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Fifteen years ago I started my career as a primary school teacher. I found the first years educational, often exciting, hard work but also great fun. It remained hard work, educational and sometimes exciting, even after I had passed my tenth anniversary. But nice, no, if I was completely honest, I increasingly didn’t find it that way anymore.
Around thirty children in your group, less and less money available, all that “must do” and the resulting increasing workload. I noticed that I had less and less time for spontaneous, creative or just fun things with my group and that everything made me more and more grumpy. Mix that with a perfectionist character, always wanting to do things “right” and you have the perfect recipe for a serious burnout, which happened to me in June 2014.
A tough and confrontational year followed , but during a yoga holiday in May of this year, all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. I realized it was time to completely change course. I honestly admitted to myself that I would like nothing more than to be able to do my passion, yoga, every day and also make it my job. No matter how uncertain things might become at work, I felt everything that this was my path.
I let go and said goodbye to things that no longer suit me at the moment . All that at my own pace and way and it felt so good! I am now training to become a yoga teacher, specializing in children and teenagers. I teach walking yoga classes and I also enjoy working on my blog. I write with a positive approach about my own experiences, conscious and healthy living, relaxing and enjoying.
For me, conscious living is about eating as healthy as possible ; fresh, preferably organic and without packages and bags. But that doesn’t mean I never sin. I occasionally eat a tasty chocolate bar, fries or a croissant and I also drink alcohol. But I really enjoy that and make sure I make healthier choices the next day.
Also read: My Journey to Recovery: How I Ultimately Overcame Burnout
For me, conscious living is also about taking good care of yourself , feeling how you are really doing and acting accordingly. Making choices when necessary, being honest with yourself and not always moving on. For me, living consciously also means working healthily with your body. I do this by integrating yoga into my daily life, walking a lot and often cycling.
I relax by being aware of what is really important to me in my life and doing this regularly. Doing fun things with my husband and dog, cooking and eating delicious food, reading, writing, walking and of course yoga. But also singing while ironing, catching up and drinking a glass of wine with family, friends, dancing, traveling and shopping. And above all, don’t plan too much and live in the now. Carpe diem!
I enjoy it every day now . From little things like the sun coming through the clouds, my dog running after birds on the beach, a nice cup of coffee or a nice book. Or bigger things like my yoga training, a weekend away or the new kitchen that is about to be installed.
Positivity, letting go and balance are key words for me . For example, I try to leave out the word “must” as much as possible. Give it a try and experience how much more positive you look at things. “ I’m going to do some shopping in a moment” doesn’t sound much nicer than “ I have to go to the supermarket later too”?
I let go in the form of no longer worrying so much and wanting to plan everything . I did that a lot every day for years and it was actually so unnecessary. It was a waste of my time, a waste of energy and usually disappointing in the end. The past cannot be changed and the future can only be influenced to a certain extent.
Also read: Overcoming Burnout: How to Rebuild Confidence in Your Recovery Journey
And then of course balance, because that is what in my view life and of course on my blog are all about. Balance between hard work and relaxation, disappointment and joy, an “off-day” or just really enjoying something. An occasional fries, chocolate or a few nice glasses of wine with a salad, a handful of nuts or an organic green juice. Buy that beautiful coat but donate your old coat to charity, give yourself something as a gift but also take something nice with you when you visit someone. Setting goals in your career but also making time for volunteer work. Have a positive outlook on life, laugh, take good care of yourself and others. Balance your day!
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