Walking Jodie's Path – Part 2

October 5th, 2009

IntroGraphic Walking Jodie's Path Part 2

Within weeks of beginning her 6 month health counseling program, Jodie started feeling better and having more energy. She began cooking more, lost a few pounds and – excitingly! – her period began to regulate itself. But then, I suddenly didn’t hear from Jodie for awhile. After two missed appointments I began to get really concerned. After all, Jodie was making such great strides – it was unusual for her to drop off the radar. Was something wrong?

Let’s hear what Jodie had to say:

Have you ever had so much going on in your life that your health has suffered? That is how my last month has been going. My three year old daughter, Allison started preschool. My fiancé was in the hospital for three days for out-patient IV steroid treatments for his multiple sclerosis. I had my final projects due for my classes. At work we began our vigorous schedule of flu vaccinations.

I was so exhausted trying to be super woman that I wound up getting sick. I missed work; I had to push back my next scheduled classes; I missed my appointment with Michelle. Lesson learned! While trying to accomplish everything and not taking care of own health, I found myself even further behind!

I am starting to feel better though, and I am trying to catch up – slowly. I have been cooking more at home and saving a lot of money on groceries. My skin and hair seem healthier as well as my finger nails. I have only lost one more pound since I last posted, but that is better than nothing. Most importantly I have learned a valuable lesson about taking time for myself and my health. I cannot give my family or my employer 100% if I do not put my own health first.

Jodie is doing amazing work, isn’t she? This lesson seems to be one that comes up with so many of my clients. We simply cannot do it all. When we try, we get sick. My own mother spent a decade in bed, exhausted and sick, for similar reasons. I personally spent a large percentage of my young adult life too sick from anxiety to live life fully. How can we slow down, take on less stress, manage our busy lives in a healthy way? I look forward to reading your thoughts in the comments below.

Want to read Jodie’s previous entry?
Walking Jodie’s Path – Part 1

6 Comments client stories

  • http://itzyskitchen.blogspot.com Erica

    Keep with it Jodie! Great lesson learned.

    Your weekend trip sounds incredible! Are you going to be posting pictures??

  • http://www.peninabareket.com Penina Bareket

    You’re doing a great job Jodie! Keep it up!
    I find that women seem to struggle with this more than men – the constant need to help everyone but ourselves. What works for me, and what I’ve suggested to clients, is that we schedule quality time with ourselves – whether it’s an hour, a few hours or an entire day to do something for us, and to make this a regular occurrence. I take a kickboxing class once a week and commit to it because it makes me feel good and energized. I won’t schedule clients during this time or anything else – just like any other appointment, this time is “booked”.

  • http://www.mydailydiner.com Daily Diner

    Dont get discouraged by a busy life, you can do it. Balance *can* become instinctual and easy to maintain.

  • http://http//livingfreeforever.wordpress.com Kimberly@livingfreeforever

    Wow! This post is exactly what I have experienced over the last couple of weeks. I got overwhelmed with caring for my mom after she had double knee replacement. We were also out of town for a week. With mom’s surgery and traveling, I got worn out physically and emotionally—then I got sick! It happens EVERY time I get overly tired! I am slowly learning to take more time to rest when I need it, but it is a long process:)

  • http://TwoBlueLemons.com Sarah-Two Blue Lemons

    I find the title of this site, Finding Your Balance, so appropriate! I continuously look for new ways to balance my life – to be a better friend, sister, daughter, wife, mother of a dog! Cheers to everyone who gives forth their best effort while remembering themselves!

  • Jodie Peruski

    Sounds like I am not alone! Just an update: I am feeling a lot better and I am managing “catch up” quite well without over doing it. Scheduling time for myself is something I am going to incorporate into my schedule from now on, even if it is just a nap!

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