I picked the most challenging time to reconnect with my Psychology roots.
Life is never quite what you expect. I thought I had it all planned out, however, 2020 showed me otherwise.
I started my psychology career way back (don’t make me do the maths) working with a young boy with autism. Originally I had wanted to study English Literature, however, after working with this amazing child I realised that I would like to learn more about how the brain works. In college I studied Psychology and just fell in love. I started to work for different charities supporting wonderful people with all different kinds of conditions. It amazed me just how different the brain, body and mind can be. I read every book and paper I could get my hands on (you may say I was a bit obsessed).
Most people say that they went to University too young, that they didn’t really know what they wanted, that they hated studying. I was like a mega bookworm and truly loved studying for my degree in Psychology (OK I hated the statistics part, as we've established, numbers are not my thing!).
"...I realised these two passions could combine."
Once I finished my degree I headed off on my travels to Canada, somehow always picking up jobs within the psychology field (as well as working in cafes, restaurants..you know the usual). I also started to deepen my practise of yoga and meditation. It wasn’t until I moved back to the UK and got a job in London with the National Autistic Society that I realised these two passions (yoga and psychology) could combine. I began to teach workshops on breathing techniques and stress relief and found that they were hugely beneficial.
I had always played with the idea of undertaking a Yoga Teacher Training Course, but never really knew why. I had already gained a strong regular practice and didn’t see how it would further my career, until I saw the positive effects yoga could bring to so many different aspects of so many different peoples lives.
I had planned a trip to New Zealand and to my luck I saw that there was the most perfect Yoga Teacher Training that was due to start two weeks after I arrived. It was just meant to be! As soon as I completed my training I jumped straight into teaching yoga and absolutely loved it. After that I went onto manage a Yoga Studio in Japan, then onto manage a Yoga Retreat here in Morocco. My degree in Psychology played a huge role all the way through. When you teach yoga, people tend to soften both physically and mentally. They usually feel safe in the space and feel able to express themselves. I often sat after class talking with people whilst they opened up. I offered an ear to listen and sometimes advice if asked for.
I decided to take a Life Coaching Course after receiving Life Coaching Sessions myself and seeing just how useful they were. I love how practical Life Coaching is and how it’s really geared towards moving you forwards in your life. I studied hard, learnt all the material, read all the books (bookworm!) and I was ready to start my journey.
"...I thought….can I do this?"
Little did I know that right at this point the world was heading into a global pandemic!
I went in with the idea that Corona would be over in a week or so when I started with my first Life Coaching clients. I felt confident with a degree in Psychology, a lot of work-based experience and a Life Coaching certificate, however, the pandemic was an entirely new factor that threw me (and the world) sideways. I was well versed with scenarios and examples, however, the impact of being in lockdown was new to us all; feeling isolated, losing jobs, and being unable to see family and friends, alongside the fear of the virus itself.
When the full reality of the pandemic hit I had a moment where I thought….can I do this? How will this work? So I went back through my research - I rearranged, reframed and restructured. Everything had to be different, because the whole world was now different.
What I discovered was that actually despite the challenges, the process was much more gentle. There was more time to dig deep. More space to look inwards. When you're not distracted by the busy-ness of the world and the expectations of filling the 'to do list' then different things can emerge.
I found that my clients were not only facing their original challenges, but there were added corona difficulties and there was nowhere to run! This hit hard! Old coping mechanisms such as heading to the night club and drinking to excess were taken away and they could only stay at home with their own personal challenges.
We were all thrown into a whole new situation which meant that usual habits and patterns had to be evaluated. Due to the pandemic the process of self focus was sped up, in some cases because of being forced to stay home, in other cases because of the realisation that there were actually more important things than the initial problem.
Many of my Life Coaching clients started meditating, doing yoga, painting, dancing...because they now had time, because they now had a chance to get bored. It gave them an opportunity to access different sides of themselves.
This awful pandemic has been frustrating, scary and mentally exhausting to say the least. So many tragic things have happened to so many people, but also, so many truly amazing things have happened too. I am so pleased that my clients have gained so much throughout this year, yes they still have bad days, but seeing just how far they have come within themselves is amazing.
Ultimately it was a bit scary and daunting being a Life Coach in the Pandemic, but an experience that I’m sure I will cherish forever because of the amazing people I have met, who have not only achieved so much in their own lives, but have also enriched my life for having known them.
If you have ever thought about taking Life Coaching Sessions I would welcome a personal message and I would be more than happy to give you more information as to what you can expect.
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