I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my relationship with money — and how much it’s shaped the way I show up in the world. Not just practically, but emotionally, physically, even spiritually. This one’s personal. It’s about shame, survival, and trying to live fully while carrying stories that were never really mine.

If you work in international development or social change, it might resonate even more — these systems have their own complicated relationship with money, and it can really impact how we relate to it in our personal lives too.
If any of that sounds familiar, I’d love for you to read it.

I’ve spent so much of my life chasing purpose. Endlessly thinking about it. Worrying if I’m fulfilling it. Measuring myself against some invisible standard of “enough.” And what I’ve come to realise — slowly, and with some resistance — is that this relentless pursuit of purpose has often gotten in the way of actually living.

It’s ironic, especially for those of us working in international development or social impact — systems designed to improve lives. We pour ourselves into the work, hoping to make a difference, while sometimes forgetting to tend to our own.

Lately, amidst personal loss and a world that feels increasingly unstable… I’ve been questioning things more deeply. What if all this striving — even for good — is costing us the chance to be present, creative, and connected to what truly matters?

I wrote some more about that in this article and the questions I've been sitting with including:
- How can I reimagine my own life beyond just productivity and achievement?
- How can organisations meant to “do good” also be places where people live well, breathe deeply, and grow fully?
- How can I honour the parts of me — creativity, intuition, joy — that have been quieter lately?
- What if the pressure to “fulfil our purpose” is keeping many of us from living meaningfully in the present?

If you’ve felt this pressure too — to constantly do, to matter, to live a “meaningful” life — I hope this resonates.

And yes, that’s my dog in the photo. She has a way of reminding me what really matters: love, stillness, and the joy of just being.

My husband's family recently lost a loved one — very suddenly and unexpectedly. It’s the kind of loss that pulls everything into sharp focus. It’s reminded me how easy it is to move through life on autopilot — constantly working, planning, protecting — without truly living.

We’re also navigating a world that feels increasingly unstable. Political upheaval, inequality, climate crisis… the pressure to keep producing and performing is relentless. Our nervous systems are wired for survival, and our systems — capitalism, patriarchy, hustle culture — reward that survival mode.

But at what cost?

I wrote down a few thoughts about the tension I’ve been sitting with — between surviving and actually living. Between what we know matters most, and how hard it is to hold onto that knowing in a world that keeps us distracted, anxious, and striving.

If you’ve been feeling it too — the grief, the disorientation, the questions — I hope this offers a moment of pause. I’d love to hear how you’re navigating it.

For those of us working in systems meant to improve lives, what does it mean to make sure we are living too?

My recent Christ-mess experience led me to ponder the expectations imposed by capitalism and the patriarchy daily. The relentless push to spend and do more creates a perpetual sense of inadequacy, impacting our well-being. It seems to be a pattern I fall into at Christmas but one I’m determined to break.

There’s undeniably a collective heaviness all around us that is impacting the whole world right now. Are you feeling it too? If you are, know that you're not alone. Before I delved into the world of trauma, I often wondered if there was something wrong with me, if I simply wasn't tough enough to navigate the modern world's challenges. Today, I want to talk more about the trauma of the modern world. Yes, it's a real thing, and it's affecting us more than we might realize. Let's unpack this together and explore some practical ways to navigate these turbulent times with grace and resilience.

Do you ever feel like you're in a never-ending pursuit of "having it all"? In a world that glorifies those with big passions and even bigger purposes, it's easy to get caught up in the chase for more. For years, I too was ensnared in this relentless quest. Fixated on my business, focused on the next milestone, and constantly pondering what more I should be doing. But one day, it hit me like a ton of bricks: I wasn't truly living; I was merely existing in the future, neglecting the precious present. Here’s what I did about it.

In my journey through the world of international development and social change, and then working as a trauma informed coach, I've encountered countless individuals with inspiring stories of resilience and a deep drive to make a positive impact on the world. Many of them, like myself, have lived through trauma and adversity, which fuels their passion for change. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that unaddressed trauma can significantly affect our decision-making processes, potentially hindering the progress we're striving to achieve. Here’s a few tips on how to deal with trauma and make better decisions.

In this weeks Resourced Leaders Guide I talk about my own journey with rest versus productivity and explore the tension/balance between cultivating individual resiliency versus creating systems change.

This article explores the tug of war between focusing on our internal resiliency through self-improvement, healing and personal growth, trauma work and the imperative need to transform systemic issues like capitalism, racism and the patriarchy – and the structures that are grounded in them that feel like they weren't built for anyone's well-being.

In international development and social change, we're all about building resilience in the communities we serve. Yet, often we overlook our own resilience as leaders. For years, I held the belief that resilience was predominantly nurtured through self-care practices. And let me be clear, self-care is an absolute cornerstone of personal well-being. It's about carving out time for yoga, meditation, long walks, bubble baths, coaching, therapy, exercise or whatever nourishes your soul. However, as my journey unfolded, I uncovered a crucial missing piece in building resilience- nervous system regulation.

This week, we delve into the vital theme of boundaries. In all my years of helping individuals navigate challenges and pursue personal growth, one thing has become crystal clear - boundaries, coupled with effective communication, are not just the heart of most problems people come to see me with but also the solution. I’m going to share what I’ve learned in my own life about boundaries and how I support myself and others to harness the power of boundaries for resourced leadership.

This week, we delve into the vital theme of authentic leadership and its significance across various domains. Authentic leadership isn't just a buzzword; it's a beacon that guides us towards fostering genuine connections, building thriving teams, and creating meaningful impact. In the spheres of international development, social change, and business, authenticity acts as a powerful catalyst for positive change.

Welcome to "The Resourced Leaders Guide: Navigating Success with Ease and Flow" – your weekly source of trauma-informed insights, tools and teaching designed to empower transformative leadership and holistic living. Grounded in the mission of "Empowering Transformation Through Trauma-Informed Guidance and Authentic Growth," this newsletter is a compass on your journey towards embodying resourced leadership.