Aubrey lives with CVID. Audrey is my hero because she represents, hope, faith, patience, tenacity, resilience, and an intentionality to deal with and accept her challenges.

Four Columns has had the privilege of talking to Klyn Elsbury regarding cystic fibrosis, Bethany concerning PCOS, Dayna about EDS, and many others regarding mental, emotional, physical, and emotional issues regarding health, finance, and marriage.

A resilient mindset refers to the ability to adapt, bounce back, and cope with challenges, setbacks, and difficult situations in a positive and productive manner. It is the mental attitude that allows individuals to maintain a sense of balance, hope, and determination during tough times. Resilience does not mean being immune to stress or adversity, but rather, it’s the capacity to effectively deal with and grow from these experiences.

Aubrey has a resilient mindset. Every woman that I have interviewed dealing with health issues is optimistic. They tend to maintain a positive outlook even in the face of adversity. They see challenges as temporary and believe they can overcome them. Resilient women are adaptable flexible and open to change. They are willing to adjust their strategies and perspectives when needed. Aubrey developed problem-solving skills to seek solutions to CVID and take constructive actions to address difficulties. Aubrey is self-aware and understands her emotions, thoughts, and reactions. This self-awareness allows her to better manage her emotional responses.

A resilient woman will have a strong support and network to provide emotional support, encouragement, and help during tough times. Aubrey has determination and persistence when facing obstacles, not giving up easily. She has a sense of purpose and has healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress.

Finally, a resilient woman practices mindfulness that can regulate her emotions effectively, preventing negative emotions from overwhelming them.

Developing a resilient mindset is essential because it empowers individuals to face life’s challenges with a constructive and growth-oriented attitude. It is a skill that can be nurtured and strengthened over time through self-awareness, practice, and learning from experiences. By cultivating resilience, individuals can better navigate the ups and downs of life, leading to improved mental health and overall well-being.

I have a tendency to complain and not be grateful. Every time I go on a downward spiral, I read Aubrey’s or the different blogs of the women I have interviewed. Because my eyesight is great, my immune system is functioning, blood is flowing through my veins, I have a job, a roof over my head, and friends and family who love me.

As you read this interview, take your time and come back again, because Aubrey has a lesson for every one of you as she deals with CVID. Write back to me or comment on what you have learned from her.

Aubrey, a pleasure to have you on Four Columns. I want to know something unique about you.

I am from Kansas City, I have lived in Colorado, and I currently live in San Diego, California. So, I have experienced living in multiple regions in the US!

You talk about being diagnosed with CVID. What is it?

CVID (Common Variable Immunodeficiency) is a type of primary immunodeficiency that impairs the functions of the immune system. It causes the lack of essential antibodies to fight off illness. It is categorized as a rare disease and 1 in 25,000 to 50,000 people have it. Patients with CVID use immunoglobulin replacement therapy to replace some of the necessary antibodies in order to protect themselves from severe infections. CVID can increase the risk of other diseases like lymphoma.

Walk me through what you felt when you got diagnosed. How did you come to terms with it?

When I was diagnosed, I was very shocked and confused. I had been fighting illnesses for over 6 months and had no idea what was happening in my body. I had never heard of CVID, but it sounded scary. When I was told that I would have to rely on donated plasma for the rest of my life, I was really sad. Plus, I had to administer the treatment myself, which meant dealing with needles, which I’m not very fond of.

The shock wore off after a couple of weeks, and it took me a while to be comfortable with the treatment. Over the next few years, I began to understand my body better and I felt less upset. I stopped worrying about things I can’t control.

I admire your hope, strength, and resilience to overcome the challenges of life. Give my readers some tips on how to overcome challenges.

Thank you!

In life, I tell myself to let go of things I can’t control. What is meant to be will be, and I can’t do anything to change it. Instead, I focus my energy on things that I can change, and try to find ways to feel better physically and mentally.

