your time whilst you read it!
Time we can control
Maybe, a better way to think about our time is to firstly break down how we spend out time and see if we can make little changes to the things we have control over. For example:
Shopping – Try to buy in bulk and freeze where space and finances allow. Consider online grocery shopping and have it delivered, this not only saves time but money too as you won’t be as tempted to buy more if not actually in the store. The cost of delivery will be compensated by not having to pay for public transport or using you own car.
Cooking – when making meals like casseroles, pasta and soups etc. make larger quantities to eat another day, it takes the same amount of time and gives you free time later, just make sure to separate it before serving otherwise if you have a family like I have, they will eat all the leftovers!
Housework – do you have to have a perfectly spotless house? It’s quite easy to do living alone but if you have a family you can be spending the whole day just trying to keep on top of it. Delegate some tasks to other family members, don’t worry what visitors think, true friends won’t care if you have washing up in the sink or haven’t dusted and hoovered. Think about what you’d rather be doing and do that, the world won’t come to an end.
Organising Your Time
The best way to make the most of your time is to try to organise it as best as you can, sticking to a good schedule is not always possible and if we don’t manage to keep up with it then we can fall behind, forget to do important things and feel like we are not in control.
To-Do Lists – these are great to remind us to get things done but be careful not to put too much on there as it can be overwhelming. Prioritising is the key, if there are urgent jobs to be done, ones you have to do but really don’t like, then do them first because once they are out of the way you will not feel stressed about them.
Do things that take the least amount of time first – If you can only spare a few minutes before work, do things that only take a short amount of time. E.g. paying a bill either or putting a on load of washing.
Add unplanned activities to your list – if you do something that wasn’t on your list, add it and cross it out. This will give you a sense of accomplishment even if you didn’t manage to do everything.
Choose a happy colour pen to cross out your completed tasks. Using a bright colour that cheers you up will highlight all your achievements and focus on the positives.
Other ways to save time
Have a core list of meals – write down all the meals you like to make that you find quick and easy and always have the ingredients in. It’s good to have 3 or 4 options available. Meal plans are good but we don’t always feel like eating what we planned.
Organise your wardrobe – if you work, keep all your work clothes together and have them ironed and ready to wear at the beginning of the week then you won’t need to think about what to wear in the morning. If you do a lot of socialising then always have one of two outfits ready to wear for when an occasion arises.
Limit time on social media – social media is great for keeping in touch with friends and family, especially if you don’t see them regularly. However, it is all too easy to become lost in reading articles, watching videos and links that pop up on news feeds and before you know it an hour or more has slipped by without even realising it. These platforms are created to keep your attention and record everything you look at so they can put even more tempting content your way. Allocate yourself a set amount of time to do this and set an alarm if necessary. This can also be applied to reading and replying to emails.
Delegate – you don’t have to do everything yourself, if you live with people they should be contributing to the upkeep of the home so get them to take on some of the workload. If people refuse then don’t do things for them such as cooking and washing.
Have a To-Do FOR YOU list – make a list of all the things you love doing but never get around to. It can be anything like reading a book, having a bath or spending time on a favourite hobby. Have a variety of things that take different amount of time and try to do at least one thing a day just for you. There is nothing selfish about doing things for yourself in fact it should be a priority because if your needs are not met then in the end you will be no good for anyone else.
Doing a bit is better than doing nothing – Break down large tasks into smaller steps so that you feel like you are progressing and the overall task isn’t too overwhelming. When it comes to leisure time, if you really don’t have time to do that hour long exercise session you planned then just do five or ten minutes, even if it’s just a brief walk at lunchtime or a few yoga stretches in the morning and evening. If you planned on reading a chapter of a book and only manage a few pages you are still getting through the book. Don’t give up and think it’s not worth doing because you will benefit from the smallest amount of time and effort.
Acknowledge your accomplishments – As well as crossing things off your To-Do list, make sure you add any additional things you do to it, and cross them off too. If you planned on getting on top of your filing at work but other things came up, then put those things on your list of achievements instead. If you planned on writing a new blog post but haven’t got the time you can at least note down a few ideas of subjects you want to write so you will have a plan ready to use. By doing this you will see that even though you may not have done everything you planned to do, you did achieve a lot. Make sure you add things you do for relaxation and leisure too!
Getting the Balance right
If all your time is taken up working and doing things for others then you will eventually feel exhausted and demotivated. So it is very important to do things that make you feel good, whether it’s a form of relaxation, exercise, hobby or social event. Looking after yourself should be a priority even if you can’t control how you spend you time at work. You can control your mindset and just taking a few minutes to breath and empty your mind can help you get through a stressful day. If you try to incorporate some of the methods above you will feel in control and will hopefully have a better quality of life.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. If you like this article please take look at some of my other pages or blog posts where I talk about different therapies and my own wellbeing journey and if you’d like to see future posts then please enter your email address and click on the subscribe button below and you will be notified of future content. I have no plans to use your email address for any other purpose. Feel free to share my page with anyone you feel may be interested and if you have any feedback about what I write or suggestions for further articles then please use the comment box further down the page. Warmest Wishes, Janet x
I am currently affiliated with Body FX. This page may contain other affiliated links and if you purchase any item from following one of these links I may receive a small commission. Images that I haven’t taken myself are from pixabay.cm, unsplash.com or pexels.com.
