This little girl is about to head off for her first day at school. She loves to read and learn, and so it’s exciting - as well as a bit overwhelming - to be starting something new.

At school she will work hard, follow all the things that interest her, and have some brilliant teachers who bring out the best in her.

She will also learn how to be a perfect pupil.

To learn that there’s always a right answer, and that it’s important to get that answer right.

A big part of her identity will be being the clever one who always does well and rarely makes a mistake – which will come with some pros and a good few cons.

This little girl is me, and the advice I would give my younger self is that it’s OK not to be a perfect pupil.

We’ve just returned from a 2-week trip to visit family in the States.

It’s always a special time.

We live in different countries and it’s lovely to see each other, catch up with where we are, see how everyone has grown and changed, and generally be a part of each others lives for a while.

There are everyday moments of connection - the simple pleasures of going to the supermarket together. Running errands, making meals, watching Netflix, walking their dog, putting coffee on.

And there are the sparkly, memory making, moments where we had fun and played together.

The word luxury can conjure up images of grandeur, of impossible dreams, of wealth, and maybe a little self indulgence?

And yet it’s also a lovely feeling to treat ourselves. To give ourselves a small piece of something that feels like luxury to us. To add an element of luxury into our day to day to lift our energy.

Especially if we spend a lot of our time and energy working, delivering, supporting others.

For me, as someone who works from home, and who grew up as a Paperchase devotee in the 80’s, this is luxury for me.

It’s also how I spend every Monday morning - thanks to inspiration from fellow coach Catriona Horey.

“Start by drawing a line down the middle of a piece of paper”

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve said this as part of a coaching session - either for the work we are doing in it, or as something to explore in between sessions.

I find it SUCH a useful tool for getting things down on paper so we can see them, understand them, and decide what to do about them.

One of my favourites is in the picture - the Energy Map.