Ever had one of those weeks where the universe just grabs you by the shoulders and says, ‘Hey, maybe it’s time to rethink things?’ That was me recently - lost in a whirlwind of stress, bad habits, and procrastination. But then, something shifted. I decided to slow down, tune into what really matters, and take a step back from the madness. This week, I’ve started making some intentional shifts, taking small steps to get back on track.

Monday: Body Attack (or Is It Just an Attack on My Body?)

It’s 8:30 a.m., Monday morning. I roll into the gym, thinking I’ll take it easy. You know, a little light cardio to ease into the week. And then - bam - I get roped into a Body Attack class. This wasn’t just a workout; it was basically a near-death experience. How do fitness instructors have that much energy on a Monday morning? It’s not natural. But hey, I survived. And you know what? There was something oddly satisfying about it.

Afterward, I popped into Lidl to grab some “health-ish” office snacks. Of course, I walked out with way more than I planned on. Does anyone else go into Lidl thinking, “Everything here is a bargain!” and then leave with a basket full of random stuff you didn’t know you needed? Just me?

Then, it was off to the office, where I somehow had one of those rare, magical days of pure productivity. No distractions, no doom-scrolling - just laser focus and actual work getting done. To top it off, I even managed to fit in a spin class that evening. Will this energy last? Probably not. But for a Monday, I’ll take it.

Tuesday: Strength, Social Media Detox, and Unexpected Feels

Inspired by a TEDx talk on why women need to build muscle, I decided to try a strength class. Turns out, after 40, on average we lose 1% of our muscle mass and about 3-5% of our strength and power every year. So basically, if we don’t fight back, we’re all just a few years away from becoming fragile, creaky versions of ourselves. Crikey!

The class was tough, but I felt great afterward. At the office, I powered through my tasks with a surprising amount of energy and focus. It was one of those days when everything just fell into place, and I felt like I could take on whatever came next.

Then, just as I was feeling unstoppable, my body reminded me who’s really in charge. Feverish chills? Check. Full-body aches? Double check. But weirdly, I didn’t hate it. There’s something oddly comforting about shutting everything down and letting your body take over. Fever dreams hit me hard that night, and while a lot of people hate them, I low-key enjoyed the weird, out-of-control vibe. 

Wednesday: The Day the Body Said, “Nope”

Wednesday came in with a headache and a "nope" vibe, and the fever was still hanging on. I popped some paracetamol, slumped onto the sofa, and let my body catch up. My muscles were protesting too, thanks to Tuesday's strength class.

By the afternoon, I was feeling better, so I joined Luke to pick up the boys from school. A bit of fresh air worked like a reset, and back home, I powered through a few tasks and even crossed off some gifts from my to-do list. Small wins.

Confession time: questionable parenting moment incoming. That evening, my son asked (yet again) if he could have a chocolate from the advent calendar. Earlier in the week, I’d been the Advent Calendar Police, like, “Absolutely NOT! We wait until December 1st!” But this time? Well, let’s just say my willpower had other plans. Thanks to a Lidl spree, we had a spare calendar... and I had a chocolate craving.

So there we were, the boys and I, sitting together and absolutely annihilating an entire advent calendar. December 1st? Overrated. Sometimes, life calls for chocolate, and rules just have to bend (especially when you have zero self-control).

Thursday: Northern Nostalgia and Aha Moments

Thursday started with a quick gym session and a productive morning at the office. But the real highlight? A phone call with a university house mate I hadn’t spoken to in 20 years. That northern accent hit me like a nostalgia bomb, and suddenly I was back in my student days, pulling all-nighters, and convincing myself that going out three nights in a row was perfectly reasonable. Ah, memories.

The rest of the day was filled with in-person client meetings, and there’s something truly magical about witnessing that moment when someone realises what they truly want to do with their life - it’s like watching a lightbulb moment. By the time I left the office, I was buzzing. It was one of those days that left me feeling more energised and fulfilled than exhausted.

