Or are you so busy looking after everyone else in your family, that you forget to take care of you?

Are you waiting for that perfect time (maybe when the children start sleeping through the night and you have more energy, or when they start school and you have more time during the day, or when they leave home and you aren’t so busy with after school activities…)?

I totally get that…in fact I think I would have to be one of the worst people when it comes to putting me first. You see that is because I know with all my heart that I have to be the one that keeps everyone in my family together. If I don’t do it all myself, no one will. I need to be emotionally available to all the complex personalities in my family, and unfortunately they need me so often that I just don’t get any time for myself.

Or at least that is how I used to think. And it is how I reverted to thinking when we first got to the UK. Because everyone did need me. I needed to sort furniture for the house, set up our wholefood kitchen from scratch, nurture friendships for the children, ensure we were making the most of the opportunities we have for travel, find doctors, dentists, power companies, insurance, banks etc. And if I didn’t do it, it simply wouldn’t happen. I had to ensure that my hubby was getting enough sleep, eating well and not feeling too much of the pressure, as he is prone to depression and it is my job to keep him ‘up’. And of course this was all being done around 3 doses of chickenpox, and me with a broken wrist. Oh – and running a business! See what my choice of thoughts and beliefs created!

I was feeling tired, emotional, and at times a little homesick. Sugar cravings (which I haven’t experienced for well over a year) returned in full swing, and me relenting to them negatively fueled the way I was feeling. I got so out of sync that I was not able to get to sleep until late at night, and crawled out of bed half asleep in the mornings at 7am with the kids (I have bounced out of bed at 5am almost every morning for the last couple of years). My first period here was a horrible mix of hormones and cramping – which I hadn’t experienced since I found a way of eating that works for me (and almost eliminating processed food and reducing the toxins I am exposed to in my daily life – I used to suffer terribly).

I could feel the downward spiral just beginning to start, into the way I used to live and think just a few years ago, and I knew I didn’t want that again – life as I have in more recent years experienced it is about living in the now, loving every moment, dreaming (and then living those dreams). I am so grateful for teachers I have had and the people I have met in the last couple of years that have empowered me to transform my way of thinking. My husband often says to me – when faced with a situation that would have used to stress me out, that I now just take in my stride, re-frame, and move on – that he is amazed and inspired by my personal growth and my current take on life. He so wanted a piece of that too, which is why he is now currently studying at IIN and about to embark on a BSc in Acupuncture.

Luckily I have the tools, and I was able to pick myself up. I took a step back from needing to be everything to everyone. I have an incredible friend here who kept putting into perspective what I had incredibly achieved in such a short time in a new country, and kept it real for me. This encouraged me to let go of the need to get it all perfect right now. Remembering that it will come, but that right now I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Once I took a step back and made some changes, things rapidly changed: I am once again more productive and feel more grounded. I am back to getting out of bed early and feeling refreshed. My digestion, cravings and mood have all improved. I am calmly enjoying the last couple of weeks before the kids start school here. And you know that husband I felt so responsible for? It turns out he can look after himself! Since I stepped back he has stepped up again, ensuring he gets the exercise, food, sleep and connections that he needs to stay in balance.

With FUEL 28 I have put together an amazing lifestyle programme to give YOU the tools that I use to keep my life in balance. A way of eating and living that means the difference between existing and truly living. I share with you a way of eating that is sustainable for life, strategies to reduce stress and find time for you – yep even if you are a busy mum like me! You can learn the tools you need both physically and emotionally to not just handle your busy life, but thrive!

Are you ready to live your best life yet? I would love to support you!