Before it was too late, I realised that I needed to regain personal balance and embark on a journey of introspection. I decided to seek help from a family friend who is a homeopath and holistic doctor. It was the turning point that set me on a path to redefine my life, my priorities, and my core values.
One of the initial exercises my friend guided me through was an activity focused on defining my own personal values. At first, it seemed deceptively simple, but it ended up being a life-altering process. Through this exercise, I discovered the profound impact that clarifying our values can have on our lives. I started to see that when our values are clear, we can navigate life in alignment with our true selves.
This exercise forced me to take a step back and evaluate the chaos that was spinning out of control inside me. I had to dig deep and reevaluate my priorities. Slowly but surely, I managed to distill a long list of values down to just six core principles that would guide my life going forward.
1. Health: My well-being became non-negotiable. I realised that if I didn't prioritise my physical and mental health, I couldn't function effectively in any other aspect of my life.
2. Time: Time with ourselves and the loved ones, maintaining a healthy work-life balance was essential. I couldn't keep sacrificing one for the other without consequences. Time spent in nature is now a very important part of my daily routine.
3. Authenticity: I made a promise to be true to myself and to others. Share more about my feelings to not be trapped in a spiral of futile and damaging thoughts.
4. Connection: Building and nurturing meaningful relationships with friends and family. I realised that these connections were the support system I needed during tough times.
5. Growth: The importance of knowledge for personal growth and development. This wasn't just about career advancement, but about constantly improving as a person.
6. Purpose: I found myself waking up everyday questioning why I was so unhappy although I had everything. On my journey of self-discovery I try to align my actions, decisions, and goals with a set of values, passions and principles that give my life a sense of significance and fulfilment.
With these values in mind, I started making changes inside out. I began by making healthier food choices, getting more restful sleep, and finding time for self-care. I created space for personal time, creative hobbies - pottery and painting - and relaxation - meditation and breath-work - . I also became more selective about the projects I took on, ensuring they aligned with my values and priorities.
My Cortisol values finally started to re-align. Cortisol is the body's main stress hormone (our natural “flight or fight” response). When it's too high, it increases heart rate and blood pressure, triggering negative emotions and decreases serotonin. It is produced by the adrenal glands, and it plays a crucial role in the body's stress response. High Cortisol was provoking a whole range of consequences like panic attacks - never had it before in my life -, interrupted sleep, mood swings, weight gain and therefore no much confidence was left on me.
The transformation wasn't overnight, but it was steady and, most importantly, sustainable. Gradually, the panic attacks lessened, the impostor syndrome lost its grip, I lost the excess weight and I began to regain control over my life and my stress levels. Time in nature, far from the busy London, was definitely very helpful, also to reflect on myself.
My journey to self-discovery and finding balance wasn't just about identifying my core values; it was about actively living by them. It's an ongoing process and I've come to realise that life is a journey, not a destination. Through this experience, I've learned that we have the power to shape our lives according to our values, and it's a journey well worth embarking on.
I'm sharing my story in the hope that it might inspire others who find themselves in a similar situation. Don't be afraid to take a step back, reevaluate your values and make the necessary changes to lead a more balanced and fulfilling life. Remember, you have the power to steer your life in the direction that aligns with your true self and values. And you are not alone.
