I’ve always been slightly suspicious of the idea of feeling ready. It sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Very calm. Very grown up. Very “I have bought the correct notebook and now my life will behave itself.” But I’m not sure ready works like that. At least, it hasn’t for me. Most of the important things I’ve done in my life didn’t begin with a huge wave of confidence. They didn’t start with me feeling completely prepared, emotionally balanced, wildly capable and dressed in breathab

I used to think confidence was something you either had or didn’t have. Some people seemed to walk into rooms already carrying it. They knew what to say. They knew where to stand. They seemed able to introduce themselves without immediately wondering whether their own face looked strange. They had that thing. That invisible, annoying, shiny thing. And I assumed they had always had it. I’m not sure I believe that anymore. The older I get, the more I think confidence is misunde

I’ve been thinking a lot about that strange space between wanting something to change and actually doing something about it. It’s a weird place to be, because from the outside it can look like nothing is happening. You’re going to work, answering emails, walking the dog, making dinner, doing all the normal life admin. But underneath all of that, there’s this quiet little thought that keeps coming back. Something needs to change. Sometimes it’s loud and obvious. Other times it