MY STORY
Spending time in nature is my saviour, and learning to bring the power of nature indoors has proved essential to my wellbeing. I also had to radically change my thinking to enjoy the life I deserve. Here's my story...
After a very academic schooling with summer holidays in Ibiza, I studied Media & Communications at uni, worked as a commercial model in London, Birmingham and Barcelona, got into events, then wrote for Ibiza's Pacha magazine from 2001-2006 as the self dubbed raving reporter and assistant editor. It was a blast! But by the time I took over Unique Models in 2008, despite its success, I was so tense I woke up daily with my jaw clamped shut, suffered from terrible headaches, near constant overwhelm, and was so anxious I could barely even pack an overnight bag. I spent the weekends partying, the week recovering, and had totally lost sight of my former "I can do anything" self.
I was drawn to study Tarot, and the re-occurring Tower card & 8 of Swords kept reflecting what I was ignoring; that my limiting beliefs and the way I was perceiving things were keeping me stuck, and life as I knew it required total demolition. Eventually I liquidated the agency, the universe liquidated the rest and I slowly rebuilt myself, practising yoga & journaling, while receiving counselling & distant Reiki, returning to Ibiza in 2013 to work as a writer again, only for a second demolition crew to arrive in 2016.
My increasing sensitivity to energies and positive experience with Reiki led me to complete my level 1 training, but afterwards so called repetitive strain injury killed my rekindled writing career. I couldn't type, couldn't write in my journal and couldn't even drive. The more I affirmed those 'can'ts', the worse it got. For the first time ever I felt frustrated sitting at my computer, constantly drawn to a hidden beach called Portixol where I'd be transfixed by the sea, soothed by the healing energy of the water just by looking at it, and return to my apartment feeling totally 'reset'.
I was desperate to stop using technology but I'd become totally addicted, so in 2016 I gladly checked out of society to travel through South East Asia and the Canaries, doing readings and energy healing on beaches and by waterfalls, drinking in the beauty, expansiveness and growth in every location., tapping into the power of Nature and the elements. Back in Ibiza I was invited to set up a healing garden behind a beach in Port de San Miguel, and chose to live an unconventional dream of living in the woods to continue disconnecting from technology as much as possible. There was no actual injury, just years of stress & emotions to release from my neck and shoulders as I realigned my neglected body.
My time living outdoors were and still are, some of the most liberating and empowering times of my life; returning to my true nature, through Nature, discovering my inner camping Queen (I had only camped once before at a festival) and peace of mind I had barely ever experienced.
My sensitivity to energies & ability to channel them only grew, I did Reiki II in 2018 & my Reiki Masters in 2020, continually being shown how energies work, and how the mind, if left to run amock, can ruin mental & emotional health. If you think you can, you can, but if you think you can't, you definitely can't. Back in the UK I stopped healing work in order to focus on myself, and suffered a few more years of anxiety and meltdowns before realising I might be AuDHD and having to menatally dig myself out of the 'can'ts'.
Eventually I started to write again & learned to re-integrate technology in a balanced way, following my heart to the sustainable fashion industry, selling and styling 80s fashion at shows and online. Online? It was a miracle! After a temporary contract as a receptionist, I've now extended my wellbeing services to the corporate world, where mental health and wellbeing are top priority in our fast, tech heavy world. Ten years ago I'd have laughed if you told me I'd be working at a laptop, effectively managing my use of technology and teaching others to do the same.
Harnessing the power of Nature, retraining my brain and soothing my nervous system have been key.
I had to re-write my story, are you ready to re-write yours and start your journey to wellbeing?
Follow @itsallgoodinthewood_ for my nature healing & readings, and @malbibusvintagesuitcase for vintage.