This blog series is my offering to you, a chance to see how Ayurveda is weaved into my life & how you can apply these principles to your own life.

Welcome to the seventh edition of Ayurveda & Me!

After my August Wellness Challenge that I presented in my new private Facebook group I decided that I would use the last week as a reset week. It worked well with my friend, Helene, in New Zealand as she was coming into Spring as we enter Autumn. The seasonal transitions are a great time for a reset. The reset is part of the Agni Therapy program offered at Hale Pule. A week to offer your digestive system time to rest and time to go inwards.

From what I learned during my Panchakarma experience I knew my reset would be deepened with some genuine rest, that time for contemplation and reflection increases my ability to let go. Ayurveda provides me with an understanding about myself that allows me to lean into my strengths and to give myself grace to grow.

Summer had been fairly busy so I was glad to turn the dial down a few notches during August. Being pitta dominant means that as much as I love the hot, sunny weather I know there is a limit to the heat I can take, August was going to be relaxing and reflective with a view to be refreshed and ready for September. And it worked!

Reset, Rest and Reflection

This time also marked a year since graduating as an Ayurvedic Health Advisor, a whole year of developing Inner Nourishment so there was much to reflect upon. A deep yearning to DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT had been rising and my goal to create something worthwhile post-retirement was finally taking shape. I knew back then that I still had much to learn, Ayurveda is both a lifestyle choice and a continuous journey. Although I was also new to this space, there felt like so many opportunities lay ahead. But where to begin?

In hindsight by keeping so many options open I ended up feeling somewhat scattered by the end of 2024. Leading into 2025 I was still finding my way, unsure of where to focus my energy. There have been highs and lows and I still continue to learn - and sometimes change my mind about things!! Ultimately I have taken myself down a path that I dreamed about and now I am living that dream.

Time for Reflection

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Asked about the real purpose of life, Acharya Shree Yogesh quotes “To know yourself, to grow spiritually and to shine”

My struggles included getting my head around social media, until last year I had not been on Facebook or Instagram so that was a challenge in and of itself. With no tech experience on these platforms and a big resistance to being there at all, my daughters laughed and sighed as I asked lots of stupid questions. I also struggled with Imposter Syndrome and with the expectations I placed on myself.

So how did I navigate all this?

The Social Media Struggle

Social media is quite literally a gift and a curse. I had no knowledge or experience to work with but I accepted this is the modern world we live in and it felt unavoidable. Enter Inner Nourishment on Instagram.

What do I think now? I still don’t ‘like’ social media, it drains my time and energy. I often enjoy the creative side of pulling content together and I want to share this beautiful ancient wisdom to anyone ready to listen. I do find it exhausting sometimes, I’m not chasing followers and likes in an egotistical way but it can feel awfully frustrating when your content lands flat and there is little or no engagement. My aim was to (& still is) to spend less time at a laptop but it is time consuming and I need to reassess that going forward. That said I have discovered some amazing accounts and I have met some wonderful people online - in some cases that has led to meeting them in person too. Its not all bad, far from it.

Next came Facebook (or fakebook as I used to call it!!) This one was harder, I had vowed to never have an account on there. But I wanted local connection and it seemed that was going to be easier to achieve on FB. And I admit, I am grateful for the connection and reconnections.

So I pondered…..I am all about connection, it is what humans need. I feel good, the energy is good, meeting in person is impossible to replicate. Both platforms have given me the opportunity to make connections and indirectly have given me the opportunity to make that happen in person too.

I have reconnected with an old school friend that I hadn’t seen for over 30 years, we have both moved away from where we grew up but now live fairly close by. Meeting up was just brilliant, both on the same page, both of us carving out time to learn about holistic health and clean living. We still meet up regularly and sigh with relief as we sit down for another epic chat - we get each other!

I know my own use of these platforms is currently too much. I question if it aligns with who I am but what is the alternative? Knocking on doors to ask if anyone wants to hear about the benefits of ghee?

I have come to terms with it being a tool that I can utilise. A glorified telephone book with bells, whistles and more. I don’t deny the brilliance of this technology, I have to simply remind myself to be mindful of its use.

Facing Imposter Syndrome

What I can tell you is that it is very real! It’s not that I doubt my knowledge, I have faith in what I have learnt and I am never afraid to say when I don’t know something. It’s not that I doubt my ability to help others. My confidence in Ayurveda and how it can help is very high, the capability of this ancient wisdom is undeniable. So what do I doubt? I doubt that others would listen to me, I also doubt that they are willing to commit - which of course is on them. But I catch myself asking why would anyone want to listen to me, to allow me to guide them. IT is tough going sometimes, I remind myself that I am here when others are ready. It can feel like tumbleweed when posts fail to engage, it can feel hard when it seems like no one is listening. But seeds are being sown, I am here to share and guide, I accept that not all seeds that are sown will germinate and blossom and that is ok. Acceptance is key. The clients that I have guided and supported this past year have made all of it worthwhile to see them blossom is an amazing feeling!

