Motherhood, and who the real person is underneath. Can you mix ‘business’ with being a mother? How real, how authentic can I be when I share my stories without people turning off? Or do I say... sod it. Being true is my value, so you either get me or you don’t. Can we be that brave? Can we be honest and really say what’s on our minds without fear or judgment? Those are the ponderings in this short episode, which includes some French wisdom... can anyone give me the English equivalent? Breathe girl, breathe. You’re good at that.

After two days of not showing up to my page, today I put pen to paper. Have you got it yet? The art within the art? That this process, this podcast, which is actually a voyage into a parallel universe of 2018, is an unravelling if a human being wanting to find some answers? Just like you. Not showing up every day to write a masterpiece, but to release pieces as they land - because... that’s us. Imperfectly perfect and authentic. If we are not able to show up every day, it’s ok. However when you do, acknowledge where you are and how you are and tune in to your heart. Write about that. Or sing or dance about it. Or be still with it. Thank you for being here, on this journey.

Day 2 of a big headache so the showing up to the page is a short one - and still, a wisdom arises from only being present and questioning and writing a few lines - what’s the ache trying to tell you?

Back in those days, this particular day, on Friday 13th April... I ‘operated’ my ‘business’ under the name of “Little Frog Yoga”. This entry is a short one. The title kind of gives it away - most tellingly though, is how this is when I see that the universe was opening portals up for me at every fricking opportunity... to rest. To sleep. To slow and take it easier. No rush. Surrender. It wouldn’t be until 12 months on that I became “The Rest Girl”. For good reason. It’s in my soul.

Exploring the feelings when you know your bleed is about to return after your last one was pre-pregnancy. The hormones associated with this, amongst other big changes happening in your life. New friendships forming, old relationships strengthening and the ultimate relationship..... with ourselves. What is your voice? Your language? How do you express yourself?

I think you’ll find that it’s you. But it’s not about apportioning blame, rather to take responsibility for our actions. This episode begins slowly - you see, this is real, and it takes time to circumnavigate the shipwrecks in the head to get to the realness. The reason this podcast is the way it is... is exactly because we filter the shit out of our lives and that’s the ‘reality’ we see around us. It builds up our expectations of perfection and how long it should take. How patient are we? Do we believe in a long term approach and commitment? If you’ve followed up to this point, then clearly you are, and I am so happy for you. Because you, my beautiful friend, are unravelling and changing. Welcome welcome welcome 😘

Through all the insecurities that we feel in the ‘newness’ of things (motherhood, work, trying out something different), there’s that moment of space in between the past and the future. It’s called “Presence”. It’s the only thing that really matters. Once that is nailed, it comes down to determining who YOU are. Not your sister, not your best friend... YOU. What makes up YOU? And do you trust that through all this instability, a new you is emerging? I hope you are enjoying the podcast so far. I would be so so chuffed if you would take a tiny moment to leave me a lovely review... if on Apple, then a 5* and some words or if you podcast platform doesn’t allow it- mention me or share me on your social media feed. @therestgirl

If you’re feeling a bit blue... what are you denying yourself? What is it you are distancing yourself from and crucially... why? Why are you doing this to yourself? A short morose-ish episode which ends upbeat.

What do you listen to? Honestly - Hand on heart (ha.... see? It’s in the vernacular...) but why do we seldom go there? No the longest or deepest episode - however, I promised you all the fluff, and this fluff is real. So you can see that the fluff that precedes the eventual gold.

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to be the finished product. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You’ll go through shit moments, your writing will suck, your mothering style will at times be a bit dodge... but you keep showing up for yourself EVERY DAMN DAY. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.