Birthday & Holiday Reflections - On Making Peace with Discomfort

View over the town of Nazaré

Happy Holidays Friend!

The holidays are always a time of reflection, and yesterday was my birthday which serves to increase my level of reflection on the past year.

2025 has been a tough one for many of us, and it was a year of stark contrasts for me.

I realized my dream of moving to Europe, but said goodbye to and grieved for a home country I no longer recognize.

We have made deep connections with wonderful new friendships, but left behind our real and chosen families.

I fell in love with a special new place in the world but left the city I love and a comfortable home to pursue a better life as an immigrant in a foreign country where I don't yet speak the language.

I've experienced both immense joy and deep grief this year, but as 2025 comes to a close, my most prominent feeling is that of gratitude.

I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity and means to make this move, for everyone who supported us through this transition, and for the people who have welcomed us here and visited us from home. 

I'm grateful for you, my clients who have trusted me to support you over my 12 years in business, and to those of you in Portugal who are supporting me as I start from scratch with my practice here.

People ask me all the time how we like it here in Portugal and if we're glad we made the move. I can say without hesitation that we have no regrets!

Was it easy? Absolutely not. In fact, it's been downright painful at times, both emotionally and physically. But was it worth it? 100% yes.

And that brings me to the subject of discomfort. Specifically, the willingness to be uncomfortable in order to reach your goals, realize your dreams, and look back with no regrets.

Often the biggest regrets we have are the chances we didn't take, and I would argue that it's often the discomfort of change that prevents us from taking those chances.

Wether it's making a big move, going for that promotion, speaking your truth, or making changes in the way you eat and move your body, you'll have to make peace with discomfort to get there.

It won't be easy, but it will be worth it and you'll be stronger on the other side.

You also won't have to live with the regret of knowing that you didn't make the effort to do what you could to get what you want.

So my wish for you this holiday season and in the coming year is that you will step out of your comfort zone in pursuit of your highest good - ​​​even if it's with just one little toe at first.

As you push through each boundary of discomfort, you'll gain courage, self-trust and confidence. You'll also feel a sense of success and accomplishment which make it easier to keep going, and when the comfortable times come along, they will feel so much sweeter.

And please know that if your pursuit includes better health and wellness, I will be here to hold your hand every step of the way. Because we all need support to get through the uncomfortable stuff.

Sending you all my love and wishing you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season!​​​​​​​
Jeannie