Friday: Spin, Mashed Potatoes, and Combat (Not the Hangover Kind)

And finally, Friday. I kicked off the day with spin class in the morning - this time, no hangover to ruin my vibe! Progress! After a productive client meeting at the office, I rushed home, starving, ready to eat... only to find a sad, lonely bowl of mashed potatoes in the fridge. The sausages and gravy? Gone. Did the potatoes eat them?

Powered by carbs, I headed to Body Combat. Mid-class, I questioned why I was voluntarily kicking and punching the air, but I pushed through. By the time I got home that evening, I felt lighter, happier, and so much better than I had last week.

Lessons From the Last Two Weeks

At the beginning of last week, I felt completely drained - caught in a whirlwind of chaos and exhaustion. The voice in my head kept shouting, “You’ve got too much to do!” But despite it all, I hit pause. I took the weekend off. And you know what? It was exactly what I needed. For the first time in ages, I actually listened to myself.

Because here’s the truth: no one else holds the key to your peace. Not Instagram, not the latest self-help book, not even your well-meaning friend. Only you. When you start tuning into what you need, life starts to feel like it’s actually yours again.

Here’s what slowing down taught me:

Lesson 1: Trust Yourself, Not the Noise

What makes you feel good, centred, or at peace? What drains you, leaves you frazzled, or chips away at your joy? Forget what the world says should work. Figure out what genuinely works for you.

For me, movement, meaningful connection, and quiet moments are my recharge button. What drains me? Doom scrolling and rushing. So, I’ve been spacing out appointments, taking walks, and reconnecting with people who lift me up.

Lesson 2: Be Intentional With Your Time

Life is full of distractions, and my phone? The ultimate time thief. A quick check of emails or my bank balance would spiral into endless scrolling, leaving me drained and unproductive. So, I decided to make a change. By breaking the habit, I’ve reclaimed time for what truly matters - reading with my kids, learning something new, or simply being present. It's not about stuffing my day with “productivity hacks” or squeezing every second dry. It’s about carving out time for what really matters. Turns out, saying no to the scroll means saying yes to life.

Lesson 3: Small Tweaks, Big Wins for Your Health

You don’t need to turn your life upside down to feel better - sometimes, it’s the little things that make all the difference. Drinking more water. Moving your body in ways that feel good. Paying attention to how food (and yes, alcohol) makes you feel.

Taking care of your body isn’t just about physical health - it’s deeply tied to your mental and emotional well-being. Recently, I made a big change: I cut way back on alcohol. And this time, it’s actually sticking. But let me be honest - this wasn’t my first attempt. I’ve tried (and failed) more times than I can count. So, what made it work this time?

I started paying attention - really paying attention - to how it made me feel. The more I cut back, the less I wanted it. It’s like my body finally stepped in and said, “Sarah, enough is enough!” And honestly? Listening to it has made all the difference.

The results? Clearer thoughts, brighter moods, and a deeper sense of balance. Don’t get me wrong - I still have a drink now and then, and yes, I can still demolish an entire chocolate advent calendar in minutes. But it’s not about being perfect. It’s about small, intentional choices that, over time, make a big difference - and help you feel like you again.

Lesson 4: It’s Better to Slow Down Than Break Down

Here’s the thing: we all have those moments when it feels like everything is piling up, and you’re on the brink of breaking. That’s your mind and body sending you a message: it’s time to hit pause. And honestly? It’s okay to listen. In fact, it's important to listen.

Progress isn’t about racing through life or chasing some elusive finish line. It’s about moving at your own pace, honouring your needs, and tuning out the pressure to compare your journey to anyone else’s.

Slowing down doesn’t mean you’re giving up - it means you’re creating space to breathe, reflect, and reset. Slowing down is a quiet form of strength, not weakness. It’s the strategy that helps you grow, not just keep going.

Final Thoughts

You can’t pour from an empty cup. And you don’t need a big overhaul to start feeling better. It’s the small, intentional changes that truly make a difference over time.

So here’s to slowing down, tuning into what matters to you, and finding joy in the little moments. Sometimes, the simplest shifts bring the greatest rewards.