It’s Monday evening, and I am (again?) late in publishing my weekly insights. As announced 8 days ago, I was traveling last week and came back with my heart and mind full of experiences. A good bit of life reflection: professional milestones, and the quiet yearning for a simpler life, a life more deeply rooted in nature. The messy, exhilarating, and deeply human process of piecing together a life that feels authentic.
Personal
The draw of our farm in southwest France continues to be a -very!- powerful force. I spent precious hours there, not just as a visitor, but as a future inhabitant, taking measurements, capturing the essence of the place in photos and videos. I’m building a vision, a sanctuary for us and those who resonate with its quiet beauty. It’s a dream that’s taking shape, brick by metaphorical brick. Soon literally. I would have liked to have my family with me to share some wonderful moments!
I have also used my time to catch up with friends. I am thinking about family and friends all the time, yet giving a phone call to get some news is not natural for me (inherited from childhood), but fighting against the reluctance to simply pick up the phone. Somehow it’s a conscious effort for me to nurture the relationships that truly nourish the soul. It’s not easy, but every call is a victory.
Professional
The week started fantastically well, as while I was going to the airport on Monday, I have received a message awarding me with my first independent consulting contract. I felt a surge of validation, a tangible reward for taking the leap. Especially when starting your journey, the imposter syndrome is always close by, and it takes some resolve to carry on on a logical path (after all, you know what expertise you have and how you built yourself up to where you are).
This week, the other side of my professional landscape shifted dramatically too. An interview at a leading helicopter engine company sparked a flurry of “what ifs,” the prospect of a challenging but potentially rewarding commute hanging in the balance (65km each way and about 2 hours per day on the road).
Inner
The time spent in France was a fantastic blessing, a return to the rhythms of nature. The silence, the sunlight, the simple warmth – it was a profound reminder of what truly matters.
Back in the UK, I also took time to go for morning walks, bathing in nature. This was calming and energising.
It’s been a week of intense activity, a balancing act – as always – between the external world and the quiet whispers of my inner self.
What About Next Week?
Knowing it’s Monday, I should consider “What about this week”!
My immediate focus is obviously on delivering for my new consulting client.
I’m also determined to carve out time for family, to create moments of joy and connection. A day in London, a shared experience – these are the moments that truly enrich life.
Final Words
Life isn’t a neatly packaged narrative. It’s an always evolving story, a continuous building act, a constant negotiation between our dreams and our realities.
From life reflection, within that wonderful chaos, there’s an opportunity to design a life that feels authentic, to find balance and purpose. Every challenge holds – at least – a solution. Every step forward is a blessing.
What are your life reflection this week? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s connect, let’s inspire, let’s remind each other that we’re all navigating this beautiful, messy journey together.
