I pushed my son up the hill and saw this patch of grass near a couple having a picnic. I sat there when I was newly sober and shook with grief and pain that I had numbed for so long. I starred at the pub in eyesight and tears ran down my cheeks. I didn’t know how to exist without escapism. I imagined walking into the pub and beginning the descent into freedom from my thoughts. However I now knew that it would ultimately only exacerbate my pain. And so I was stuck in between a rock and a hard place.

Ooft. December is a challenging month when it comes to wellness and self-care.Yet arguably it is a month when we need it most.

Our calendar is suddenly full to bursting. We're exhausted from all the socialising (as nice as it sounds in theory). It is darker and colder for those in the northern hemisphere. We are uninspired to honour our fitness routine. Work deadlines are mounting. People are drinking more, which might make you feel pressured to as well. And we're supposed to be having the most fun we've had all year.

The awesome thing about habit formation is that when you really enjoy the benefits it turns from something you have to hold yourself to, into something you either do without thinking, or feel grateful you get to do.

Part of being our best selves (which is what we all want, right?) means being cautious and thoughtful about the words we use. This is for a plethora of reasons.

Returning to a business mindset after having a baby has been an empowering reimagining.

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

I recently saw a friend who is more than ten years older than me and she looked AMAZING. Glowing, beautiful, athletic… I said as much to her and she responded, “I’ve started focusing on my sleep.” ​​​​​​​​

I noticed she was wearing an Oura ring. I wear a Garmin watch but both track your zzzs. Why bother? There are different aspects of our sleep that provide different services. Knowledge is power and I know the power of quality rest. Rest is restorative. We literally need it to restore. ​​​​​​​​

Having had chronic fatigue and severe burnout I know what it feels like when you’re not getting what your body needs. It’s not nice. Brain fog, delirium and exhaustion. The mood swings. Relying on food for energy instead. It does not feel good! ​​​​​​​​Just think about jet lag and how the machine that is YOU winds to a halt.

If you are reading this, then you are about to be challenged. Stick with me.

I want to prompt a mindset shift within you that is going to make things more pleasurable and generate greater results.

Vision boards are about two things. Clarity and intention. You don’t have to make a pretty looking board but I would implore you to take some time to get clear on what it is you want from the next 12 months. You can literally do this at anytime; in fact life often throws such unexpected curve balls that it is beneficial to update one’s vision to accommodate. And your intention is a commitment. It is the investment that you are ready to make in yourself, your life…. your happiness.

Your relationship with yourself affects your ability to see goals through to completion. If your self worth is low, how will you truly believe you are deserving of that success you long for? Here is how you can improve your self worth and your chances of achieving your dreams.

Mental health in the context of the workplace feels like a precarious topic to address. It may be awkward but it cannot be ignored. Where did all the nuance go?

Become unstoppable in the workplace. This does not mean being subservient. This is the highest calling.

Uncover life hacks to make adulting that little bit easier.