Finding Calm Within the Chaos: A Heartfelt Guide to a Joyful, Gentle Christmas

December arrives with its twinkling lights and endless lists. There’s magic in the air, yes, but also a quiet pressure that hums beneath it all, the meals to plan, the gifts to buy, the family dynamics to navigate. For many women in perimenopause, this season can feel like a perfect storm of hormones, expectations, and exhaustion. That’s why self-care for women in perimenopause at Christmas matters more than ever. You deserve to feel calm, connected, and cared for, even in the midst of the festive chaos.

If you’ve found yourself teetering between festive joy and complete overwhelm, you’re not alone. But what if this year, instead of pushing through, you chose to soften? What if you gave yourself permission to do Christmas differently, with gentleness, presence, and a deep sense of self-compassion?

The Power of Ahimsa — Non-Harming in Action

In yoga, we talk about ahimsa, the practice of non-violence or compassion. It’s not just about how we treat others, but how we treat ourselves and show ourselves love.

Ahimsa might look like saying no to one more social event when your body is crying out for rest. It might mean letting go of the idea that everything has to be perfect. It’s choosing to speak kindly to yourself when the biscuits burn, the wrapping paper runs out, or your Christmas table doesn’t look Instagram-worthy.

This Christmas, let ahimsa be your guiding light. Ask yourself, “What would it look like to move through this season without harming myself through overdoing, overgiving, or overthinking?”

Advent as a Season of Gentle Anticipation

Advent invites us to slow down and prepare our hearts, not just our homes. What if this year, Advent became a season of gentle anticipation, a time to nurture your own peace as much as you prepare for others? Light a candle, take a breath, and let each small act of care become a quiet celebration of your own worth.

Little Jobs, Big Shifts

Overwhelm often comes from trying to do everything at once. So instead, try breaking it down. One small job a day. One corner of the house tidied. One list simplified.

A realistic to-do list isn’t a sign of failure, it’s a sign of wisdom. It’s you recognising that your energy is precious and that you get to choose how to spend it.

Ask for Support and Make It Joyful

You don’t have to carry Christmas on your shoulders. Ask for help. Let your family, regardless of age, be part of the process. Turn preparation into connection, bake together, decorate together, laugh together.

When you invite others in, you’re not just sharing the workload, you’re creating memories. And isn’t that what this season is really about?

Celebrate the Small Wins

Pause often. Notice what’s already done. The tree that’s up, the laughter that filled the kitchen, the quiet cup of tea you managed to enjoy before the day began.

These are the moments that matter. The ones that remind you that joy doesn’t come from ticking every box, but from being present in the small, imperfect, beautiful moments.

A Coaching Reflection

So here’s a question for you to sit with:
What truly matters to you this Christmas?

When you strip away the noise, the expectations, the “shoulds”, what remains?

Maybe it's connection. Maybe it’s peace. Maybe it’s simply feeling like you again.

Gratitude has a way of bringing us back to what’s real. When you focus on appreciation, the warmth of a hug, the sound of laughter, the glow of candlelight, the pressure starts to fade, and presence takes its place.

Finding Hygge in the Heart of It All

The Danish call it hygge, that cosy, contented feeling that comes from slowing down and savouring the moment. You don’t need a perfect home or a perfect plan to find it. You just need to pause long enough to notice the beauty that’s already here.

So light the candles. Wrap yourself in a blanket. Breathe. Let this season be less about doing and more about being.

Closing Thought

This Christmas, may you give yourself the gift of gentleness, gratitude, and grace. You deserve to feel calm, connected, and cared for, not because everything is perfect, but because you are.

If this message resonates, I’d love to support you in rediscovering joy and balance in midlife.

Fireworks at Home: Navigating Teenagers and Perimenopausal Waves

Picture this: tempers flare over the smallest things, emotions feel out of control, and suddenly it feels like you and your teenager aren’t even speaking the same language. Now add the unpredictable waves of perimenopausal hormones, and the tension can feel unbearable. You might worry you’re losing control, damaging relationships, or not cut out for parenting. The hit to your confidence is real—but you’re not alone.

While few talk about it outside the home, this chaotic period can also be an opportunity to connect with your teen in ways you never imagined.

I’m not going to sugarcoat it—the struggle is enormous. I’ve cried, I’ve fought… and I’ve experimented with ways to navigate it differently:

But I truly believe that viewed from a different perspective can make the most profound difference for you and your teen.

1. Be Honest: Talk About Emotions Openly

Parenting teens during hormonal changes is challenging for both of you. Share your feelings as well as theirs. Surging emotions affect you both, and talking about it can build empathy and trust. Your teen will see that it’s normal to have confusing emotions and need support.

2. Lighten the Mood: Use Humour to Diffuse Tension

A little laughter can go a long way. Breaking down barriers with humility and humour can calm clashes and help you reconnect—even in the middle of chaos.

3. Build a System: Create Rules for Managing Clashes

Agree on strategies to de-escalate conflict:

• Pick a “code word” for high-emotion moments.

