My name is Claire Clottey.
I’m 27, a Children’s Centre Manager and live in West London.
Prior to my life change holiday, I was incredibly busy. It felt like constant hard work. I was putting 100% into everything; my relationship, work, home and study. I felt exhausted all the time.
To an outsider, my life was great. I was earning a good wage, I had a lovely flat and a good relationship. At 26, most would have said that I was successful, but I didn’t feel content with anything and continued to strive for more and more.
I felt as if I was on the verge of ‘burn out’. For the first time in my life, I didn’t have a plan. Not knowing what my next move was freaked me out and I decided that I needed to escape.
Why I Didn’t Choose a Spa and Wellness Holiday!
I started to scan the internet for Spa and Wellness Holidays and was gobsmacked by the prices. I just remember sending various emails requesting more information.
I got an email from Chrissy of the Life Change People, following a query that I had sent about a Women’s Holiday. I didn’t want to go anywhere where I would be too vulnerable, so the idea of a ‘women’s holiday’ felt comforting and safe. I was really nervous and sent Chrissy numerous emails asking loads of questions. She was wonderful and answered all of my queries with honesty and didn’t pressure me into ‘buying’ anything.
Tailor Made Holiday Option
I went for 10 nights. Chrissy signposted me to websites for cheap flights and threw in a couple of complimentary treats as it was going to be my birthday. The total of this holiday was more than I had ever spent on a holiday but I weighed this against the fact that I would spend this amount on clothes that I would never wear every year.
Without a doubt, the holiday was worth every penny that I spent.
The Life Change Program
It’s incredible, I found it emotional and enlightening.
I thought I would meet with Chrissy a few times and get some help with a plan. When I saw my itinerary and the 3 hour sessions, I thought “what am I going to talk about for 3 hours a day”. After the first couple of meetings, I realised how little time I had given to me, I discovered I was living a life of ‘doing and not being’. 3 hours went in a blink and I had PLENTY to talk about.
Chiang Mai Is Wonderful
The people are friendly, the local food is delicious, transport was easy and there are loads of places to see and things to do.
The Elephant Nature Park is an absolute MUST. I can’t even begin to describe the experience, but can guarantee that if you don’t like elephants you will leave loving them, and if you do like elephants this experience is a dream come true.
I loved every second of this holiday, the therapy is amazing, the women I met supportive, inspirational and real fun to be around, and the hotel staff and service are outstanding.
This Is How It Helped Me Change
I met so many inspiration people, but formed strong bonds with two women from the UK who I will keep in touch with.
My Life Change Holiday was part of my journey of self exploration and discovery. It helped me work out what was causing me to feel guilty, anxious and continually seek more opportunities for responsibility, even though my plate was over spilling.Being able to re-asses my beliefs and values was a powerful catalyst for change.
The Holiday You Take Home With You
I felt petrified of returning home. I knew I had changed and I feared how my boyfriend would respond to the ‘changed me’. I also feared that the changes wouldn’t stick and that I would just get back on the treadmill again.
Life Change Holidays offer 3 months online counselling. I felt a bit stupid emailing Chrissy the day after I arrived, but she responded swiftly and helped me work through my feelings using some of the techniques I learnt on holiday. A couple of days later, I felt as good as I had felt on holiday and began focusing on a positive future.
I can honestly say, this is how I feel the majority of the time.
I really do recommend this holiday to everyone.
One Year Later
Hi everyone, Claire here.
It’s a year since my Life Change Holiday in Chiang Mai. I really can’t believe how quickly it has gone.
I have been meaning to update you but somehow I have let the crazy pace of everyday life take over.
My life has changed so much in the past year I can’t believe it.
Although it doesn’t feel to me like I have made masses of progress on my Change Plan, I know I have…really. I’m certainly making great headway. I am having a baby in April (very excited!) which amazingly was part of my 2 year plan that I worked on with Chrissy in the gardens of the Puripunn (I think she really is magic, really I think she is). I have also started to really fine tune a few business ideas that I have that are also part of the plan. Although I know I will be incredibly busy with a new baby, being on maternity leave will slow down my pace which is something that I am working on and always struggle to do.
Having space and time to think is new for me. It’s the first time that I have ever really done this for more than a couple of hours apart from my time with Chrissy. I am certain that only positive things can come from ‘being still’.
A close friend likened my anxiety and impatience to a gardener who plants seeds and ends up re-digging the soil and up-rooting the seeds to discover how far they have grown.
Neither flowers nor I make good progress like this. I’m learning, at long last to keep still and to stop keep digging everything up all the time.
Chrissy, thank you so much for everything, I miss you VERY much but know I will see you again.xx.