Every day, women spend money on shoes, clothes, makeup, wine, hair products, services, lunch, and dinner dates, but are they really satisfied? I tend to believe that this customary spending is just a distraction from the disappointments that constantly nag us. I’ve been thinking about this a lot and wanted to ask you something. Stop for a second and think, instead of buying in excess, what if we invested money in ourselves to heal those parts of us that are empty?

Most of the ways we unwind involve self-medicating, specifically with alcohol. Let me start off by saying I have zero problem with those who indulge in a glass during dinner or after a long day.  But, did you realize, if you’re averaging one drink a night then you’re considered to be in the top 30 percent of alcohol drinkers in America? You can easily be spending upwards of $300 per month on just wine.

So, this got me thinking.  What if we cut back on our drink purchases and, instead, used it to get to the bottom of our pain, depression, or anxiety with healing services? In my experience I’ve found that once my client admits what their problem is, 80 percent of the work is already done; the rest falls into place and the healing quickly takes over. A decision to cut back, on any vice, helps heal the pattern of escapism and avoidance so one can truly empower their health!

Our biggest challenge at the studio is for people to pay us cash while they simultaneously have health insurance benefits. We do outstanding work and insurance doesn’t reimburse us enough, which eventually leads to fatigue and burnout on our part. We’ve implemented a cash pay model in order to both keep us passionate and giving us the ability to help people heal from the inside out.

When I used to work in a fast paced physical therapy clinic people used their insurance benefits and, for some reason, when they would lay down on the table they had this “fix me” attitude. They weren’t there to put in effort; they just expected to be cured. However, when I changed to a cash pay studio, this frame of mind instantly switched to one of taking responsibility for their health.

They became invested in the journey.

Still skeptical? Out of the dozens of examples I could share this one has stuck out with me the most. I had a client; she was a beautiful lady and a workaholic. She wasn’t married at the time, when we first worked together, and had no children. She suffered from chronic neck and back pain. She was the stereotypical “wine drinker.” She’d make sure to have a glass(es) with meals, girlfriends, or whenever she needed that little boost. After a while, she could polish off a bottle a night.

She recently wrote me a letter and I have to share it—she gave me permission. It’s rather long but I think it brings home the point.

Gina,

Hope this finds you well.  I am over the moon in love with someone I went to college with.  We have known each other 35 years and just got reconnected last summer.  As soon as my divorce is final, I will marry this man.  I have been waiting my whole life for this type of connection with someone.  He’s been sober for 10 years.  Because he works the plan daily, he has grown up and is very in touch with his emotions and is very demonstrative.  Because of his transformation, I have decided to stop drinking.  Up to this point, I have completed 2/3rds of my life and want to finish the last 3rd of my life by doing something that truly impacts the lives of others in a loving and kind way.  My drinking has made me sluggish and I have not accomplished much with my life in the past 5 + years and want to change that.  Today I am sober 17 days.  I always heard that alcohol could impact your sleep.  I know for sure that it does.  I haven’t slept so hard and deep in the past 25 years in the way I sleep now.  WOW!  I’m a believer now.  That alone is reason enough to stop.

I told my boyfriend about you. How you helped me get off the pain medication and sleeping pills because of our work together.  I was waiting for my diagnosis when you stepped in to help.  You helped me to understand why I was conflicted in my life and you gave me the courage to face my greatest fears about security.  Now, with my sobriety, I will continue on my healing path that you helped me get started.  I will be forever grateful, in this life and the next.

P.S.  I have been doing some great work in spite of my drinking.  I have been volunteering with Pathways to Independence since 2013.  Our 501c non-profit helps to raise money to help young women at risk (runaways, addicts, sex trafficked).  We house them, clothe them, educate them, counsel them, mentor them so that they can be strong and independent young women that make a difference in many other’s lives.  It is a fantastic organization. We currently have 52 girls in our program.  One of the things that make my investment of time in the annual fundraiser so valuable is that about 88 percent of the money we raise goes right to the girls.

I’m constantly amazed and feel so grateful that I can be the catalyst for some of these life-changing transformations, both physically and mentally. My hope today is that other women can see where they’re being held down and how, sometimes, our party drinks only stuff the feelings down.  

Until Soon, D.

Ladies, take care of yourselves.

Xx~g.