Archive for April, 2018

Are you feeling stuck and unable to move forwards?

Does it feel like, in order to change something, you have to do something drastic or monumental?

Are you unable to make a start because you worry you won’t be able to achieve the change you want?

Change doesn’t have to be scary, and we certainly don’t need to do anything drastic!

Last week, I went and had a swimming lesson and it was such a stark reminder how small tweaks to what we are doing can make a huge difference.

I haven’t had a swimming lesson since I was in primary school. That’s quite a long time ago! I’ve always been an ok swimmer, but it was only in the last few weeks that my chiropractor has been encouraging me to start swimming again to strengthen and protect my back.

I was hesitant. I love being active and being outside. Swimming is not one of those activities I love. It’s a hassle. And it’s certainly not ideal for someone like me with long curly hair. Especially if you have lots of it!

But I thought I’d at least give it a try. If I was going to do it though, I knew I wanted to make sure I was swimming correctly and efficiently.

So, I got some help, and I booked myself a swimming lesson.

As it turns out, I’m not a bad swimmer, but there was definitely room for improvement.

So with a few minor adjustments – lengthening my arm stroke a little, just turning my head rather than lifting and turning it, keeping my chin slightly tucked down – I found that I was swimming with far more ease, confidence and with far less effort.

It really showed me that these small changes really do make a big difference!

And it also showed me that even if we’re pretty good at something, it can be so beneficial to get some advice.

This way someone can help you see what you’re doing objectively and what you might change a little to make things even more effortless!

I could never have figured out what I needed to tweak on my own.

And I’m sure after a few weeks of practicing I will need to tweak it again so that I can keep perfecting my technique 🙂

So how do we apply this to other areas of our lives to create the change we want?

There are 4 questions to ask yourself to get you taking that first small step

  1. What is it I’d really like to change? Acknowledging what’s not quite working for you right now is really important. Without first understanding what that is, we remain stuck and unable to change it.
  2. Am I ready to create that change? Knowing you’re now ready to create that change, no matter if it seems a little scary right now, will give you the motivation you need to take a step forward.
  3. What do I want right now instead? Asking yourself this question helps you unlock a solution rather than staying stuck on the problem or challenge you’re facing. The fear of the bigger goal may seem unattainable so it’s much easier to break it down into smaller goals. Our bigger goal might just shift for the better in the process.
  4. What 1 small step can I take that will get me closer to what I want? Remember this is a small step, it’s not the giant leap. Think back to how you got to where you are right now, it was a series of smaller experiences that led you here. There’s no need to hurry, work at a pace that’s comfortable for you.

Remember: Start small and build from there.  We don’t have to leave our job, our partners, or move countries as our first step. Perhaps it’s just looking to see what other jobs are out there, arranging something new and exciting to do with our partners, or it’s exploring where you might want to move to initially by going there for a mini break!

Much love,

Natasha x

P.S. What one thing would you like to change right now? By doing something different you will start to find a solution that works for you. Give it a go, what have you got to lose?

P.P.S. Reply by email – I’d love to hear how you are getting on, or let me know if you’re struggling and need a little inspiration to make a start!? natasha@mindbodysoulenergy.co.uk

Do you feel like you’re always running on empty? Do you feel others drain the energy out of you? Or Are you left drained by always giving away far too much of yourself to others?

Sometimes we can feel like we’re running on empty and people just keep asking for more.

But what is the cost to keep going when you are left exhausted or even at the end your tether?

Often we feel like we need to give certain things, or people, in our lives everything we have.

We over-give to our partners, our work, our business, our friendships, our kids.

Why do we sometimes give so much of ourselves away?

That’s a good question…We often do it because we feel it’s expected of us, or we think we’ll get what we need in return: energy, acknowledgement, approval, love, acceptance.

Let me give you an analogy: We can’t run a car on empty and expect it to keep going. Even if it’s running close to empty the quality of the petrol left in the tank won’t be very good, and we’ll probably end up doing some damage to the engine. And that can get rather expensive to fix!

When we are constantly depleting our own energy by giving everything we have, we end up exhausted, and running on nearly empty. A bit like that poorly maintained car…..Nothing will function optimally when we are in this state: our bodies, or our emotional and mental wellbeing.

So, what if we stop giving our energy to people or situations, and we start sharing our energy instead?

It’s subtle but it makes a huge difference.

By sharing we are not giving everything we have in order to do something. Sharing means our energy can stay replenished. Sharing also implies an exchange so it’s a mutual transaction, and so everyone gets a little top up of energy in the process.

When we start to share more, and we have more energy, then everything starts to work better and feel better. And in turn, our relationships start to improve and we can find joy in the smaller things again 🙂

It’s something, I’m pleased to say, that I’ve got much better at over the years. It has helped me to realise that even though I don’t have to over-give, I can still help and do things for others. I can do it from a space of wanting to, rather than feeling I should.

Here are three things you can do differently in order to share your energy, rather than give it away:

  1. Set boundaries – understanding for yourself what depletes your energy and what leaves you feeling energised is a great start. We can all love helping and supporting others, and when we share our love, energy, enthusiasm, compassion we definitely feel better for it.
  2. Say no – this is not as hard as it sounds! Start with a few smaller things that you find depleting. It’s my experience that people understand when you explain you can’t do something or you offer another solution.
  3. Take positive action – do things that feel better for you, that energise you, that make you feel happy. Do something for you, you deserve it!

RememberStart small and build from there. 

Much love,
Natasha x

P.S. What one thing can you say no to right now? By doing something different you will start to find a solution that works for you. Give it a go, what have you got to lose?

P.P.S. Reply by email – I’d love to hear how you are getting on, or let me know if you’re struggling and need a little inspiration to make a start!? natasha@mindbodysoulenergy.co.uk

http://https://youtu.be/whOSON0ZItM