Alison Butler Consulting

Part of my journey is sharing other people’s journeys. Today on the blog meet @blair.matthw - he shares his brain journey with concussion symptoms and focuses on the ups and downs of recovery + inspiration to stretch yourself toward things that feel hard/challenging. It’s a great story - go check it out on the blog! #mentalwellbeing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthjourney #mentalhealthstories #concussionrecovery #concussionwarriors #canadianblogger #journeytowellness #yyt #709

We are kicking off 2021 with inspiration in my latest blog post! Read Lea's inspiring story and her journey to creating Gentle Yoga With Lea. I love sharing stories of how other support their own mental wellbeing and the start of a new year is the perfect time to feel like we all have a place for our own wellness, and are welcomed with open arms. ... Read Lea's story on the blog here: https://www.alisonbutler.ca//wellbeing-with-lea-coultas-ge

This is so incredible - I’m truly inspired by the importance so many people are seeing in attending Mental Health First Aid training and that you feel connected to me and trust me to be the one to deliver this training to you. Someone recently told me it feels like you were meant to do this - I feel that way, but the fact that others see, validate and acknowledge the same is the most wonderful feedback I could ever receive! Grateful beyond words #mentalhealthtraining #mentalhealthcanada #atlanticcanada #workplacewellness #mentalhealthfirstaid #yyt #709 #newfoundland #novascotia

This is Christmas Day. Last year we had a snowstorm, this year a green Christmas. Once the kids were busy with their new things, I got out for a walk. You might already know, but I’ve been taking exercise more seriously during the month of December. I’ve been doing my workouts regularly and I already feel stronger (I noticed it today). One of my promises to you is that I will share a really honest look at mental wellbeing.... I talk a lot in my online course on mental wellbeing about the importance of an accountability partner to really be able to succeed at a lot of my own practices. I did get out for this walk, and it was lovely. But a lot of distractions get in the way throughout the process. I didn’t feel like I’d had enough water so I wanted to have another drink before I left. My son asked me to help him build his LEGO, so I sat down on the floor to help him (while drinking my water). I had to go look for my hoodie, which I couldn’t actually find, so I wore the one you see in the picture! Up and down over the stairs, back and forth. It’s never as simple as is seems. It’s so easy to get distracted or think it’s easier to wait for later. It WOULD be easy for me to post this picture and say look at me and my awesome walk today! But that’s not the truth and that’s not how I roll. I know that the moving and the fresh air is so important for my wellbeing so I keep working on getting myself out there and I hope you do too! Happy December 25! #wellbeing #mymentalhealthjourney #canadianmom #mompreneur #canadiansmallbusiness #getoutside #20minutesoutside #goodr

A few months ago I hung out with on Out of The Fog to talk about #mentalhealth - I just put that episode on the blog (link in profile). Lots of amazing things have happened in the past few months, including the full launch of #mentalhealthfirstaid virtual training, which I absolutely love delivering online to groups throughout Canada. There have been a lot of negatives connected to our COVID-19 world but the increased availability to deliver this training to you, no matter W...HERE you are, without having to travel is a huge PLUS in my books! #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #yyt #709 #outofthefog #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthtraining #mentalhealthsupport #smallbusinesscanada

Huge congrats to Roseanne, Margo, Danny and Wanda from CBDC for completing their 2 day Mental Health First Aid certification training over the past 2 days - so wonderful to have you in the class. This training is key for those working directly with business owners because a significantly higher % of business owners experience mental health challenges. Atlantic Association of CBDCs CBDC Trinity Conception NL Association of CBDCs... CBDC Cabot See more

Are you ready for this?? Mark your calendar for October 14th Ill be launching a brand new self-paced online course on mental health & wellbeing specifically for founders, business owners& entrepreneurs. ... Did you know that business owners have a significantly higher chance of experiencing mental health challenges? Do you have the tools and resources you need to support yourself and your business? I didnt? My symptoms came seemingly out of nowhere and blindsided me. Once I was in a better place, I knew I wanted to support other business owners learn and understand more about their own health & wellbeing. This isnt just any other online course - theres a lot of personal storytelling, real talk about mental health, valuable resources and practical skills Think this doesnt apply to you? I didnt either, that why Im so passionate about bringing this training right to you. Dont want to miss out on the launch, virtual launch party and other fun surprises? Join the list and watch for email updates coming soon!

If youre anything like me, you hold a lot of tension in your neck and shoulders! Heres the yoga practice Im about to do - thought you might want to try it too! https://youtu.be/JUP_YdYyfQw

Prepping for a mental health first aid training course on Monday! Its a honor and a privilege to be a certified instructor and I look forward to having you in a future class!

