It may seem like I have my life together when I talk about fitness, wellness, and enjoying the outdoors - walking the walk, and talking the talk. But I have to admit that there are days when I struggle to use the tools I advocate for to lift myself out of a funk. It makes me feel inauthentic and like a hypocrite, questioning my ability to help others find joy through movement when I can't even follow my own advice. How can I coach people on mindfulness and put on a brave face when my mind is constantly racing, plagued with thoughts of not being enough?
And I know I am not alone in this struggle, but sometimes I feel like am as I don’t want to bother others with these emotions that are full of lack. I know life is challenging -period- for everyone - we all have our moments - our seasons - with the stories we tell ourselves, past traumas, and expectations shaping our experiences. It's all part of the human condition, the ebb and flow of life not always being smooth sailing. But I do believe that embracing vulnerability and authenticity allows us to connect better with others who are going through similar struggles. Mental health is deeply intertwined with physical health, and I've noticed recently that taking mindful walks can often help me snap out of my low moments.
Lately, these episodes have been stronger, possibly due to the hormonal changes from having a baby. The body can do strange things, and to regulate it, I know I need to generate happy hormones to counteract the sad ones. Sometimes, I can't even pinpoint why I feel sad or down on myself, but I'm trying to accept those feelings and acknowledge them without spiraling into self-criticism. I try to use meditation and breathwork, and continue to remind myself to "Be Here Now" to be fully present in the moment and appreciate what I have.
Another helpful tool is noticing when I am starting to feel this way, and trying to be aware of my emotions, even when they're uncomfortable. Instead of suppressing them, I try to face them head-on and figure out ways to physically remove myself from the situation, like really trying to send strong messages to my brain to tell my body to get up, go move, get outside, and do something different because it can change the way I feel and shift the course of my day.
I want to be honest that I'm not perfect, and it's not about striving for perfection. It's about practice and progress, embracing unfamiliar or uncomfortable feelings, and finding ways to navigate through them. Sometimes it's about feeling the sadness, and other times it's about seeking a moment of joy. I don’t know if this is the key but it seems to be helpful for me to notice these emotions and physically move into a different state so that I can be in a better mental state than where I am at that moment.
So, I just wanted to share that I have my struggles too, and it's okay. I think it’s important as a health and wellness professional to acknowledge the other side of the human condition and that it’s not just about squats, playing in nature, gratitude, and strength - but the actual and honest reason why we do these things. I sometimes feel the message of mental and physical health gets lost in all the happy-go-lucky attitudes, consumerism, and external validations we seek. The important thing is to be INTENTIONAL about our WHYS, intentional about the movement we do and why we do it, intentional about how the food we eat fuels our energy, intentional about how finding strength in our body fuels strength in our minds and vice versa. I will continue to keep trying to be kind to myself and advocate to others that seeking help and support is never a sign of weakness. Now, I'm off to take my own advice and work on finding my balance and well-being once again.