I recently met with a friend, and she asked me how I am. Leading me to share how done and exhausted I felt that day. That instead of working on my to-do’s and exercising, I sat on the sofa with tea and a book as I felt so drained, nothing left. And that I felt …
Last year’s guidance was “connection”, and looking back – yes, it was such a year. I do not feel the need for too many people around me, but the new connections I made were meaningful, deep and inspiring. As life continues, some connections deepen while others have been there for a particular time. But even those more …
Connection-with others, to myself and the country I live in. Sometimes that means we need to connect deeply and be able to let go entirely.
Do we hear or are we listening? Hearing – it’s what we do naturally, often without having to put in any effort. But listening…really listening, does not come natural to many, if you ask me. To really listen, asks for more awareness and attention and real presence. As the definition goes, Merriam-Webster defines hearing as …
Ok, I’m almost laughing as I write. And this whole process of writing this blog post just shows me again how much I need this. Yes, my seemingly simple word for 2021 isn’t that simple for me! What’s my word and intention setting for this year you wonder? It’s simple – Simplify. Yes, that word …
Wow I can’t believe it’s done. We reached the end of chapter one! Our first year in Oman is not quite over yet, since we moved here in August 2019 but our first school year at ABA Oman, and even more significantly, our first 14 weeks of home-learning are officially over today. 14 weeks, 98 …
The Japanese practise the art of fixing broken objects. They say that things that break don’t necessarily become useless. No, instead something that suffered a damage has a history! And by showing the scars it can become (even more) beautiful! Isn’t that just a lovely way to look at things? The mending of broken pieces with …
Over the past weeks I’ve been talking about characters strengths, taking a character survey (*), reading books, listening to podcasts and participating in an online course around bravery, courage and confidence. And I started to wonder even more about those words – bravery, courage and confidence. How do I see them? What do they mean …
Do you have these moments that you really do want to write but don’t find a way to put all that’s in your head in order? The moments when you have words yet nothing to write? These weeks mess with my head and ideas and thoughts. It’s so much that is happening, yet as well …
As some of you might know, I’ve been setting yearly intentions for quite a while now. Not just an intention, a motto, actually. One that I keep close to me throughout the year. I don’t have one for the year to come yet, but I took the time for a reflection on the 2019 motto …
Those who follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram know what the previous weeks have been like. Kind of a “normal” moving time with its ups and downs. It has been exciting, challenging, joyful, stressful, mind-opening, tiring, overwhelming, hair pulling, funny, refreshing… all combined with a body and mental detox. Yet, even though the emotions were, …
More than just a book review on “The Perfection Detox” Read More »
My blog has been a bit quiet over the summer but life wasn’t quiet at all. Why? Because we only got our move confirmed by the end of June – from Tokyo, Japan to Muscat, Oman. It didn’t come as a total surprise. It’s been brewing for a while but still – a move is …
I had this great thought to write about Zen, and what it means to me, and to find out what it means to others. But … writing about “being Zen” in a moment when there is anything but Zen around me blocked me quite a bit I have to admit. And instead of starting to …
How a book, a poem and a piece of art all connect to my life! It’s funny how things can go hand in hand and connect in the most unexpected moments, don’t you think? As you might know, I live in Tokyo, Japan for almost 4 years now. And it was the move here that …
Accepting the country and culture you live in, relationships you encounter, your self-image, your emotions and feelings are not always easy. Fighting against something that we can’t change drains us, takes a lot of energy. There comes a point when we need to make a decision. Will we allow that situation to further drain us …
Over the past weeks I shared thoughts on eight Wellness Pillars, in general and with a twist as an expatriate. After all it’s so much more than “just” exercise and nutrition. Wellness is how we take care about our body and mind. Yes, it might be an overused and at times misunderstood word. But don’t …
The Occupational Wellness is the last but not least part in my 8 Wellness Pillars overview. In short, this Wellness aspects means that we need to have a balance when it comes to our work environment and the work situation itself. To YOU feel satisfied when it comes to what you do? Do you feel …
Environmental Wellness – it plays such a big role nowadays. After all, it has an impact on how we interact with the nature around us we can protect the world the environment influences our personal well being. How does the environment we find ourselves in make us feel? And are we respectful of what is …
The past two wellness blogs were about our Intellectual and Spiritual Wellness. Both sound a bit dry I have to admit that myself. But don’t get fooled by the titles, the fun comes when you go a bit deeper. Because what both of them actually want to help us with is to take time to …
Out of all eight wellness aspects that I’m covering the spiritual one seems to be the most personal one. Yet often the one we exchange about the least. I wonder why. Overall the Spiritual Wellness simply invites us to be curious, playful, supportive, forgiving, quiet and reflective. And isn’t that something to really embrace in …
Intellectual Wellness sounds rather educational but don’t shy away because it’s actually very down to earth. When we refer to the Intellectual Wellness it means to participate in scholastic, cultural, and community activities. And it’s important as it helps to expand knowledge and skills in order to live a stimulating, successful life. (source: https://news.illinoisstate.edu) And I …
If I’m being really honest, I’m hesitant to use the word “holistic”. I believe in a holistic approach but I don’t always connect to the word itself. How about you? I keep thinking about the word, what it represents, what it stands for but as well how we might not feel connected to it. Why …
Physical wellness, is it just exercise? No, there’s more to it. It’s an overall package of keeping active, making sure to get sufficient sleep and maintaining healthy(ish) eating habits. A weak(er) physical wellbeing can affect all areas of our overall well-being. But keeping this physical wellness balanced isn’t always easy and it takes effort; too …
Wellness and well-being; we speak a lot about those words. Sometimes they speak to us and trigger something good. Sometimes they are overused and become “buzz words” with no attention. And at other times both terms are frowned upon. What do wellness and well-being actually mean? Are they both the same or can they be …
Life, we often say is about balance. I fully agree, but we have to realize as well that we can’t just paint it black or white. Life is about balance therefore Be kind – but do not allow people to abuse you Trust – but do not be deceived Be content – but never stop improving …