Healthier & Happier Life: image of Gareth & myself on a cold beach in Norfolk

Happier & Healthier.   SO cold, but SO invigorating and good for the soul.

Blue Monday

What exactly is Blue Monday and when did this terminology creep into our vocabulary, and why?

Well, I’ve just done what we all have a habit of doing these days and typed Blue Monday into Google.  As you do.

In short, good old Wikipedia states that it was a phrase coined, and published in a press release in 2005, by Cliff Arnell, a part time lecturer.  Apparently to encourage a positive slant on what, according to an “equation” generated by Sky Travel, is the most depressing day in the year in the northern Hemisphere due the weather conditions.

Oddly, it’s the negative slant that the media have promoted anyway. But I guess that’s not overly surprising.

To be honest, I have always found January to be a tough month due the short days, and increased darkness.  However, this year is already feels VERY different.  In fact, it’s completely different experience as a direct outcome of the onslaught of changes that occurred during 2023.  Culminating in my relocation to the Norfolk coast with Gareth in December. And, then rebranding as The Norfolk Coastal Coach.  I’ve also set up a Facebook Group under the same name which you are welcome to join and receive daily doses of wellbeing.

Changes

The move has made a massive difference for both of us and our life together too.  This new chapter that has come about because of change.

It’s true, change nothing and nothing changes.  Change the way you think, feel, and behave and everything starts to shift.  And if we up that thinking even further, we can create a bigger picture of how we want to live our lives.

I love shifting perspectives. I’ve always looked for the positives and have spent many years pivoting and changing the way I look at things and subsequently experience the world.

The way we think delivers our current reality and, despite the challenges to this belief last year, I will always choose to take the positive slant / takeaways & learnings regardless.

Blue skies, vapor trails, sea and sand on an open beach in Norfolk in January.

Re-energise Your Life

 

I hope you love the blues skies on these photos taken on Sunday 14th January 2024, the before ‘BM’, on Holme Beach, Norfolk.  They really do generate lots of uplifting and positive vibes and are my new take on Blue Monday.  Find blues to increase and uplift your mood.

Getting out on the beach, embracing the blue skies, sea, and glorious energy of the day really does generate uplifting and positive vibes.  Which is why my walk and talk coaching sessions and retreats along the seashore here are so magical! 💫✨💙☀️

Gareth and myself are full of gratitude and appreciation that we were able to make living in such a beautiful location happen, particularly after the year that was 2023.  It practically broke me in the process and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. However, had that not all broken down I wouldn’t be where I am now … yin and yang.

Remaining focused, believing, and visualising ourselves living here and simply knowing that ‘everything is possible’ made it happen. I surrendered several times over in the process though to let the energy flow and enable everything to fall into place.

I am currently reading Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza and love learning so much more about the quantum realm where we have an infinite number of realities.

To Change is to Think Greater Than How We Feel. Dr Joe Dispenza

To bring about change to our lives we have to do things differently & that covers all aspects of the patterns of behaviour that provide our day-to-day routines.

 

Think Differently

How we think affects how we feel and how we behave. Our daily lives are generally very much ones of routine. However, as we keep repeating the same thoughts, words & actions so our reality remains the same.

What Dr Dispenza is saying in this line that I’ve lifted from his book, is that in order to change we need to act greater than the familiar feelings of the memorised self.

Fascinating stuff.

I spoke to a lady in a shop locally at the weekend who referenced her pattern of behaviour.  She said it was unlikely to change now given she was 40. She’s right and wrong in equal measure. If she chose to change, she could.  However, as she’s made the decision that she can’t, she won’t, and therefore she’s right. I was tempted to discuss further but thought I would probably be wasting my breath on this occasion. 😆

‘Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.’ Henry Ford

When setting goals / intentions / creating bigger pictures of your ideal outcomes and reality, speak out loud about them.  This makes them real.  As you take action you get a dopamine hit from making moves towards whatever it is you want to achieve. It makes you feel good – and is far better than just doing, even any small task, on autopilot.

In all reality, it is the working towards, and not the actual event, that brings joy although the achievement is still one to celebrate of course.

It reminds me of another quote, ‘it’s all about the journey and not the destination’.

Goals, intentions & desired outcomes

What are you working towards right now?

What are your goals?  What is your desired reality?  What are your intentions for 2024?

If you need help gaining clarity and focus and could do with some input, in addition to my coaching programmes and walk and talk coaching sessions I’m also offering one off coaching sessions via zoom. You can get in touch with me here.

I love helping clients facilitate their goals, change career, turn their lives around and create their desired outcomes.  It’s magical.  I wrote about goal setting in this blog a couple of years ago.

If you’re in business and are looking for some networking opportunities look no further than my See No Bounds Get Connected Norwich online networking event on Thursday 25th January 8:30am – 9:30am.  You can book here and use SN15# to attend your first couple of events for FREE too.

Top tips:

Create your bigger picture: personally and professionally.

Make the above image even bigger!

Looking to make changes?  Get clear on your desired outcome and ensure that you’re passionate enough about it becoming your reality and keep believing that it is so.

Be grateful for all that you have right now – be appreciative of how you have achieved being here today.

Keep changing and doing stuff differently.

Be open to new opportunities.

Say YES if you want to expand and NO when you need to rein yourself back in to readdress the balance.  Be in tune with you!

Join my Facebook Group – The Norfolk Coastal Coach for daily updates, insights, photos, chat, what’s happening locally in Norfolk etc., in short a real eclectic mix!