Part of a training course I participated in this week we were asked to reflect on an achievement we were proud of. Â That’s not a notion I dwell on too much, usually because I’m moving on to the next project or task. Â It was a hard exercise for me to face off with my inner voice (known by NLP practitioners as auditory digital thinking) as frankly it’s a level of “woo-woo” that makes me feel uncomfortable. But as a coach I can hardly ask my clients to face their inner demons if I don’t do it myself.
For the purposes of the training I decided that an achievement I was proud of was the life shift we’ve made in the last 6 years. Â I’ve gone from a state of mostly exhausted existence in the UK to a life which no less exhausting at times but one that feels better and much more fun. Â I’m often asked why didn’t I make the sort of life I wanted in the UK and the truthful answer to this question is that would simply have been too hard. It was much easier to just pack everything up and move to a completely different part of the world and start again.
Hard work and a lot of luck has helped us along our way but having a clear view about what we wanted our future to look like has been the thing that has sustained progress. Sometimes the details aren’t clear but that’s when the fun starts as you can shape and change things until you find a level of satisfaction. Â Who’d have known that a notional dream about “living the good life” would have resulted in a growing obsession about where my food comes from and where on earth I can get my hands on a medlar tree or crocus bulbs so I can grow my own saffron.
These are luxurious thoughts but I’ve come to realise this week that my work as a coach helps heaps of other people to take small steps every day to making their life better or those that they work with and that’s an incredibly powerful thing. Â Now all I need is a Jedi outfit and I’ll be good to go.
Medlar Bud in the Orchard.
Nice defining of types of exhaustion … I totally agree, blissful exhaustion is when we’re having fun! As an ex-pat too, moving and rebuilding has it advantages. Thanks Julie!
Thanks Sav – was quite a week with you opening my eyes to new things.
Such a stunning photograph and very interesting read.
There are so many different types of busy and exhausted – but when our lives are full to the brim doing things we’re passionate about and believe in they are so much more manageable and agreeable.
I have so enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, watch your ever growing talents in photography, writing and gardening… and cooking.. the list goes on! You definitely should be wearing your ‘Domestic Executive’ badge with pride xx
Sarah, you are so sweet and wonderful blogging friend. Thank you so much for your kind comments. Watching your girls grow up and your Chez Lee Antics is always a pleasure to read too. Your encouragement keeps me going!
A very interesting post that I’m going to share with my husband because I think it speaks to that place that many people find themselves in when they don’t understand why they aren’t happy with life (but they still love their partner, so it isn’t that!). What do you think, do people feel this kind of exhaustion without really realising it?
Christina – having energy to deal with the day to day is hard sometimes when you’re working hard and have a full life. Without it life can seemingly spiral downwards which turns to unhappiness. There is no easy fix but it’s very possible to do many small things to change life and bring with it more energy and greater happiness.