Remember to love yourself and forgive yourself for anything in the past, so that you can move forward and be excited for the future. The way that you speak to yourself is so important. Negative self-talk will really hurt you in the long run. Remember that your feelings are valid, and if you are in a dark place, surround yourself with those that love you and find someone to talk to about it!

Talk to me about what CVID has taught you about how precious life and health are.

As a young person, I never thought about my health that much. I hardly was sick as a child, and I thought that I would always be healthy.

I have learned that life is unexpected and we are not guaranteed anything. I have become grateful for the good things in life and realized that things can change at any moment. Life is very fragile and we never know what is coming next, but there is a part of that that is very exciting. All we have is today in the present moment there is no use in dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

Make sure to go to the doctor and listen to signals from your body! Trust your intuition!

What does women’s empowerment mean to you?

Women’s empowerment means inspiring and supporting women in their endeavors so that they can be successful. We need to uplift women, especially if they are entering male-dominated fields.

As a young woman, I often felt belittled and treated by many men like I wasn’t as intelligent as they were. I was too “girly.”

Being a woman is an amazing thing, and we must treat it as such. When we come together, we can create a community of love and empowerment. Women deserve to feel heard and understood, especially because so many of their voices have been silenced for so long.

Talk to me about the city you live and the food scene and why we should visit.

San Diego is arguably the best city in the United States because it has beautiful ocean views, picturesque mountains, and you can find every type of food here. There are so many fun areas to explore. Among my favorites are Little Italy, La Jolla, and Coronado Island.

It is only a 30-minute drive to Mexico and a 2 1/2-hour drive to Los Angeles.

The food scene is amazing, I really love Little Italy, because there is authentic pasta, sandwiches, and pizza. I also love the sushi in San Diego since you are right on the water, the sushi is so fresh and there are a lot of fun different restaurants to try. Many restaurants have an ocean view or a downtown view, which is really fun. There are also a lot of breweries and speakeasies.

If you have never been, you should definitely make a visit.

Help me understand in what ways can we be sensitive to someone like you who has an immune issue. What to say what not to say.

I like when someone cares enough to ask how I am doing and is interested in learning more about my disease and my plasma treatments. I know that it can be kind of awkward to talk to someone with a chronic illness if they have not experienced it themselves.

If you are speaking to someone with a disease like mine, I think that it’s really important to not make assumptions or downplay their experience. It can be both hard to explain the disease and also hard to understand it.

Since it’s an invisible illness, I can only tell instead of show, so I want people to listen!

How important is self-care to you?

Self-care is extremely important to me. I write about it a lot on my website because I think that it is easy to forget to take care of yourself and be kind to yourself. Oftentimes people feel guilty, and they feel selfish when they focus on just themselves.

But, it’s pertinent to take time for yourself and do things that benefit your physical and mental well-being. That way, you won’t get burnt out.

Some days, I just light my candles, lay in bed, eat my favorite food, and watch TV. And it’s amazing because I am doing things that I love!

Everyone deserves to treat themselves.

There is a mental and emotional aspect that comes with your diagnosis. How are you dealing with that aspect?

In the beginning, I was not dealing with it very well. I thought that I was cursed, that I was unlucky, and that I did something to deserve this.

I would be jealous of my healthy friends, and long for my old self.

However, over time I became more comfortable with it, and I realized that my treatment helped me feel so much better.

I am grateful for modern medicine, and I have started to cherish my life.

I had to stop reasoning why this happened to me because there is no real reason. It just happened and there is nothing that I can do to change it, so I have to stop worrying about it and I have reached a point of acceptance.

Sometimes it really sucks to do my plasma treatment. However, these moments are fleeting. I allow myself to be upset, I validate my own feelings, and when I am ready, I move forward. It is totally okay to be upset and anxious, and I am not going to be positive 100% of the time. But I don’t need to be, I just need to be myself and trust that what is meant to be will be.

