What an amazing conversation this is! I absolutely loved talking with Galina about all the ways we are conditioned for Motherhood before we even become a Mother. Our default mode of operation is one that is passed on to us from all of the generations of females that have gone before us. And this is what we will revert to, unless we choose to interrupt that pattern.

We talk about the importance of becoming aware of all of these layers of conditioning, from our families and society as a whole, so that we can start to unpeel them and in turn learn about the whole person that exists underneath, outside of our identity of Motherhood.

A big part of this is allowing ourself space and energy dedicated exclusively to ourselves and our own needs. Not only is this benefitting us and those around us, but it is also modelling true self care to our kids.

You can find Galina online in the following places:
Instagram: @galinasinger
Facebook: Galina Singer and Wake Up with Galina Singer
Website: www.galinasinger.com

What I notice is that when we are busy it's much easier to ignore what is going on in our body. We get into auto pilot mode, where we're just thinking about logistics and the next thing needing done. It's a good way to distract ourselves from those deep down feelings.

In the episode this week I'm delving into this a bit more, and asking, what are you distracting yourself from?

Come join us over on The Balancing Act for Working Mums Facebook Group to let me know what you think.

One of the important components of balance is being able to accept where we are right now AND also accept that we want to work towards a bigger goal.

We've all heard the mantra about "embracing the journey" - easy to say and much harder to do. But I've found that by asking myself this one simple question when I need it gives me the boost that I need to be able to better appreciate all of the simple pleasures and the small things in my every day.

And the question is this:
"If you knew it was inevitable that today would be an amazing day, what would you do?"

Asking yourself this might be just what you need to bring in those small, simple touches of ease, simplicity and pleasure. Allowing you to experience  your not-so-far-off dream life in your daily life.

If you'd like to chat about this some more, come and join The Balancing Act for Working Mums Facebook Group and share your thoughts.

When I first start working with clients we begin by figuring out what her goals are. And what I often find is that mums feel stuck where they are, and either don't know at all what they want, or can only access the short term goals - the ones that are a modification of where they already are.

If you feel this way then I want you to know that it is completely normal. Our brains are wired to keep us safe and they see danger in the unknown. And so they go off into thinking about the worst possible outcome that then often shuts down our dreams altogether.

On the episode today I offer a quick and simple way to start overcoming the fear and accessing the big dreams. Firstly, take the pressure off for any action, and ask yourself, if time, money, family commitments weren't an issue then what would you want? And just leave it there. Allow yourself to daydream.

And if you want more help in taking it further, head over to my website www.debbielee.co.uk to find out how we can start working together.

As a working mum I see space, both physical and mental, as an essential need. I notice that when I don't get it I feel grumpy and snappy and irritable and I go into martyr mode. 

For me, space is an essential part of feeling like yourself, like you have an identity outside of work and motherhood. It doesn’t just help me in the moment, it sets me up for everything that follows.

In the episode I talk more about:
- what space is, in a tangible way
- why we need it
- how to create opportunities for it

If you'd like to continue the conversation then head over to join The Balancing Act for Working Mums Facebook group.

This week I am sharing all that I have learnt over the last 6 months of running my own business. I left a corporate job as a geophysicist after 12 years. The job had so many great benefits and ultimately gave me the foundation to do what I am doing now, but I was always looking for a deeper meaning. The last 6 months have blown my mind. I feel unleashed, like the sense of freedom, opportunity and possibility that I once believed in has been reignited and amplified.

The most valuable things that I have learnt are:
1. There is no magic formula
2. Business development follows personal development
3. Your environment matters
4. Happiness spills over into all areas of life
5. Wealth comes in many different forms
6. Anything is possible

Tune in to hear me talk about each of these some more, and come over to join the chat on The Balancing Act for Working Mums facebook group.

I am recording this episode fresh off a one week campervan trip with my family. We had a fabulous week away where we experienced a brilliant selection of all of the highlights of the Scottish outdoors.

I find holiday such a great time for creativity in my business. This time even though I spent no focussed time working I've come back with a while list of ideas to get going with.

And my reflection on why this is very much centres around being present. Being present in the moment allows me to be fully immersed and relaxed and from this state the ideas seem to flow naturally.

So here I invite you to look at where your distractions are in day to day and commit to making one small change towards being more present in your every day.

Come join the chat over at The Balancing Act for Working Mums Facebook Group.

In this week's episode I am delighted to be chatting to Sam Bowley about how our fertility journey can really impact balance. Particularly if we face fertility challenges, trying to conceive can infiltrate every aspect of of life from work to relationships.

Sam supports women via her Facebook community and individual coaching. Please be aware that we do talk about how fertility challenges can impact different areas of life and so I would invite you to practice some self-care if these are things that you find difficult to listen. Please remember that you can choose not to listen or cut the episode short and also make sure that you're in a safe and comfortable environment and have some self-care at the ready. 

I felt so compelled to invite Sam onto the podcast because that time of trying to conceive is one that we don't tend to talk a lot about at the time because it's so personal. And I want to let people know that particularly if they are struggling then they are not alone and that there is help, support and community available out there.

You can get in touch with Sam on Instagram @fertilitycoachsamanthabowley and on her website www.samanthabowley.com

And you can also join her free Facebook Community Fertility Support UK