March, what an interesting month… the push and pull, the in-between of winter and spring, the longing for warmer weather yet still falling back into the cold. The longing for more.
I am not gonna lie… while it was nice to experience winter again after all these years, it keeps dragging on and felt heavy at times! But, here we are, end of March and it will be over soon(ish)!
This whole month for me was all around reconnecting. Not only weather wise…but to reconnect to people and to myself.
With all that has been going on, and I assume as well because of the winter months, a few things slipped into the background. And…yes…I started to lose myself a bit again and had a deeper look into what I missed the most and what’s needed more for my own wellbeing.
To start, I took conscious steps to reach out to friends I haven’t spoken to in a while. I became more active in taking initiative and throughout the month I had some great talks and WhatsApp chats. It was a reminder that it doesn’t take much to reach out – but you get a lot back in doing so.
At the same time I returned back into social events and networking. I had a few weeks where I stepped back because it started to feel overwhelming instead of energising. But yes, this month I leaned in…but with more intention.
Like some of you, I’m still in the “I am new here” phase. And I get it, it’s not always easy to navigate connections in a new place, it takes time and energy, and at times it’s easy to lose ourselves in it all. But reconnecting to a social life is so important for the social wellbeing.
Another meaningful reconnection was to the Points of You® cards. While I use them for work, I had dropped the process for myself. But, they are more than just cards to me…they give me space and time to slow down, to turn inwards, and to connect to what matters in that moment. Something I missed more than I realised.
And “Hello books” you are back too! I don’t recall when I dropped my bedtime reading, but I somehow lost it along the way. I was feeling too tired and unfocused and I started audiobooks. But there is something truly calming and relaxing about holding a physical book and to read before turning off the light, for you too?
Due to an injury I had to hold back on cardio workouts and running. This month I gently got back into it. And oh, it just showed me again how much I need this for my emotional and mental wellbeing, not just physical!
There’s just something about a sweaty cardio session that makes me feel like I’ve really done something for myself. And that run when we had that one spring-like day…so lovely! I am looking forward to more of those soon!
And I am reminding myself that not everything has to happen straight away and that there are always areas of improvement.
For me, that means creating time and space to reconnect with myself on a deeper level and making more intentional time for meditation. I know how much it helps me, yet it’s often the first thing I drop or just squeeze in when life feels heavy and too busy. Knowing, that’s when I need it the most. I assume I’m not the only one doing so?!
And last but not least… midlife and menopause.
Over the years, I’ve built a deeper understanding and acceptance of the changes that come with this phase, in all areas of my wellbeing, the good and the more challening parts. And yet, I noticed that I was still keeping a lot to myself when it came to my family and I felt more and more stretched between it all.
This month, I felt I needed to get clearer on what I need and how I feel, and in doing so, I reconnected to my voice at home. Not always the easiest thing to do. At times it puts others on the spot and requires adjustments from all. But it has opened the door to more honest and deeper conversations.
To round all this up, let me finish with this quote I recently came across:
“I hope you find time to be happy not just strong.”
Let’s take this as a reminder, that, yes, we are strong… but let’s reconnect to what we need to be happy too!
So, I am asking you…whether you moved, are in midlife or menopause… or maybe, like me, in all of it …where could you reconnect?
I hope you find your ease, wherever you are,
With love,
AK