I feel so much better now, and I know that time has healed many of my wounds. I am so proud of myself for how far I have come, and I am excited for the future instead of fearful.

The post How to face CVID appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

Klyn Elsbury is exactly what I need in my life.

I am a loud, boisterous, elitist, complainer, and do not suffer fools or legalists. There are very few moments in life that have made me shut up. In Kashmir, watching the Himalayas next to the Jhelum river, being in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, spending time in Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam, and finally being in the Grand Canyon.

The first time the German missionaries showed me a leper shook me to my core. At Derek Sequeira’s funeral, my friend from university made me wobbly.

There is a reason I go to Cuba so often. It reminds me to stop complaining and become grateful.

Every time I hear Nicholas Vujicic on YouTube, I shut up.

On 22 July 2020, Klyn Elsbury left a comment on my blog. As usual, I thank every individual who leaves a comment and also check out their website. Klyn, in all her humility, marked her website as Sickly Confidential. The mission statement of the blog was to empower women with chronic conditions to take back control of their lives during tough times through personal growth strategies.

I had to interview Klyn. I sent her an email and she replied. She agreed to an interview. She replied to my questions. Klyn was born with Cystic Fibrosis and was told she would not live past 14 and has spent much of her life growing inside hospitals battling CF. Klyn has been in hospital more than 67 times, has appeared in over 150 publications; including primetime debut on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, has a full coaching practice, and is often the keynote speaker at conferences and association events.

Klyn is the author of the best seller  I AM The Untold Story of Success, which has been used throughout corporate America for five years. Klyn’s podcast (The Motivated Mind), online courses, and training reach 200,000 people a month.

How come such a busy woman with health issues has time for me? Klyn Elsbury is humble, beautiful inside and out, down to earth and one of the most sui generis human beings I have met.

In 2016, one of my best friends died of CF. I needed to hear Klyn’s video on YouTube which is one of the most-watched and judged the most encouraging and motivating messages.

I want you to do two things before you read her interview. I want you to watch her video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhNSaU173lc&t=20s

Secondly, I want you to call, email, or text everyone you love and tell them how much you love them and what they did right.

Klyn, a privilege and honor to have you. I am inspired by your story and will never complain again. Walk me through some of the challenges you have faced in life? 

I’ve been hospitalized 67 times in 32 years, ranging in length from 4 nights to 6 months. The most common duration of hospitalization is 14 nights.

In my mid-twenties, I lost my 6 figure corporate career in recruiting and had to file for social security disability as I was labeled end-stage. Meaning, the disease progressed so badly that I didn’t have much time left.

That was when I decided to write my first book from the hospital, I AM The Untold Story of Success.

I was denied coverage for a new drug coming out that would halt the progression, so took the media exposure and got on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. I got the drug along with other patients in California, and was immediately signed to an agent and started speaking on embracing change, resilience, and overcoming fears.

What is CF and how does it impact your day to day life?

This was a keynote I did that explains what cf is and how it affects many of us diagnosed day today.  https://youtu.be/ExIl1KKiQs4 for those who don’t want to watch the inspirational speech, cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that fills my lungs with a thick sticky mucous I can’t cough out.

I love your attitude, Klyn. You are not a victim. Klyn you take whatever that is handed to you and make it into a positive experience? Talk to me about the highs and lows of that experience?  

The high was definitely when I got my first 5 figure contract to keynote at a national conference on how to overcome adversity.  I looked out at the audience, the lights beaming in my eyes, saw the camera about 35 feet in front of me and my fiance in the front row.  I was nervous.  And yet, I was the most calm I’ve ever been in my entire life.  So many people start their business wanting to reach that moment, where 1500 people cling to your every word.  For me though, I knew it was just the beginning.  I’ve been fired from multiple jobs, was pushed around 6 Flags on a family vacation in a wheelchair, I was told to give everything up and file for social security.  I lost everything in my mid-twenties, including a corporate career with benefits and a reliable salary.  To go from six figures to couch surfing off of Craigslist, while disabled, to that moment the stage was lit just for me, was surreal.  Never give up on your dreams.  Your dreams get you through.

