RU Ok? A Spring update from the clinic

10 Sept 2020: Today is RU OK Day. If I’ve learnt anything from 2020 so far, it’s that we need more of this type of thing – more checking in, more asking real questions, and listening to the answers – even if we don’t always have the solution.

Out of the many things I love about the work I do, the thing that stays with me the most is being in the privileged position of hearing my clients’ stories of their inner fears, their grief, their trauma and the transformation that often follows. Holding that space for you is the best part of my job. You all teach me so much about the world and I really have to thank you for trusting me with your journey.

This year has really pushed many of us to the edge, myself included. The horrific bushfire disaster was not a great start to the year. The impact on the mental and physical health of my clients was evident from the start. Halfway through February I also felt myself struggling a bit so I called in my troops – my herbalist, my mentors, my naturopathic community, and had a weekend away camping – as I knew I needed support. In hindsight, it was preparation for what was around the corner.

2020, what a year?

It’s been a really, really weird year – so just reach out if you need to talk, or need help. Please use the huge number of support services available to you. Mental health is still so often dismissed, or ignored, or considered to be a sign of weakness. I know from years of clinical experience that anxiety and depression are as debilitating as any physical condition – often more so.

One of the my areas of clinical focus is Herbal and Nutritional Medicine for mental health. I know that being part of the care team for a client who is suffering from anxiety, depression, stress or recovering from disordered eating, dealing with chronic pain supports their journey in many ways.

The journey always starts with stopping and listening to your body – as the overly quoted poet Rumi writes so well: “There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen.”

What’s Been Happening at New Leaf in 2020?

As many of you know New Leaf has radically “pivoted” this year. The change of working from home and 100% online is the opposite of the plans I had for 2020. I was going to do more in-clinic support, adding more team members to my clinic, more grassroots herbal medicine making. My practice manager Kyoko and I often joke about the amazing 2020 wall planner we purchased to make this year run like a well-oiled machine that is now collecting dust.

We’ve had to change so many of the clinic systems to fit in with this new world, and I’d like to thank all my clients for being so patient as we find the flow of New Leaf in 2020. Things still aren’t perfect – but we’re getting there.

The forced change to my work has been disappointing at times – the extrovert in my loves the shared energy in a face to face consult. However, I’ve surprised myself at how much I’ve enjoyed working from home, hanging with the cats, spending more time with my partner, and working in a more sustainable way. Just trying to practise what I preach!

The plan going forward

I’ve been quiet on social media and with my newsletters as I needed to focus on looking after myself and my existing clients with 100% dedication. But I’m still here! Sorry if you’ve missed my usual Instagram ramblings and my newsletters. If there’s anything you’d like me to talk about, share or discuss please let me know – just shoot me an email and ask.

So, for now I will continue to see my clients online – I know many of you are looking forward to getting back to face-to-face consults, but I’m unsure when this will be. If you have questions about how online consultation work please get in touch. There are a few other announcements in the clinic update below – important dates about my upcoming holiday – so please read on.

The Community Drop-In Clinic online has been a great service to provide this year. Thanks for everyone making use of it. It still runs every second Tuesday morning and is there for anyone who needs help. It is a free service, so if you do book a spot, please remember to turn up so others don’t miss out. Book a seat at our virtual waiting room online. The first one is Tuesday 15th Sept 10am-12pm. 

All naturopathic appointments can be booked online here, get in touch if you have questions about how our Telehealth appointments are working.

Some things of interest…

TAKE PART IN SOME RESEARCH:

For anyone with a vagina. I treat a lot of vaginal infections in the clinic. Recurrant thrush and BV are a real issue for many women. Here’s a wonderful study for premenopausal females with a history of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. You can apply to be part of this study here. 

Exploring the microbiome through pregnancy. The MothersBabies Study is investigating changes in the human microbiome from pre-pregnancy, throughout your pregnancy and birth, and onto your baby’s first birthday. If you’re planning on having a baby within the next 12 months and live in NSW then this study would be amazing to be part of. Apply here

EAT MORE VEGGIES:

17 ways to use chickpeas! I love a chickpea – and here’s some great ideas on how to use them.

Spicy ferments. I’m all about chilli – we have a pretty extensive hot sauce collection at our place, including some delicious homemade fermented chilli sauce. I’ve stumbled across this recipe which combines my love of all things Japanese and chilli. What a combo.

SOME INSPIRED READING:

What does it mean to be a feminist? I’m looking forward to this book by Caitlin Moran. This quote is particularly good…