You’re a What?

I’ve had the amazing fortune of travelling around Europe over the past 5 weeks and it’s become evident that despite my great pride in announcing, “I’m a Naturopath” (well not just to unsuspecting passers by, but to customs officers, fellow travellers etc) nobody has the remotest clue what my profession actually is.

This, I’ve discovered, has left me quite miffed.

This thing by which I’ve defined myself for the past several years–My dream and deepest aspiration; The thing for which I’ve sweated it out, lost friendships over, pushed through illness, poured over research papers and written volumes of essays–in the eyes of the majority elicits the response, “A Nat-u-roooo what?”

Way to burst my bubble.

It’s not that I haven’t experienced this in Australia, but it has been to a much lesser degree (maybe Australians are just better liars) and it has caused me pause.

I have long defined myself by what I do. I have often valued who I am as a person by my qualifications. Not that they were that astounding (no Masters, no PhD), but a degree, several corporate jobs for big name companies, a break into a creative career, all the while trying to find out who I was in this world.

All of them gave me some form of definition, of identity.

But it’s taken a lot of soul searching to discover that what I’ve finally found to be my absolute passion (natural medicine, for its science and art) holds absolutely no value or interest for someone else.

Fascinating.

Which leads me to question, “How do we (and should we) define ourselves?”

I’ve always believed I’m quite an independent thing, but have I always been seeking acceptance from what I “do”?

I’ve actually always known this truth about myself, but the kicker is really just owning up to it now. Now that I’ve found my joy, to realise I too have to let it go.

The holy grail of who we are is far beyond our latest project or the title on our business cards. If our definition is limited to the facade of a title and the associated pigeon-holing, we’ll not only forever be disappointed with life, but can never hope to really dive its depths nor uncover its often well-hidden treasures. And there are so many treasures to be found when we lift our titles, imposed self-definitions and armoured suits and open…

…Like my encounter with a lovely surgeon on my trip. I have a bit of an inferiority complex when it comes to Medical GPs/Specialists as more often than not, my field is not generally accepted with open arms and minds. However, lovely surgeon, on finding out what I do for a living stated, “Oh wow, really? I’m afraid of Naturopaths because they really know their stuff…” and then started asking my opinion on a treatment option. #mindblown.

The beauty of life is experiencing the struggle, angst and disappointment with as much gusto as the pleasurable and heart-swelling bits. The real gift of life is living in, and opening to, each moment and letting it go in the next.

Letting go of whom we are to find ourselves.

Happy journeying.

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!