This life skill is actually one I've been taught before, but as I get older I realise it is the ultimate lesson and one that life will keep bashing me over the head with. That is: acceptance.

For a long time in our hustle culture we have had perfectionism on a proverbial pedestal. We have believed that to be perfectionist is to be excellent.

Times are a changin', my friend. Perfectionism is no longer the aspiration.

Read on to find out why and what the alternative is.

I have come here to share an epiphany I had this week.

Epiphany: Feeling content is actually super easy.

It is us that makes it hard. Hear me out…

Flow is when you have that magical experience of becoming so immersed in your focus on a task, be that for pleasure or work, that you forget about all other distractions, including the time! I know I am in flow when I am not conscious of where my phone is - tragic, I know.

Statistically speaking, most of you will have dropped off with something by now. But we are here for effective change. We want actualisation. So let’s recalibrate.

Here is a quick strategy to support you in your journey. Ask yourself the following questions:

Research has proven time and time again that motivation cannot be relied on when creating new habits. That is why I am so obsessed with consistency. Once you have confirmed an aspiration or goal is genuinely aligned and something you want on a soul level, then consistency is the only way to arrive there.

Gratitude allows you to become more cognisant of all that you have. It is easy for our possessions, achievements and special people to be taken for granted. But if you take the time to be intentionally appreciative, you'll be amazed at how much abundance you really do have already.

How I went from chronic illness to a romanticised life:

I was ultimately diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome but it took almost a year for that very vague label. I let go of needing to name my experience - it was eventually redundant. It didn't change the reality of my existence. However that reality changed SO MUCH for me.

I genuinely thought I was going to die.

When I started getting better I felt full to bursting with gratitude. Not in a cheesy #grateful way, but on a soul level. I would shower my legs with adoration for carrying me to the art supply shop and home again. I was on cloud 9 when I simply had enough energy to paint.

INSTEAD of setting new years resolutions, revel in the feeling that you get when you imagine all of your answers to those ten questions and remember that vision. Hold this front and centre. The answers combined create a life. A life that is totally within reach. A life that you are entirely worthy of living.

Ahead of my maternity leave I am reflecting on this pivotal transitional time.

Instead of fixating on perfection, let's shift our focus to the willingness to restart. Life happens on life's terms, and we all make mistakes along the way. It's not about avoiding failure; it's about how we respond to it. Embracing the willingness to restart means acknowledging our missteps, learning from them, and moving forward with renewed determination.

To be of service is to let your light shine bright. Denying your true calling or playing small means denying the world of your unique expertise and brilliance. We were each made differently, purposefully, so that we can contribute in a special way.

We all experience stress at some point in our lives, and it can be caused by a variety of factors, such as work, relationships, health issues, financial worries… adulting is a lot! While a little bit of stress can be beneficial, too much stress can have a negative impact on your mental and physical health.

Does cringing at yourself ever stop you from making moves? Read on to learn how I came to embrace the cringe and reframe my thinking so it actually serves me.

A personal podcast recommendation