So many of us focus on our bodies, but not our brains, even though its an extremely important part of our physical body. For anyone who has experienced mental health challenges, including myself KNOW is this: When our brains arent working well, WE dont work well. ... Are you paying attention to your #mentalwellness and #mentalwellbeing or are you overcommitted, overextended, stressed and never finding enough time in the day to get everything done? My work with business owners, entrepreneurs, founders, and workplace teams brings forward the importance of #mentalhealthawareness for all of us. We all need to be more aware of how we are treating our mind. Are you on the list for the BIG virtual launch coming up next month? If not, get yourself there because its going to be a TIME! #yyt #709 #businesssupportingbusiness #canadiansmallbusiness #womenowned #womenownedbusiness #weconnectinternational #smallbusinessmom #businessfounder #smallbusinesssupport #startupsuccess #startupcommunity

One day at a time. One foot in front of the other. I never thought I would say this but .....the morning routine is getting easier. Keep in mind, Ive been having good days and I tend to post more on good days - for motivation and inspiration. I want to try to post more on the meh days too, just to keep everything in perspective.... This morning the air had that perfect Fall crispness. September always feels like starting a new year for me, do you agree?

For whoever needs this today A couple of days ago I wrote about my daily walk and how I got out there and did it even though nothing about it felt great. A few days can make a huge difference. WHY? I dont always have the answer to that but today was a good one - I felt strong, walked with purpose and felt good. I celebrate the good ones, and keep moving through the less than good ones. Nothing ever stays the same. ... Be in the moment wherever you are today. Be kind to yourself. . #yyt #709 #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthblogger #mentalhealthjourney #canadianmom #femalefounder #anxietysupport #depressionsupport #supportingbusinessowners

Real vs. hopeful Im trying to find a space here in these squares thats somewhere in between. Ive spent 3 years doing a LOT of work on my depression/anxiety, mindset, attitude, routines and everything in between. Plus my medication. So. That leaves me in a much better place than when I started... and I want to share #hope here. Things can be better for you too. But also. Its really not perfect friends. here I am right now. I didnt sleep well last night, which is not a good start for me. Sleep is fundamental to my daily life and (side note: if you arent sleeping well, please put as many resources as possible into figuring that out, its such an important part of our health). My 3 alarms went off and it took everything I had to get out of bed. Ive committed to having a BETTER morning - for me. It felt like it took forever, but I got changed and went out for a walk. Some mornings these walks are full of energetic thoughts and ideas. Not today. Today was one foot in front of the other. Heavy legs. Cloudy brain. But I was out there. I was moving my body, breathing the air And I KNOW my day was better because of it. I still have a headache but Ive shown up for this day as best I can (like we all do). So I guess what Im trying to say is: meet yourself where you are. In no way shape or form is this always fun & joyful. Im committed to being a better version of myself and Im trying to show up for that. It dont feel AMAZING every day. I have good days and bad days and I tend to post less on the bad days because Im just mucking through it. Heres my promise to you. Im going to try to show you my real self but Im also going to share hope and encouragement - here on IG and also in my training courses. So glad to have you along on the journey. -Alison #mentalhealthjourney #mentalhealthblogger #mymentalhealth #canadianmom #wopreneur #smallbusinessmom #yyt #709 #mompreneur #smallbusinessowners

I wrote this rock as a reminder to myself last night. Because deep down, if we connect and trust, we KNOW. I KNEW I didnt feel right I KNEW something was off Knowing allowed me to ask questions and look for help/answers.... So, so often in life we ignore all of those little knowings. We push it down, out, away. We listen to what other people tell us. We do something else because it feels easier in the moment. But that knowing usually doesnt go away. Or we cover it up. We hide from it. We try to get away from it. A lot of us are moving so fast we arent taking the time to listen and KNOW. I had a lot of time to reflect this weekend and this is something I want to be able to reminder myself of every day. Know what you know. Be who you are. Listen to THAT.

