Most of us have ambitions and goals, particularly at the start of the new year, and I’m no different. I came out of 2024 with a sense of satisfaction over a productive and interesting year, and much eagerness for all the goals I had in sight for 2025.
Positive mental health is always first and foremost in my mind, and as most of my readers know, if you know me personally, this is now the bulk of my work and focus. Losing my brother to suicide and having a son who struggles with addictions has shown me so clearly the importance of mental health support, as well as setting (and holding) boundaries.
So, I ran full steam ahead into 2025; training CPR with St. John Ambulance, connecting with my clients and continuing with coaching and change work.
Now, I’m going to preface this next bit of news with the knowledge that I know I move quickly. This has been my way of moving through life and learned as a young child. My father was very demanding and subsequently cruel if I didn’t move quickly enough… for example, one morning I was late feeding our dog whom we kept in a kennel out in our barn, and on my way out to feed her after being scolded by my father, he suddenly started chasing after me with a kettle and threw hot water on my back. I cannot fathom what was going through his mind at the time, and I know and remember how traumatizing this was. My repeated learning as a young child was to move FAST.
This became my habit and is how I typically move about my day. My movements have always been quick; I jump up quickly, I turn corners quickly, and I sometimes (frequently) encounter push back in the form of a wall or floor. This is usually something my wife and I joke about, but the Universe has a wicked sense of humour if you don’t learn to moderate these trauma based behaviours.
Last week, after my CPR class finished I drove back to the branch and was dropping equipment off and picking up materials for the next day. As I was carrying the last bin outside to my car (and moving at my usual efficient pace), I turned over on my ankle. Picture those models teetering on very high heels as they wander down the runway, turning over their ankles as they go, or, Bambi on ice, both themes work. It happened so fast, and the pain was immediate and so severe I just crouched over the bin and screamed in the parking lot for a few minutes.
Somehow I put that bin into the hatch of my car, got in and drove myself home, pain shooting up my leg each time I pressed the brake. I prayed it was just a bad sprain, but by the time I got home I was exhausted and near tears.
My wife helped me inside and after about half an hour I realized I needed to go to the hospital for X-rays. My toes were numb and the pain was not relenting. This was more than a sprained ankle.
Sure enough, X-rays confirmed a Weber fracture of my right fibula at the distal point in the ankle joint. So here I sit in an air cast, marvelling at the lessons the Universe is handing out.
Stable break, right fibula
Slow down. Stop rushing. Be methodical, be mindful, take your time. Focus on what is happening in the moment and stop running the endless list through your mind. One thing at a time. Energetically, the mind body connection to ankles is about inflexibility and guilt. Ankles represent the ability to receive pleasure. I slow my breathing and take this in. I ask my higher self, “What am I carrying guilt about, what am I resisting?” I breathe in the answers that come and agree to make the necessary corrections to allow for joy and pleasure to come in. I also accept that I deserve to rejoice in life, and willingly receive all the pleasure life has to offer. Hey, that’s a great new mantra!
I accept that I deserve to rejoice in life, and willingly receive all the pleasure life has to offer.
What is it that you need to slow down for? What goals are you racing towards that you could possibly interject some mindfulness or self-awareness? Are you juggling too many spinning plates? What can you put down in order to focus on something more meaningful? What are you resisting that you are perhaps carrying guilt?
If this resonates with you in any way, perhaps you’d like to book a call and have a virtual tea with me and share more about what you’re experiencing. I would really love to hear more.
Breathing in the Moment
One of the best ways I’ve learned to regulate my system is simply by engaging in mindful breathwork. This can be sitting quietly and focusing on slowing down an anxious system with even breathing, or perhaps even more intentionally by measuring your breaths.
You can do this by using a box breathing method or an increasing count method. Let me explain…
Box breathing works by measuring your breaths evenly. Breathe in for four seconds, hold for four, breathe out for four, and hold for four. Repeat as many times is needed to regulate or calm your system. You will know when you have successfully calmed your nervous system when you aren’t breathing too fast and are less emotional (sad, angry, etc). A sense of calm will come over you, and you will feel at peace.
Increasing your breath count works when you breathe in for four seconds, hold for six seconds, and exhale a longer breath by counting to eight. It is a great way to very intentionally calm overwhelm and anxiety. You are forcing yourself to slow down.
Breath Work ♥
This is not to say that emotions aren’t good. I want to be clear here. It is important to move through sadness and anger; not doing so keeps those emotions trapped within your body and that only ever leads to dis-ease and lots of mental anguish.
Breath work is great for intentional meditation, and being in the moment. It is not meant to replace working through your emotions.
Share a way you like to create a sense of calm and peace! Perhaps you will help someone else who is reading. I’d love to hear from you. ✨