I want to share my experience to see if it helps others. It's about finding calm and joy in family life when situations can be a challenge, told from my perspective on a recent family ski holiday.
I started skiing when I lived in Australia in 2001. I loved it and made lots of trips to the slopes of Australia and New Zealand. I was a moderate skier, confident and took it easy rather than speedy. I transitioned to the Alps when I returned to Ireland in 2008, beautiful long runs in stunning scenery, a bit more challenging than the southern hemisphere but so vast and full of opportunities for every level, I was lucky if I got in one week per year!
I don't know if it was an age thing or becoming a responsible parent, or lack of time on the slopes that changed things for me but I turned from fearless Fiona to a nervous Nelly! I became anxious before heading down a slope, lost my technique, just about made it down & found it stressful trying to keep up with the others. I lost my ability to find joy in skiing and would tense my whole body as I put in a lot more turns than everyone else!! Can you relate to this?
In September, I began the Proctor Gallagher Institute thinking into results programme (TIR) with Ewa Pietrzak, it is a basically a mindset programme. I joined intending to gain knowledge to grow my business but in fact I have seen a huge shift in my mindset throughout my life. Family and friends have remarked on my calm, confident approach things. I have learnt skills that I can apply to many situations.
So I decided to put what I learnt with Ewa into practice on my recent ski holiday. Here are a few things from the programme that kept going through my mind, that may help you.
Emotions can be challenging in midlife. I certainly found lack of confidence and increased anxiety as symptoms I suffered from when my menopause arrived like an avalanche! The last time I skied was just before lockdown, before covid impacted the world and before my breast cancer and induced menopause. I made the decision this year to live my life with calm, joy and abundance and I think I am on the right track if this ski holiday is anything to go by.
If you are experiencing new anxiety in midlife, you are not alone. I survey all attendees of my six week menopause cooking course to address their symptoms and their situation so I can tailor the content to exceed everyone's needs. Over the past 5 courses, anxiety has come through as a symptom that has affected almost all attendees and I am sure the course starting on feb 7th will be no different.
Hopefully some of my thoughts here might help you and if you want to know more about the 6 week cooking course to help you thrive in midlife then please contact me.
