It has been a while since I wrote a blog, time has been my nemesis, yet ironically, I am writing about time.
A memory popped up on Facebook yesterday, it was an image of me when I opened my first clinic with Ali Kent and took my first leap into the industry that I love.
I was 33 years old and honestly hadn’t a bloody clue, just drive, determination and passion for the work. It feels like just yesterday, yet it also feels like another life, a different person. I look back at the image and think about all the crazy but amazing things that have happened in those 22 years.
That person in the image had no idea she would live in Australia (18 years now), travel and teach around the world, open another 2 clinics, do a university degree at the age of 55 and write a book (not long now until it is published). It was a chance step into a career, I was looking for something that would fulfill me, no idea what, and went along to the local college. Where I met an amazing man called Gareth Davies who inspired me and believed in me when I wasn’t sure where I was heading.
I really didn’t have a big master plan, I just always went with what felt right even if on paper it didn’t look like a good decision, I went with my heart. It was the same reason I moved to Australia, it just felt right. You just don’t know what is around the corner, what the future holds for you.
Its trusting yourself and your ideas and taking a leap of faith at times. Sometimes you question if you are on the right path and if all the hard work is worth it, this is normally the point when you are close to your goal, keep going.
A heartfelt message to my younger self:
- Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better
- Trust your instincts, don’t let anybody make you doubt them
- Have that photo taken, you will look back and smile and realise you looked better than you imagined
- Don’t be afraid to be different, own your uniqueness
- Cherish those special moments, time goes so quickly
- You don’t have to be superwoman – be kind to yourself, you are doing the best you can
- Keep doing all those small steps; it is the accumulation of all those small steps and ideas that pay off
- Don’t compare – focus on your own path. We each have different timelines
- Learn to say, ‘good enough’; it will change your life
- Embrace imposter syndrome – don’t hide it. You’ll be surprised by how many people feel the same. It gets easier
- Make interesting, amazing, glorious mistakes
- Feed your soul, remember to walk along the beach, it is your place, but you forget how much you need it when you are busy
- Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’
- Not everybody will like you, that really is ok
- Hug the people you love as often as you can; they’re not always going to be with you.
