I often reflect on the evolving nature of friendship: why some bonds endure, whilst others fade or only last a season. And within this, I remind myself that at every life stage it is possible to nurture meaningful connections that enrich our emotional lives. Many of us, particularly in our 30s, 40s and beyond, feel the sting of loneliness. Not because we are alone but we lack new, close friendships. As adults we are often surrounded by acquaintances but not by the emotional confidants we so crave. Friendship forms an integral part of our wellbeing helping us to buffer stress [...]

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou I recently posted a celebratory message on social media about my students - a heartfelt note, late at night, full of pride and joy. But instead of sharing in the sentiment, someone chose to point out a spelling mistake. Not a thoughtful comment on the impact of the work. Not a word of encouragement. Just a sharp, public correction. And honestly? It stung. Not because I can’t handle being wrong - I frequently [...]

The first quarter of the year is wrapping up, and those New Year’s resolutions you had set might be fading or maybe they never really took off. But here’s the thing: the issue might not be your goals themselves, but rather that you haven’t included specific goals for your mental health and well-being. Your mental health goals are not separate from other areas of your life - they’re deeply interconnected. Your mind is the foundation of your well-being, influencing everything from your physical health to your productivity and relationships. When you prioritise your mental health, you create the emotional space [...]

Whether you embrace or loathe it, Valentine’s Day is hard to ignore. Radio advertisements remind you to order the chocolates, shop isles are drowning in red and pink and your social media feed is probably filled with special offers and date night ideas. But beyond the commercial frenzy, Valentine’s Day is a great reminder to think about love and connection—not just in romantic relationships, but also in the friendships and bonds that add meaning to our lives. The truth is, that our relationships play a huge role in our mental health. They shape everything from our self-esteem to how we [...]

Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress. It’s a workplace phenomenon that cannot be confused by daily stressors of everyday personal life responsibilities. It is defined by the International Classification of Diseases as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions: Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job, and Reduced professional efficacy. The culprits are usually an imbalance of resources and/or [...]

We’ve come to the final in the three-part series looking at becoming unstuck, goal-setting, and now stepping into action. It’s inspiring and satisfying to have reached this point! However, sticking to your goals is not always that easy. A lack of motivation is often the reason why we fail at being consistent and reaching our goals. Motivation and goals have a symbiotic relationship: goals increase our motivation but on the other hand motivation and discipline help us to take the steps towards achieving our goals. Motivation drives our actions Motivation helps you perform a specific task, guides your behaviour, and [...]