December incoming! Where’s the year gone?
The past few months has been a flurry of variety – of being the anchor in the home to my husband, my son and daughter, whilst continuing working with my one to one clients and recently wrapping up my latest health coaching online pop up clinic with the London based luxury brand agency Matter of Form. Im also busy working on a healthy habits workshop for vets 🐾
The different seasons of my life now and in the past, create this ebb and flow that constantly shifts my inner landscape. We’re never static! It got me thinking about where I am now and what I want versus past seasons.
The Challenge of External Success
I used to find myself so focussed on achieving the pillars of success dictated by external influences, and I realise it was so draining as I sacrificed my sense of wellbeing and calm, and wasn’t the best version of myself that I wanted to be around the people I care about the most.
Maybe you recognize that feeling?
The constant push to hit your professional milestones, maintain a seamless household, and appear effortlessly put-together.
The result? I was constantly tense inside, struggling with persistent negative self-talk, whilst feeling anxious under my friendly, more relaxed exterior! I was the “Guide” who was secretly struggling with the inner turmoil and expectations of myself that were unrealistic and far from self-compassionate.
This kind of cycle is so depleting: we’re working hard alongside all the other hats we wear, sacrificing our wellbeing all the time, and then to top it all off, feeling too tired and short-tempered to enjoy the very life we’re working so hard to build.
Defining True Freedom
I am finally realizing that true freedom from the constant pressure I put myself under isn’t about chasing the traditional symbols of success: the career identity, the ageless face and body, the possessions, being the perfect mother.
It’s about my own energy and presence. It is about staying healthy! Especially with young children in tow, and peri-menopause knocking on my door!
My freedom comes from the tiny, non-negotiable good choices I make every single day as an investment in my health. These aren’t restrictions though; I don’t see it like that.
From my experience of coaching myself and others over the years, these little decisions are a departure point and form micro acts of self-liberation. They are the small habits that become the sustainable foundations I guide my clients to build, allowing them to finally feel better, live more, and achieve the calmer, more fulfilling life they are so desperate for, and which keeps eluding them.
Through my own life experience, I keep coming back to my own health as my non-negotiable core value, which means maintaining good decisions around my food choices, my priority to move my body, stay strong, protect real “me” downtime at the end of the day, and sticking to a consistent morning routine.
If you are battling to feel present and feel the lack of energy impacting on you and your loved ones on a daily basis, begin your own journey to presence with my three essential first steps.
Find Your Own Journey to Presence: My Three Acts of Freedom
I didn’t need a dramatic overhaul. I needed to honour three things: clarity of what I actually want (for me it’s a strong vision in my mind that pulls me towards sustainable behaviour change and consistently better choices), a plan to get there bit by bit, and the right support.
Here are three areas where you too can start embedding small, powerful acts of freedom to kickstart feeling more empowered in your own life:
1. The Power of the Non-Negotiable Morning Routine
How you start your day absolutely determines your energy, mindset and resilience for the next 12 hours. True freedom requires intentional preparation, not reaction. Start getting this right some of the time, and you will want to invest more of your time here! Establishing a strong morning routine includes rituals that are non-negotiable—they are acts of self-care that protect your energy rather than depleting it.
Depending on the season of life you are in, this might be:
- A short, brisk walk or exercise that your enjoy.
- A good, slow-carb protein rich breakfast to stabilize your blood sugar and focus for the day ahead.
- Knowing what you are going to eat that day, so a menu in mind and the prep in place to support good food decisions. (This is what can trip my clients up ALOT – remember anything worth having requires the effort – but you will be rewarded with the changes you desperately seek:)
- A moment to pause before scrolling on devices or opening emails.
This intentional start sets an immediate boundary: I prioritize my well-being before the world demands my attention.
2. The Non-Negotiable Boundary
What is the one thing you absolutely must protect to maintain your sanity and peace? For me, it’s become very important to guard my evening rituals. I set a firm time when all work-related emails, whats apps, and any scrolling stop. I find I just can’t chat on the phone after 8pm! This digital boundary isn’t selfish; it’s about honouring my need for rest and being fully present with my own family. Establishing just one non-negotiable habit dramatically reduces my own energy leak that leads to overwhelm, negative thinking, and excess stress.
3. Water Works: Clarity and Cognition Starts With the Basics
My foundation of energy starts with the basics. Before my first cup of tea, before checking my phone, I drink water! This simple act is an immediate victory for the day. It hydrates my brain, for better focus and sets a clear precedent: “I put my physiological needs first.” When I start the day from a position of care, every subsequent decision becomes easier. And I have seen that when I don’t, every subsequent decision and choice becomes harder!
"We all know what we need to do to feel better, so what’s really getting in the way?"
If reading this resonates with your current struggle, please know this feeling of being overwhelmed and drained is common—but it isn’t an automatic tax for living life fully. You don’t have to navigate these shifting seasons alone.
As a Certified Health Coach, I provide a personal, clear, actionable plan and the guidance to help you build these sustainable habits, and so much more! You will regain energy, and show up more fully in both work and family life. Invest in you. It’s one of the hardest things to decide to do, but anything in life worth having, requires putting in the work. I don’t believe there are quick fixes of short cuts to building sustainable health that you’ll do anything to protect!
If you’re ready to embrace the freedom that comes from putting your health first, the first step is simple:
Book a Complimentary Health & Energy Session today.
Let’s work together to create the sustainable foundations you need to thrive again.
