[g_podcast id="8163086"]
Sandra Elsig has spent a lifetime dealing with the topics of nutrition, body image and self-image and shares her insights in this interview. Sandra firmly believes that recognizing her values has led to her finally shedding the pounds.
In our interview, we talk about:
Julia: So! I'm delighted to have Sandra with me. Welcome Sandra, to the podcast!
Sandra: Yes hello! I'm very happy too, dear Julia!
Julia: We already know each other personally, so it's especially nice to have you here in the interview now! And today's topic is, in the broadest sense, the topic of appreciation and what that perhaps has to do with nutrition. Would you like to tell us a bit about how the topic of nutrition came into your life and when it started to interest you?
Sandra: It was actually very early on when this topic came up for me. As a child, I already had too many pounds compared to the others, so it was an issue for me quite early on. The pediatrician also pointed out to my mother in a very unpleasant way that I had too many pounds and didn't conform to the norm, even though I was a very healthy child. I rarely had the flu and was always very healthy, apart from my weight. When I became a teenager, it became a burden at some point.
It was better as a child, but even then there were situations that bothered you.
But as a teenager, it was difficult when you were the only one in class and then you were teased.
From then on, especially during my apprenticeship, I remember that I went on my first diet. That was when the food combining diet came about, it was the first real diet I went on. It helped a lot! I had the feeling that it was the first step towards losing a few kilos and keeping them off. The topic of nutrition has shaped and accompanied me.
Julia: How did your mother react? Do you remember when the pediatrician said that? Did she then also try to change her diet?
Sandra: She was shocked at first. She didn't like the way he put it.
It was never really a problem for her in that sense. She always cooked for us, it wasn't as if we ate unhealthily. But sweets in particular were pretty tempting as a child! And later she supported me with my first diet during my apprenticeship.
She always struggled with her weight herself, she's not a slim woman either, but I don't think it was surprising for her, it wasn't really a problem for her. She always protected me!
Julia: Nice! And when you look back now from your current perspective, do you think that nutrition was really the problem back then, or were there perhaps other things where you say "In hindsight, I can understand it differently."
Sandra: When I look back now with all the knowledge I have in my backpack, I think I didn't think it was primarily the diet. I think it was more like a protection for me in many situations, which I realized later. This ring was like my protective shield and I think I often hid behind it.
I think that was a big part of the reason for this weight, because now I've also realized that when you face these issues later on, it also has an effective influence on your weight. I think there's a lot more to it than just diet or exercise. That's part of it, but I think it's more important to look at the whole "Why am I like this? And what does that do to me?".
Julia: And when in your life did you start to recognize these connections? How did it come about that at some point you said: "Ok, maybe diet alone isn't the point."?
Sandra: I think it only started 'quietly' in the last 10 years. I strongly realized that I was always fighting against my body somewhere and especially against my belly.
When our son was born, it was the first time I came to peace with my belly because it brought one of the most beautiful things in my life to earth!
Shortly before I got pregnant, I lost a lot of weight and was afraid during pregnancy that it would all come back. For the last 7 years in particular, I've been dealing with this issue intensively again - so I've also been fighting a battle again and longing for something that somehow doesn't work.
And it was only when I came to accept myself in the last few years, with self-love, and was more or less able to give up this battle - that my body somehow changed and then of course my diet too.
You become more mindful, you also understand what messages your body is sending you, what's good for you, what's not good for you. And I think it's like a whole circle. And only when it closes does something very lasting happen in the body. And for me, that was or is the big realization. That this acceptance - accepting yourself as you are - is the first step. Courage, so that this circle can close.
Julia: What has helped you? Everyone says you should love yourself as you are. That's a bit of a mantra that everyone goes around with. But how do you actually do that, or are there any things that have helped you to really experience and be able to live like this: "Yes, I actually accept myself as I am"?
Sandra: You can't avoid confrontation. When I was talking to a friend, we talked about my belly and later, when she was away, I took aselfie of my belly with my phone and that was an aha effect for me because my belly was much bigger in my head than it was in the selfie.
Or to bravely stand in front of the mirror later and be very loving with your body. There are so many beautiful things about yourself. And to say goodbye to certain clichés and let them go. Giving up the fight because it's a fight against yourself.
Another AHA effect for me was that I had wasted so much time for so many years with giving up and fighting this body. that made me very sad somewhere. and there was this wonderful movie "Embraced"*, which came at a good time for me. Of the women who have been so brave with their destinies, I think that really has a lot to do with it.