I am currently affiliated with Body FX. This page may contain other affiliated links and if you purchase any item from following one of these links I may receive a small commission. Images that I haven’t taken myself are from pixabay.cm, unsplash.com or pexels.com.
I started this blog to share my progress on the goals I’ve set myself on overcoming physical limitations, losing weight and improving my overall wellbeing. My intention was that by sharing with you my schedule and progression, I will be motivated to stay on track as well as inspire others to achieve their goals.
What has held me back in the past has been the inability to focus and commit to my own needs because of ‘life getting in the way’. The distractions of unexpected events and demands on our attention and time lead us to forget the new positive habits we wanted to incorporate into our lifestyles.
Distractions
These last two weeks have been a perfect example of this; for a start it’s the school holidays and whilst my children are now teenagers and don’t want me to spend time with them like when they were younger, they still need taking to appointments, shopping trips for school books or clothes, taxiing to social events and obviously providing more meals which means, more time shopping and preparing and cleaning etc. Another distraction has been building work at the house so lots of mess and noise. So, I’ve been immersed in trying to keep on top of the normal day to day routines, delegate chores to reluctant teenagers, rearrange clients to fit into less chaotic noisy time frames and taking my children to school meetings and driving lessons and so on. I’ve managed to do a few things for myself like a little bit of gardening, writing blog articles and a bit of creative work such as embroidery, macramé and wire art which I’ve tried to combine with listening to audio podcasts or relaxing watching TV etc.
Obstacles
I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I suffer from fibromyalgia and this is my major obstacle because the effect of doing too much leads me suffer from a flare up where I am in so much pain and feel so exhausted it’s a struggle to not only prepare a simple meal but also the brain fog that goes along with it means I struggle to even come up with an idea of what to make in the first place. In an ideal world I would have lots of pre-prepared meals that can be heated up easily by any member of the family.
There are lots of distractions and excuses that prevent us achieving what we set out to do. Unless you have a perfect work/life balance with a good support network and no financial insecurities then there will always be something that doesn’t meet our needs and desires. We also know people who seem to be able to organise their lives and be super-efficient, self-disciplined, high achievers or super-mums who make us feel like inadequate failures. However, we shouldn’t compare ourselves to others, what you see on the surface isn’t necessarily the truth, we can’t know what other people are dealing with and what it would be like in their shoes. We are our own worse judges and critics and beat ourselves up over our mistakes and setbacks.
Inspiration
With all this in mind I thought I’d also address the setbacks that hinder our progress and look at various ways we can deal with them to overcome some of the obstacles that get in our way. Rather than address all these issues here I’m going to break them down into individual posts. Some of the subjects I’m planning on writing about are listed below (in no particular order), as I publish them I’ll also add a link to them, if I can work out how to do that. This is what I have in mind:
A lot of the topics will be related to my own issues and the methods I have used or intend to use on my wellbeing journey and will also complement the articles on different therapies I’m interested in. You can find lots of self-help books and webpages on these subjects but you can also get overwhelmed with the amount of information out there so I’m going try to write brief, easy to read posts that will hopefully be useful to you.
And Finally
I hope you enjoy reading my blog and I thank you for the time you have taken to read it. If you you would like to see future content then please enter your email address and press the subscribe button below, I have no intention of using you email addresses for any other purpose other than to inform you of new posts I have published.
I also welcome any feedback and suggestions you may have and I’m happy for you to share this with your friends and colleagues.
I am currently affiliated with Body FX. This page may contain other affiliated links and if you purchase any item from following one of these links I may receive a small commission. Images that I haven’t taken myself are from pixabay.cm, unsplash.com or pexels.com.
I am currently affiliated with Body FX. This page may contain other affiliated links and if you purchase any item from following one of these links I may receive a small commission. Images that I haven’t taken myself are from pixabay.cm, unsplash.com or pexels.com.
Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to try to start a new schedule just before a two week school holiday, without factoring in any unexpected events such as the roofers arriving without notice to replace the barn roof after waiting two years for them to do the work and now we have a tree surgeon noisily cutting some trees down in the garden.
Finding time to write has been difficult enough let alone stick to an exercise and fitness plan.
During the times I’ve had to myself I had lots of ideas of things I can write about and I’ve started putting a few more articles together which will be uploaded very soon. My next post is about ‘Obstacles and Distractions’ which is very relevant to my circumstances at the moment. So I’ll keep this post brief as I’ll be including personal updates in my other posts too. Thank you for reading and if you want to see my future posts please enter you email address and press subscribe below and you will be notified when I post anything new.
I am currently affiliated with Body FX. This page may contain other affiliated links and if you purchase any item from following one of these links I may receive a small commission. Images that I haven’t taken myself are from pixabay.cm, unsplash.com or pexels.com.
So it has been quite hectic the last few weeks. The kids have finally gone back to school today though and the work going on around the place is no excuse not to get back on plan.
I have started the day eating well and just taking my time getting my head back in the right space to continue with what I set out to do.
I did manage a zumba class last week with a friend and because I was doing it with someone else I managed to do much more than I would have alone.
I am currently affiliated with Body FX. This page may contain other affiliated links and if you purchase any item from following one of these links I may receive a small commission. Images that I haven’t taken myself are from pixabay.cm, unsplash.com or pexels.com.
Solistic 