The Actualisation Academy is breaking down the 8 foundational truths that are at the centre of everything we believe in.

The Actualisation Academy is breaking down the 8 foundational truths that are at the centre of everything we believe in.

I pushed my son up the hill and saw this patch of grass near a couple having a picnic. I sat there when I was newly sober and shook with grief and pain that I had numbed for so long. I starred at the pub in eyesight and tears ran down my cheeks. I didn’t know how to exist without escapism. I imagined walking into the pub and beginning the descent into freedom from my thoughts. However I now knew that it would ultimately only exacerbate my pain. And so I was stuck in between a rock and a hard place.

Ooft. December is a challenging month when it comes to wellness and self-care.Yet arguably it is a month when we need it most.

Our calendar is suddenly full to bursting. We're exhausted from all the socialising (as nice as it sounds in theory). It is darker and colder for those in the northern hemisphere. We are uninspired to honour our fitness routine. Work deadlines are mounting. People are drinking more, which might make you feel pressured to as well. And we're supposed to be having the most fun we've had all year.

The awesome thing about habit formation is that when you really enjoy the benefits it turns from something you have to hold yourself to, into something you either do without thinking, or feel grateful you get to do.

Part of being our best selves (which is what we all want, right?) means being cautious and thoughtful about the words we use. This is for a plethora of reasons.

Does cringing at yourself ever stop you from making moves? Read on to learn how I came to embrace the cringe and reframe my thinking so it actually serves me.

I recently saw a friend who is more than ten years older than me and she looked AMAZING. Glowing, beautiful, athletic… I said as much to her and she responded, “I’ve started focusing on my sleep.” ​​​​​​​​

I noticed she was wearing an Oura ring. I wear a Garmin watch but both track your zzzs. Why bother? There are different aspects of our sleep that provide different services. Knowledge is power and I know the power of quality rest. Rest is restorative. We literally need it to restore. ​​​​​​​​

Having had chronic fatigue and severe burnout I know what it feels like when you’re not getting what your body needs. It’s not nice. Brain fog, delirium and exhaustion. The mood swings. Relying on food for energy instead. It does not feel good! ​​​​​​​​Just think about jet lag and how the machine that is YOU winds to a halt.

For most of us, we spend more time working than not. That can sound a bit depressing but what if you really enjoy the sense of accomplishment, the camaraderie, the impact you leave? Well, it doesn't have to be all bad. That being said, I bet you've had at least one job where it has left you feeling none of those things and actually feeling quite disheartened or even unhappy.

Overwhelm comes when we try to do too much. When we say yes to opportunities without stopping to think whether it's aligned with our bigger vision. When we let our ego get into the driver's seat. Or when we subconsciously follow conditioned beliefs that no longer serve us.

Burnout used to be my best friend.

In 2019, I quit my job to set up my own company. Before long, my life became a cycle of overwork, overwhelm and collapse.

I got fatigue and exhaustion, severe anxiety, chronic gastro-intestinal issues, and physical injuries from overwork.

I gave myself a repetitive strain injury in my right arm, from shoulder to index fingertip. My doctor warned me I could get lifelong nerve damage.

So I hit pause. Rested a bit. And then I fell straight back into burnout.

Again and again and again.

Burnout made me feel broken.

I’m going to talk you through an unconventional productivity hack. Doing non-work related activities during the working day.

Does the thought of that make you panic at the thought of the 'catching up' you'll have to do later?

Try not to freak out just yet. Let me explain in a little more detail.

If you are reading this, then you are about to be challenged. Stick with me.

I want to prompt a mindset shift within you that is going to make things more pleasurable and generate greater results.

Vision boards are about two things. Clarity and intention. You don’t have to make a pretty looking board but I would implore you to take some time to get clear on what it is you want from the next 12 months. You can literally do this at anytime; in fact life often throws such unexpected curve balls that it is beneficial to update one’s vision to accommodate. And your intention is a commitment. It is the investment that you are ready to make in yourself, your life…. your happiness.

Your relationship with yourself affects your ability to see goals through to completion. If your self worth is low, how will you truly believe you are deserving of that success you long for? Here is how you can improve your self worth and your chances of achieving your dreams.

Become unstoppable in the workplace. This does not mean being subservient. This is the highest calling.

Uncover life hacks to make adulting that little bit easier.