Or this look. What you should look like, to say goodbye to that to a certain extent, because we can't all conform to this norm and I don't want to either! I think that has a lot to do with it, I don't think you can just get up in the morning and say "from today onwards, I love myself the way I am!". it's a process. but I don't think you can avoid this confrontation.
Julia: Has the search for self-love also expressed itself in other areas of your life? Not just in relation to your body and diet.
Sandra: Yes, for example in your relationship, you notice it of course, because before you are always dependent and try to get a lot from outside, especially from your partner - that is of course the most intensely affected person. You always wallow somewhere in this external confirmation. At some point, you realize that you're not feeling well at all, but then you hope for confirmation from the outside.
That has also led to a lot of conflict, because you might not hear what you want to hear and it's difficult for a man anyway if they are supposed to/may judge this issue.
Since I've been in this state of satisfaction, it has had a very positive effect on our partnership. You give yourself differently and you show yourself differently and you always give yourself confirmation and no longer look for it from outside.
I think this also has an effect on your job, on the things you do. It has an effect everywhere, because this self-love gives you general support so that you can do more and more in other areas what you want to do and also show yourself courageously with these ideas and visions and things that you create, where you may have shown yourself less in the past or, of course, evaluated them. I think that has an effect everywhere. It also has an effect on raising children; you teach your son that self-love and self-acceptance are incredibly important.
Julia: Exactly, I think so too. And I also think it has to do with self-love. Professionally, for example, or in terms of my talents. When I can express what is actually lying dormant inside me. And I've also observed a bit of what you do. You've already made quite a change, from the original HR area to what you're doing now. Would you like to tell us a bit about how this change has taken place?
Sandra: I think I enjoyed doing a lot of things in HR back then too, but I was always dissatisfied. Something was always missing, just like with my body. And at some point I had the courage to ask myself the question "Yes, what am I missing, what is this piece of the puzzle?".
In my case, I felt it very strongly at the time. I realized that creativity had been neglected all these years and that I had to start with the Hearty Heroes I found a way to draw and illustrate without having planned to do so and that I've actually experienced huge growth and have now acquired a skill that is wonderful.
And it was at this point that I realized that'they were a part of me now', that they are like me, but there's a lot more that wants to come out and that I now realize that I can do a lot more with this potential, that the Hearty Heroes will continue to accompany me. But for me, it's more about showing myself with all these experiences and I opened the Wertemanufaktur with the belief that I want to encourage individuals and companies plus employees much more to really recognize and live their own values.
This leads you to this wonderful essence of yourself and opens doors that you weren't even aware of before. I am convinced that every person and every company has an incredibly big thing inside them that can have a very positive impact. I would like to devote more time to this in the future - bringing people closer to their best. Then a lot of wonderful things can happen!
Julia: You said yourself that this preoccupation with values has helped you lose weight. So something that you might do on the inside then shows on the outside?
Sandra: I'm firmly convinced of that because I believe that values can change. I also realized that I had a lot of values that weren't mine. Precisely because I was looking so hard for external confirmation, I naturally acquired values over the years that didn't correspond to me at all.
Julia: Can you give an example?
Sandra: Yes, in a professional context, this typical career path because I had the feeling that I had to be so and so successful and do these things so that others would finally notice me, or because it meant "She's making a career now. She's in this company now. And now she's already head of HR and now she's going even further!".
That was a path that I consciously chose to a certain extent, but I realized that I wanted to do a lot of other things.
And art in particular, which has a very negative connotation because people always say that no one can make a living from art. It's not something that gets you through life. And then to realize "But I do. I want to make my own art!". Or to have the courage to say "I'm going to start my own business and create my own ideas."
I was brought up very differently. I had completely different values. The value of"security" was a huge issue. Letting go of this value to a certain extent and saying: "But I don't want security myself, I want Risk, because that brings me to my full potential." This comparison of values and then critically asking yourself the question "Are these my values, or are they values that I have acquired over the years?" That's a first step.
But also the value of beauty. Definition of beauty - I always use the example of my hair. I used to have really long curly hair, the way men like it, and at some point I decided to cut my hair.
I'm so happy with my short hair. And that's what my body wants too. It will never look like a model, but I've come to terms with my body. I'm happy, I can wear what I want and what makes me happy and somehow I've got a shape that makes me feel good every day.
I think it has a lot to do with your attitude towards yourself and this acceptance. The basis, this "garden" for me are these values, that we know this garden well and take care of it.
Julia: How do you find your values, or how do you recognize values that are no longer true?
