Choosing to Heal, Inside & Out
Stress & the Breaking Point
At the very beginning of 2019, I realized I was trapped in a six-month stress spiral that had rocked me further into the anxiety, depression, and gut issues I already manage daily. I had kept these health vulnerabilities mostly at bay for years, sufficiently so that I’d never truly realized how hard life could be if my body was allowed to be thrown fully out of whack. During this particular time in my life, I simply didn’t have the wherewithal or energy to proactively take care of myself at the level I needed to. Ultimately, the stress put my gut health into disarray, threw me into adrenal exhaustion, and landed me with what I’m fairly certain were some gnarly stomach ulcers.
I’ve been semi-cautious about what I eat for most of my adult life (I've been gluten free for over a decade after testing positive for sensitivity in college). But last year, diet mostly took a back seat as I felt more and more out of control at work, and stress built upon itself. I let go of a meditation practice I’d started to build, went to spin and yoga classes fewer times per week (or, didn’t go at all), and was always so, so tired. On top of this, the cystic acne I've battled for about ten years reared its ugly head (too on the nose?) and contributed to even lower self-esteem. It was infuriating to feel like I was back to square one with my health. The most frustrating thing is that as an outgoing person, no one could see the ugliness I felt inside, and couldn’t get rid of it. I wanted to, but I didn’t have the strength or motivation yet.
Food Really Does = Health
Throwing up on New Years Day from pain and nausea that was not related to New Year’s Eve festivities, and having to call in sick from work because I was in such excruciating gut pain, forced me to pull the trigger in restricting my diet and making aggressive changes I’d been meaning to for ages. Desperate for new answers as well, I did a deep dive into the #guthealth hashtag on Instagram and started drinking celery juice every morning on an empty stomach. In finally being forced to take action, I’ve experienced a wave of new energy and inspiration - not only from the physical healing, but from picking up the reins of my own life and remembering that it’s mine to lead.
Perspective is Key
We are much more than our physical and mental limitations, which is easy to forget - and I know more than ever that I’m not alone in this experience. During a period of darkness, my outlook was negatively shifted, and being in that state makes it easier for difficult thoughts and feelings to creep in and seem real - intrusive thoughts, imposter-syndrome, or self doubt are just a few examples. I have immense gratitude that I was forced to make lifestyle changes in order to heal, and that those changes have in turn given me the space to see my life in a different light. It’s easier now to take on challenges that are allowing me to gain perspective on who I am, where I came from, where I’m going, and most importantly, how I’m living at this very moment.
Gear Up, the Fun’s Just Getting Started
I’m excited to talk about the healing tools that have helped me most this year, including, but not limited to: adopting a mindful diet, incorporating new foods and supplements for your body’s various needs, thinking about my body and mind holistically and as one intertwined unit, incorporating mindfulness and meditation in every day moments, changing as many beauty & household products as possible to natural/non toxic ones, setting my heart free with travel & adventure, spending time in nature, journaling … the list goes on and on.
I can’t wait to share my experiences and learn from you as we create this community together.