Letting go of Expectations

Lastly, my own expectations, this is tied a little to Imposter Syndrome. Questioning what path is right, where I should be in 6 months or year but I remind myself that I can only live in the present. What defines being successful? My previous career had clear pathways for progression and success but they were rooted in financial reward and ladder climbing. Largely these markers are societal but there was still a level of expectation that I placed upon myself. Now I was putting a different kind of expectation on myself, albeit with less boundaries but also with more scope for not meeting those goals. It took time to settle into this new chapter and even longer to let go of those that are self imposed. Realising that even external expectations were still driven by concerning myself with what others thought. I eventually let go of worrying about what others thought of Inner Nourishment. I wholeheartedly believe in what I am doing and that is all that matters. This isn’t about financial reward, this is about giving back, it is about sharing what I believe everyone should have access to and it is about doing something worthwhile. I stand by my ‘pay what you can’ offering even when all the business advice I hear is against this model. Money should not be a boundary to access this ancient wisdom. I know this is the right way to operate.

Achieving Balance

So as Inner Nourishment grows I also grow with it. It is a perfect partnership for me. A year in and it feels like I am in the groove. It may not be some fancy six figure business like those constantly being promoted on social media, it is not about 10 new clients a week (who has time for that by the way?). It is about as far from that as it could get. My 1:1 clients need my time not a slot in the diary, my own path needs space to grow authentically and organically. My slow living ethos has to extend to how I spend my time and energy and that includes my Inner Nourishment offering. At the start of September I decided on a new structure for my day. After allowing my days to drift here and there and just going the the ebb and flow of where my day took me I have decided that spending less time with my laptop has to be a priority - to live by my own advice. Mornings are for laptop work and afternoons will be reserved for creativity pen and paper style (and sometimes a book). And while not rigid as there will always be flexibility and curveball days this will provide some discipline and a framework. Besides it won’t be every day, I am semi-retired after all!! There are dog walks to be had and plenty of things on my to do list!!

So lets round off with some reflection on my achievements, I am not very good at this bit but no self reflection is complete without some form of recognition.

I completed my training on schedule by working to a timetable with little wiggle room - and yes the planner and deadline driver in me made this happen. It wasn’t completely left field as Ayurveda has been part of my wellbeing for many years but it was certainly a big shift. A shift in lifestyle and career, to fully embrace an Ayurvedic way of living. And do you know what I love? No one owns Ayurveda, it’s not a big sell, it’s not a new trend and big pharma cannot monetise it - something that I find great joy in!

Looking Ahead

So I have a small brand, it’s nothing big or fancy but it is mine. Inner Nourishment is slowly taking shape and I am proud of myself for what I have created. There have been ups and downs like any new venture but this is all part of the fun isn’t it. I have been rewarded with meeting some wonderful clients both in person and online. It makes my heart sing when I see the lightbulb moments in them. One of my key teachings is awareness, when this happens it opens a door to their inner healing journey. It is an honour to be part of that.

I have launched this blog series, ‘AYURVEDA & ME’ earlier this year, I have loved writing and has really allowed me to channel some creativity - it is a form of storytelling and has allowed me some free flowing time to write about how Ayurveda is weaved into my everyday life. A little aperture to what that looks like in a modern world.

My latest project has just been launched too, Nourish & Flourish. An opportunity for local ladies to gather, to share, to connect and to collaborate. It doesn’t have an Ayurvedic focus but it will be rooted in wellbeing and holistic living. A space to support each other and to share challenges and to celebrate our wins. I guess this has been born out of my desire to lead us all to a better place. This can only come from the heart and leading by example has to be the best way to make a difference in this world. For some this is a constant state of overload, overwhelm and overstimulation. This will be a gentle space to just be held and heard. And if needed to be still.

In the background I am working on some programs which I will share more about soon. In the meantime stay tuned for information about talks and of course, Nourish & Flourish events.

As I reflect on this blog too, I am reminded of how much Ayurveda has taught me. Not just the practical ways of living in alignment with nature but also how my thought patterns can be influenced by my environment and my experiences. It has taught me to look for ways to better use and manage the tools I have available, internally and externally. My health and wellbeing, both physical, mental and spiritual are my responsibility and mine only, my choices all have an impact. Cause and effect is inescapable so I take better care of my choices and I continue to reap the rewards.

As Inner Nourishment continues to grow, please continue to walk with me, to continue learning how to live a gentler and slower life together. And to live with optimal health!

Now it may sound a little odd but I decided to go deeper into FB - I know that sounds counterintuitive. To set up a private group, this felt like a way to invite people into Ayurveda in a gentle way, to allow followers to dip their toe into holistic living. I can only sow seeds and decided this was the place to do it. I still post on Instagram, I still don’t know if this is the right thing to do. For now I will see where that goes. My FB group is growing and evolving, I remain resolute that this will allow a local community to unfold but I accept and appreciate the benefits of an online community too.

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