Sandra: I think the first step is to be aware of what values are in the first place?
There are lots of examples that can inspire you. And then really take the time to write down what your values are. But perhaps also to look at values that somehow do something to you - that perhaps provoke you or encourage you to take up these values and become aware of them in a first step.
In a second step, really believe the individual values and then ask yourself the question"Where do I live these values?" and then usually also realize in this question, "But these are values that have arisen through the relationship, or they are values that I have acquired in my job in order to somehow survive in this construct." A lot of reflection then takes place and it also requires a lot of honesty.
And of course I provide support or give impulses or questions that help you to reflect.
Julia: Well, I once did an exercise where there was a list of no more than 150 values and then you had to read through it. I think that helps, because often at first you think "What is a value?" You mentioned values earlier, such as security, creativity, freedom or risk.
You just have to find a list or words that you like and start quietly. I think you're also a fan of coloring things in or picking up a pen. My teacher always said "if you put the pen on the paper, the heart channel opens up". So I think there's a lot to it, that everyone really writes things down by hand or circles words, groups them together, etc. And in the exercise I did, we had to choose 10 values from this whole list and then the instructor said "Now you have to give one of these 10 back to me. You can't keep it." Then I thought about which one I could most easily do without and then he said: "And now you have to give me the next value". That was a really exciting exercise where you then realized "Ok, I've collected the 10 most important values and now I have to give some back. Which ones do I still have at the end?". And what I also found interesting was that at the end, for example, certain values were missing that are actually really important to me. So it's not like "I'm going to sit down for 5 minutes and then I've got this". Instead, I think it's a process that can probably even take years in some circumstances, where you suddenly rediscover "Oh no, I've forgotten a value!".
Sandra: That's true. And I think knowing your values and being aware of them is like having your own compass.
Values can also be helpful when it comes to making decisions; at work, in your private life. But it can also be interesting to reflect on your free time. Especially nowadays, when people tend to have less free time to consciously think about it.
I also do this in workshops, for example, where we only focus on the topic of free time, making us aware of our values and then breaking this down to what does this actively mean? And to think about "How do I plan my free time? And do I plan it with things that give me something back?"
That's so important, it gives us energy again at work, in everyday life or whatever. You can also really start with an area of your life where you perhaps realize "I'm not happy with this". Sometimes this then has an effect on other areas. It can be exciting to start with one area of your life.
Julia: Yes, we do that in the Gut Happiness course too. I want to be healthy, have more energy etc. and it's also very important to define "Why do I want this?" at the beginning. Of course, it helps if you know your values - I can definitely see that this is valuable. Then the whole thing is also much more sustainable, so if I know why I'm doing it and for what values, then the topic of health and nutrition takes on a completely different meaning. The motivation also increases.
Sandra: I had a values workshop last week and I include the topic of health as an area.
And it is precisely in this area that people so often report back "Health - that's something that should actually be good again". And people find it very difficult to write down values on the subject of health. And at the same time, we realized in the workshop that if you're not healthy, it shakes up your entire value system. If you're not healthy, you can't hold your own in all other areas.
That was incredibly exciting, I noticed it again and again, it came up almost every time now. And also to think about nutrition and health. And then "What is important to me? What is valuable to me?" Again, I think that if you have the courage to connect with your body, you're much more aware when you eat something and realize afterwards that it wasn't good for you and don't drive yourself crazy and question "Why did you eat that again, it's not good for you", but rather "Okay, now I've learned something about myself again. Next time I'd better leave it out".
You can become aware of what is important to you in every area. Health is a infinitely important area.
Julia: So I think it's a crucial and central area. Most people actually know this, but they don't want to admit it because it involves work or a certain amount of effort. I think it's great that you saw this so clearly in the workshops, because I'm actually convinced that if we're not healthy, we can't live our lives the way we'd actually like to. Anyone who has ever woken up in the morning with a headache, or back pain, or whatever the problem is, knows that you can't organize your day the way you want to. It holds us back. It slows us down in our expression. You demonstrated this beautifully with your story when you said "Yes, I had that too". Your body held you back, it was a protection for you, but maybe it wasn't your true side.
Sandra: It also holds you back. I think this topic of health or the body is like a beacon for me and if something is wrong somewhere, it gives us signals and we often find these signals in our life circumstances.
At work, in a relationship or whatever and that you really take these signals seriously.
And for me, it can often be an impulse to really have a conversation with yourself, or to get help, whatever it may be. Because the body gives signals that something is wrong. And to face up to this "What's wrong in my life right now? Something is stuck." And that you consciously choose to do this when you get these signals.
