Well, it has been 377 days since I last wrote a blog post. And similar to last time, I couldn’t believe how fast time passes by. A lot has happened since my last post – and for the most part – I have to say, all positive. Of course, there’s always the stress related to being in a new place, buying a new home, making sure your kids adapt well to new friends, new school, and new everything. And on a scale from 1-10, where 10 is the best case scenario, I believe my kids have shown a resilience of 9. Amazing. They’ve adapted well and our house is a revolving door of teenagers coming in and out, saying hi and saying bye. A lot of sleepovers, a few parties here and there, but overall, all good.
As it pertains to me, well, I’m a creature of habit, and I’m still not certain (sometimes) that I’ve fully embraced this new experience. I live in a new place, with a new house and new surroundings. I’m trying my best to “adapt” to this new setting and (again) for the most part I'm doing fine, but unlike my kids, I’d rate myself a 5 out of 10. Yes, a 5. Not there yet, and hoping to get there.
So this post is not about me and my ability or inability to adapt to new surroundings and environments. But it is a reminder of the need to always, and I mean always, put ourselves first so that we can thrive in life and in work. And when I say a reminder… I’m mainly talking to myself. I need this reminder NOW!
When I attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I quickly learned that the old adage of “you are what you eat” wasn’t necessarily the entire picture to health and well-being. Real Food is considered Secondary Food.
As I assess my Secondary Food, not much has changed. I still eat about as healthy as I used to, I still cook the same dishes, and, I still try to balance a variety of different sources of protein, carbs, and sugars. Oh! yes, and I still like to have my espressos, and craft beers:)
Primary Food, on the other hand, has everything to do with Relationships, Career, Activity/Exercise, and Spirituality. This primary food is really what nurtures us and makes us whole. When I assess my Primary Food focus over the past 377 days, I find that I've been neglecting plenty. So in the spirit of being open and transparent, here goes:
RELATIONSHIPS – I left a vibrant community in the NorthEast where I felt connected to people. Obviously, after being there for 22+ years, it is natural. I had deep connections with neighbors and friends. As I think about it, it is not only time that dictates the strength of a relationship, it is also the ability to connect at a deeper level. Culture is shaped by similar experiences and the culture of the NE is certainly different. So aside from my family, I haven't been able to do establish new relationships here in my new "habitat". And, I realize I have to be patient, that relationships don't just magically appear and evolve into something meaningful after only a year. So, I'll need to focus more on this moving forward. It's up to me. Getting outside my comfort zone and actually seeking to connect with more like-minded individuals, whether runners, triathletes, dads, and people in my creative industry... as well as seeking out other health coaches will be my next challenge and opportunity.
EXERCISE – This area is always a must for me. It doesn't matter where I am, I'm usually pretty good at getting some exercise, otherwise, I go crazy. So over the past 377 days, I've done well. I swim regularly (2-3x week, I bike regularly 3x a week and I run about 4x week). Aside from a minor injury that sidelined me for about 5 weeks in Sept/Oct 2018, I've been quite consistent and happy. So, no complaints here. It is part of who I am.
SPIRITUALITY – I've neglected church altogether. But that's not entirely bad. I don't have a calling for it as I used to. Spirituality is not defined by religion. It is a deeper connection to a higher calling, the energy within us. I try to connect with this on a daily basis through Yoga and Meditation. And, again, I've been pretty consistent with my morning routine. Wake up, Yoga, Meditation and then my espresso :) Happy here, although like everything, I could be doing a bit more, like meditating longer when I have the time and not letting my monkey mind dictate my every thought. But, part of this journey is exactly that, training your mind to be still. So, a bit of tweaking here, but not drastic.
CAREER – The main reason we moved across the country was to take on a new career challenge. And if I'm honest with myself – like really, really, really honest – I never quite settled in my position at my new company. The people were great, smart and outgoing, but I wasn't truly in love with what I was doing. I felt a bit of nostalgia for working on the big brands I used to vs. smaller brands I was trying to build up. Without getting into too many details, it didn't work out as planned, and now I'm looking for my next career adventure in a new city, with new people to meet and new opportunities to conquer. So, although it is a bit stressful, it is also quite exciting. I get to write this next chapter – and I'm exploring multiple options, including an entrepreneurial venture that I'm hoping to get off the ground by January 2019 alongside two very talented Creative Directors.
Walking the walk and not just talking the talk is something I'll be focusing on for the next 377 days and beyond. A deeper commitment to secondary foods to help provide a bit more balance to my days and life. And, I also need to commit to writing more often. That’s just good for my soul.
So, after proofreading this post I realize I really just did write about me and my current situation through the lens of primary and secondary foods. Not sure I'm providing any new information to you – other than a slight reminder to commit to thrive and…
#payyourhealthfirst – always!
— Chris
