The Big 6 – Christina’s story
Breaking the Cycle: a Dog, a Man and a Camper Van
It takes a lot to break a cycle. We all get stuck in unhelpful cycles of behaviour, thought patterns, situations and even relationships that make us unhappy. We don’t like what we’re doing, we want to get out, but we feel trapped and can see no way out. Breaking the cycle is hard.
Cycles are a natural part of life, but when we get stuck in a pattern, it is tricky to break out and make an escape.
When life takes a turn for the better, there is always a moment you will remember.
In my case, I’ve had more than a few that I’ll never forget.
We all have things that we would like to change in our life – lose weight, make a career break, dye our hair, end a relationship; the list is endless. Sometimes it feels like we have no way out, and we just can’t get past the point to create a new and happier life. But there is always hope, and whether it’s a massive wake-up call or a gradual improvement, change is a process. It also requires a little luck.
So, there I was sobbing my heart out in a local cafe, sad, lonely and feeling sorry for myself when, as if by magic, in walked Emma, my new friend and lifesaver. I don’t know about you, but I’m not in a habit of crying in public. This day was different. I was so sad and feeling so sorry for myself that I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I had reached the point of no return, and the tears were streaming down my blotchy face. I was a little girl lost who wanted to be loved and was fed up with being on my own.
Changing Things for the Better – How I started Breaking the Cycle
A few waitresses walked by and looked down, trying not to catch my eye, not knowing what to do.
Then in came Emma, six feet something and unperturbed by my tears. She came right up to me, bent down and said, “It can’t be that bad. I felt like that this morning. You can tell me if you like?”
I couldn’t believe it. Someone had seen me, a stranger, and been so kind. This is what I usually do for other people. I felt better immediately, my tears dried up and my heart lifted. This was already a wonderful friendship.
As I reached the point of no return, my life started to turn… Enter Fifi the Puppy
As a single mum and business owner with no one to make my tea, let alone help walk a dog, the idea of owning a puppy seemed impossible. After a while this dream became an obsession, though, so I started to take it seriously.
Who on earth would look after this furry baby?
I had been looking for and dreaming of this dog for at least a year, if not two. I would scroll through the Internet searching for a little white puppy during the cold and lonely nights, but I could never quite muster up the courage to go for it. In the end, it was Emma, my kind and loyal friend, who did it. “Just get the dog,” was her advice. “I’ll help you look after it.” And that was that.
Like the rest of us in my family, mischievousness and autonomy rule, with a little added separation anxiety!
I had found the perfect dog, and little Fifi has been my freedom mascot ever since.
I had a knot in my stomach and didn’t breathe for weeks. How would I cope with this mischievous little Fifi? She didn’t sleep at night, and I was doing night shifts again, but as with all my crazy decisions, as soon as I’d committed, the how quickly revealed itself.
Fifi the dog made me realise that I was a good enough person and deserving of happiness.
And, with this realisation, and the decision to bring little Fifi home, my life changed forever.
So what are the 6 lessons for us all from Fifi the dog?!
- Our happiness is more important than anything in the world
- When we make a decision based on “what we want” rather than “what we should do” life changes in an instant
- When we act on a true desire and wishes, we often succeed
- Sometimes you have to get super low, before you smile and see the light
- Listen to your instinct and believe in your dreams
- The next time you have to make a decision on something – try asking your heart rather than your head. Rather than the adult you who lives in a world of shoulds and should nots – what would the little girl or boy inside you say?
What arrived next? The Man or the Campervan? Read my book, The Freedom Bus.
Related posts