I also try very hard to do this, because I think that if something is wrong, then there is something somewhere, or my body is trying to tell me something.
Julia: The body also just wants to be taken seriously. It just wants to be guided and looked at. That also has to do with appreciation, and if you act accordingly, things can change for the better relatively quickly.
Sandra: Yes, that makes sense. Or just this topic of leisure time, where I often observe that people do things - again, more out of a sense of achievement. Not everyone recovers by jogging, but for some it's very valuable and they find fulfillment there. For many, it's just not the right vessel.
And then to recognize that because your body might ache while jogging and to say to yourself "I want to devote myself to it again and analyze it".
What are things that I can really do for myself, where I can recover? It always comes full circle when you become aware of this and then it also has a positive effect on your health. I'm convinced of that.
Julia: I'm convinced of that too. Everything has an interaction and no matter where you approach it from, it doesn't really matter. You can choose to start from your values, but you can also choose to start from your diet and in the end the result is always the same. There are a few starting points where it is easiest to take action and also easiest to achieve results. We can't stay out of any of these aspects because I believe that we are personally fulfilled and can live our mission. That is why we are here. That's why we're in the world and I think how we approach it and whether we first say "I'm going to get the body back on track." For me, the body is already a bit the Basis, like the vehicle that drives us through life, so to speak. and if it doesn't drive, then it doesn't drive. then I can't experience the things I want to experience. And that's the approach of gut happiness. That you have the whole world open to you through your body, so to speak. But I also like how you say that you've noticed that when you start to deal with things like your own values or self-esteem, it works just as well from there. And that it has an impact on all areas of life.
Sandra: I think it's important to have the courage to stand up and look at things and ultimately, no matter what perspective or topic you start with, I think it's just important to take it seriously. To take yourself seriously. And what's also important - I also promote this with my value factory: that people take much more responsibility for themselves again and don't leave it in other hands or to the outside world and really take themselves seriously with the signals, with the emotions, everything that comes up.
And to find a way of approaching things. That just takes courage. Sometimes the consequence can be that you are allowed to let go of something or face up to some kind of change. But there is always an opportunity in that. I think the foundation is having the courage to face situations.
Julia: What's it like when someone says "Oh, that sounds exciting. I want to get to know my values too."I assume the best place to go is your website, or how do you get the information?
Sandra: Yes, there is certainly some information on the www.wertemanufaktur.com website . I also have regular events that I publish there. These are sometimes previous days, but they are also workshops that I will be giving on individual topics in the future. They are always up to date on the website.
Or you can work with me 1:1, you can simply contact me via the website. Of course, I look at the situation individually and there are some great options for working with the values.
Julia: Great! Thank you very much for the lovely conversation. And I hope that lots of people will also visit your website and take a look at the Hearty Heroes, because they really do touch the heart, they are the ambassadors. Is there anything we have forgotten to mention or anything you would like to pass on to the listeners?
Sandra: Yes, this topic of courage. To be really courageous about these topics or, in connection with the body, to be courageous in front of the mirror and focus more on the beautiful parts. But also to appreciate and mentally embrace the parts that you don't like so much and to focus on what's best about yourself.
And everyone has their own treasure chest. If we no longer stand in its way and it can open up, everyone has huge potential that needs to be discovered. That's what I wish for everyone listening now. That they find the key to their own treasure chest.
Julia: That's a very, very nice closing word. Many, many thanks for the great conversation. Ilook forward to staying in touch.
Sandra: With pleasure! Thank you very much! Bye Julia!!!
Do you feel like I did a few months ago, wondering what your values actually are? I've been looking into it for a while now and for me, important values are definitely abundance, freedom and self-expression.
If you would also like to look into your values, then I have good news - Sandra will be offering a values workshop with me in my Darmglück online course, including a live Q&A call. If you are planning to join the Darmglück course, you will definitely get this workshop as a bonus. You can find out more about the Darmglück course at www.gruber-ernaehrung.ch/darmglueck
I look forward to hearing from you again for the next Darmglück podcast episode!
Now I recommend that you subscribe to the podcast so that you don't miss an episode, and if you like what you hear, I would really appreciate a review on iTunes or Apple Podcast. Because these reviews also help other people find the podcast so we can spread the knowledge about gut and health more.
Sandra Elsig has spent a lifetime dealing with the topics of nutrition, body image and self-image and shares her insights in this interview. Sandra firmly believes that recognizing her values has led to her finally shedding the pounds.
