Sometimes in life it can feel as though we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Perhaps we’re trying to make a decision about whether to stay and put up with where we are, or leave now to find something new?
Or choosing whether to keep the peace and stay quiet, or speak up and create conflict?
Or wondering whether to say yes and go all in, or no and let it go?
When I’m trying to figure something out, the hardest place to do so is in my own head.
My thoughts and feelings go round in circles, trying and failing to find a way through - never the most useful process!
Once I get them out - either onto paper, or into words - it’s so much easier to see and understand what I think and feel.
And it’s not just me.
I’ve had many beautful examples of what’s good in my life over the last few weeks - the flexibility to expand my horizons and have new experiences, thoughtful gifts and messages, connecting with people who I feel most myself with, doing work that lights me up, and so much more.
It’s a wonderful dose of good energy, and a reminder to acknowledge and appreciate what I have - because it can be easy to forget!
And I know I’m not alone.
It’s the week of my birthday.
The end of one annual cycle and the start of a new one. A time to pause and a moment to reflect, to celebrate, and to look ahead.
I’ll be doing just that - tucked away in a corner of the Lake District and at home.
So, in place of a reflection this Monday, here’s a birthday wish - with love from me to you.
Last week we spent a fascinating morning watching Portrait Artist of the Year being filmed.
It’s one of our favourite shows, and it was a complete pleasure to watch multiple creative processes in action - from the crew to the artists to the sketching around the edges.
One of the sitters (I promise no spoilers), shared their appreciation about the way that other people can see something in you that you haven’t seen in yourself.
Not necessarily anything that’s visible on the outside, more of a quality or an energy that shines out from the inside.
Something that leads them to trust that you’re the right person for the part, or offer you an opportunity, or encourage you to pursue something that truly matters to you.
When I was away recently I hit a low point.
I hadn’t slept well for a few nights and was fed up of being in unfamiliar territory. I was under the weather, longing for some time and space on my own, and feeling very sorry for myself!
I found myself wishing I was back at home so I could take care of myself.
And then I stopped to think. What would I actually do if I was at home right now? What would help me feel better?
It’s the week of my birthday.
The end of one annual cycle and the start of a new one. A time to pause and a moment to reflect, to celebrate, and to look ahead.
I’ll be doing just that - tucked away in a corner of the Lake District and at home.
So, in place of a reflection this Monday, here’s a birthday wish - with love from me to you.
Our long-suffering palm tree is finally about to flower after years of ups and downs.
We bought it with high hopes and great expectations for how it would grow and what it would look like. Instead, it gradually wilted and browned and declined.
We couldn’t work it out. It was supposed to be a good one for our garden and everyone else’s looked amazing. Why wasn’t it living up to its potential? What was wrong with it? Had we bought a bad plant?
Turns out there was nothing wrong with the plant.
When you’re doing - or being, or experiencing - something for the first time, do you reach for an existing recipe?
I know I do, it’s been my default.
It can feel easier to look to someone else for the ‘right’ answer or approach.
After all, they’ve done the hard work and figured out the solution - surely if it works for them it will work for me?
Especially if it’s a proven formula, or it seems to be working for other people, or it’s simply the way it’s always done.
And yet so often, it hasn’t worked out that way. The results have been a mixed bag.
Recently I found myself creating a framework for the different types of people I coach, and the different types of ways we coach together.
There is now SO much variety, and I thought I’d found a brilliant way of organising it all.
It felt so interesting - look at these patterns! I could even make it into a 4-box matrix!
It made complete sense in my mind, until…
I started to spot the (many) exceptions to the rule.
I shared it out loud, trying to explain my thinking, and confused myself each time.
I finally realised what a ridiculous thing I was doing (with thanks to Claire Pedrick MCC).
Why was I trying to fit everyone and all their experiences into one of 4 boxes???
