The Power of Self-Reflection and Connecting to Your Truth

There are moments in life when my mind seems to go into overdrive in the strangest of places. I love this place, it’s like a quiet surge of creativity and deeper thoughts that flood my mind in a way I can only describe as magical. In those moments, I connect to something real—something pure. My ideas, my truths, my deepest reflections. These moments come to all of us, though we often push them aside, labelling them as interruptions.

But what if we take a moment to pause? To truly listen, to tune in, to become more self-aware? These are the times when we can connect to our truth, to what is important!

Sometimes these realisations come to us when we're walking in nature, in the shower, preparing food, driving to the train station listening to your favourite songs, or lying in bed at night when sleep feels elusive. They come when we give ourselves the space to breathe, to step away from the clutter and busyness of daily life. It’s in these quiet, reflective moments that we discover what truly really matters.

A reflective moment on a recent visit home - Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, New Zealand

The Diagnosis: A Moment of Realisation

Receiving a life-changing diagnosis is never easy. When I was told that my condition—Lymphoedema —would affect me for the rest of my life with no cure, I felt completely lost. Overwhelmed. Searching the internet for answers became my go-to, but it left me with more questions than clarity. it was often confusing. What I needed, though, was a bigger picture—a moment to reflect, to pause, and ask myself:

• How have I truly been looking after myself?

• How did this lymphatic issue begin to manifest in my body?

• Was there a trigger?

• What can I do about it?

  
  

I look back now and see that my life took a sharp turn after an injury that left me managing chronic pain. My body was exhausted. My muscles didn’t function the way they should. They were tight, restrictive, painful. There was no relief. Looking back, I realise I was neglecting my needs. I wasn't listening, I wasn’t prioritising my bodies needs. In fact, I was pushing myself too hard, trying to prove to the world—and maybe even to myself—that everything was fine when, inside, I was anything but fine.

I was caught in a vicious cycle, to the point that I couldn’t even open my mouth to eat. My body was in complete overwhelm, and so was I—physically and emotionally. On the outside, I was “functioning,” but on the inside, my body was at war. This struggle triggered the beginning of my lymphatic issues, and now, I understand why.

When the lymphatic system relies on muscle movement to help circulate lymph fluid, it makes sense that when my muscles were stuck in constant tension and dysfunction, my lymphatic system couldn’t do its job. My body was inflamed, stressed, and overwhelmed. The lack of sleep, constant flight/fight, cortisol was high, inability to exercise, and the constant pressure of “pushing through” all took a toll. something had to give, the stress that comes with this as it impacts those you love, your work, your relationships, your environment, I started noticing changes—unexplained swelling in my feet and ankles, shoes that became tight, indentation marks on my skin. My body felt swollen, heavy, and hot, doctors had no explanation, no awareness nor compassion, but I still carried on.

The Diagnosis: A Name for What Was Happening

The day I was admitted to the hospital with cellulitis, a blister on my heel had triggered an infection. It was there, in the hospital, that I casually mentioned to the registrar, “Why are my feet and legs swollen?” The truth was, my whole body was swollen, but no one addressed it. It wasn’t until I received my hospital discharge letter that I saw the diagnosis: Lymphoedema. I had never heard of it before. So, I began to research it, looking for answers, trying to understand what this mysterious diagnosis meant.

At that point, I felt like I had enough on my plate. But in true form, (thanks Mum!), I pushed through. I began to connect the dots, seeing how everything was interwoven. It took years for me to fully understand the bigger picture. It wasn’t an overnight process. There were huge challenges along the way, setbacks, and moments of doubt. But eventually, I took ownership. I started experimenting, researching, and learning what my body needed. And even today, I’m still on this journey, learning what works best for me.

The Journey to Healing

There is so much power in owning your truth. It’s easy to be reactive when faced with a health diagnosis because it takes time to process the emotional acceptance of it. Often it is easier to wear the social mask rather than trying to explain to those that don't ask to listen, to understand. But there’s another side to it—the side where you realise that health isn’t just about managing symptoms; it’s about understanding the root cause and then what can you do to help, to support your body to heal.

For me, it wasn’t just about Lymphoedema. It was about understanding how my lymphatic dysfunction was tied to muscle and fascia failure. This realisation didn’t come from my own musings alone—it came from assessments with specialists, osteopaths, physiotherapists, and Lymphoedema therapists over the years. The more I learned, the more I realised how interconnected everything truly is.

As I learned more, I made a conscious decision not to rely on medication, I challenged that means of management. I chose to explore holistic options. My approach has always been to heal my body naturally, and I’m still in the process of doing so. That’s why Health Coaching feels so aligned with my journey—it’s about embracing self-care, listening to my body, and making choices that support my healing.

So if any of the above resonates with you, the health coaching process can be a powerful tool for helping individuals reconnect with themselves, identify what they truly need, and work toward holistic well-being. It’s about acknowledging where you are in your journey, understanding your unique needs, and having a guide to support you in making meaningful changes that positively impact your life.

Whether it’s physically, emotionally, or mentally, recognising your truth and making space for self-discovery can lead to lasting growth.

'Explore what matters, living your life, loving your lymph'

J

I love to collect stones, Beach at Riverton, New Zealand x