Five Ways To Well with Joni Free

Joni, founder of the Kooky Lifestyle range of sophisticated alcohol-free drinks, shares her wellbeing essentials.

 

 

1.  Greet Each Day. 

Each morning, the first thing I do is go for an early walk with my little dog Nico to welcome the day and wake myself from sleep. What I witness before most are awake, brings me great joy. In the winter months, we stroll beneath a canopy of stars and, depending on the stage of its cycle, the moon lights our way. In the lighter months, it is an honour to behold the sunrise and bask in the first of its rays. This daily treat reminds me what is real and important in life. 

 

2.  The Magic of Time With Yourself.

I adore time with others, but as I've aged, I deeply value time alone. I give myself at least one day a week to fully immerse myself in my own world by daydreaming, walking in nature, creating, or simply allowing my mind to be still. This is when I replenish my energy levels, craft new ideas by wandering my imagination, drink in the knowledge of bygone heroes through books and documentaries, and learn to experience my true self. We are ever-changing beings after all. 

 

3.  Find Yourself in Music.

I think we all love music in some form or another and I personally couldn't go a day without listening to the magical sound waves created by immensely talented folk. Music comes in many different offerings, and in the last few years I've been using healing frequency music each day to help calm and regulate my nervous system. I find it helps with focus and if you're feeling anxious or stressed, it brings you back out of that intense state to a more relaxed and capable feeling. Fantastic for pets too! Different frequencies offer different benefits, I listen to 528Hz, 432Hz and 396Hz most often. 

 

4.  Discover Your Elixir of Life.

I stopped drinking alcohol three years ago and in that time, I have built a business sourcing and supplying beautiful, complex alcohol free drinks for all to enjoy. It’s not about pushing sobriety, it’s about offering an exciting new category of exceptional tasting drinks, made with quality ingredients, without the ethanol. I had no idea and would never have guessed this was my path, but to my core, it feels completely right. 

It hasn't been easy, it’s a bit of a niche area after all, or was, but I’ve finally found something that truly resonates and matters to me, and I’m using all I’ve learnt along the way. It’s not always possible to work full time with something you love, but even as a part time role or side project, it ignites the most incredible fire in your soul and no matter how big or small a thing that is, we all need that to help us leap out of bed each day. Discover it, nurture it, then give it everything you've got.

 

5.  Trust Yourself.

Eleanor Roosevelt famously said “Do one thing every day that scares you” and in the last three years, I’ve done a lot of that. It is amazing what you can achieve, if you just step forward and give whatever it is a go. Some things take a little longer, but start small and build up your confidence. I am now enjoying the results of stepping out of my comfort zone multiple times, including learning to drive, presenting to a full room, (very) cold sea swimming, writing this for The List... I'm happier, less anxious and excited to see what I can do next that I thought I just couldn't!