In our interview, we talk about:
- How Sandra experienced being an overweight child and teenager
- Sandra's journey to recognizing the causes of her obesity
- Specific tips for reconciling with herself
- How Sandra experienced her career transition from HR to coaching and illustration
- How important it is to recognize your own values, both for individuals and companies
- The path to your values
- And: why health is an essential part of the topic of values
Julia: So! I'm delighted to have Sandra with me. Welcome Sandra, to the podcast!
Sandra: Yes hello! I'm very happy too, dear Julia!
Overweight as a child and teenager
Julia: We already know each other personally, so it's especially nice to have you here in the interview now! And today's topic is, in the broadest sense, the topic of appreciation and what that perhaps has to do with nutrition. Would you like to tell us a bit about how the topic of nutrition came into your life and when it started to interest you?
Sandra: It was actually very early on when this topic came up for me. As a child, I already had too many pounds compared to the others, so it was an issue for me quite early on. The pediatrician also pointed out to my mother in a very unpleasant way that I had too many pounds and didn't conform to the norm, even though I was a very healthy child. I rarely had the flu and was always very healthy, apart from my weight. When I became a teenager, it became a burden at some point.
It was better as a child, but even then there were situations that bothered you.
But as a teenager, it was difficult when you were the only one in class and then you were teased.
From then on, especially during my apprenticeship, I remember that I went on my first diet. That was when the food combining diet came about, it was the first real diet I went on. It helped a lot! I had the feeling that it was the first step towards losing a few kilos and keeping them off. The topic of nutrition has shaped and accompanied me.
Julia: How did your mother react? Do you remember when the pediatrician said that? Did she then also try to change her diet?
Sandra: She was shocked at first. She didn't like the way he put it.
It was never really a problem for her in that sense. She always cooked for us, it wasn't as if we ate unhealthily. But sweets in particular were pretty tempting as a child! And later she supported me with my first diet during my apprenticeship.
She always struggled with her weight herself, she's not a slim woman either, but I don't think it was surprising for her, it wasn't really a problem for her. She always protected me!
Julia: Nice! And when you look back now from your current perspective, do you think that nutrition was really the problem back then, or were there perhaps other things where you say "In hindsight, I can understand it differently."
Sandra: When I look back now with all the knowledge I have in my backpack, I think I didn't think it was primarily the diet. I think it was more like a protection for me in many situations, which I realized later. This ring was like my protective shield and I think I often hid behind it.
I think that was a big part of the reason for this weight, because now I've also realized that when you face these issues later on, it also has an effective influence on your weight. I think there's a lot more to it than just diet or exercise. That's part of it, but I think it's more important to look at the whole "Why am I like this? And what does that do to me?".
The fight against the body
Julia: And when in your life did you start to recognize these connections? How did it come about that at some point you said: "Ok, maybe diet alone isn't the point."?
Sandra: I think it only started 'quietly' in the last 10 years. I strongly realized that I was always fighting against my body somewhere and especially against my belly.
When our son was born, it was the first time I came to peace with my belly because it brought one of the most beautiful things in my life to earth!
Shortly before I got pregnant, I lost a lot of weight and was afraid during pregnancy that it would all come back. For the last 7 years in particular, I've been dealing with this issue intensively again - so I've also been fighting a battle again and longing for something that somehow doesn't work.
And it was only when I came to accept myself in the last few years, with self-love, and was more or less able to give up this battle - that my body somehow changed and then of course my diet too.
You become more mindful, you also understand what messages your body is sending you, what's good for you, what's not good for you. And I think it's like a whole circle. And only when it closes does something very lasting happen in the body. And for me, that was or is the big realization. That this acceptance - accepting yourself as you are - is the first step. Courage, so that this circle can close.
Confrontation is necessary
Julia: What has helped you? Everyone says you should love yourself as you are. That's a bit of a mantra that everyone goes around with. But how do you actually do that, or are there any things that have helped you to really experience and be able to live like this: "Yes, I actually accept myself as I am"?
Sandra: You can't avoid confrontation. When I was talking to a friend, we talked about my belly and later, when she was away, I took aselfie of my belly with my phone and that was an aha effect for me because my belly was much bigger in my head than it was in the selfie.
Or to bravely stand in front of the mirror later and be very loving with your body. There are so many beautiful things about yourself. And to say goodbye to certain clichés and let them go. Giving up the fight because it's a fight against yourself.
