I’ll be honest … I nearly skipped writing this post.
I’ve been sick. I’ve been travelling for work. And now that I’m finally home, I’m exhausted. The kind of tired where you start bargaining with yourself: “It’s only one Monday … no one will notice if I skip it …”
And in the past, I would have. I’ve always been good at keeping promises to other people, but when it came to myself? I’d drop my own commitments in a heartbeat. I’d never want to let someone else down – but me? I didn’t even think twice.
Not anymore.
At the start of this year, I made a decision: to show up here every Monday. For me. Not because anyone’s waiting, not because the internet will collapse if I don’t – but because I’ve decided that showing up for yourself is just as important as showing up for anyone else.
So here I am. Sniffling, tired, and not particularly inspired. But here.
Work travel sounds glamorous. Hotels, room service, a little adventure maybe. The reality? When you’re sick and travelling for work, it’s survival mode in business-casual clothing. This past week I’ve been driving from office to office, surviving on tea, hot chips, and cold-and-flu tablets. There’s nothing quite like smiling politely while your inner monologue whispers, “Just hang on. You can collapse later.”
But now I’m home. On Sunday morning I walked down to the beach near my house. The air was cool, the waves steady, and I felt the last week’s tension finally lift. I’m grateful for the work that takes me away – and I’m even more grateful for the home that brings me back.
No, this post isn’t perfect. But I wrote it. I showed up. And that’s what showing up for yourself looks like sometimes – small, imperfect, but powerful.
How are you showing up for yourself today?
Let’s navigate midlife together 🡇
Every Monday, I send a thoughtful, honest email.
No life-coach energy. No toxic positivity. Just real-time reflection.
Subscribe now and also get access to the Freebie Vault
(everything you need to navigate midlife with more clarity and self-compassion)