Cycle Your Heart Out...to Freedom! Route 51

Follow Your Heart

Trying to convince people of my worth was ingrained into me since my teens. Insecure and unaware, I'd often get into relationships where I'd constantly be trying to please them, and forget my needs entirely. I thought the more I showed my love, the more it would be reciprocated.

It wasn't.

For my 51st Heart-route in Battersea park, I share my new poem 'Half-hearted' plus my tips on how to break this cycle, and set yourself free!...

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Half-Hearted 

You see my curves 
Not my soul
You crave my body
Not my mind  

Eyes on your phone 
No longer gazing into mine 

Unsatisfied
Unfulfilled  
Unsure why I do it

A story of lies
Invented in my mind
Tired of falling 
For a heart that can't be mine

Ending the cycle
And setting me free

- Sarah Bayaidah

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It was thanks to reading the book called 'Attached' by Amir Levine & Rachel Heller that I discovered I used to be anxiously attached in relationships. 

It explained why I unconsciously used to seek out those who were not really interested in me, or avoidant. My nervous system was addicted to the dopamine hits that unpredictable partners gave me. 

Interestingly, anxiously attached people tend to crave this sort of relationship dynamic. 

So how can you break this cycle?

1. Become aware

According to Amir's book there are 3 main attachment types, it felt so empowering to discover mine and learn how to become more securely attached.

- Anxiously attached often worry if their partners love them back.

- Avoidantly attached see intimacy as a loss of independence, and tend to have a range of distancing strategies.

- Securely attached tend to have a positive view of themselves, and don't need reassurance in order to feel valued or worthy of love.

What type of attachment do you feel you have? If you’re unsure you can take Amir Levine’s quiz.
I also highly recommend following Psychologists Aria Campbell-Danesh and Nicole LepPera for amazing relationship advice, as they really helped me on my personal journey.

2. Be honest 

Instead of trying to figure out where you stand with someone, have no fear in telling them how you feel. 

So often we bite our tongue, bury our words, then change our behaviour due to fear of the unknown. Sometimes we even create idealistic expectations about a person, and forget to see them for who they really are.

I once told someone I had feelings for them, despite knowing they didn't feel the same, as I just needed to get it out. I needed to hear their ‘no’ in order to snap myself out of the repetitive cycle I'd unconsciously spent most of my adult life. Remember, their ‘no’ is not a reflection of your worth. 

3. Become a Heartful Cyclist

What’s beautiful about ​Heartful Cycling is that it helps you to deepen the love you have for yourself, enabling you to follow your heart and ride home, to your true self. It also gives you the courage to walk away from those who only half-heartedly care about you.

​Studies consistently show that cycling and conscious breathing helps to reduce anxiety, depression and stress. It also encourages deep belly breathing, enabling you to feel calmer, clearer, and more able to trust your intuition. 

So if you're in need of some clarity or self-love right now, try going for a bike ride. 
You can also listen to my 2 min ride meditation, and become a Heartful Cyclist too!

I'm now going to share with you heart-route 51, and all the beautiful sights along the way...​​

Location 

I first visited Battersea Park in London back in 2022 just after I'd moved back from almost a decade in Barcelona. I instantly fell in love with the Old English gardens, and spent most of my time inhaling the sweet scent of all the roses. 

I’d been searching for ages where to ride this heart route, and whether I should cycle it alone or with someone. Thanks to fate, my beautiful friend Natalie joined and helped me decide on the location! 

Heart Route

This 2.1 mile route follows the popular traffic-free cycle path around the park. We decided to stray off the bicycle route and walk our bikes through the English Gardens, so we could turn the route into a Heart shape!

Click here to view the map on Komoot 

Cycle Your Heart Out

Some of the highlights were…

• The Old English Garden, a quiet slice of heaven! I'll definitely return again soon once the roses are in bloom. 
• The Peace Pagoda, having grown up in Milton Keynes I would always visit the Peace Pagoda at Willen lake whenever I wanted a moment of peace. It was so lovely to see another one at Battersea, and I instantly felt that inner calm.

• The Thames river - we watched a vibrant sunset then saw the most luminous full moon, a perfect sign to let go of the old and welcome in the new!

• Food, Megan's Battersea Power Station overlooks the river and reminded me so much of a cafe I used to go to when I lived in Barcelona called Tartela

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INNER RIDE QUESTION

Do you feel free to be your true self in your relationships?

If not, what one baby step can you take towards feeling more free today?

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Spread the love

​I dedicate this heart route to my amazing friends for helping me to see my worth, on those days I’d forgotten it entirely. For repeatedly checking in with me when I went silent, and for reminding me to never lie to my heart again. You know who you are, and I love you.

Thanks also to those who unintentionally inspired me to write this post, and for unknowingly setting me free!

Thank you

I’m so grateful for you being here, if today’s post has inspired you to become a heartful cyclist,
CLICK HERE to find out more!

I've also been working on something rather special for the last few years, and I can't wait to share it with you very soon!!!

My wish for you is love, so much love that it spins out from under you, on to all of those around you.

​Your wheels are your paint, and the world is your canvas!

Love Sarah x