It’s taken me a while to know what I should write in this blog post.
I noticed that over the past 8 months I have written only 14 blog posts…that’s less than two per month.
I’ve even struggled to post in my groups and pages the last few weeks.
Why?
Maybe it’s because I haven’t been running much? Maybe it’s because I have been consumed with other stuff…like staying afloat, managing my mental health, focusing on my clients.
Or maybe it’s because I haven’t known what to say.
For the past 4 weeks I have been located in Greece, on the Island of Rhodes, where I have hosted the TFTR annual health and happiness retreat. Which made me feel a bit bad when I knew so many people were having to face the grey and damp of the UK.
I knew back in August I was on the verge of burnout and needed a break.
It has been exactly what I needed, sun, sea, and silence….seriously, not having anyone wake you up for 30 whole days is like magic.
I have also been here writing my next book Leading from the Back, so I’ve not exactly been doing nothing, and I’ve been sea swimming, and hiking…I have even been for 2 runs ha ha
When the announcement came that there would be a second national lockdown I started to feel anxious, not again…and the prospect of being stuck in my 2 bed apartment in London filled me with dread.
What if I didn’t go home I asked myself.
I spoke to my daughters Dad, who Rose is currently living with and he said “if you don’t need to for work, stay put” and he is right, I have built my business so that I can run it from anywhere in the world.
And if we are serious about being true feminists…why shouldn’t her Dad carry the parenting baton for a while?
That doesn’t mean there is not judgement, or fear of judgement, or pangs of guilt. But my work over the last decade has been calling that stuff out, tuning in to what it is we want as women, prioritising health and happiness.
The amount of,
“WHAT ABOUT ROSE??” posts though, like I’d left her and the cat at home with Disney+ and a box of Cheerios to just get on with it.
We get to choose.
We get to choose what is right for our selves and for our families. We get to design and live our lives as we choose…that is true FREEDOM.
We may have to stay in our homes, but we still have free will over so many things. And that is the game we have to play the next few months. Choosing joy over fear, action over inaction, freedom over judgement.
I have decided to stay in Greece for another 4 weeks.
There will be a lockdown here from tomorrow too. But I will have an outdoor area to exercise and get the sun, I will be able to take daily walks without needing thermals, I will be able to eat healthy foods, and stay off the red wine (lesson learned from last time)
But what about you guys?
How are you approaching Lockdown 2.0??
I know many folks around the UK and the world have had different experiences so far, with localised lockdowns and restrictions. Many of you will be key workers who haven’t had a break…and I salute you.
I have been thinking long and hard about what best to do in terms of my work supporting women in my community, and so have decided this is my way forward.
In March we launched Thrive Inside a 3 month programme of fitness, wellbeing and mental health support…but it doesn’t feel right to do that this time, and so instead this will be my focus.
Stop Playing Small
For women who really want to explore their values, and their boundaries and start living a life by design, I have created a 10 month payment plan for my most popular life coaching programme. For just £10 a month you will get coaching, support and community to help you live a bigger more adventurous life….even during lock down. We start next week Monday, you can register here
Countdown to Christmas
Every year for the past 6 years I’ve run this challenge. It is 31 days of pure joy. Fitness, fun and festive shenanigans…with prizes and surprises galore. This year it will be a COVID free zone. In fact, there is going to be a swear jar…with all proceeds going to food bank charities. Register before the 15th December for a £5 discount.
The Daily Dance Off
During the first lockdown one of the surprises in my TFTR community was the daily dance off. At 3pm every day. We down tools and danced to a track that our lovely community manager chose. It was such joy to watch women moving their bodies, letting go of stress and boosting their endorphins. So it’s making a come back in our Facebook group. You can join here
And so that’s that.
My plan for the foreseeable future.
I’m not on holiday, I am just prioritising my health and happiness and giving myself the best chance of getting through this next period in the best shape possible.
Isn’t that all any of us can do?