You are unique and special in the way you connect with your audience. I truly believe it is because you are honest, real, authentic, and vulnerable. Please comment?

Yeah, I mean, the feedback I always get is how much I love my audience.  They are my “why”.  I know they say you’re supposed to believe in yourself and not seek validation from strangers, but to know I said something that set off a new trajectory for someone else’s life… that’s power.  And power comes from being real.  If it’s a bad day, I’ll tell you.  And I’ll also tell you I won’t be sitting in that pain for long.  That pain exists to teach me something and for me to take action on it.  I curse like a sailor on some of my videos, I love my audience like they are family because many become that, and I take you with me on this journey of life.  You’re going to see it all – and I need that to connect to you just the way you need that freshness to connect to your potential.

Talk to me about success, what does it mean to you?

Success means trusting your gut above others’ opinions.   It comes from Hawaiian principles, I studied under a 29 generation Kumu (teacher) and learned about how important it is to really hear your own message and think to yourself: is this what I want? Is this the life path for me?  And I trust that voice in my head now because I’ve learned how tragic the itty bitty shitty committee is in my head.  If I can trust the negative energy, I can trust the positive.  Then it becomes a choice I make.

You are the classic example of a modern empowered woman. What does woman empowerment means to you?

Empowerment means owning when I mess up and not letting it derail me.  These times are crazy, everyone has an opinion, nobody is willing to be wrong.  I’m empowered because I am wrong a lot and I don’t attach my self worth to being “right”.  I attach my self worth to learning all the facts, how they relate to the bigger picture, and then when I am right- it feels incredible.  When I am wrong, it feels incredible.  The value of empowerment doesn’t come from being right or validating your ego, it comes from being wrong and embracing the inevitable change.

I like when you say thousand of success stories, life-altering, fears ended, the perspective shifted, hope restored, what do you mean by it?  

I have a reach of about 250,000 people through my book, audible, The Motivated Mind podcast, coaching programs, and keynotes.    I’ve helped couples about to be divorced reignite that spark in their marriage, ended addictions of cigarettes, overeating, and drug use.  I’ve been blessed to help others eradicate their deepest fears, from rats in New York City to fearing the collapse of their business due to COVID.  Every day I am grateful for those who reach out to join the coaching program and learn how to eliminate childhood traumas and tap into their potential, over their excuses.

Many of my readers suffer from chronic conditions. What is your message for them? 

If you find yourself thinking you aren’t enough, or that you can’t do what others expect of you from your condition, I encourage you to seek out those who have what you have and have had some success in their life.  When I was in my mid-twenties I was on oxygen and in a wheelchair because of the progression of cystic fibrosis.  I could no longer work out the way my body use to.  But I never quit.  I pushed myself to work out to my max, not anyone else’s definition, but mine.  And over time, I worked up to becoming a Zumba instructor.  I raised my own standards, and it started with walking to the mailbox, then down the block, then going to the gym.  It wasn’t pretty. I wasn’t good.  And in some ways, I still have days where I can’t do what my mind wants me to.  I take those days with grace and push on.  Always push on.

What do you want your legacy to be?

I don’t believe in legacies.  I believe that we all are trying the best we can with the resources we have available.  And as long as every day we do something to help another human being (sometimes we are the ones we help), it’ll all be okay.  I believe in God and I believe in good.  Anything outside of those two forces, I don’t put a lot of credit or time into.  I hope I’m remembered as someone who taught others that the life circumstances did not determine the destination.  I hope to prove that what happened in my body wasn’t the end story.  I hope I lived in a way that inspired others to take the hard, uncommon road to show others it can be walked.  And I know, already, I’ve done that.