• Take breaks in separate rooms when needed.

• Use phrases like, “I sense we’re both in the amber zone—I don’t want this to escalate.”

4. Normalise the Experience: Remind Yourself It’s Natural

Both perimenopause and teenage puberty are normal life stages. Knowing this can reduce frustration and help you approach challenges with perspective.

5. Prioritise Self-Care: Stay Grounded for Both of You

Looking after your own physical and emotional well-being is essential. It sets a positive example for your teen and helps you manage stress more effectively. 

Try moving together: a swim, a weights session, or even some yoga. I personally love swimming and doing yoga with my teen, and I’ve been amazed at how receptive they are. The benefits of this shared time have been incredible for our connection. These are moments where we support each other to push a little harder, lean in, and, most importantly, laugh together.

Thought about joining Mind’s 30 days of yoga this November?  It might just be the perfect time to roll out the mat and commit to even just 10-15 minutes a day with the added nudge of a bit of accountability.

6. Seek Support: Don’t Go It Alone

A healthcare professional, counsellor, or coach can offer practical tools for managing perimenopausal symptoms and teen-related stress. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

From Chaos to Connection

This season is challenging—but it’s also an opportunity. By being honest, using humour, building trust, and caring for yourself, you’re not just surviving—you’re showing resilience, empathy, and connection to your teen.

You won’t get it right every time, and that’s okay. What matters is showing up, learning together, and remembering these clashes don’t define you or your relationship—they’re just a chapter in the story of growing, both as a parent and as a woman.

If you’d like personalised support navigating this stage, consider booking a coaching session to explore strategies that work for you and your teen. You don’t have to go through this alone.

The Dots We Don’t Join: A Midlife Wake-Up Call

Everything Felt Like Too Much

I sat at my desk at work, head in my hands, mind completely blank. I couldn’t remember the name of someone I’d worked with for years. My words slipped away mid-sentence. I was stuttering. My confidence felt like it was slipping through my fingers.

Was I losing my mind? Was it just normal aging? I kept kidding myself that if I ignored it and powered on, it wasn’t really happening.

The Quiet Storm We Don’t Talk About

But it was happening—and I couldn’t control it. I went from being a chilled-out parent to a panicked, frazzled mum battling weight gain and a body I barely recognised.

Like so many women, I kept my head down and cracked on—not thinking, just surviving. Because that’s what we’re taught to do, right? We are warriors. We survive childbirth, multitask like it’s an extreme sport, and do it all on little sleep. We are women.

But sometimes we don’t even realise how many changes we’re living through. We proudly put on our big-girl pants and keep going… never joining the dots.

But it’s Menopause Awareness Month in October: Time to Name It

For decades, menopause has been taboo, spoken about in whispers, as if it were some shameful decline. But it’s not a decline—it’s a transition.  Whilst the tides are changing there's still so much to do to empower women.  This month is an opportunity to make this change- start the conversations ladies. 

Awareness is the antidote. Awareness is power.

When you start naming what’s happening, you start owning it. Confusion shifts to clarity. Facts meet feelings. That’s when everything begins to change and the weight lifts from us.

A New Story for Midlife

When my husband gently said he thought I might need some help, I didn’t want to hear it. I felt shocked. Hurt. Angry. But deep down, I knew he was right—and that moment became the turning point.

If you’re reading this and life feels like everything is “too much,” or “something isn’t quite right,” don’t just keep battling. Those moments of brain fog, sudden mood swings, anxiety, heavy or irregular periods, unexpected weight gain, or even dry, itchy skin—they’re not random. They’re signs your body is trying to tell you something, dots waiting to be joined.

Start noticing them. Track them. Ask questions. Reach for support. Be honest with yourself.

Because there’s so much you can do to empower yourself, shift how you feel, and create the future you want.  And when you do, you’re on the other side of it, you’re on the path to changing the negative to the positive, the stuck to the thriving, the overwhelm to clarity, and the “not enough” to a life that finally feels full, vibrant, and truly yours.

This Is Not the End — It’s Your Becoming

I truly believe this—and it’s why I’m so passionate about coaching women through it. This chapter of life can be Mother Nature’s gift: a wake-up call to reconnect with yourself, reclaim your energy, and step into your boldest, truest self. To be honest. To grow stronger. Braver. More you.

Sometimes endings are just beginnings in disguise. 

“It reminds me of the song that’s been playing everywhere lately —Djo’s End of Beginning. Its opening line, ‘This is the beginning…’, feels like a personal anthem for this stage of life: the moment when confusion shifts to clarity, when overwhelm starts to give way to possibility.

This Menopause Awareness Month, pause. Check in with yourself. Ask: What dots am I not connecting? What support do I deserve?

If any of this resonates, here is your invitation to step into Pause & Power: 7-Day Reset. Discover simple, powerful practices to help you thrive, not just survive in peri. Landing straight to your inbox for you to slot into your day when works for you, if you join in October.

