It's my everyday struggle as a Naturopath and a Language Trainer.
My real challenge since I started my own business is being able to pay my bills at the end of the month. Clients aren't lining up outside my office at the moment. There are several reasons for this:
The first reason is that I am new to Jura, a beautiful department in Bourgogne Franche-Comté, but like everything, it has its downsides. No one knows me here, and a Jurassian will only trust another Jurassian.
The second reason is that unfortunately, for some people, naturopathy is either a gathering of gurus (not entirely untrue), or it is considered useless because a naturopath doesn't prescribe medications like a doctor.
The third reason is the perception of a naturopath as a local herbalist, practicing a kind of green medicine that uses plants. But honestly, isn't that a too quick summary of naturopathy, forgetting its three major pillars: nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle (psycho-emotional well-being and quality sleep)? Aromatherapy, phytotherapy... these are just techniques among many others.
The crisis and the pandemic... there would be a lot to say, but that's not the focus of this post.
So my priority is to get to know myself and understand what I truly want to do
Stop everything and stay at home like a housewife!
...uh, no, not my style😊
To exist is not limited to being someone's wife, attending manicure and pedicure sessions, relaxing, and traveling... For me, existence is about making an impact during one's time on Earth. It's about being useful, creating, all while stepping out of one's comfort zone. This is what drives me every day, makes me passionate, and between us, I haven't come this far in my career for nothing.
Go back to the corporate world!... Oh, absolutely not!
Coming from the 'Corporate' world - at that time, I was a manager in a bank - one pawn among 3000 others, working on banking, savings, retirement, and life insurance products.
All day long, seated in open spaces, subject to daily mood swings, suffering from acute meeting overload, a genuine pathology, endless coffee/cigarette breaks even though I didn't smoke, but it was the only way to fit in, staying informed about gossip and potential projects that could slip away if you refused these breaks... being literally 'too seated' took a toll on my vitality. 'Metro, work, sleep,' that was my life.
Adding an activity that I love to my main activity? ...why not😊
And that's where the questioning intensifies! 'How can I make ends meet doing what I love?' is the 'big' question awaiting an answer. So, I leaf through my CV, which, to quote my very next employer, is quite colorful. Indeed, you will understand.
What if I became a language coach, to teach the languages I know perfectly and have learned during my various expatriations in 3 countries, 3 continents, and 3 cultures? Because I assure you, being bilingual, trilingual, quadrilingual... it's not a piece of cake :)"
From health coach to English coach, it's just one step, you might say!
In reality, it's a lot of questioning, introspection, internal and external upheavals, both personal and professional, and it doesn't happen without bumps.
So, you'll understand that I am always in search of new skills to later share them with others. I enjoy being both a student and a teacher, seeking to grow professionally and personally with those around me.
Moreover, know that the impostor syndrome never leaves me no matter what I do. I find it hard to give advice before applying it to myself. Imagine wanting to travel to Mexico, and it has been your dream forever. Who doesn't have that aunt or longtime friend in their circle who will try to dissuade you: 'It's very dangerous there, don't go!' However, if you ask them the following question, 'okay, but have you ever been to Mexico yourself?' their negative response doesn't lend credibility to their well-intentioned advice.
Actions speak louder than words.
You've probably heard of ethos, logos, and pathos used in argumentation to convince you of an idea. In essence, if you want to persuade someone, you'll either use logic in your arguments, presenting facts ('LOGOS') and appealing to their reason, or you'll use emotions ('Pathos') to appeal to their heart and feelings. Alternatively, by sharing your own example and personal experience to add credibility to your narrative for your interlocutor, that's ethos.
Personally, it's ethos that appeals to me and what I look for in a coach
It is for this reason that I needed to decipher my life path, my journey, to see my legitimacy as a language trainer and coach."
Does my journey legitimize my desires?"
"Always with the intention of being useful, during my time as an expatriate, 8 years in the United States and Morocco, I taught French to English speakers, English and French to Arabic speakers. Now, in France, I focus on natural healing through the pillars of naturopathy for those who want to break free from the grip of miracle pills.
