As summer begins to wind down, I notice that I haven’t been as mindful with regard to what I am taking in. As the days get shorter, they also seem to get busier, more hectic, and less intentional. I notice this shift in awareness about 4 times a year, usually prior to the solstices and equinoxes. This shift in awareness indicates the time for intentional change.
I have been aware of my natural cycles for most of my adult life. This is in part due to being diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis in my mid-20s in addition to suffering from debilitating migraines. I had to become acutely aware of my body’s cycles, such as sleep cycles, and how my eating habits affected my day-to-day pain levels. During this time, I developed a more holistic approach to my life.
I became a vegetarian. I started practicing yoga and meditation. I shifted my life from pain and anxiety to fulfillment and joy. Learning how to relax, find peace during difficult moments, and how to heal from within. I then studied with Usui Reiki Master Christine Brown. I completed my training and began practicing as a Usui Reiki Master Teacher. This experience allowed me deeper insight into the mind-body connection. I thrived up until about 4 years ago.
During my 30’s, I was able to manage the endometriosis with diet, exercise, and acupuncture. What I perceived as the downward spiral of my health began slowly over the course of months in my late 30’s, with symptoms such as increased pain, heavier flow, and more migraines. Suddenly, how I’d been managing my symptoms wasn’t working anymore. The endometriosis had reached my diaphragm, and I began having a hard time breathing at night and was forced to sleep sitting up. After a trip to the ER for what my doctor thought was appendicitis, it was found that I also had Degenerative Disk Disease. After getting the results from the ER, my doctor decided to run a ton of blood work. I had to go back on the IUD to control some of the symptoms. It was also found that I had Mono. Due to the mono diagnosis, I could not continue with my normal workout routine of Pilates, yoga, and weight training for 8 months. My pain management routine was out the window.
Fast forward to the summer of 2020. Mono over with. My fitness regime was back on point, but I still had debilitating pain. I was using a cane to walk off and on for almost a year. Getting up was a struggle. Going to the gym requires Motrin and stubborn dedication. I had found a new OBGYN a year earlier, and she was(is) amazing. Tons of information regarding symptoms and treatments. After many months of research and discussion, I decided to try Lupron in addition to the IUD. Lupron puts you into a menopausal state. It is also used to treat various cancers, so not to be taken lightly. I was very reluctant but could no longer mentally deal with the pain. It was affecting my day-to-day life. So, Lupron. Where to begin. It’s a 3-month dose. The first month is rough. I wound up having about 6 weeks pain-free. Amazing. Then I was due for the next shot, and the cycle began again- a very rough first month followed by 6 weeks of minimal pain, but the MIGRAINES…
At the time of writing, I have been off of Lupron for 4 months. After the second shot my migraines doubled, then tripled. I was experiencing multiple migraines a week and could not get out of bed.
The side effects are more than I can deal with. Although my pain has returned, I can at least, slowly get out of bed. I also KNOW that all my pain is from the ENDO! So now I can focus on shifting my diet towards less inflammatory foods and shifting my mindset back towards ease with practices that foster flow.
“I am rooted, but I flow.”
Virginia Wolfe
So here I am. The beginning of a 21-day Chakra Cleanse. I can reestablish healthy habits by getting back to the basics of my personal energy. If I notice a subtle imbalance, by taking the time each day to sit in stillness, feeling the flow of energy through my being. Over the course of 21 days, I can shift this energy, releasing what no longer serves me and experience atonement (at-one-ment).
Try my 10 Day Chakra Balancing Course on Insight Timer.
Namaste