Happy Monday, friend!

I hope you had a lovely weekend and are feeling ready to tackle whatever this week has in store for you.

This month’s newsletter is a little different from usual. I’m sharing something deeply personal—something I’m still living through. I hope it brings you some joy, comfort, and perhaps even inspires you to reflect on how you define happiness and live intentionally.

P.S. This is a happy story—no trigger warning needed.

Key Takeaways

• Life doesn’t always follow the plan—and that’s okay.

• Your thoughts create your reality. Be intentional with them.

• Self-compassion is not weakness—it’s wisdom.

• Even positive transitions can be emotionally complex.

• You don’t need to earn rest. Honour your season, whatever it looks like.

• The right people will support you when you show up as your full self.

At the start of 2024, I moved to San Diego—full of energy, excited to explore my new home and ready to give my all to my business.

I had big plans: join women-focused groups, build new connections, and maybe even hand out flyers to share my work. I’d crossed an ocean and a continent, ready to conquer the world.

But life had other plans.

Not long after settling in, I was forced to really slow down. Not just a little pause—the kind of slow that derails your carefully crafted vision. The plan I had dreamt up flew out the window faster than I could catch it.

• I stopped working out, something you’ll know is a huge part of my routine if you’ve been following me.

• I stopped cooking. Almost stopped eating.

• I stopped reading. The books I had been so excited about sat untouched in my out-of-battery Kindle.

• I stopped journaling, my 6-minute diary gathered dust as it silently watched me from my bedside table.

• My business? I could hardly open my laptop. My creativity felt totally depleted.

Why?

Because, I’m pregnant 💛

While this is the most incredible news (we’re over the moon!), the physical and emotional toll caught me completely off guard. And, honestly, I struggled.

I felt like I was giving up on so much, without warning, and I didn’t know how to navigate this new version of myself.

I noticed I was on the edge of negatively spiralling.
Invasive thoughts started taking over…

• I’m not doing anything.

• My business is going nowhere.

• I’m going to lose all my strength.

• I’m not exploring my new home.

• I’m letting my community down.

• I’m failing my plans.

These thoughts didn’t feel like me—and yet they were creeping in, making me feel even more like a stranger in my own body.

I knew I couldn’t let these thoughts take over, or this new life change was going to be an even tougher one! I turned to the tools I teach in my own programme, AlignHer, tools designed to support women through life transitions, especially when things don’t go as planned.

I chose to use Brooke Castillo’s “Thought Model”, a framework I use with my clients to help rewrite unhelpful narratives and become intentional with our thoughts.

Slowly, my spiralling thoughts began to shift:

• I’m not doing anything → I’m growing a baby.

• My business is going nowhere → I’m showing up for what I can right now. My business will flourish when I’m ready.

• I’m going to lose all my strength → I’m already strong. My body is preparing for the biggest challenge yet, my body needs this time to adjust.

• I’m not exploring my new home → I feel so safe and grounded. There will be time to explore when I’m ready.

• I’m letting my community down → My community is supportive and understanding. They’ll cheer me on when I return.

• I’m failing my plans → I’m adapting with compassion. I can still achieve my goals—and more.

That shift changed everything.

I stopped feeling guilty for resting. I allowed myself to sleep more, to ease off the gym, and to honour the incredible changes my body was going through. I wasn’t living the plan—I was living what life was giving me, with compassion and presence.

And when people asked, “How’s the business going?”, “What’s new?”, or “What do you love most about San Diego?”—instead of feeling anxious about not having the ‘right’ answers, I embraced my truth.

Guess what?

No one was disappointed.
The world didn’t implode.
And people actually became more supportive.

Our thoughts shape our feelings, our actions, and our reality. Being intentional with your mindset is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.
Make your thoughts beneficial for you and your journey, you deserve it.

Today, I feel much more like myself. I’m back to doing the things I love—supporting my clients, cooking, reading, moving my body—but with an even deeper awareness that motherhood isn’t linear and I’ll no doubt face more moments of pause and readjustments.

And I’m okay with that. I’m excited for the ride, especially with such an incredible partner by my side.

P.S. I know every pregnancy is different—some women have a glow from day one. I wasn’t one of them. If you're curious or going through something similar, please reach out. I’m happy to share more.

My monthly challenge is to be conscious of the thoughts that are limiting you.
Notice them. Rewrite them. Ask yourself: What would this look like if I approached it with compassion and intention instead?

How does that change how you feel? What action might follow from a more empowering belief?

Hit reply and let me know what comes up for you—I’d love to hear.

Shine bright.

This month’s quote:

☀️ Know someone who would love this or benefit from my story? ⏩ Share it with a friend who might find it valuable!