Thus, a fortuitous job opportunity for my husband led us to move to the USA, prompting me to permanently leave my well-paying job for an unknown life. Having already done it once when leaving my native Morocco, I could very well envision adapting to another culture.
My chapter of American life unfolded in the KFC state of Kentucky, in Elizabethtown, where foreigners are either Mexican or non-existent. The English I had learned in school was of little help due to the local dialect. Fortunately, enrolling in community college for English classes, running, volunteering in schools, accompanying academic teams, swim teams, and a marching band saved me from the life of a 'desperate housewife' and allowed me to meet people and make friends.
After more than 6 American years, a second opportunity for a new expatriation presented itself to us, this time in my native country, Morocco.
Back in France, fueled by a passion for nature and trail running, I was introduced to naturopathy. It's, if you will, the 'Swiss Army knife' of natural medicine, using real and natural solutions to improve people's health. This includes dietary and lifestyle advice, herbs, massages, aromatherapy, exercise, etc. And that's everything I love, as long as it remains practical. While I've been taught about energies, energy healing, chakras, etc., as a naturopath, I am more inclined towards the anatomy of the human body, sciences, and especially neuroscience to truly embrace those concepts. That's why every naturopath is different, and it's up to you to choose the one that suits you.
As a result, I specialized in touch through massages and wood therapy to provide therapeutic and aesthetic advice: a sound mind in a healthy body is my mantra. I use natural products such as plants, wood, and cold. It's all about authenticity and nothing else.
My life experiences serve me every day
When I see people suffering and unable to fully live their lives, their desires, you know, I want to help them. Helping them requires energy and involvement from the person I'm assisting. For a fair balance of energies, providing assistance for free is not the solution for anyone. First, anyone who pays expects a result equivalent to the amount they paid, and therefore, they will invest themselves to justify it for themselves and even for their loved ones. The second reason is to ensure an income for financial independence and also to justify what I do to those around me.
And then, ta-da, one day I had the answer.
The perfect answer to my questions: what if I became a Language Coach while continuing with naturopathy!
'Learning a new language' and 'cultivating well-being' are very similar in my mind. Both need to be nurtured daily. It's like a garden that requires care, where 7 essential plants grow: pleasure, laughter, passion, desire, madness, mindfulness, and sharing.
Linkedin, here I come ...
In search of a part-time job as a language trainer, I came across the perfect job posting: a language training organization with over 20 years of experience in the United Kingdom was specifically looking for a coach here in my Jura! I was eager to apply as I ticked all the boxes for the desired position. So, I did it: guiding students step by step in their learning of French, English, or Arabic, giving them the keys to be independent in the language they desire, just as I had to do - a dream. A coach is not a tutor. A coach is someone who trains you so that you no longer need them, so that you can handle things on your own later. Unlike a tutor who will train you under their guidance and when they disappear, you feel helpless. Whereas a coach customizes their techniques to you, to the human being behind each individual. And each individual is different. It reminds me of a topic from my son's Baccalaureate exam: 'What is exoticism?' Exoticism is the other! Something to ponder 😊
Entrepreneurial Independence, self-leadership, pure bliss!
My experience in this language institute inspires me in every aspect because its founder aligns with the continuity of my life journey. It will undoubtedly enhance me both personally and in the development of my pedagogical skills. I firmly believe that whether it's a naturopath or a language trainer, both focus on self-education, but with a different goal: health for the former, linguistic skills for the latter. Moreover, one needs to be physically well to be motivated to learn a new language. It's a winning combination to come and see me.
Whether in naturopathy or as a language trainer, my mission is to help my client become the best version of themselves. The sessions are designed for them, but without their commitment, nothing is possible!
"If you're also in the same life struggle with a low salary, I would be happy to hear from you, to know how you're managing, or not. Entrepreneurship is not an easy path. Launching into it means risking everything, and every day is a challenge. Employment is probably easier. However, doing what you love in harmony with your true self is something to seriously consider, weighing the pros and cons. Many of my friends wonder if their job is in line with who they really are. Often, I sense discomfort in my clients at the office caused by a misalignment between their life and their life aspirations.
Crédit photos