Explosives and the Dalai Lama

I am at the top of the mountain. Everything feels possible again. I am ready to skip down the other side. I feel excited about life and the wonderful opportunities that are out there for me. I am ready to take on the world. No I have not been drinking - it’s my post hypnotherapy high.

I really needed my session on Friday to help get me out of this dip I’ve been in. I am confident that the initial cause was physical (cold - weakened immune system - crash - rebuild) but as the weeks went on I could feel the stress sneaking in. Oh here we go again. But I’ve been doing so well. Can’t believe this is happening. What about everything that needs doing. Can’t believe I can’t exercise properly – muffin top I hate you. Blah. Blah. Blah.

I kept trying to push through but it was like climbing a mountain wearing uncomfortable boots with a very heavy back pack. I knew I was stuck and I needed to take some action. So I called on my hypnotherapist - Julie - for an emergency pick me up session.

The sessions are always inspiring and uplifting. Hypnotherapy is like a wonderful, deep relaxing, meditation. I think it is impossible to feel anything other than amazing after. And I didn’t half fancy some of that.

Each session I have with Julie is unique and always tailored to what is going on with me at the time. I always tell Julie a few days before we meet what kind of crazy stuff is going on in my head (there always seems to be plenty to choose from) and she turns it into something meaningful. I often think that this very specific approach is part of why I’ve had so much success with hypnotherapy. We’re not just doing 'imagine you are as free as a bird...' or other equivalent generic nonsense.

This time I wanted to focus on becoming unstuck; feeling less stressed about the out of control to do list; feel calmer about the challenges with exercising; and ultimately, I wanted to stop that self doubt that was sneaking in, in its very annoying tracks. (Oh and there was some ongoing worry about fear of death and life slipping away! Told you my mind is a crazy place.)

Hypnotherapy sessions often include metaphors - apparently it’s a clever way of getting past the conscious and speaking directly to the subconscious: the most powerful part of the mind. In this session I climbed mountains, I ran along the beach, I left the treacle monster on the sofa (a character I had made up in a previous session to illustrate what it feels like when I’m really unwell and feel like I’m wading through treacle) and I spoke to a wise old man for advice. When I visualised the wise old man I couldn’t decided if it was my dad or the Dalai Lama. So I decided I’d speak to both of them and see what they came up with. Interestingly they had the same advice - although the Dalai Lama didn't have a large glass of red wine in his hand!

But my favourite metaphor of the whole session was when I got to use explosives to blow up the boulder that was in my way as I was climbing the mountain. How can you not feel inspired after that?

Julie and I also have a connection. When we met we clicked, you know the way some people just do. We both love all things people and we are both drawn to all that positive thinking 'stuff'. We never just do the hypnotherapy session. There is always a good hour of chatting and sharing ideas. It's like catching up with a good friend who makes you feel great about yourself and inspires you to be a better you. And this is on top of the benefits of the hypnotherapy. If money and time was no object I would see Julie every week!

Hypnotherapy is obviously not a miracle cure for M.E. but it does help. I see it as a sensible way of taking care of my emotional and psychological health. This allows my body to be open to healing rather than fighting stress. And sometimes I just need some help to feel inspired again when the going has been tough.

I have not been instantly well since Friday. But I do feel in a better place and more ready to make my comeback. There has been a ‘jump’ in the right direction with some muffin top fighting exercise and there has been more time off the sofa in the last few days.

And I'm hoping by writing all this down it will encourage the energy flow. We go away on Saturday (Finland, Estonia and Latvia) and I am determined to be edging up that mountain by then. Come on subconscious - let’s blow that M.E. boulder up!

How do you get back on track when life goes a bit crazy? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you for the continued blogging love. Every time someone reads my blog it makes me smile. Please carry on with the love by sharing this post to Facebook or Twitter...x