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I think you can start to undo, or at least let go of, the past. It's a bit like walking through a house full of furniture and belongings. You can begin to declutter, letting things go one piece at a time. Or, if you're ready, you can fill a truck and ask someone else to take it all away. You don't want or need it anymore. You'd rather have the space filled only with the essentials. We spend so much of our lives accumulating more. More possessions, more commitments, more expe

A little reminder that sometimes the most powerful conversations happen when we stop focusing on what's gone wrong and start noticing what's already strong. After some miscommunication at school that left our daughter and her friend feeling a bit 💩, I pulled out Lucy Hone's strengths cards. The girls identified their individual strengths, then discovered the strengths they shared. Together, they arranged those shared strengths into the shape of a heart. It shifted the conver

"If only..." It's a thought most of us have had at some point. If only I had taken that opportunity. If only I had left sooner. If only I had spoken up. If only I had believed in myself. Regret has a way of convincing us that life would have been better if we had made different choices. But the truth is, we can never know. Every decision we make changes the direction of our lives. If one event had unfolded differently, you may have experienced different opportunities, differe

Today I want to talk about three of the biggest issues I see impacting wellbeing in the workplace and what we can do differently to create healthier, more connected, and more productive environments. The first one is unclear expectations. A lot of workplace conflict doesn’t come from people intentionally doing the wrong thing. It often comes from assumptions. The workplace has expectations of the employee — how they communicate, how they perform, what their responsibilities a

I found this piece in one of my journals dated 1st of January 2025: The tears filled my eyes as I heard of the passing of a police officer who was struck by a car while on duty in the early hours of New Year's Day. She was a Senior Sergeant who had dedicated 38 years of service to the police. I didn't know her personally, and neither did my husband. Yet the news hit hard. Days like today remind us of the reality and the risk that emergency service workers face every time they

This morning I had the privilege of attending a webinar on the past, present, and future of women in sport. What stood out most wasn't just the wealth of knowledge being shared, but the willingness of incredible women from around the world to collaborate, challenge ideas, and support one another. Women's sport continues to evolve, and the more we learn, the more we realise that women are not simply "smaller men." Our bodies, hormones, recovery, and performance all change thro

In a world that celebrates being busy, taking a break can feel uncomfortable. We tell ourselves to keep pushing, keep achieving, keep giving. But rest isn't a reward for reaching exhaustion. It's part of being human. A break doesn't mean you've given up. A pause doesn't mean you're falling behind. Rest doesn't mean you're weak. Sometimes taking a moment to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with yourself is exactly what you need to move forward with clarity and purpose. Whether

This morning it was -5°C in Queenstown. The ground was covered in frost, the roads glistened with black ice, and hanging above it all was a magnificent moon. Like so many others, I caught myself saying, "Wow... look at the moon." Then I smiled. The moon hasn't suddenly appeared. It's been there every single night. Sometimes hidden by clouds. Sometimes just a sliver. Sometimes invisible to us altogether. Yet it's always there, quietly doing what it has always done. It made me

AJ may have been one person with one instrument, but the notes he played carried far beyond the lakeside where so many first heard him. His music sent ripples throughout New Zealand and across the world. His passing is a reminder that you don't need a massive stage to touch millions of lives. Sometimes it's the quietest people who leave the loudest echoes. AJ played because he loved it, and you could feel that in every note. There was no performance or pretence. When he playe

Recently, I walked back from the gondola after an early morning walk, and I found myself thinking about how this world hardens us. We enter this world so pure. So open. So trusting. We are naturally kind, curious, loving, and full of light. Yet somewhere along the way, many of us become guarded. The experiences we have, the hurt we carry, the disappointments we face, and the stories we tell ourselves slowly build a protective shell around our hearts. I look at our daughter, N

Emotions are a natural part of being human. Sometimes, they feel overwhelming or confusing. Learning to manage your feelings well can bring peace, clarity, and a deeper connection with yourself. When you master emotional management methods, you open the door to personal growth and emotional well-being. This journey is about understanding your emotions, accepting them, and responding in ways that support your happiness and balance. Let’s explore how you can develop these skill

Last year, I received some verbal feedback that said I was too diligent. I actually laughed out loud — partly from surprise, partly because… is that even a thing? Being told you’re too diligent feels a bit like being told you’re too kind, too reliable, or too good at turning up on time. It’s feedback that tries to sound constructive, but really it just reveals something interesting about the workplace around you. Diligence isn’t flashy. It’s not loud. It doesn’t need applause

Embracing emotional awareness is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward becoming a better version of yourself. When you understand your emotions, you gain clarity, control, and confidence. You start to see your reactions and feelings not as obstacles but as valuable signals guiding you through life. This journey is about tuning in to your inner world with kindness and curiosity. It’s about learning to listen to yourself and respond with care. Let’s explore how emo

Have you ever snapped at someone over something small and later realised it wasn’t really about the pen clicking, the traffic, or the dirty dishes? Chances are you were experiencing either irritation or frustration—but knowing which one can make all the difference. Although we often use these words interchangeably, they describe two different emotional experiences. Irritation: The Little Things That Get Under Your Skin Irritation is usually mild and short-lived. It’s that fee

On the 31st of January 2022, Sergeant Madden was assaulted. One unprovoked punch in the early hours of the morning whilst on shift, saw Ian knocked unconscious, hitting the pavement like a ragdoll. Fortunately, his shoulder made impact first before his head, or I would be telling a very different story. We have been asked many times to have our story told by reporters, but have politely declined because of the perspective they may take. I want to tell OUR story with honesty a

Emotional self-awareness is a powerful skill that helps you understand your feelings and reactions. When you master it, you gain better control over your emotions and create a more balanced life. This journey is about tuning in to yourself with kindness and curiosity. You don’t have to be perfect at it right away. Instead, take small steps and celebrate your progress. What Is Emotional Self-Awareness and Why It Matters Emotional self-awareness means recognizing your emotions

As I have aged, I’ve realised just how precious my health and wellbeing really are. When you’re younger, everything just works. You bounce back from injuries, you pull all-nighters, you skip warm-ups, and your body just kind of forgives you. But then somewhere along the line (mid-40s for me) my body started whispering, “Hey, remember me?” Those whispers turn into gentle nudges, and then sometimes a full-blown protest when you ignore them long enough. At 47, I honestly value m

Finding balance in life feels like chasing a moving target sometimes. You want to grow, feel emotionally well, and create a life that truly feels yours. Books can be gentle guides on this path. They offer wisdom, practical tips, and encouragement when you need it most. I’ve gathered some of the best life balance books that inspire calm, clarity, and positive change. These reads help you pause, reflect, and take small steps toward a more balanced life. Let’s explore these trea

Life often feels like a juggling act. You try to keep everything in motion - work, relationships, health, and personal dreams. But sometimes, it all feels overwhelming. What if you could find a way to create harmony in your life? To feel calm, centred, and in control? That’s where balance creation techniques come in. I want to share with you some simple, practical ways to bring more balance into your daily routine. These ideas will help you feel more grounded and empowered to

There’s a special kind of heartache that comes from watching someone struggle when they don’t seem to want help. You can see their potential so clearly — maybe even more clearly than they can. You’ve tried advice, encouragement, gentle nudges, maybe even tough love. But nothing seems to move the needle. So, what do you do when your care starts to feel like it’s bouncing off a brick wall? First, it helps to remember this truth: You can’t rescue someone who isn’t ready to swim.