I’ve worked  in the Human Resources and Learning field for most of my working life. For 18 years I'd been climbing the career ladder and gaining qualifications. I was a high achiever, a perfectionist and a people pleaser so getting to the next level, achieving things and getting recognition suited me fine. 

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In and outside of work I was ‘successful’ – I had a good job, a wonderful husband, two beautiful children, a nice house and a good social and support network.

 

A few years ago I started to notice that my inner world didn’t reflect how I thought I “should” feel. I had a nice life on paper but it didn't feel that way. I was struggling to live up to the high expectations I’d set myself, I was struggling with the transition to motherhood and what my new identity was. I was trying hard to be good at everything and being really hard on myself about it. I was working hard in my corporate career, trying to be a good mum, keeping up with family, friends, my social life, keeping other people happy and all the things in between.

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Deep down my career was no longer fulfilling me. My heart wasn’t completely in it and I had outgrown the corporate box I was in, the politics, the bureaucracy and the pressure of fitting in. Finding another part time role at my level with a similar salary was virtually impossible. 

 

I ignored all these feelings and carried on regardless, trying to make the best of it (hey, I was lucky to have such a good job that I could do part time that paid well wasn’t I).

 

After a while it started to have an impact on my health and wellbeing.

 

A while after my second child was born I was diagnosed with burnout and postnatal depression. There’s no doubt the pandemic played a part in this too. I had been pushing on for far too long and had reached breaking point.

 

This was a bit of a wake up call. I realised my own wellbeing and happiness was at the bottom of the pile.  I was overwhelmed and my inner critic was really negative. I didn’t feel like I knew myself any more and I was struggling to find joy. On the outside things didn't seem any different. Nobody noticed how much I was struggling. I was really good at pretending. I didn't want to admit how I felt (hey perfectionism!) and it looked to everyone else like I was doing it all successfully.

 

"I'm fine" was my standard response.

 

On the inside it was a whole different story. 

 

I knew I wanted things to change and to feel like myself again, to feel more happy, joyful and fulfilled. The problem was, I didn't know what that looked like for me. I wasn't my old self, things had changed and shifted, I didn't fit into the old version of me.  It was like a jigsaw puzzle had been thrown into the air and the pieces didn't fit back together any more.

 

I realised that I had an opportunity. To shape who I was becoming and create a life I love, instead of bumbling through, letting my life and circumstances shape me. 

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After I decided to make a change and improve my wellbeing, I started down my own path of self-discovery and personal development.

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I had many years of work experience at a senior level, leading teams, teaching, guiding and coaching others to learn, grow and develop in the corporate world, so luckily I had a toolkit of teachings and strategies to rely on as a starting point.

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I made a commitment to put myself and my wellbeing first.

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I learnt to go inward, to stop being distracted by busyness, doing and achieving. I learnt to listen to my intuition, connect to myself on a deeper level and found healing in nature and becoming still. 

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Now I'm freer, I'm more connected to myself than ever. I have developed a strong sense of inner strength, resilience, self-love, self-kindness and self-compassion. My soul feels nourished.

 

Fast forward a few years and I have built a life that is completely ME, it lights me up, fulfils me, gives me meaning and is aligned with my strengths and passions. 

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I set up my company Grow with Solis to bring together my career experience and qualifications, my lived experience and my passion for helping others prioritise their wellbeing and not only survive but truly thrive.

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I've learnt the tools and techniques unique to me, to enable me to grow my wonderful business, be a present mum AND find balance and put myself first.

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I still have ups and downs, my life is still chaotic sometimes, I still have the whole range of emotions going on, self-doubt creeps in, my inner critic is still there, I still have anxious thoughts - but I  understand myself so much better and I know exactly what I need to do to manage these and be gentle with myself. I’m resilient in handling setbacks. I'm embracing being a perfectly imperfect human and it's so empowering. 

 

Coaching has helped me through my ups as well as my downs. I've progressed my career and got promotions whilst having coaching, I've navigated postnatal depression whilst having coaching, I set up my business whilst having coaching. It has a place for it all. If you're in a good patch, come and talk to me, but equally if you're in a not so good patch, come and talk to me! 

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If any of this resonates with you, get in touch to book a free 30 minute consultation.

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Your wants, needs, desires and goals can be priority and with this you'll feel fulfilled and be better able to give your time and energy to everyone around you.

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