After moving to Canada with a young family in 2003, I had never felt so alone, isolated and slowly started falling into depression. It was really hard having no family or friends close by with toddlers. I really missed home, I missed my mum and my BF!
Having had a very active social life, I became discouraged as I really hadn't thought about how I was going to make friends. University was a long time ago in the UK, I wasn't going to school or starting a job so how was I going to meet other people. I was still going through the immigration process!
Luckily, I found a local Early Years group at the local community hub, which really saved me as I met a lot of amazing mums in the area. I started volunteering and as soon as the kids started JK/SK, I found a job and met some gals who are still some of my closest friends.
But starting my own business and having that freedom meant a lot to me but it all comes at a price. You lose connection with your friends, work never ends, there are always deadlines, more stress, less sleep and no time to play. Finding that balance is so hard as a small business owner, a mum, a wife and a friend. Playing so many roles and being pulled through commitments is a struggle. I have continued with a smile on my face just so I can keep up!
After having lived in Cambridge for 15 years, I had never felt such isolation and loneliness. I do know a lot of people but only have a select few friends. I came to the realisation that social life in Canada is so very different from London. You can't just pop in for a cuppa, you need to plan weeks ahead. Our lives here are so dependant on schedules and more schedules that we forget we need friends and family around us! We need to let loose, we need to have a good laugh with tears running down our faces clutching our stomachs from laughing so hard. When was the last time you did that? London! The older I am getting, the more I struggle.
Life slowly started to change after I purchased a Yoga Groupon for Moksha Yoga in 2016. I hadn't practiced yoga for over 15 years and after having a hysterectomy I needed something gentle that I could accomplish. I loved my first class and have continued to practice ever since.
Last year (2017) turned out to be a game-changing year for me. I had always felt there was something missing from my life and through pure coincidence, I found out that Oakwood Resort Spa was looking to fill some rooms during their offseason. I organised a two-night yoga retreat with butterflies in my stomach and so unsure what would happen. But it turned out to be a huge success.
I loved taking Rachel's yoga classes but this was the first time that we actually got to hang out and chat. Rachel and I hit it off and we chatted about planning more retreats and our partnership began. Live Love Laugh Retreats became a reality.
My passion for travel and attention to detail made me realise that I was really good at organising events. I threw myself head first into the project. I studied over the summer months and got my TICO license which allows me to work as an independent travel consultant with Expedia Cruiseship Centers in Cambridge.
Life is not easy being self-employed. Over the last year, there have been many ups and downs, personal struggles and this year even more so. I have had three glaucoma eye surgeries since February and after each, I am not allowed to lift anything, bend over, concentrate, run, walk briskly, take the puppy out for a walk, exercise and worst of all NO YOGA. It's now been 5 months since I have practiced yoga and I'm struggling to keep myself going. I have been fortunate that I haven't put on any weight but the waistline is not happy. Clothes don't fit and I will have to start all over again with toning up.
But by organising these retreats, I have learned from all our the peeps in our tribe;
- about self-care,
- about being grateful,
- how to love myself,
- how to make time for myself even if it is 5 mins in the morning or evening where I can sit down and reflect on Gratitude.
Life is a journey and isn't meant to be easy. It is filled with lots of love, laughter, wonderful memories, good & hard times, sadness, loss, and struggles but I am slowly learning to embrace them as every part of my life is a lesson that helps me to reflect and move forward.
Meditation has been my solace:
Breathe in Love!
Exhale Gratitude!
Namaste
Bhupi
