Like you, I am on a journey. Seeking joy and fulfillment. It really started for me when I was in college. I felt ‘seen’ for the first time, started questioning beliefs, and began to seek out my purpose on this earth. But, I feel like I’ve been hitting “snooze” for the last 20 years. I didn’t stop growing or learning, but I feel like I’ve been napping. Until last year.
It was about a year ago this month (in Nov 2021) around Thanksgiving. Over a period of one week, my ankles and knees swelled up and I was unable to walk. One leg at a time. First it was the left leg, then that went down, and then the right. I literally could not walk without crutches. And then, it was gone. What I would come to learn is that this was my first sign of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Fast forward to Aug 2022 and I would additionally be diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease. Two autoimmune diseases. And, after reviewing my bloodwork, my functional doctor informed me that my body was “very toxic”.
"Diet and exercise were just the only 2 levers that I had been aware of. What I would later come to learn is the impact of stress on my immune system. YEARS of flooding my body with cortisol from my "work hard/play hard" mentality would cause ongoing inflammation and lead to my two autoimmune disesases. "
This was the beginning of what I’ll call my “awakening”. Because, what I have learned since, after months of eating healthier food, cutting out alcohol, grains, dairy, sugar…all the things that I used to crave, is that diet and exercise are not the only levers we have to pull for our health. Diet and exercise were just the only 2 levers that I had been aware of. What I would later come to learn is the impact of stress on my immune system. YEARS of flooding my body with cortisol from my “work hard/play hard” mentality would cause ongoing inflammation and lead to my two autoimmune disesases.
I’ve mentioned that this is a journey. And, I am continuing to evolve. I have added a meditation practice that is a non-negotiable for me every morning. Just 20 minutes, that’s it. It really clears the path of any negative self talk in the morning. I also jot down the 5 things I am grateful for each day, take a 2 mile walk, listen to a few podcasts that fill my morning with positivity, and I’m trying to be present each day…not too much in the future and not too much in the past.
If any of this resonates with you and I can help you on your journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
With love,
Wendy
