This is your permission to pause

Despite the familiar January feelings of ‘here we go again’ and ‘is it still January?‘ fresh in my mind, we’re here. One twelfth of 2026 is already behind us.

And while the tiredness is still very much present, I’m noticing something new alongside it - a quiet sense of readiness. Not a push for change, not forcing anything, but a gentle openness to what might be next. Feeling ready, and having clarity about my next steps, has taken a long time.

A few weeks ago, I shared a little about the coaching journey I’ve embarked on, and I wanted to take a moment to expand on that here for those who asked.

In the summer of 2023, I graduated from my counselling training, and even then I knew something was in my future -I just didn’t know what it was. I’ve often described it as not knowing where to put the pin in the map, but knowing it existed somewhere. It wasn’t until around six months ago, through a set of intentional planning sessions using a method I designed with my sister (perhaps something I’ll share more about another time), that I truly began to see my future more clearly.

I don’t think I’m alone in that feeling - knowing there is something ahead, but not knowing exactly what it is. So many women I meet describe a similar experience: sensing there is more, without being able to name what that ‘more‘ looks like or how to get there. It might show up in our working lives, our personal lives, or simply as a quiet restlessness. There’s something about being a busy woman that doesn’t always give us permission to explore.

For me, taking permission into my own hands meant setting aside mindful time to dig a little deeper.

I love my counselling work. I worked incredibly hard to become qualified, and it remains a real honour to be trusted with someone’s story. Being heard - or not being heard - is something that sits deeply with me. When we don’t feel heard, we often stop trying to be. Women can carry an unforgiving inner narrative, where dreams, needs, and desires for change are minimised or dismissed. Sitting with ourselves, offering compassion, and allowing space to dream and explore what the future might hold is so important. When life feels busy and routine becomes relentless, giving ourselves permission to pause matters more than we realise.

That pause can take many forms. Sometimes it means noticing something and choosing to take action. At other times, it means noticing and deciding that awareness alone is enough for now. It takes bravery to look in the mirror and be truly honest about what we want. For me, it took until autumn 2024 - over a year after qualifying - to really understand what I wanted my future to look like.

Over time, I’ve noticed many women following patterns similar to my own. A sense of embarrassment about wanting more, or uncertainty about how to move towards it. Stepping into yourself is not an easy thing to do.

So what does stepping into myself look like? At its heart, my dream is to support busy women who need to pause - to step off the world for a moment and reset, in whatever way they need. I want to offer support that considers the mind, the body, and the nervous system, creating a more holistic, 360-degree approach. The step I’m currently on towards that vision is undertaking a health coaching course, which I’m thoroughly enjoying.

I’ve become deeply curious about change - why some of us chase it, why others shy away from it, and how it happens. How we move from ‘this is my lot‘ to ‘I deserve this, and I’m going to work towards it’. How we can hold compassion for ourselves, acknowledge fear, and still take steps towards what matters to us.

For me, this means understanding that change doesn’t need to be forced. I’m in the driving seat. I’ve made my commitments, and I trust they will take me where I need to be. I try not to compare my journey with anyone else - and I gently encourage you not to do the same. It’s about focusing on what’s possible rather than what isn’t, and breaking things down into small, achievable steps.

Even the process of placing that pin in the map can be a revelation in itself. I see confidence grow when people know where they’re heading and have a sense of how to get there - and I feel that in myself too. I notice stronger boundaries forming, a commitment to finishing what I start, and a growing ability to hold kindness and compassion for myself while I learn. It’s something I don’t see enough of, and I truly encourage you to treat yourself this way if you’re on a journey of discovery.

You’ll see reflected on my website that my work now holds space for reflection and gentle forward movement - understanding the past, while also supporting people to take small, meaningful steps towards the life they want.

Growth isn’t linear. How I feel today may not be how I feel tomorrow, but the principles that guide how I move forward remain the same:

Be intentional.

Be kind to yourself.

Don’t compare.

Trust the process.

Trust that you are where you’re meant to be.

If you’re on a path of change, I hope these principles resonate with you too. And if you need it, I hope you feel you have permission to pause.

If this resonates and you’re curious about whether it might make sense for us to work together - in whatever way feels right for you - you’re very welcome to reach out. We can have a conversation and take it from there.

Take care,

Annette