Women from 60 countries are reading this blog on women empowerment. This is your chance to inspire and empower them. Go ahead?

I would love for them to get a link to this video for that.  It’s a keynote that received multiple awards as the most inspirational female speech.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhNSaU173lc&t=20s

The post Klyn Elsbury: Empowering Women With Chronic Conditions appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

Two years after graduating from high school, one of my closest friends committed suicide. I had never dealt with it. I got caught up in university, climbing the corporate ladder, and on the performance treadmill. On my 10th wedding anniversary, as I was having a romantic dinner on the beach in the Mayan Riviera, I asked Debbie how we were doing as a married couple. Her answer about me not being a good sleeper changed my life forever. This week, as I deal with COVID, Debbie is battling cancer, I get a text from a friend that someone we have known all our lives committed suicide. As I get older, I am more aware of mental health. If you read my blog, I have written on forgiveness, patience, self-care, depression, drug, and alcohol abuse.

On Twitter, I found out that Chris Mitchell, a Canadian travel writer and content creator based in Toronto, was starting a podcast on anxiety. I got in touch with him and asked him a few questions about anxiety.  Chris has been writing about and documenting his travels around 80 countries for a decade. Chris is also the cofounder of the Toronto Bloggers Collective, a community dedicated to supporting content creators.  I have been in groups all my life. The Toronto Bloggers Collective is one of the best groups I have been a part of. Chris is friendly, outgoing, sensitive, loving, and passionate. He loves his wife and is real and vulnerable. Abigail Van Buren said that “The best index to a person’s character is how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and how he treats people who can’t fight back.”

Many bloggers have liked my style of writing. However, when it came to collaboration it was always about my DA and PA scores. Chris was the first blogger who offered me to write a piece on Bellwoods Brewery. Read this interview a couple of times. Also if you know of anyone struggling with anxiety have them listen to the podcast.

Chris, an honor to have you on Four Columns. We are going to talk about travel, food, marriage, and anxiety. I know you started a podcast on anxiety, what is it, and how does it affect us?

Firstly, let me just thank you for having me on, Jerry. The pleasure is all mine. 

You’re absolutely right, I did just start a podcast on anxiety. It’s called “I’m Anxious About…,” and I’m proud to say it has garnered a fair bit of interest thus far. In short, it’s a podcast where my co-host Allison and I look at a different thing we’re anxious about each week and break it down with plenty of humor and honesty. 

It’s meant to be a place that folks can come for a laugh, but most importantly, it’s a place where we can share our own journey and let folks know they’re not alone. 

So far, the response has been deeply humbling, and I’m grateful I took the gamble in starting this, despite that voice in my head that offered no shortage of doubt and criticism. But that is, in essence, what this podcast is all about, right? Challenging that voice. 

Anyway, if folks are curious, they can find us wherever they find their podcasts. 

Sometimes as men, we put on this macho front. However, we are hurting inside. How did you realize you were suffering from anxiety. What made you realize this is something we have to talk about?

Well, Jerry, that’s a good question. My journey with anxiety started about a decade ago when I lost my best friend unexpectedly. His name was Kiel, and, in truth, he was more like a brother to me than a friend. I felt a lot of pain that more or less concentrated in confusion. 

I still do feel great pain, but now I’ve harnessed that to ensure I can do my best to live for both of us. I try to remember that he’d want me to think of him and smile, so I focus on the good memories. 

When I found out about his passing, it was 2011 and I was living in Seoul, South Korea with Bri. 

I would find that occasionally as we were walking along I’d almost get swept up in a river of my own thoughts. People would be talking to me, but the conversation I had in my head was drowning them out. I’d often have to head off to the bathroom to regroup. 

It took me a long time to realize that these initial struggles which I thought were isolated and fluky incidents were actually the beginning of my anxiety. Or, rather, it took me a long time to accept that. 

I began to question why my initial reaction to feeling like I may be struggling was to hide it – even from my partner. Now, I understand it’s because I had a false notion that having anxiety or depression or what have you made you weak. 