To join, simply register your email in the pop up box or connect with through the ‘work with me’ link on the homepage.

Finding Joy and Balance in the Chaos: How Mums Can Thrive This Autumn Term

The holidays are always a whirlwind — family adventures, picnics, endless sunscreen, and the occasional drama over who ate the last biscuit. Fun, action-packed, and at times exhausting, they can leave us feeling frazzled and off balance.

When the children finally head back to school, it’s a mix of relief and overwhelm.

How will we navigate the long autumn stretch as the nights draw in? For mums, especially during perimenopause, the days can feel longer and energy harder to manage.

Reset After the School Holidays: Finding Balance in the Chaos

Perhaps the reset we really need isn’t about routines or ticking off lists. Maybe it’s about shifting how we see our time, especially as autumn term begins and the pace of life picks up.

For so long, the “working week” has been defined as 9–5 — hours that belong to work, responsibilities, and other people’s needs. But what if the true reset comes when we start valuing the 5–9 instead?

Those evening hours, so often lost to autopilot, could be where life actually happens. It doesn’t have to be big or complicated. Sometimes it’s grabbing a pizza with one of the kids and realising the real treat isn’t the food, but the chance to hear their stories when they finally open up.

Other days it might be stealing half an hour to yourself — a quiet gym session, a solo walk, or even just closing the door with a book and ha face pack — and remembering that your energy matters too.

Even the most ordinary routines can shift when you look at them differently. Walking the dog, for instance, could be just another task to get through — or it could become a moving family meeting, where jokes, ideas, and plans for tomorrow bubble up naturally.

Ending the day by checking in with each other — asking, “What’s one thing you appreciated today?” — can transform bedtime from a blur of chaos into a moment of calm reflection, gratitude, and connection.

Perimenopausal Wins for Mums This Autumn

Small shifts create real wins:

• Anchor Your Evenings: Quiet tea, a short walk, or a few pages of reading signals self-care.

• Celebrate Tiny Victories: Getting everyone out the door on time or finding a moment for yourself counts. Celebrate it- you’ll start to see your perspective change in a short space of time.

• Reframe Tasks: jobs can become connection moments — chatting while tidying or cooking together.

• Share Gratitude: Asking your family what brought them joy today sparks calm, focus, and closeness.

These little practices help you thrive rather than just survive, turning the autumn term into a season of energy, connection, and joy.

Simple Steps to Reclaim Energy

• Own the 5–9 hours: Focus on moments that bring laughter, connection, or calm.

• Prioritise basics: Sleep, hydration, movement, and nourishing food matter most.

• Notice the small things: Fresh eyes on familiar routines can transform daily life.

🌸 If you’re ready to explore what’s really holding you back in midlife, start with my free workshop: An Introduction to Coaching: Reclaim your Spark and Ignite your next chapter. A simple first step to find the reset that’s right for you.

Perimenopause Doesn’t Have to Hold You Back — Here’s How to Thrive

Perimenopause can feel like a whirlwind — physically, emotionally, and mentally. For me, it became a time not just of change, but of growth. Navigating this stage has been about taking small, deliberate steps to rewrite my story and rediscover joy, confidence, and balance.

Here are three key areas that have helped me keep moving forward:

1. Mindset: Your Story is Yours to Write

“Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what they think into it.”

My journey began with how I viewed myself. I imagined who I would be in 20 years if I didn’t change — and I didn’t like what I saw. That realization sparked a choice: to rewrite this next chapter intentionally.

Perimenopause became an opportunity to see myself differently, to embrace a version of me I didn’t fully recognize, and to learn to love her. Each day, symptom, and change became a chance to move forward — no looking back.

2. Me Time: Exercise as a Non-Negotiable

“Nothing will work unless you do.”

Exercise has always been a cornerstone of my emotional and physical wellbeing. But with family responsibilities, I had to rethink what was realistic. I asked myself: If I can carve out hours for everyone else, why can’t I find 30 minutes a day for me?

That became my non-negotiable. Yoga, mindful movement, or a quick weights workout wasn’t just about weight management — it was about stress relief, confidence, and showing myself I mattered.

30 minutes a day for me is my non-negotiable. What’s yours?

3. Kindness: Be Your Own Ally

“Love yourself enough to take the actions required for your happiness.” — Dr. Steve Maraboli

As I prioritized mindset and movement, I learned the power of kindness toward myself. Perimenopause is a transformation — physically, emotionally, and mentally — and I needed to approach it with patience.

Instead of punishing myself for low energy, anxiety, or changing appearance, I started listening, understanding, and working with my body. Gentle, holistic practices like yoga aligned mind, body, and soul, and reminded me that progress doesn’t have to be extreme or instant.

By reframing my thinking, carving out time for myself, and practicing kindness, I began to truly thrive in this chapter of life.

Imagine yourself in 20 years: what story do you want to tell?

Perimenopause isn’t just a stage to endure — it’s an opportunity to grow, love yourself, and live intentionally.