I’ve recently arrived back home from a whirlwind holiday throughout Europe and the UK (yes, lucky me!)

Whilst it truly was stunning, spectacular and a much-needed break, with every snow-capped mountain, baguette-laden breakfast and gob-smacking historical and architectural experience soaked up like a sponge, there was nothing like coming home. And did I appreciate my little beach-side home! (no more slippery, near-death moments of terror just trying to walk a few hundred metres in half-iced snow!)

As I went for my first walk down my block to the beach, the onslaught of sea air overwhelmed me. The delicious sea-weedy aroma swirling my senses and turning my thoughts toward a fresh start and a big and exciting new year ahead.

Then out-of-the-blue, my eyes locked on a massive clearing of trees that had taken place since I’d been away. I was snapped back from my dreamy bliss bubble with a thud. “Oh, how ugly!” I thought, “Where have all the trees gone?! It looks so barren!”

And then I looked with new eyes.

My mind had already been floating with the idea of clearing out old energy from a crazy few years behind me, and here I was, struck with a physical representation of what my mind was calling in. Suddenly I saw a blank canvas, a clean slate, fertile ground full of potential and possibility. It hit me that to really bring in a new calmness and clarity this year, I needed to do some of my own internal clearing, and not just mentally, but (as I witnessed with this physical manifestation) physically.

For a long time I’ve craved more of a work/life/love balance, yet kept saying to myself, “Next year, when xyz has finished/settled down.” Yet the truth is, as I’m sure you well know, things don’t just settle down until we make a conscious and active decision to make them. Or more accurately, it’s not the “things” (work, family, travel, friends, responsibilities of whatever kind) that need to settle, or that necessarily can, but our response to them. Our responsibilities will always be constant, and while they may shape-shift from study to work to family to caring for a parent or child to starting a business to moving house to… the stressors will always be there.

So I’ve decided no more excuses.

In Naturopathy we talk about Weed, Seed and Feed in relation to re-establishing a healthy digestive system. And this is a great premise to follow for our entire physical, mental, emotional and spiritual system too.

So below are 3 simple steps you can take if you’re seeking a new response from an old way of being this year:

1. Clear (Weed): First, to clear out old patterns, especially thought forms that keep us locked into an “I’m too <insert your favourite over-used-excuse here>” mentality. If you want to operate differently this year, you need to clear out your old attitudes and the myriad of stories you tell yourself about who and what you truly are and are capable of. Be conscious of what your mind keeps telling you and challenge it. Get rid of the excuses that comfortably give you permission to be less than you truly are. Bang. Gone.
2. Regenerate (Seed): Now it’s time for some regeneration. Who is the ideal You you aspire to be? How does she/he behave and act in different situations? What social events and company do they keep? What kind of life are they living? What kind of self-care rituals do they insist on as non-negotiable parts of their life? Feel into this new version of you. How light, happy, joyful does it make you feel? (And if something doesn’t feel right, go back, change it. There are no rights and wrongs. This is your life to design, only you know what feels perfect for you.)
3. Rejuvenate (Feed): And now, the practice. Rejuvenation comes when you start to actually make these changes, even if they’re just small shifts at first. These are things that should truly nourish and feed your soul. It may be going for an early morning walk when the air is still crisp and the birds are beckoning you to witness the amazing sunrise. It may be to start a ‘Slow Down’ diet, taking time with meals, breathing, pausing, chewing, appreciating the divine food you may never have been present enough to truly taste previously. It may even be taking that next step in your business or having a vulnerable conversation in your relationship that previously felt too scary.

A small process, some actions more challenging that others, with potentially life-changing results.

Any tips on how you will clear, regenerate and rejuvenate to become the best You this year? Fill me in below!

Kate is a qualified naturopath who is passionate about helping women heal from hormonal havoc and inspiring women to know their own power, worth and wisdom.

Kate offers one-on-one Skype consults for irregular cycles, PMS and period pain, endometriosis, PCOS, peri-menopause, mood swings, fatigue and mental and emotional stress.

Simply drop me an email to see how I can help you!