Thankfully, over time, I’ve squashed that falsehood, and now I firmly believe that true strength comes from admitting you’re not perfect, putting your ego aside, and using your openness to engage in conversations that aid others. 

Walk me through how you are dealing with it? Are you taking medication, going to the gym, meditation, or seeing a coach?

I’ve got a lot of things that I try to keep in mind to make sure I’m giving myself a good chance to be my best self. 

Firstly, I start every morning by writing in my 5 Minute Journal where I set intentions for the day. I end my day by writing in the same journal. It helps me to project what I want my day to look like, and be grateful at the end of the day. 

I also meditate and do a stretching sequence before hopping in the shower. This ensures that by the time I’m out of the shower, I’m generally in the right headspace to tackle the day. 

I’ve found that exercise is paramount for me. I exercise every day whether that’s yoga, biking, walking, going to the gym, or anything in between. A big problem I had in the past was not knowing what to do with excess energy, which could lead to me partying a bit more or staying out a bit later, so I know now that I’ve got to make sure I’m giving myself a chance to burn energy. 

There’s just no question – If I’m not exercising, I’m more anxious. 

Sleeping well, or at least trying to get a good amount of sleep also makes an enormous difference for me, so that’s something I prioritize. I talk about it on the podcast, but I just don’t get caught up on whether or not I’ve fallen asleep. I focus on rest, relaxation, and giving myself a second to process. 

Things like eating well, not drinking too much, reading every night and so forth also make a big difference. In particular, I try to ensure I’m reading at least a few books at any one time, with some mixture of fiction and nonfiction. Usually, I read about 70-80 books a year. What’s the expression, “books are the quietest and most constant of friends?” 

Finally, I’m not currently taking any medication or going to therapy. I did do some therapy last year, but, for the most part, I’ve built a lot of systems around myself that enable me to be okay, and I’m also fortunate to have people around me looking out for me. In particular, even if I’m not always at my best, but I’m blessed to have a supportive partner who also knows when I’m not at my best and helps me get back up on my feet when I need it. 

I should note here that everyone has their own journey. For some, therapy and medication are absolutely necessary, so I’m not in any way discouraging that. I also don’t think there’s any shame or weakness in that whatsoever. Everyone needs to do what is right of them.

Funny enough, the podcast is sort of serving as therapy for me, as I rehash what I’ve learned over the past decade that has helped me and may help others. It also keeps me mindful of my own mindset and I find I’m more apt at understanding and disentangling my own emotional state. 

What is your goal with the new podcast? Who is your audience? What are you trying to achieve?

Mainly, I want people to know that they’re not alone, and try also to highlight that laughter can be therapeutic. I’m intentionally diving into the sometimes absurd inner workings of my mind to let others know that it’s okay to have unique, if dizzying, thought patterns here and there. 

We haven’t been live long enough for me to have a true grasp on our audience, but, from the feedback I’ve gotten and those who have reached out to me, it appears to be folks who have suffered from anxiety or, at the very least, know someone who has, or are interested in what anxiety is all about. 

I’d like to think almost anybody could tune in, largely because we chat in a pretty humorous tone in the podcast. It could almost be confused with a comedy set if you entered at the wrong time. That being said, the goal of the podcast isn’t to make light of anxiety. It’s to show that you can have anxiety, but still, enjoy your life, and even laugh at yourself here and there. 

Congrats on winning many awards. What is unique and different about you as a travel blogger that you bring to the table? 

Well thanks, firstly. I feel fortunate to have won many awards in the past, and continue to be considered for awards in the present and future. Each one means something to me, trust me. That is something which will never get old to me, so let’s keep them coming, shall we?! 

Joking aside, I am honoured, as there are so many talented travel writers and bloggers out there. 