Ive done a lot of work in the past few years, and I dont mean the work of my 3 jobs. Im talking about the REAL work: medication, therapy, coaches, retreats, holistic treatments (massage, reiki, reflexology), tons of personal development and growth - in case you were curious, its totally worth it to spend time, energy and effort on yourself. Youre the only one of you. You have something to offer the world thats incredible and unique. You cant do that if youre not the ...best version of yourself. It takes time, effort and commitment. There are a lot of ups and downs, but my life has never felt better. I feel like Im really genuinely LIVING (not just going through the motions) Change and growth take time but you have to be willing to start. #mentalhealthtrainer #mentalhealthblogger #mentalhealthsuccessstory #dothework #wellbeingjourney #mentalhealthjourney #yyt #709

Sometimes you just need to fins a quiet place for your mind away from all the noise . #mentalhealthjourney #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthtrainer #709 #newfoundland #staycation2020 #twillingate #enohammocks #enonation #getoutside #canadianmom #smallbusinessowners

How do you talk to someone about whats going on in their head? I get asked some variation of this question a lot. I think my husband/brother/mom/ friend/coworker is depressed - they dont want to talk about it and dont want to go see anyone.....but I want to help! I get it, because Ive been there. I understand what its like in their head (at least from my own experiences and perspective). The truth is, you cant MAKE someone get help, but there are a lot of things you... CAN do, starting with really understanding mental health (so many of us dont) and knowing how to have those conversations. As soon as I got comfortable on my journey I knew it was part of my lifes purpose to have these conversations - to open up my own mind and thought process to help you understand, and also to bring you the training thats a really important first step to supporting mental health. Ill be bringing you a lot more content along these themes. If you have questions about supporting someone in your life - send them to me! Curious about something? Send me a DM and ask. Ill use this to create answers to common questions to share with us ALL. . #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealhcanada #canadianmom #smallbusinessmom #canadiansmallbusiness #femmepreneur #businessowners #mompreneur #709 #yyt #newfoundland #stjohns #mentalhealthresource #mentalhealthtraining #beyourbestself See more

Date night done right. Hiked out to Freshwater Bay on the @eastcoasttrail. Had bread, cheese, cannolis, and some @quidividibeer Pants from @zyiaactiveparadise @ Freshwater Bay

You get to decide. A month ago I was hiking with some friends by the ocean and saw that people had hung hammocks between the trees off the trail overlooking the water. I fell in love with this idea. I visualized hanging my own hammock in a sunny place, looking out over the water. A place for solitude, reflection and even a place to do work or think over plans for my growing business. So, I made it happen. ... You see, you get to decide. I didnt always believe this was true but Ive spent the past few years really working on my personal mindset. I was always determined, but now, thanks to my own mental health journey (yes I choose to see it as a massive positive in my life, without it I feel like I would still be wandering aimlessly, not really living to my best potential) Im taking more steps toward the things that I really want. We only get to do this once. Yesterday I hung up my own hammock next to that same trail. I listened to the sounds of the ocean moving in and out on the rocks. In the training Im developing, I talk about the importance of joy and doing the things that bring you joy. What would bring you joy? Sometimes we have to look past the stress and the work and look at how we are LIVING and carve out time to make sure we arent just going through the motions. This can take time, personal development, listening, reading, counseling, finding ways to work smarter, bring in extra income etc. this might look different for you than it does for me but the important message is that it is POSSIBLE. You get to decide. Image: Alison in an orange hammock by the ocean. #yyt #709 #ectlove #eastcoasttrail #smallbusinessmom #canadianbusiness #womenownedbusiness #nlowe #mompreneurlife #mentalwellness #smallbusinessowner #startupowner #wellnesstraining

You are what you believe. Do you agree? Yesterday I had a phone call with @gina_keeping and she helped me shift in a place where I have been stuck for a long time. The story I have been telling myself, for as long as I can remember is I am not a morning person. I tell myself this, and most people I meet. Ive been saying this for at least 20 years.... But Gina said something to me yesterday that shook this up. She said is it true? When I took a long, hard look, I realized something. Its really NOT true. Heres what I believe: 1. I like sleep, a lot 2. I dont bounce out of bed, it takes me a bit of time to wake up 3. I often fall back to sleep if I turn off my alarm. However, once I looked at these things with a new lens I realized, they do not add up to being not a morning person. I actually do my best work in the morning, when Im fresh and rested. It just looks DIFFERENT from the way I always imagined it was supposed to look. Today I have reframed my thoughts. Heres what I did last night and this morning. 1. I set FOUR alarms (at 5 minute intervals) to ensure I woke up and stayed awake. This worked. I got out of bed on the third alarm. SUCCESS 2. I made a cup of tea and drank it quietly so that I could ease into my day in a way that I WANTED to and that worked for me. Its probably different for you and thats ok. Then I went about the rest of my morning routine and day feeling energized! We are the stories we tell ourselves. The stories can change. It feels so aligned that this conversation happened yesterday and Im so excited to work with Gina more later this summer. THANK YOU for helping me re-frame (sometimes the most simple things make the biggest difference). #yyt #mindset #miraclemorning #shiftperspective #mentalhealth #canadianmom #businessowner #canadasmallbusinesswomen #mindsetshift #personalgrowthjourney #mentalhealthmindset #smallbusinessowner

