Simple Sustainable Selfcare

There is nothing like a relocation to shake things up a bit right? So much to consider, organise and adjust to.

Moving to a new city or country is a significant life event that has many layers. Excitement, anxiety, curiosity, stress, joy, sadness, panic are just a few of the emotions that can raise their heads.

Whether it is your first time moving to a new place or your tenth, they can still kick in, sometimes all in one day!

It took three countries, 16 years, two businesses and the birth of my son to learn, embrace and implement what I am about to share with you and man, if I knew back then what I know now!!

As a coach (or wingwoman as I prefer to be called), the heart of most of the work I do is the concept that we each have six human needs.

These are:

1. Certainty
2. Variety
3. Significance
4. Love and Connection
5. Growth
6. Contribution

Of course we are all unique and so these human needs vary in hierarchy from person to person. Identifying your Driving Human Need and understanding this concept can help you to create daily habits and behaviours unique to you that when implemented can have a hugely positive effect on your daily life and be your support system when facing challenges such as a relocation.

Now, I am going to be honest, I am not a fan of big sweeping gestures, New Year Resolutions, fad diets, or setting our expectations so high that when we do not meet them we feel disappointed with ourselves.

I much prefer making small and continuous shifts and as they gather momentum, we get to really experience the power that lies in simplicity.

So some ways in which we can meet these needs and do so without overwhelming ourselves further can be:

Getting up 10 minutes earlier and doing a seven minute low impact workout! This simple practice will start your day on a different footing. Changing your physical state and inciting clarity leading to better decision making and improving your mood. It produces a domino effect throughout your day and is something I personally hold accountable for much of my own well being.

Becoming more intentional with your most valuable commodity, time. Creating weekly schedules, meal plans and prioritising, delegating or deleting tasks can help you feel in control and reduce overwhelm that can escalate when trying to juggle too many balls at once.

Sitting down as a family, discussing and creating a budget can be instrumental in opening a conversation that many avoid… money! With a relocation comes a shift in expenses and income. Managing it with transparency helps everyone to feel inclusive within this new reality.

Discuss best ways to keep communication open with loved ones at home.Some ideas could be
creating a Whatsapp group, a Facebook group and agreeing to times to video call. Managing expectations, time differences, work and life can get in the way but by keeping those lines of communication open you can maintain those relationships more easily.

This leads us onto the new relationships that come with this transient lifestyle. Explore different social groups online and in person. Living overseas can feel isolating without proximity to family and friends. Remember that many are in the same boat and we are all looking for that connection. Try new hobbies or activities…..go on…take the opportunity to shake things up a bit!

Find yourself a coach or therapist. I really believe we should normalise maintaining our mental health the way we do our nails, hair and teeth! Having a safe space to discuss what is going on in your life without fear of judgement or the advice or opinions of others is extremely powerful.

Get yourself some sexy stationary and get writing! Lists, goals, intentions, journals whatever it is, take it out of your head and onto paper. This is cathartic, provides perspective and anchors our plans.

On the days when things feel like they are too much….stop…..take two big breaths in through your nose then one big long exhale through the mouth….continue till the heightened emotion feels a little calmer and remember……you got this x