I am recently back from a whirlwind few months. For me, this year has been one of immense highs - the magic of my retreat and the wonderful Wellness Fair to name but two - and also some rather mighty lows. Quite the rollercoaster! Such is the nature of life.

A few months ago, my eldest son started to lose an abnormal amount of weight and was feeling rather unwell. As awful as it is to see your children in pain, I was hopeful he would soon recover. After different medical assessments, unfortunately things escalated, and he ended up in intensive care. As it stands now, he has kidney failure. As you can imagine, this has a huge impact on our daily life as a family.

As my family and I settle into our new version of normal I have the opportunity to reflect on the last few months. Whilst it has been terrifying, demanding, stressful and exhausting, I have managed to come through it. That is thanks to the love and strength of my family and friends of course, but I am also immensely thankful for the wellness toolkit I have built for myself.

Every tap, yoga session, journal entry, reflection, retreat, mentorship and so much more - they have all contributed to the fact I am still standing here today, able to be strong for my family.

Here are the lessons I have learned

You can’t pour from an empty cup

As a mother, I want to be there for my family, offering the love and support they need in their time of need. But when it’s your time of need too, you need to ensure you’re keeping yourself topped up too. Even just five minutes of quiet time first thing in the morning in which you take a moment for reflection and gather your thoughts for the day can be so important. If you start forgetting yourself amidst everything, you won’t be able to show up as the best version of yourself for others. I can help you with this – click here to book a chat and let’s see how I can best support you.

Suss out your non-negotiables and enforce them

We all have certain rituals in life that really matter to us. Maybe it’s your morning coffee in the garden. A call with a friend to share your feelings. A walk at lunchtime with a podcast. Perhaps for you it’s your weekly yoga class where you can take the time to just focus on you. Whatever it is, even when times are very trying, endeavour to keep your non-negotiables in place. There is strength in routine, especially when that routine involves carving out time for you and your mental health. I know it’s not always possible and routine can quickly go out the window, but where you can, try and keep those important practices for you in place. This is where Soulful Wellness can help – are you ready to see what it can do for you?

Share, share, share!

A problem shared is a problem halved. Keep reaching out to others and talking. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband standing by my side, for which I am incredibly grateful, but we are all part of different communities on which we can rely. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. If someone asked you for help, you’d help, so let it work the other way too. Maybe they can help with childcare or dropping off a nourishing meal at the end of a busy day. For me, involving my virtual assistant Jacqui in some additional tasks helped lighten the day to day load for me. Consider what would be most helpful for you and simply ask!

Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable

We are all allowed to feel fearful and vulnerable. It is part of the human experience. Life events can knock the wind from our sails and completely unsettle us, at least temporarily. Take the time to digest events, make a plan – even a tentative one to get you through the next few days – and feel your feelings. Cry, shout, go for a run, journal – allow your feelings to flow and your vulnerability to exist. One thing is for sure – you will grow stronger from everything you go through. Reach out to others who can support you too – friends, family, colleagues and OtentikCare.

One more thing…

OtentikCare is always here to support you in your wellness journey. Follow me on Instagram, join my mailing list, or explore my website to find out more about my events and offerings. And if you’re curious to know what coaching can do for you click here to book a no-obligation chat with me.