Reflections at 40

I wanted to tackle a big subject today. Something like ‘the meaning of life’. But then I realised, I don’t actually think there is one.

While I enjoy the recognition that comes with success (especially if it’s recognition from my peers), success itself is not a massive driver for me.

It’s important to understand that the thoughts in our head don’t need to dictate our actions. Negative thoughts don’t preclude positive action.

If there’s one thing the pace and distractions of the modern world has deprived us of, it’s that space in which we have the power to choose our response.

I’ve always blamed that ‘terrible’ combination of shyness + introversion for my inability to connect with people, particularly new-to-me people

More than anything, being creative involves a willingness to try new things. Most of those things don’t work, but that doesn’t matter.

The trick is to surround ourselves with people who make us feel good about ourselves, who love us, for who we are, not just what we could be.

Step one in acceptance was realising I couldn’t control all future disasters out of my life, no matter how hard I tried.

I couldn’t believe what the Universe was delivering up here. By the time the dust settled, however, I’d learned a new and important lesson.

Deep in the grips of overwhelm and depression and with exactly zero ‘free’ time on my hands, I did what any sane person would do. I started a blog.

When was the last time you sat down and asked yourself some clarifying questions like: When was the last time you surprised yourself?

Self-compassion means you are kind and understanding when confronted with personal failings.

Change is never a linear experience. It’s two steps forward, one step back, one step sideways … repeat. Frustrating? Oh yes.

Whenever I’m asked why overwhelm and burnout are so common in highly-driven, serial over-committers, it always comes back to boundaries.

When you have a highly-driven, overachieving, Type-A personality you are programmed to push forward in a relentless fashion.

Peppering ‘moments of mindfulness’ throughout my day, every day, is one of the most impactful changes I’ve made to my life in recent years.

When we de-clutter our lives we get to be the nice kind of busy; we’re accomplishing what we want to, but without all the stress and rushing.

When we’re on the overwhelm slide, that’s when any work we’ve done understanding our core values comes in handy.

For people with kids and careers especially, the predominant thought is, ‘This is just how life is for people like me.’

I often see articles referring to the ‘cult of busy’, talking about how most people wear the word as a badge of honour.

I’ve always had a strong sense of identity. Once depression took hold, however, it destroyed my confidence and with it, my sense of self.