Another AHA effect for me was that I had wasted so much time for so many years with giving up and fighting this body. that made me very sad somewhere. and there was this wonderful movie "Embraced"*, which came at a good time for me. Of the women who have been so brave with their destinies, I think that really has a lot to do with it.
Or this look. What you should look like, to say goodbye to that to a certain extent, because we can't all conform to this norm and I don't want to either! I think that has a lot to do with it, I don't think you can just get up in the morning and say "from today onwards, I love myself the way I am!". it's a process. but I don't think you can avoid this confrontation.
Which areas of life change through self-love
Julia: Has the search for self-love also expressed itself in other areas of your life? Not just in relation to your body and diet.
Sandra: Yes, for example in your relationship, you notice it of course, because before you are always dependent and try to get a lot from outside, especially from your partner - that is of course the most intensely affected person. You always wallow somewhere in this external confirmation. At some point, you realize that you're not feeling well at all, but then you hope for confirmation from the outside.
That has also led to a lot of conflict, because you might not hear what you want to hear and it's difficult for a man anyway if they are supposed to/may judge this issue.
Since I've been in this state of satisfaction, it has had a very positive effect on our partnership. You give yourself differently and you show yourself differently and you always give yourself confirmation and no longer look for it from outside.
I think this also has an effect on your job, on the things you do. It has an effect everywhere, because this self-love gives you general support so that you can do more and more in other areas what you want to do and also show yourself courageously with these ideas and visions and things that you create, where you may have shown yourself less in the past or, of course, evaluated them. I think that has an effect everywhere. It also has an effect on raising children; you teach your son that self-love and self-acceptance are incredibly important.
Sandra's self-love has also brought about a professional change
Julia: Exactly, I think so too. And I also think it has to do with self-love. Professionally, for example, or in terms of my talents. When I can express what is actually lying dormant inside me. And I've also observed a bit of what you do. You've already made quite a change, from the original HR area to what you're doing now. Would you like to tell us a bit about how this change has taken place?
Sandra: I think I enjoyed doing a lot of things in HR back then too, but I was always dissatisfied. Something was always missing, just like with my body. And at some point I had the courage to ask myself the question "Yes, what am I missing, what is this piece of the puzzle?".
In my case, I felt it very strongly at the time. I realized that creativity had been neglected all these years and that I had to start with the Hearty Heroes I found a way to draw and illustrate without having planned to do so and that I've actually experienced huge growth and have now acquired a skill that is wonderful.
And it was at this point that I realized that'they were a part of me now', that they are like me, but there's a lot more that wants to come out and that I now realize that I can do a lot more with this potential, that the Hearty Heroes will continue to accompany me. But for me, it's more about showing myself with all these experiences and I opened the Wertemanufaktur with the belief that I want to encourage individuals and companies plus employees much more to really recognize and live their own values.
This leads you to this wonderful essence of yourself and opens doors that you weren't even aware of before. I am convinced that every person and every company has an incredibly big thing inside them that can have a very positive impact. I would like to devote more time to this in the future - bringing people closer to their best. Then a lot of wonderful things can happen!
Your own values or those of others?
Julia: You said yourself that this preoccupation with values has helped you lose weight. So something that you might do on the inside then shows on the outside?
Sandra: I'm firmly convinced of that because I believe that values can change. I also realized that I had a lot of values that weren't mine. Precisely because I was looking so hard for external confirmation, I naturally acquired values over the years that didn't correspond to me at all.
Julia: Can you give an example?
Sandra: Yes, in a professional context, this typical career path because I had the feeling that I had to be so and so successful and do these things so that others would finally notice me, or because it meant "She's making a career now. She's in this company now. And now she's already head of HR and now she's going even further!".
That was a path that I consciously chose to a certain extent, but I realized that I wanted to do a lot of other things.
And art in particular, which has a very negative connotation because people always say that no one can make a living from art. It's not something that gets you through life. And then to realize "But I do. I want to make my own art!". Or to have the courage to say "I'm going to start my own business and create my own ideas."
I was brought up very differently. I had completely different values. The value of"security" was a huge issue. Letting go of this value to a certain extent and saying: "But I don't want security myself, I want Risk, because that brings me to my full potential." This comparison of values and then critically asking yourself the question "Are these my values, or are they values that I have acquired over the years?" That's a first step.
But also the value of beauty. Definition of beauty - I always use the example of my hair. I used to have really long curly hair, the way men like it, and at some point I decided to cut my hair.
I'm so happy with my short hair. And that's what my body wants too. It will never look like a model, but I've come to terms with my body. I'm happy, I can wear what I want and what makes me happy and somehow I've got a shape that makes me feel good every day.
