Going through the motions of life to feeling joy

We all know the story of Mr. Banks, the stern, humorless banker in Mary Poppins. He's a picture of Victorian-era rigidity: obsessed with punctuality, terrified of mess, and utterly devoid of fun. His workaholism alienates his family, leading to misbehavior of his children and resentment with everyone who surrounds him. Sound familiar?

Mr. Banks, like many of us, was trapped in a cycle of stress, exhaustion, and unhappiness. His "grind" mentality, fueled by societal expectations, generational stories and a fear of failure, left him feeling empty and disconnected. He snapped at his children, suffered from "brain fog," and struggled to find joy in anything.

cycle of stress, exhaustion, and unhappiness

brain fog, disconnected, fear of failure
emptiness, not being understood
loss of identity

The Catalyst for Change:

Mr. Banks's transformation wasn't easy. It began with a crisis – losing his job. This unexpected upheaval, while terrifying, forced him to confront his priorities. Stripped of his external validation and the pressures of his career, he was finally able to see the emptiness at the heart of his life.

The Magic of Mary Poppins:

Enter Mary Poppins. While seemingly magical, Mary Poppins represents a powerful force: rediscovering the joy of life, learning through play, and embracing challenges. She encourages Mr. Banks to:

Embrace Play: She introduces him to the magic of kite-flying, a simple act that reawakens his sense of wonder and childlike joy.
Connect with His Family: Mary Poppins facilitates meaningful interactions with his children, fostering deeper bonds and understanding.
Find Humor: She helps Mr. Banks rediscover his sense of humor, teaching him to laugh at himself and the absurdity of life.
Prioritize Experiences: She guides him towards experiences over material possessions, emphasizing the importance of creating lasting memories.
Ask the Right Questions: She knows what phrases to say, ask and how to reframe so that he can “hear” what is blocking him.

Transforming from Apathy to Cheerful

Through these experiences, Mr. Banks undergoes a profound transformation. He becomes more present, more compassionate, and more connected to his family. He rediscovers his love for life he engages in play and finds success not just in his career, but in his relationships and personal fulfillment.

You might not be exactly Mr. Banks but…

Just like Mr. Banks, many of my clients find themselves trapped in cycles of stress, anxiety, and unhappiness. They may be struggling with:

Career burnout: Feeling overwhelmed, unfulfilled, and trapped in their jobs.
Relationship strain: Experiencing conflict, disconnection, and a lack of intimacy.
Life dissatisfaction: Feeling lost, purposeless, and lacking joy in their daily lives.
Loss of play: As adults, we often forget to play. Sometimes our “hobbies'“ or “workouts” feel like another job.

Often, a crisis – a job loss, a relationship breakup, a health scare – acts as a catalyst for change. This upheaval, while painful, can create the space for introspection and a reassessment of priorities.

BUT, not always a crisis. While some clients come due to a crisis, others either know the change they want to make while others feel stuck and are not even sure what direction to go in. Either way I can help!!

Let me be your "Mary Poppins"

As a therapist and coach, I strive to be a guide, helping my clients:

Rediscover their inner child: Reconnect with their sense of play, curiosity, and wonder.
Build stronger relationships: Improve communication, foster intimacy, and strengthen family bonds.
Find meaning and purpose: Identify their values, set meaningful goals, and live a more fulfilling life.
Cultivate self-compassion: Learn to forgive themselves, embrace their imperfections, and find joy in the present moment.
Self Empowerment: Teaching clients how to reframe and act in a way that they are “at cause” and be the driver of their lives. Instead of things happening to them, they are the creator of their life and experiences.

The Journey:

The journey towards a more fulfilling life is not always easy. It requires courage, vulnerability, and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. But the rewards – increased happiness, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of purpose – are immeasurable.

It takes a “spoonful” of coaching to make changes happen!!

A different take on a Gratitude Jar: A Daily “Win" Ritual

While I do love a gratitude jar for some clients, others feel it is a little too Woo-Woo. So always do what feels best for you and tweak it as needed. Most importantly is that you stay consistent for 60 days.

I want you to focus on acknowledging a WIN during your day. Keep a running note on your phone, in a journal or post-its where you can see it. Your WIN could be all types of things from getting out of bed, to going on an adventure, learning a new skill, going to “buy milk” to doing “nothing”. The last one is a very important win to have. You will even repeat some of these.

Make the entry detailed enough so you can reflect on it during more HALF or Challenging Moments or Days. Or when you are feeling HALF, they are a good reminded of action items to take.

The WIN Log focuses on acknowledging and celebrating small victories. It builds self-esteem, reinforces positive behaviors, and helps shift the focus from failures to accomplishments. Your WINS are also the things that make you feel WHOLE.

Disclaimer: This is a fictionalized account. The experiences of my clients are unique and confidential.

If you are looking for more strategies to uplevel your life and transform your career, relationships and lifestyle, you have come to the right place. Get on the Evolving Whole Newsletter for weekly strategy and inspiration.

Or schedule a consult session for how we can work together.

overcoming burnout, finding joy in life, work-life balance, life transformation, rediscovering happiness, therapist guidance, coaching for life change

From Grumpy to Gleeful: How Mr. Banks Found Joy (and How You Can Too!)