As far as what’s different about me, it’s a great question. I honestly don’t know. I mean, I’ve read voraciously since I was young, and I took English Lit. in university, so I think I’ve got the writing structure down pat, but I know it’s more than that. It honestly may come down to my intense curiosity. I’m profoundly interested in the places I visit, and perhaps that comes across to readers. 

I’d also like to think that I’m writing to elevate my readers and not alienate them. Nobody wants to know where I’ve been and how much fun I had, they want to see themselves in my adventures, and know that my writing is empowering them to chase their own adventures. In the end, I write for my readers, and not for myself. 

I also adore writing in the strongest sense. Without writing, I don’t think I’d understand myself or this world. I travel physically with planes, but mentally with words. 

Talk to me about a favorite city of yours/ What is it about that city that we should visit and the food scene?

That would have to be Istanbul, my friend. Istanbul, to me, feels like the centre of the world. I lived there for 3 years, and while I was there, I felt like I had my fingers on the pulse of the planet. I was tapped into millennia of history just by walking around the streets and areas of the present day. 

The food scene is on another level as well, especially when it comes to Turkish breakfast. I’ve actually covered exactly how you should tackle Istanbul (including Turkish breakfast) in this article on my site, appropriately called, “Istanbul Travel Tips – Travel Advice for Istanbul From a Former Resident.” 

I also did an episode on the Amateur Traveler podcast! 

That should help folks out fairly well if they’re looking to visit. I’ve been to 80 countries and thousands of towns, villages, and cities at this point and I’ll be blunt – you have not seen the world until you’ve been to Istanbul. 

It is, to me, the greatest city on the planet.

I see you are a romantic guy. Help me understand how marriage has changed you as a person? What surprised you the most? Do you recommend it?

I do try to be romantic or, at the very least, sentimental. I would say that marriage itself hasn’t necessarily changed my life dramatically, but nothing has had a greater impact on my life than my relationship with Bri. 

We’ve been together 10 years and married 2. So, what I’m saying is I don’t think you have to be married to appreciate your partner or be impacted by them, but I did appreciate the ceremonious commitment. 

Our wedding day was just perfect and brought together people from all over the world. 

I’ve just been lucky enough to have found my soulmate, and I think that’s what it’s all about. I would do anything for Bri, and perhaps marriage is one way we can let our partner know just that. 

I want to know something very challenging you have experienced? What did you do to overcome it?

I had a difficult time readjusting to life in Toronto in 2017 after living in Istanbul for three years. Most notably, I came back to Toronto and decided that I wouldn’t be pursuing teaching opportunities, which was made more ironic by the fact that I had just completed my Masters. 

That being said, I had the sense that I had to go in on my own and see what I could do. It’s a stressful thing to bet all your chips on something, but it’s also invigorating. Though, in retrospect, it was often a fine line between stress and excitement.

I began by growing out of the travelingmitch brand, especially on Twitter where I found a big audience for one reason or another. I began to go to conferences left, right, and center, and I became hungry to both learn and grow. 

Not long after that, I co-founded the Toronto Bloggers Collective because I decided that I couldn’t quite find the community I was looking for in Toronto, so it was time to create it. As you well know, that decision has had a huge positive impact on my life, and I hope it’s positively impacted folks like yourself and other members. 

Then, I started Ultimate Ontario to showcase what was going on in the province alongside Kev from the Toronto Bloggers Collective. As you can see, it was all about keeping moving for me. 

I also founded two podcasts and had my hands in a number of other projects. 

I put myself in a sink or swim scenario and thankfully I learned that I can indeed swim, which is a lesson I’m carrying with me even now. 

When this pandemic hit, it’s not a shock that I started the new podcast on anxiety because my reaction to struggle now is thinking about what I can create to solve problems for others. It gives me a sense of purpose. 

Finally, I want you to give three tips to a new blogger?

I’ll keep it simple. 

Be curious. Be patient. Be bold.

The post Chris Mitchell talks about anxiety appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.