I think it has a lot to do with your attitude towards yourself and this acceptance. The basis, this "garden" for me are these values, that we know this garden well and take care of it.
How you find your values
Julia: How do you find your values, or how do you recognize values that are no longer true?
Sandra: I think the first step is to be aware of what values are in the first place?
There are lots of examples that can inspire you. And then really take the time to write down what your values are. But perhaps also to look at values that somehow do something to you - that perhaps provoke you or encourage you to take up these values and become aware of them in a first step.
In a second step, really believe the individual values and then ask yourself the question"Where do I live these values?" and then usually also realize in this question, "But these are values that have arisen through the relationship, or they are values that I have acquired in my job in order to somehow survive in this construct." A lot of reflection then takes place and it also requires a lot of honesty.
And of course I provide support or give impulses or questions that help you to reflect.
Julia: Well, I once did an exercise where there was a list of no more than 150 values and then you had to read through it. I think that helps, because often at first you think "What is a value?" You mentioned values earlier, such as security, creativity, freedom or risk.
You just have to find a list or words that you like and start quietly. I think you're also a fan of coloring things in or picking up a pen. My teacher always said "if you put the pen on the paper, the heart channel opens up". So I think there's a lot to it, that everyone really writes things down by hand or circles words, groups them together, etc. And in the exercise I did, we had to choose 10 values from this whole list and then the instructor said "Now you have to give one of these 10 back to me. You can't keep it." Then I thought about which one I could most easily do without and then he said: "And now you have to give me the next value". That was a really exciting exercise where you then realized "Ok, I've collected the 10 most important values and now I have to give some back. Which ones do I still have at the end?". And what I also found interesting was that at the end, for example, certain values were missing that are actually really important to me. So it's not like "I'm going to sit down for 5 minutes and then I've got this". Instead, I think it's a process that can probably even take years in some circumstances, where you suddenly rediscover "Oh no, I've forgotten a value!".
Sandra: That's true. And I think knowing your values and being aware of them is like having your own compass.
Values can also be helpful when it comes to making decisions; at work, in your private life. But it can also be interesting to reflect on your free time. Especially nowadays, when people tend to have less free time to consciously think about it.
I also do this in workshops, for example, where we only focus on the topic of free time, making us aware of our values and then breaking this down to what does this actively mean? And to think about "How do I plan my free time? And do I plan it with things that give me something back?"
That's so important, it gives us energy again at work, in everyday life or whatever. You can also really start with an area of your life where you perhaps realize "I'm not happy with this". Sometimes this then has an effect on other areas. It can be exciting to start with one area of your life.
Why health is an essential part of your values
Julia: Yes, we do that in the Gut Happiness course too. I want to be healthy, have more energy etc. and it's also very important to define "Why do I want this?" at the beginning. Of course, it helps if you know your values - I can definitely see that this is valuable. Then the whole thing is also much more sustainable, so if I know why I'm doing it and for what values, then the topic of health and nutrition takes on a completely different meaning. The motivation also increases.
Sandra: I had a values workshop last week and I include the topic of health as an area.
And it is precisely in this area that people so often report back "Health - that's something that should actually be good again". And people find it very difficult to write down values on the subject of health. And at the same time, we realized in the workshop that if you're not healthy, it shakes up your entire value system. If you're not healthy, you can't hold your own in all other areas.
That was incredibly exciting, I noticed it again and again, it came up almost every time now. And also to think about nutrition and health. And then "What is important to me? What is valuable to me?" Again, I think that if you have the courage to connect with your body, you're much more aware when you eat something and realize afterwards that it wasn't good for you and don't drive yourself crazy and question "Why did you eat that again, it's not good for you", but rather "Okay, now I've learned something about myself again. Next time I'd better leave it out".
You can become aware of what is important to you in every area. Health is a infinitely important area.
The body gives signals, like a lighthouse
Julia: So I think it's a crucial and central area. Most people actually know this, but they don't want to admit it because it involves work or a certain amount of effort. I think it's great that you saw this so clearly in the workshops, because I'm actually convinced that if we're not healthy, we can't live our lives the way we'd actually like to. Anyone who has ever woken up in the morning with a headache, or back pain, or whatever the problem is, knows that you can't organize your day the way you want to. It holds us back. It slows us down in our expression. You demonstrated this beautifully with your story when you said "Yes, I had that too". Your body held you back, it was a protection for you, but maybe it wasn't your true side.
