I read an article recently that talked about how people are least happy with their careers (and lives) during midlife, the age range between mid 40s to early 50s.

I've discovered that I need a lot of space to transition between activities. For example, some people can just get up in the morning, put on their workout clothes, and exercise. Not me. I need to have a coffee, do a little reading, take time to think about my day. Only then am I ready to be active.

I recently visited the Shetland Islands - the most remote place I've ever vacationed. I think that this destination had been quietly on my bucket list for a long time, and the opportunity came this year to make the trip. It's not an easy place to reach, being a sub-Arctic group of islands 100 miles off the coast of Scotland. Although it belongs to Scotland, it's much more Nordic. It's a place that straddles two worlds.

I feel like I've been spinning in circles this year. I couldn't find a focus. I couldn't seem to get out of my own way.

As I’ve been writing these blog posts for the last two months, I’ve been thinking about self-awareness. An awareness about yourself is so vital but describing the process to actually become more self-aware isn’t easy.

I cast my mind back to my own journey to developing more self-awareness. I probably started working on it in my early 30s. I had spent years battling low self-esteem, anger, and anxiety, among other issues. I was in so much pain that I needed to find a change.

I’ve been writing a blog each week on Substack. Join me for ideas on growth, development, and self-awareness - and whatever else is in my mind.

I don't know about you, but I love decluttering.

To me, there's nothing more satisfying than taking everything out of a drawer or closet, sorting through what's there, making a pile to donate, and re-organizing the space.

I’ve spent the morning trying to clear away some of the clutter in my mind. I feel like I have so many ideas and plans and things I want to explore. Instead of that being inspiring, it just felt like too much. I didn’t know where to start.

I've spent the winter reflecting on the journey I've taken over the last five years. Although my career in HR has given me so much opportunity to learn, grow, and connect, I've come to realize that coaching and development is where my energy lives these days.

The great reset isn’t going to last forever (it just feels that way) and the “normal” way of the world will overcome us again. Take this time now to start building a new way forward for yourself.

I’ve been thinking about the rituals I’ve developed during this work from home time. I’ve always been a creature of habit, and I have always had things I did in the same order each day, but I would have said that was for efficiency. I didn’t much notice those habits, they were just how I got things done.