One question to ask yourself

Would I take this persons advice, if I am to take their criticism?

A basic but such helpful concept, given the world of unsolicited advice (* indeed, criticism). If you wouldn't take their advice, don't take their criticism. Let it wash over you. Roll your eyes (internally, never a great moment of connection).

Something to consider

The more you have on your mind, the more you have weighing on your body - Dr Sula Windgassen 

Many day-to-day stressors impact our cognitive load, which in turn impacts our body physiologically. When I was younger, I might have rolled my eyes at stress as just a 'thought pattern' that I could reframe or think my way out of. I'd never have considered that mental load would impact how I felt in my body, and not only that, but physical changes that were occurring. Many of you are looking for nutrition & exercise changes to support how you feel in your body. These are helpful, but rarely in isolation from your day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month stressors. Avoid minimising or ignoring these (I know it's much easier than facing them).

One thing I'd tell my younger self.

Follow your heart. Follow your gut. Bet on yourself - Dr Maggie Pearce (Grey's Anatomy)

Recently, I made some decisions in this precise way. Maybe gut > heart > self, but close enough. And I was challenged, multiple times, my gut was questioned. This happens when we make decisions that maybe against the grain, the obvious. But other people can't feel your gut instinct. Only you can (provided you're not over eating every time it arises, over doing, over exercising, over restricting - in these cases it is extremely difficult to trust your gut). As time has passed, the power and relief that has grown in me brings joy to my days - at last, I know that my feelings are worthy of listening to, and I have faith in myself that I am able. 

One thing to try this week

Notice your gut instinct (& other somatic feedback)

Learning to notice somatic feedback in moments through your day will often tell you more than your brain in that moment ever will. Big presentation at work? Where do you feel it in your body? Alone in the evening and being drawn to the snack cupboard? Where do you feel that in your body? As we begin to get more curious about the messages our body is telling us, we're more able to respond appropriately (instead of with unhelpful habits & behaviours). 

A few things to tell you...

Half of tickets have sold for the ETPHD day of body reconnection - Saturday 27th April, Liverpool. The only full ETPHD event of the year. The only opportunity to meet all of the coaches & ask us anything & everything. 

Get your tickets and find out more here

Are you using self-awareness as an excuse not to change? I know some of you are, whilst some of you don't know you are yet... So listen to this

Are you trying to conceive? Here's how you can support yourself

Is ozempic the worst thing to happen to our society since not all men found a microphone? Should you get a poop transplant? Find out here

I came to share the ETPHD mentoring pod & swiftly realised that although we recorded it on time, I didn't post it... Thankfully, committing to this monday email made me realise my mistake & you can now listen to it here, 5 days late. Imperfect action is our absolute jam, as is owning our mistakes

How much discipline do you really need? 

One more thing...

Please share your favourite stuff.

Thank you all for continuing to share your favourite Monday email quotes. I see them all. I know how much I love seeing impactful quotes from strangers, so it means a lot that you allow me to hopefully be that person for someone else. f there's something you really relate to or know someone who'd benefit from something in this email, please share it and pay it forward. Words are magical, and if I've learned anything from writing these emails to you for years, you never know when someone needs to hear the exact thing you've got to say.