I have been a bit quiet recently. But just on the blogging and newsletter front. You see there are huge, huge changes going on in my life right now, so there have been other priorities in my head. I would really like to share these exciting experiences just because I am learning so so much from them and my developments are just a living proof that with the right knowledge and support we can emerge from something potentially crushing simply shining, empowered and hugely excited about life.

Before I start, I would like give myself a little high-five for being so publicly open about my personal life in this post. A few years ago, I was too shy to even register on a forum let alone leave a comment, or write a blog post or anything like that. I’ve not always been this brave, but boy, is life fun when you start pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone!

Basically my whole life has gone upside down, inside out, side-step, tango, waltz, fox-trot and jitterbug.

Since April I have done the following:

- amicably ended a very lovely 8.5 year relationship

- changed my ‘day job’ (I quit an unfulfilling job in finance and now work part-time in Business Development for an inspiring company that works with personal development and leadership training and I will soon go on to facilitate workshops and coach individuals)

- finished renovating my house in order to put it on the market

- thought long, long, long and hard about where I want to live in this world (I’ll keep you posted on my decision!)

- re-homed my beautiful dog (heart-break city!) as I wont be able to give her the attention and time she needs to thrive after my house is sold

- started doing fun but brave things such as Dj:ing

- expanded my social life in Sweden and UK by about a million % (which takes quite a bit of coordinating actually!)

And at the same time making exciting progress with my company:

- qualified as a Vegetarian and Vegan Nutrition Consultant

- launched my coaching services and seen some amazing results with a fabulous client!

- joined up with 2 lovely girls to plan a fab High Energy workshop in London in November 2011 (read all about it here)

When writing this it just feels like a list of things, but it when you are actually in it and living it, it really is incredibly intense and challenging. And I am sure that if you have ever done any of these things you will appreciate just how much they can impact your life…let alone when all happening at the same time in the space of a few months!

The most amazing thing I have experienced is that by applying all the things I learned over the years, I have not only managed to survive this incredibly turbulent time, but I feel that I am leaping from it full of love and life and zest for new exciting things.

Here is what has been the key to keeping me sane, happy and healthy:

1. Raw Food
I have been really motivated to keep as high-raw as possible simply because I immediately notice the positive effects. Cooked food does not give me the clear mind and the super high energy that I have needed for this period. Having a clear mind means that I am able to analyse my feelings much better and make sensible decisions. It has also prevented me from comfort eating and numbing any pain with things like refined sugar or heavy comfort food like toast! Working through these feelings is far more progressive and healing I find!

2. Avoiding stimulants
Staying clear of coffee, refined sugar and alcohol has also reduced the risk of feeling any extra anxiety and keeps my blood sugar stable. If I feel I need pepping up then I will either go for a run, or have a little nibble on some raw chocolate instead, which does not shock my body like coffee does. If I need the relaxing effects that alcohol can give, I do some yoga or exercise and make sure I take a few deep deep breaths. I have also been very kind to myself and when I do really feel I need time out, I will take it. Sometimes that means saying no to some people and commitments, but in the long run this ’selfish act’ is a great investment and actually makes me a nicer person to be around!

3. Exercise
This has really been a saviour. Exercise relieves stress tremendously and there is nothing like a good work out to release mood-elevating endorphins. I am also finding it really fun to set myself physical goals and challenges which offers a great respite from the emotional ones I have been experiencing!

I have also found that I have stayed away from comfort eating rubbish food or binging on booze (like I have done in previous years when facing a challenging time) because moderate exercise makes me feel a lot better. And since I know how good working-out makes me feel, it means that I don’t want to feel hungover or sluggish from comfort eating and therefore refrain from eating and drinking naughtiness.

4. Positive supportive and inspiring people
I am so in love with the people that I have in my life these days! I find I tend to stay away from people who deal with their unhappiness by trying to bring others down with negative remarks and energy. At a time when you need to be really brave, you need people who support you. Even if you don’t personally know people like this, reading inspiring books and blogs, or connecting with others on the internet or by attending inspiring events is a true gift!