Its a beautiful sunny day in #yyt but so far, I am inside, working hard to bring big dreams to light. Ive been self-filming (with my ring light) for a special new project. Cant wait to share it with you all! My passion for my work feels sky-high right now. If you have something in your heart, you can find a way to make it happen. Prioritize your important things first, and then schedule work around that. ... Thats what Ive been doing lately and it is making a huge difference to me! I hope you have an amazing weekend filled with family and fun #smallbusinessmom #smallbusinessowners #smallbusinesscanada #mompreneur #mentalwellness #canadianbusiness #weconnect #weconnectinternational #femmepreneur #smallbusinessowner

Tomorrow is my birthday! If you live in the Eastern region of Newfoundland and Labrador and are currently enjoying hiking in our beautiful Province, my birthday wish is that you join the East Coast Trail Association. Its $25 for a yearly membership! Hiking and the beautiful trails have been SO important to my mental health these past few months. These trails are AMAZING and so well kept. So grateful to have this opportunity right on my own doorstep. ... https://www.eastcoasttrail.com

Friends, Ive been working on something important for you. If you own a business - small or big did you know that we are at extra risk for #mentalhealth challenges? As a business owner, talking about this is SO important. BUT. I also know that there are many factors at play here in our worlds.... 1) its busy and stressful 2) its really hard to make training and personal development a priority when there are SO many business things to take care of. 3)there often arent a lot of free funds flying around for training 4)did I mention that its busy and stressful? I get it. But heres something else that I get. . You.are.your.business. . Without you....being well, being your best self, does your business survive? I am SO passionate about this topic! I want business owners everywhere to think about their mental wellness in new ways and learn HOW to REALLY take the steps to make it more of a priority (not just talk the talk) So. Im creating something. Something short. Something really affordable. Something that can easily fit in to your already hectic life. Something that you can do at your own pace. Do your MIND WORK. This brand new self-paced online workshop brings you the practical tools, resources and skills practice to build up your mental well-being. I want you to be the best version of yourself, in business and in life. want to know more?? Of COURSE you do! Sign up for the waitlist and youll be the first to know when its ready (and get the best deal too!) Ive got the link ready for you over in my profile..see you there! See more

How are you enjoying the little moments? Tomorrow evening Ill start my first unplugged day of the week. Im actually really looking forward to this experiment and sharing it with you as I go! Im already thinking about all the little moments that will get elevated during those 24 hours - I want to learn to appreciate them more. ... #yyt #canadianbusiness #canadianmom #smallbusinessmom #jomo #experiencejomo #unplug #mentalhealthmom #mentalwellness #mentalwellbeing #mentalhealthspeaker

Always growing, always learning. Heres my next read 24/6 the power of unplugging one day a week. I listened to @tiffanyshlain on the @experiencejomo #podcast and felt an immediate connection to her story! My #mentalhealth is always so much better when I take the time to unplug, but Ive gotten out of that habit again lately. Its time for a change! Im setting business and personal boundaries for myself and I know the results are going to be AMAZING for myself and my family.... First run, this weekend, Friday night through Saturday night. Ill probably read this book dedicate some uninterrupted time to my kids, get outside! Stay tuned and Ill be sharing more in my stories as well! #yyt #smallbusinessmom #canadianmom #myreadinglist #smallbusinessreading #bookstagram #jomo #businessbookshelf #joyofmissingout #wopreneur #femaleentrepreneur

What would you do if you unplugged for a day? Ive been thinking about this a lot lately - how to effectively use my time online as a business owner vs. making time for myself, my family and my #mentalhealth Im listening to a lot of interesting podcasts, reading and recently signed up for a @experiencejomo membership which is giving me new life in this area! ... I want to incorporate this topic more into my talks and training about mental health and well-being, especially for business owners! So tell me (and I genuinely want to know) - what would you do if you unplugged for a day? Could you do it? -Alison #yyt #smallbusinessowner #businessownerslife #wellness #jomo #businessunplugged #canadiansmallbuisness #smallbusinessmom #smallbusinessmom

Loving my new glasses with blue light protection. I spend SO much time in front of screens for my 3 businesses and Ive been wanting a new pair of glasses for a while so I combined frames with some protective lenses. Im hoping it will also help with tiredness and my own mental health! Do you have experience with protecting your eyes like this? Has it helped? Id love to know your thoughts. -Alison

