Change is inevitable, but it can be easier said than done to embrace it
In 2023, my life changed quite dramatically. I left my corporate career and gifted myself a career break to find space to pause. Life had been so busy with a thriving career, a growing family…and a pandemic thrown in, that I was operating in survival mode.
As the quiet of a career break descended, it became clear to me that I had a lot of work to do. I didn’t know who I was or what was important to me, without my default for years of a young family, constant exhaustion and a job title to answer the feared question “what do you do?”.
Leaning into the skills I learned while training as a coach, I made a conscious decision to embrace curiosity, recognising the privilege and joy of having head space to figure it out.
After trying lots of hobbies, structures and schedules out, I discovered this new version of me thrived when it included the following formula:
Lots of movement (and data to motivate me) - I learned that I thrive with variety and found the perfect solution with a weekly movement goal that I worked on with some combination of home workouts, spinning, weights classes, yoga and running.
Learning with purpose - The path to becoming an accredited coach gave me an opportunity to immerse myself in learning a skill and science that I am passionate about and seeing the impact first hand with my clients, without the time pressure my corporate roles inevitably brought. It has been a joy!
A mid-week hobby that energised me - I found myself in a 200 person choir, looking forward to rehearsals every Wednesday evening. I love the learning challenge, the variety of people I meet in rehearsals and the dopamine hit of singing in a big group. My children sometimes complained when I left the house on Wednesday evening and I always explained that it is important for grown ups to have hobbies too (the least I deserve after being their activity chauffeurs all week).
Time with family & friends - Whether it is a dog walk, a coffee catch up or a meet up that took months to schedule, I have made a conscious effort to say yes and make my schedule work around it later.. Is that not the whole reason to be self-employed and in control of my time! Easier said than done but this is really important to me.
Early out of bed, naps essential - I have always been the morning person in my house. I loved to get out early and get my exercise done before I start the day. For the past two years, when the house was waking up, I was on the way back from a 6.15 spin class or an early morning yoga class.
For two years, this new formula worked perfectly for me. The clear priorities made my weekly planning easier and the deadlines & data made it happen. I was happy. Of course, there were endless challenges, weeks when I made no progress in work, moments of doubt etc but I found this routine really easy to come back to. It worked for me.
And then, everything seemed to change… one by one, my routine fell apart.
Exercise goal gone - I injured my knee in December '25 and after some rebelling against my physio, I surrendered to 3 months going from full rest to very gradual gentle movement. I lost my 2 year consistent run of hitting my exercise goal every week… I miss the beauty of the perfect green bar chart and the boost I got from exercising.
ACC coaching exam passed - While this is great news, the study path I was on, had come to an end and it was time to find a new approach and structure.
My favourite hobby is going - Recently, I learned that my Wednesday evening choir with my newly made friends will be coming to an end before the summer.
50 continuous days of rain - The start of the year was dreary, I didn’t manage to get out for walks half as much and suddenly I found it hard to get out of bed in the morning.
Then my smart watch died - Out of nowhere, the battery gave up and all I am left with is a white patch on my wrist and no one to tell me if I slept well, exercised enough or did my steps :) It sounds so trivial but it got me! (and for now, I am experimenting listening to my body instead of my watch)
As the changes kept coming, I felt hard done by that nothing seemed to be working out.
I sulked for a while with a sore knee and then, I gave in and leaned into cosy, winter rest. Thankfully, my work got very busy with amazing opportunities and that took the place of all the routines for a month or so - I was happily busy but not in a way that was long term sustainable.
Now, it feels like Spring in the air. A season of colour, longer days and hope and I am emerging from my sulk.
I feel ready to accept that I am about to go into my next wave of change. I am not here to give you any solution but I am ready to get curious about what these changes could bring. I am here to share my story of simple every day changes that happen and the impact that they can have in your life.
Change is inevitable. Whether life changing or minor, whether chosen or non-optional. We will all experience change. It is what keeps life interesting.
I am moving forward with curiosity around how I can shape the rest of this year to move me back to a place of thriving. I will keep you posted on my journey of taking control in my own life!
It’s time to take my own advice!
Get in touch if you are ready to find the support you need to embrace changes in your life. I would love to hear from you.
You can reach me any time at hello@thebiglifeproject.ie and on my social channels (LinkedIn and Instagram)
