We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kornelia Hanna a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kornelia, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
No one ever expects to get a diagnosis of the big “C” – cancer. The day I was diagnosed in January 2018 after an initial mammogram and biopsy, I was shocked but not surprised. I was diagnosed with triple positive invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast. I was stage I.
Although I had been living a very healthy lifestyle – periodical weekly detoxes (colon, liver and kidney cleanses), always exercised and ate healthy. Lot’s of vegetables, fresh squeezed veggie juices, not too much meat, more fish and always organic. I made sure I hydrated well. So what went wrong?
Stress had got the best of me in 2017 when my sister was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. I accompanied her through her chemotherapy. I was drinking ½ bottle of wine a day, a whole bottle when I socialized. I had accumulated belly fat and was menopausal. I looked in the mirror and I didn’t like what I saw, I coped with the extra glass of wine.
It was when I was diagnosed when I got my wake up call. I started reconnecting with my higher self for the first time in a long time again, did all the research and figured out what to do. Connecting with my Higher Self I knew I didn’t have to fight breast cancer but to start treating myself right again and so my Healing Journey began. My discovery of “TAKING CARE OF SELF”.
I went on an initial 6 week intensive detox program, drinking herbal teas, home made vegetable potassium broth, various tonics, went for colon hydrotherapy and started on a high turmeric protocol that I did for 8 weeks.
After the cleanse I continued the healing journey by sticking to a vegan diet and incorporated a new daily routine into my lifestyle:
– Dry skin brushing
– Walks in nature. I didn’t have the strength to exercise, so I just kept on walking.
– Fresh squeezed vegetable juices
– Meditation
After about 1 and 1/2 year when I was declared cancer free, I stuck to most of my new implemented selfceare rituals, added a few, but am no longer so strict with my diet.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I feel very passionate about sharing my experience on what the effect of self care has to our mind, body and soul and I am always hopeful to inspire.
Self care in the form of spending time by ourselves in nature, juicing, healthy eating, regular exercise, meditation.
When I take good care of myself I feel beautiful and I know the better I treat my body, the better my life is going to be. Beauty and empowerment cannot be found outside oneself. But when we do what’s right for our bodies, minds and souls, we will always love what we see when we look in the mirror and we will know that we can do and achieve anything we set our minds to.
I am in awe of how much power we possess to change our lives for the better with just self love and self care.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Learning to let go – learning not to worry about circumstances that are out of my control,
learning to take care of myself.
And only, I believe, when we know how to take care of ourselves can we help others and take care of others if needed.
Maybe we want to call self care a skill because so many people don’t know how to.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
It works like a charm for me, connecting to nature.
Going for a walk at the beach, hiking, whatever is available and possible for me depending on where I am.
Spending time in nature by MYSELF.
When we are alone in nature, we are more open to what nature has to give us.
Yes, of course I go hiking with friends etc. and have fun with them in nature. But I make a point of regularly, almost
daily time in nature by myself.
I find peace when I am sad or overwhelmed in nature, I find answers, solutions and answers are just coming up to whatever is occupying my mind.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/korneliahanna/
Image Credits
Pics in pink dress (headshot and full body) – Victoriia Berry Pics in white dress (headshot and full body) – Victoriia Berry Pics at beach, hiking, cooking and applying make up in bathroom – selfies