Sandra: It also holds you back. I think this topic of health or the body is like a beacon for me and if something is wrong somewhere, it gives us signals and we often find these signals in our life circumstances.
At work, in a relationship or whatever and that you really take these signals seriously.
And for me, it can often be an impulse to really have a conversation with yourself, or to get help, whatever it may be. Because the body gives signals that something is wrong. And to face up to this "What's wrong in my life right now? Something is stuck." And that you consciously choose to do this when you get these signals.
I also try very hard to do this, because I think that if something is wrong, then there is something somewhere, or my body is trying to tell me something.
Julia: The body also just wants to be taken seriously. It just wants to be guided and looked at. That also has to do with appreciation, and if you act accordingly, things can change for the better relatively quickly.
Sandra: Yes, that makes sense. Or just this topic of leisure time, where I often observe that people do things - again, more out of a sense of achievement. Not everyone recovers by jogging, but for some it's very valuable and they find fulfillment there. For many, it's just not the right vessel.
And then to recognize that because your body might ache while jogging and to say to yourself "I want to devote myself to it again and analyze it".
What are things that I can really do for myself, where I can recover? It always comes full circle when you become aware of this and then it also has a positive effect on your health. I'm convinced of that.
Julia: I'm convinced of that too. Everything has an interaction and no matter where you approach it from, it doesn't really matter. You can choose to start from your values, but you can also choose to start from your diet and in the end the result is always the same. There are a few starting points where it is easiest to take action and also easiest to achieve results. We can't stay out of any of these aspects because I believe that we are personally fulfilled and can live our mission. That is why we are here. That's why we're in the world and I think how we approach it and whether we first say "I'm going to get the body back on track." For me, the body is already a bit the Basis, like the vehicle that drives us through life, so to speak. and if it doesn't drive, then it doesn't drive. then I can't experience the things I want to experience. And that's the approach of gut happiness. That you have the whole world open to you through your body, so to speak. But I also like how you say that you've noticed that when you start to deal with things like your own values or self-esteem, it works just as well from there. And that it has an impact on all areas of life.
Sandra: I think it's important to have the courage to stand up and look at things and ultimately, no matter what perspective or topic you start with, I think it's just important to take it seriously. To take yourself seriously. And what's also important - I also promote this with my value factory: that people take much more responsibility for themselves again and don't leave it in other hands or to the outside world and really take themselves seriously with the signals, with the emotions, everything that comes up.
And to find a way of approaching things. That just takes courage. Sometimes the consequence can be that you are allowed to let go of something or face up to some kind of change. But there is always an opportunity in that. I think the foundation is having the courage to face situations.
Julia: What's it like when someone says "Oh, that sounds exciting. I want to get to know my values too."I assume the best place to go is your website, or how do you get the information?
Sandra: Yes, there is certainly some information on the www.wertemanufaktur.com website . I also have regular events that I publish there. These are sometimes previous days, but they are also workshops that I will be giving on individual topics in the future. They are always up to date on the website.
Or you can work with me 1:1, you can simply contact me via the website. Of course, I look at the situation individually and there are some great options for working with the values.
Julia: Great! Thank you very much for the lovely conversation. And I hope that lots of people will also visit your website and take a look at the Hearty Heroes, because they really do touch the heart, they are the ambassadors. Is there anything we have forgotten to mention or anything you would like to pass on to the listeners?
Sandra: Yes, this topic of courage. To be really courageous about these topics or, in connection with the body, to be courageous in front of the mirror and focus more on the beautiful parts. But also to appreciate and mentally embrace the parts that you don't like so much and to focus on what's best about yourself.
And everyone has their own treasure chest. If we no longer stand in its way and it can open up, everyone has huge potential that needs to be discovered. That's what I wish for everyone listening now. That they find the key to their own treasure chest.
Julia: That's a very, very nice closing word. Many, many thanks for the great conversation. Ilook forward to staying in touch.
Sandra: With pleasure! Thank you very much! Bye Julia!!!
Do you feel like I did a few months ago, wondering what your values actually are? I've been looking into it for a while now and for me, important values are definitely abundance, freedom and self-expression.
If you would also like to look into your values, then I have good news - Sandra will be offering a values workshop with me in my Darmglück online course, including a live Q&A call. If you are planning to join the Darmglück course, you will definitely get this workshop as a bonus. You can find out more about the Darmglück course at www.gruber-ernaehrung.ch/darmglueck
I look forward to hearing from you again for the next Darmglück podcast episode!
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