There is a deep and undeniable connection between the Mind, the Spirit, and the Body. This is what Full Circle Wellness is all about. Emotional and/or Spiritual wounds can ultimately manifest as physical symptoms when left unhealed. While this might sound like it toes the line of pseudoscience or the “woo-woo”, I’m here to personally attest to the fact that… Well, it’s very real. Let’s discuss.

Have you ever noticed that stress seems to lead to headaches? Or, that unresolved grief can feel like a heavy weight in your chest? Have you ever had anxiety for so long, so bad you ended up with a stomach ulcer? Just me?

Many of us feel disconnected from ourselves, burdened by unresolved emotions, and trapped in cycles of negative thinking. And much of this is a result of simply not knowing any better, and being easily sucked into what I’m just going to call, “The Matrix” (think - social media, ads, news media, cultural norms and expectations, systems, etc.)

Without addressing your internal barriers to being in a state of peace regardless of what’s happening around you, achieving peace remains a distant dream. Focus on peace as your state of being.

If I were a human in the Matrix, I’d break out by questioning everything—challenging the narratives I’ve been fed, seeking truth beyond the illusions of comfort and conformity. I’d sharpen my awareness, recognizing the patterns designed to keep me complacent, and push beyond fear, embracing the discomfort of uncertainty. I’d cultivate mindfulness, tuning into my intuition and observing the “glitches”—those moments when reality doesn’t quite add up. Most importantly, I’d rebel not just externally but internally, shedding limiting beliefs, detaching from the need for validation, and choosing freedom over familiarity, even if it means stepping into the unknown.

Or as Polonius puts it in Hamlet, “to thine own self be true,” which simply put means to be honest and true to one's own nature. This line is often used time and time again to encourage people to stay true to themselves regardless of external pressures, which is the true key here, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

All of this sounds so simple out of context, and yet I think so many of us struggle with it. Hands up! It’s me, HI. Is it you, too?

Contrary to how some people like to act, learning doesn’t stop when we leave school. In fact, the most impactful lessons often come from the self-driven pursuit of knowledge, growth and development. When you embrace the power of learning, you unlock a world of possibilities, proving to yourself and others that with curiosity and a little scrappiness, you can teach yourself anything.

This is the essence of doing the work: showing up, even when it’s inconvenient, unglamorous, or challenging, and especially, when you don’t feel like it.

True progress isn’t built on grand gestures but on small, consistent actions that align with our highest intentions and goals. Actions that align with who we want to become, not with who we are right now.

If home doesn’t quite feel like that for you, I’ve got good news! Transforming your space into a cozy haven doesn’t have to require a big budget or drastic changes. It just has to bring you joy! Small, intentional touches can create a cozy, inviting atmosphere that truly feels like yours.

Contrary to popular belief, boundaries are not about building walls. They’re about defining what you need to thrive. When you honor your limits, you’re not only prioritizing yourself but you’re also enhancing your ability to show up for others. Remember… you can’t pour from an empty cup!

Looking at all that you’ve gained - all of the progress that you’ve made - allows you to embrace setbacks as learning opportunities. It also allows for flexibility, and compassion along the way. Both of which are necessary when you’re in it for the long haul.

In choosing to focus on your progress, you’ll find greater joy in the journey and a deeper connection to your evolving self.

Remember… The JOURNEY is what is meant to be achieved.

Regularly reflecting on what you’re thankful for can increase levels of happiness and satisfaction by retraining your brain to focus on what’s good. Gratitude journaling, for instance, has been shown to reframe negative thought patterns. Or, try this practice: At the end of the day, ask yourself (and maybe include your partner for a fun conversation before bed): What went well today? What can I be grateful for today? This ultimately helps retrain the brain towards positive thoughts, and away from negative thoughts. The impact this has on your well-being is mind-blowing!

Engaging in activities purely for the joy of it can be a profound way to heal, reconnect with yourself, and create a richer, more balanced life. Joy and Leisure is a of the slice of the Full Circle Wellness pie after all!

If the root cause is not believing we are lovable, worthy, enough… If we don’t validate, accept, or love ourselves first… and we are seeking to solve the problem with external solutions, herein lies the problem, because the solution isn’t outside of yourself, the solution is inward.

Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers: They play essential roles in everything from mood and energy to metabolism and reproductive health. When they’re in balance, our bodies can function optimally. However, when our hormones are out of balance, it can affect everything from sleep and nutrient absorption, to mental health and brain function.

Disordered eating exists on a spectrum, and it’s important to note that not everyone with disordered eating patterns will develop a full-blown eating disorder. However, recognizing these patterns is the first step toward understanding them, confronting and changing them, and healing through them.

Your gut (specifically, the stomach, small and large intestines) and brain are in constant communication through something called the gut-brain axis, a bidirectional link between your central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and your enteric nervous system (the gut’s nervous system). This connection explains why stress, anxiety, and even depression can often manifest in physical gut symptoms like indigestion or bloating! Wild right?

Most of the time when we think about mental health and wellness, we focus on emotional regulation, therapy, meditation, journaling... But did you know that brain health plays a crucial role in your overall mental well-being? As we care for our bodies, caring for our brain is essential to maintaining mental wellness, emotional balance, and overall, optimal cognitive function.

Shame is that one inner voice telling us we’re not good enough BECAUSE OF THAT THING (or many things). Shame tells us that we’ve made an irredeemable mistake, or that we are somehow unworthy of love and belonging because of SOMETHING about us.

I don’t know about you, but it’s taken me a long time to shake off my teens, and to be honest, there are still deeper wounds I’m sewing up. I’ve only just begun to understand how Inner Teen work can help us bridge the gaps between being a child, and who we are now. While learning to love, accept and/or reparent your Inner Child(ren) is one thing, doing the same for your Inner Teen(s) is a MUST to help us better understand the adults we’ve become.

This kind of inner work is intricately connected to the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, a therapeutic approach that views the mind as a system of different Parts, each with their own role and perspective. By delving into Inner Child Work through the lens of IFS, we can unlock deeper understanding of our psyche, leading to greater emotional balance, self-compassion, and personal growth.

Inner Child Work is all about going deep, down into your roots, way back into your childhood to heal emotional wounds and untangle any trauma that might be keeping you from flourishing.

It is only in moments of fear, and doubt, with our hands shaking, and our voices quaking, that we can be BRAVE, and show courage. It is clear that we are afraid, no question… but moving forward anyway? THAT is what makes you brave.