What do you need in this season of your life? A change in focus can help bring more daily peace and energy

Guess what!! I am back... in Albania. But this time, I am writing to you from Golem-Kavaje, Albania, which is a small coastal town about a hour from the capital, Tirana.

I returned to Albania to dog/cat sit for a few days for a mother-daughter, online English teaching duo while they go on vacation. They moved here with their pets ~6 months ago from California with the intentions of getting residency here in Albania.

When I was here last month, I had joined different facebook groups that are based in Albania to learn more about things to do and people to meet. In one of the groups, I saw a recent post for a dog sitter in the area. I decided to send a message to inquire about the gig and send over some reviews I had recieved from Rover from my jobs in Hawaii.

Within minutes, I had a reply and a request to set up a FaceTime to chat and learn more about it. The following day, I hopped on a call with this woman and her daughter and we clicked automatically. Maybe it is because we share an understanding of the lifestyle and cultural differences between America and Albania, so talking with them then gave me a feeling of comfort and safety. The conversation went smoothly and we decided to make arrangements for me to come back and watch their furry friends for a few days.

After two months of traveling around foreign countries, returning to Albania is a relief. Even though I haven't seen much outside of Tirana, there is still a sense of familiarity and ease with knowing what to expect, how the people are, what the currency is, and how to get around.

And that is exactly what I need at this time. I am looking forward to slowing down my travels and making some shifts in my life.

First, I am going to be dialing back in with my self-care and healthy eating habits. Since traveling, I have been very flexible with my eating habits and have enjoyed foods and drinks I typically don't have. But, my body is craving more nutrient dense foods and home cooked meals that will nourish me on all levels.

I also am missing my consistent yoga practice and resistance training. I have been doing yoga or going on runs here and there, but I know true benefits come with a regular practice and strength routine. So, I will be adding daily yoga into my morning routine and a few body weight training into my week.

Another thing I am ready to do implement is a consistent sleep schedule. I want to be better about going to bed and waking up at the same time everyday so I can wake up feeling rested and restored. I can tell spending too much time on my phone at night or staying out too late is affecting the quality of my sleep and my mental clarity and physical energy level.

And lastly, I am looking to spend more time alone to reflect and continue working on my book. I have met so many awesome people and had some great conversations and new experiences with them, but my social cup is filled up for a while. Taking some time to disconnect from social obligations will help prevent burn out and bitterness so I can stay true to myself without pressure from outside influences. 

It may sound like a lot but all of these healthy habits are possible and with practice, they become effortless and performed with confidence.

Fortunately, these aren’t new to me. I have spend years learning and living a healthy lifestyle so that I can be, think, and feel my best and do the things I love. After occupational therapy school, I studied personal training and nutrition. Later on, I pursued training in health and life coaching, and more recently completed my training in foundational yoga.

Needless to say, I understand how the body works and how the mind works. But, more importantly, I understand how they work together and contribute to the quality of your life and life experiences.

That’s why I am committed to living out these healthy habits and supporting others in adopting a healthier lifestyle, mindset, and outlook so that they can LIVE a meaningful life.

I specialize in:

-value-analysis and goal setting

-time management and organization

-effective planning and prioritization

-self care inspiration and resources 

I also offer:

-non-bias life advice and guidance

-empathetic listening and emotional support

-problem solving and crisis management 

-behavior change and mindset shifts

With ten years of clinical experience in the field of occupational therapy and several public projects focused on health/wellness, I am here to provide professional guidance and resources to others so that our community grows to be more self-aware, optimistic, and proactive. Whether you are looking for an accountability partner, a strategic life planner, or basic wellness guidance, I may be able to help you. 

If you are interested in learning more about ways to I can support you, your family, or your community, hit REPLY and send me an email with any questions or requests.

Otherwise, thanks for being a loyal reader…. Until next time, aloha.

Molly 
Xoxo