5 years old today. When I reflect back on the past 5 years, so much has happened. I dont want to feel like its going by in a blur. I look back and wonder what things I missed out on while I was navigating my own mental health. I remind myself that I was proactive, fought to feel my best, be my best self.... Every day. So grateful to be on this journey. This guy is so kind and loving and silly. Such a blessing. Ive been thinking a lot lately (or really a lot longer than lately) about joy. What brings me happiness in my life and how I find space to prioritize it. Ill be sharing lots more on this topic! Today Im taking the day off to spend time with my family. Ive been working a LOT on work & projects that inspire me and excite me but some of the purpose for this work is also to get me to a space where I can prioritize my life and my schedule differently. It will be worth it! Today Im focusing on turning off my screens and being present (theres currently a LEGO gift marathon underway at 8:27 am and I expect it to go on for several hours!) At the end of the day, my wish for you, for all of us, is that we find space to work on our own mental wellness, to feel like the BEST version of ourselves. What are you going to do today that will bring you joy? #mentalhealthblogger #mentalhealthspeaker #canadianmom #motherhoodinspired #mymentalhealthjourney #motherhoodintheraw #smallbusinessowners #yyt

I am thinking, reading, watching, listening. Im researching books and resources for my business. Im finding books for my children. I have been feeling heavy the past few days. I dont have all the answers, but when I think about it, when do we really have all the answers? Never.... From my own mental health perspective I always move forward, one day at a time. Learning. Becoming a better version of myself along the way. We all can. #yyt #wopreneur #canadiansmallbusiness #smallbusinesscanada #wecanbebetter #smallbusinessowner #businessowner

How do you feel the most like yourself? We hiked Cobbler Path on the @eastcoasttrail this week and I felt like I gained something back that Ive been missing for a while. Theres something about nature and specifically (for me) being close to the ocean and in the woods that extremely therapeutic - would you agree? ... Now Im feeling excited about weekly hikes and getting outside (see my previous post about motivation and mental health). I also had my #arbonnefizz which gave me an amazing energy boost during the second (uphill) half. Do you have a favorite trail or place to hike? Please share, Ill be exploring all kinds of locations throughout Eastern Newfoundland this summer and fall! #ECT #hikersofinstagram #hikingcanada #yyt #getoutside #canadianhiker #newfoundlandandlabrador #canadianmom #womenhikers #eastcoasttrail #eastcoastblogger #mymentalhealth

Whats on your #bookshelf I read a LOT (not as much as Id like to, but usually every day). I mix fiction with personal & professional growth books. Ive changed my #mindset and life so much in the past few years through reading, listening to podcasts. Growth is always possible.... What are your #businessbookshelf recommendations? Id love to hear them! #smallbusinessowner #smallbusinessreading #inspiredbusiness #growthmindset #alwayslearning #mybusinesslife

What do you do when you brain is in a negative space? After hours and hours of zoom calls today, I was in a brain funk. I had to go outside. Today, it was easy. The sun was shining and I couldnt wait to get out there. I walked my trail and sat on my favourite bench. Yesterday wasnt like this. I was tired, tired, tired. I felt drained. I told my husband I was going to go to bed. ... He told me I think you should go for a walk. See, weve had this conversation a million times before. I KNOW that it is really, really good for my #mentalhealth to get outside. People talk about this all the time. What they DONT talk about is how you do this from a negative head space. Because. Usually when Im in a negative headspace I have a million reasons why not. Why I cant. Why I dont want to. and that is a TOUGH space to haul yourself out from. I feel very fortunate to have an #accountabilitypartner who reminds me (over and over) and who will argue with me (Ive told him to) to get me to do the things that will make me feel better. Ive been tossing around in my mind how I can be that for other people. Because it it hard, and I understand because I come from that place in my head that would rather just lie down and pull a blanket over my head. People dont see me that way. They see the smile, the outgoing friendliness. They dont see my behind the scenes - its my job to share that with you here and in my training sessions. Its all well and good to say exercise and nature are important for your brain and wellbeing but HOW, WHEN, WHERE do you do those things when your brain is fighting back against you? Real talk is my specialty here and I cant wait for the training sessions Im delivering online in the next couple of weeks (both public for small business owners and private workplace sessions) Im here to make sure you are living the best version of YOU, whatever that looks like. #wellnesstraining #smallbusinessowner #smallbusinessmom #realmentalhealth #realtalkforbusiness #canadianmom #yyt #709 #newfoundlandbusiness #womeninbusiness