A year that probably looked unremarkable from the outside but on the inside I experienced radical growth. For all the lessons, I also experienced the truest friendships. For all the moments where I felt like I’d lost something, I found something new I didn’t realise I was looking for. For all the tricky bits, there was a huge amount of medicinal laughter. It was a year of growing pains.

Consider this post notice that if you want a purposeful and respected life that being ‘nice’ wil not serve you. This is not a request for an army of black hearted malificent, but more a calling of boundaries, self love and emotional intelligence. My mantra this year has shifted from ‘treat others as you would want to be treated’ to ‘I’m a good person, not a nice person.’ Meaning . . . You can be morally correct, thoughtful and kind without being taken advantage of or taken for granted. We achieve this by having good emotional boundaries, using our voice when necessary and putting our own needs first before we volunteer our time and energy to other causes.

I’ve learnt that actually my daily checking and daily posting has become unhealthy and habitual and quite corrosive to my self esteem. It was time to give me my peace of mind back and take the reins with my mental health. Tech free time is something I prioritise for clients but never myself. It was time for a change.

I think sometimes we think the way that we are doing things is the only way. You can’t always see the wood for the trees. Its not. You have more options than you think. You are in charge of creating and designing the life of your dreams. It’s quite simple really. If something isn’t working for you you have options and the ability to change things for the better. You have the right to create space for a life rooted in comfort, ease, softness, quality and intention.

What does success look like to you? Do you measure your success by the number in your bank account? Is it the material things you’ve accumulated? Perhaps its the value you place on your relationships, or its measured by a number on the scales . . . Its time to unlearn all those messages, because the real measure of success is achieving inner peace and happiness.

Breaking bad habits, letting go of toxic behaviour and toxic relationships can take a lot of work and a lot of discipline and is rarely done on will power alone.

The people we surround ourselves with are so important. Our circle has the power to lift us and inspire. Get this right and you can move mountains, get this wrong and it can be disastrous.

As you go through life. If you’re paying attention you’ll notice signs. All types of signs. Some will scream as to the choices you should or should not be making. Some will be romance lead, some career and some purely decisions on the energy you allow into your orbit. These signs are there to lead you guide you and totally will you on to the places and the person you are supposed to be. The ultimate destination.

Eight years ago, today I lost my firstborn daughter Lily. She was stillborn very late in my pregnancy and understandably it was one of the most heart-breaking things that has happened to me and my family. I have referenced it before in these squares on my Lioness grid and like most traumas, sometimes I can talk about it and sometimes I can’t. There are years I find it harder to talk about than others, but this year I really feel that I need to honour her in a slightly different way and reveal a really poignant conversation I had with my seven-year-old daughter Sadie, because the importance of Lily and her part in my story can still lead us to light and healing.

Sometimes we all have to experience the dark side of sisterhood, and it’s never pleasant; ugly, poisonous and with the intent to harm, it can at times shock you to your very core. When these thankfully rare moments happen, a curious thing tends to occur, and we tend to experience the beautiful side of sisterhood; understanding, protective and fierce love.