Although I am often the one giving advice on the importance of asking for help or sharing vulnerabilities – I have literally been on courses and invited to speak on panels about it! – when it comes to taking my own medicine, it fills me with dread and my daughter would call it ‘cringe’ … but here goes…

Life’s challenges often come in waves, and for me, the second wave hit hard when I lost another disc in my back in March this year. 

As I faced four months off work, it felt like an eternity – a pause button on life. During that time, I wasn’t just battling physical pain and the inability to move. I was trying to parent and pretend to be coping for the sake of my 12-year-old daughter, all while still having to deal with the stresses of what was going on at work without me. Throw in managing the symptoms of menopause, whilst fending off a surgeon who wanted to put metal plates in my back – It’s not been fun!

During this whole debacle I was reminded of advice I shared in a previous blog post titled “Leaders: Fix Your Oxygen Mask First.” Back then, I spoke about the importance of self-care after my first disc injury. But now, looking back, I realise I hadn’t fully heeded my own advice.

In that earlier post, I emphasised how vital it is to prioritise our own health and well-being, especially when we’re used to giving so much to others. However, when the second injury happened, I found myself once again pushing through the pain, trying to keep up with the demands of life without truly listening to my body. 

It took being wiped out for a second time to understand that real resilience isn’t just about bouncing back and getting back to normal – It’s about learning from the past and making lasting changes.

This time, I’ve had to accept that growth isn’t just about overcoming challenges and quickly getting back to normal life, but about recognising that a new normal is required – Slowing down and listening to ourselves. While I was sidelined for those four months, I finally began to do just that.

This time, I embraced radical self-care and ruthless prioritisation. I become laser-focused on what truly mattered and began curating the future I wanted, right now, instead of waiting for some distant ‘better’ time. I learned that real resilience is about acknowledging the need for meaningful change and making the space in our lives to focus on what serves us best.

One of the most surprising outcomes of this second journey was the shift in my relationships. As I worked through recovery, some friendships faded away—relationships that had been built on my old way of operating no longer worked. But in their place, I found deeper, more meaningful friendships. I met people who understood my journey, who had also overcome significant challenges and who offered the kind of genuine support I truly needed, and who helped me realise that growth often involves shedding what no longer serves us to make room for something better.

Now, as I return to work and begin a new chapter, I’m more mindful of my limits and more committed to self-care than ever before. The future feels bright because I’m approaching it with a deeper understanding of resilience, growth, and the importance of truly living by the advice I once gave – fixing my own oxygen mask first.

This journey has not only strengthened my body but also my perspective on life. I’m more connected to my purpose, more surrounded by kindred spirits in my personal and professional life, and more confident that the lessons I’ve learned will guide me toward an even brighter future.

On the work side, I’m hugely grateful to the team for keeping everything going so I could have time to recover.  I’m thankful for the time to think about our offering, gain a deeper understanding of our clients’ needs and create new propositions and content to support them. Watch this space, we’ll be sharing them very soon…

Create the future you want now.