5. Coaching
I draw on the wisdom I get from my coach and from my own knowledge of coaching. This is such a powerful tool for personal growth and bursting through challenging times. Becoming aware of why we think and act in certain ways is hugely empowering, and mastering the skills of breaking things down into small achievable steps is so useful . Oh, I could go on and on about this, but I wont. But it really has made the difference between crumbling into a heap of despair and rising out the ashes like a glorious, sassy phoenix!

So, dear friend, that is what my life has been the past few months. There are lots of exciting and challenging times ahead, but I am learning so much and am actually feeling pretty bloomin’ spectacular.

I really hope this post inspires you to see any challenging period you experience as an opportunity to grow and do brave things. It really is quite amazing!

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Through listening regularly to a BBC 2 radio show I came to learn of Sarah Outen’s challenge to become the first woman, and youngest and fastest person, to row solo from Western Australia to Mauritius. A journey of 3,100 miles across the Indian Ocean rowing her tiny boat ‘Serendipity’ “up to 12 hours a day under a scorching sun, riding 30ft waves, battling winds and currents, sharks, capsizes and shipping traffic.” Just reading those words from Sarah gives me the tingles. They are just words, but we can try and visualize her experience. However, set our imaginations free and I am sure we still have no idea of the intensity of this journey.

On Tuesday 3rd August, after 124 days at sea, 24 year old Sarah made her very rough but successful landing on the island of Mauritius, thus achieving her goal to enter the record books as well as helping raise money for charity in memory of her late father.

Following Sarah with her regular chats on the radio show when she always seemed upbeat and positive despite her progress, and through her blog, then finally hearing of her arrival thrills and chills me to such a great level I had to take a moment and ask myself why.

On a basic level the thought of being alone in the middle of the ocean at the mercy of the elements and fellow sea dwellers such as sharks and beautiful but giant whales sends my head spinning almost as much as when I try and grasp the concept of the vastness that lies beyond our galaxy. But on a deeper level I am moved by the challenge she set herself. It reminds me of the adventures that we all embark on. These adventures may not be as perhaps as huge or as physically risky as Sarah’s journey but they probably feel to us just as daunting and exciting.

To me, her journey at sea mirrors those times when you are on your adventure; some days you are smiling up at the blue sky, gazing in marvel at the things around you, rowing along with the tide almost effortlessly. A flat sea bringing wafts of foreign and exciting things. But like Sarah you also experience those times when the sea is raging, the sky is black and you can’t even try and plod onwards. Your only option is to just drop anchor to try and not get swept too far away from your path.

We are often alone on our own personal adventures, and though sometimes only we can make the decision (on either a conscious or sub-conscious level) whether we have the balls to continue with our adventure, the hero/ine of your story will always have the equivalent of Sarah’s radio back-up. Though they are not in the boat with you, your support crew of family and friends – people you have met in person and on line, and those who you don’t even know exist but are rooting for your success anyway – will be there for support, motivation and to send out the search boats should you send up a distress flare. I am sure that knowing this brought Sarah to those safe shores. Knowing this maybe even gave her the strength to come up with her personal challenge, put it into action and to slip in to the ocean in her boat on the first day of her voyage.

This was a huge adventure to embark upon but it should not overshadow our own challenges. What was the biggest adventure you have set sail on? Does it make you tingle now thinking of your journey: of the unknown, the actual voyage and the outcome (be it as you planned or not)?

I am sure that this adventure was just something Sarah had to do. Perhaps in order to progress in her life and to grow. I would be very surprised and impressed if I did anything on that level (I am pretty reserved when it come to physical danger) but my own journeys have been just as big to me. And the exciting thing is that when one has journeyed along one adventure and jumped nervously outside of one’s comfort zone the next adventure is probably even bigger and perhaps even more awe inspiring.

We may well take time in between each adventure to appreciate our efforts (regardless of the outcome), re-assess our lives and our ways of thinking and doing things, and to gain the inspiration and energy for the next challenge. Sarah will be writing a book about her experience before she plans her next challenge, and I for one am looking forward to what can only be an inspiring and thrilling read.

Wishing you courage and joy on your journeys, you wonderful spirited adventurer! Give me a wave when we cross paths out there in the vast sea of life.

Read about Sarah’s journey here: http://www.sarahouten.co.uk/

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