The image of becoming "a passerby in your own life," physically present but no longer really there, is such a precise way to describe how easily sport and self-care quietly get deprioritized in adulthood without ever making a conscious decision to give them up. Going from that six-month rut, trying Pilates alone knowing no one, to now training as an instructor is such a concrete example of what choosing yourself actually looks like in practice, not a glow-up montage, just one nervous decision that snowballed. The refusal to promise overnight transformation is what makes this land as trustworthy rather than another wellness pitch, sustainable growth over burnout is exactly the right framing. Excited to follow this series.
Thank you so much Nicole for reading and for the thoughtful comment! I really appreciate it🥹 I think as we become adults we don’t realise how self care and sport slowly disappear from our lives. I’m still actively trying to get out of the 6 month rut of I’m being completely honest, so I think it’s perfect way for me to really express what is working and how I’m going to implement my goals and really work to carry them out! It’s not an overnight change but a conscious decision that it’s time to become a priority again, to build from a place of self love and care to get the dreams we deserve to achieve! Excited to have you here for the journey and for the next pieces🩷
That honesty is exactly what makes this resonate, admitting you're still actively working through it rather than presenting it as already solved. "A conscious decision that it's time to become a priority again" is such a clear way to frame it, no need to wait until you feel fully ready, just choosing it on purpose. Really excited to follow along as you build this out 🩷
Yara!!! What a beautiful piece and so full of helpful advice which isn't from a 'transformed' place of having everything figured out as so many self-growth pieces are! What you wrote about discipline is particularly interesting as I definitely have come to see this with negative connotations so it's been useful to reframe this. Choosing to be consistent, disciplined and motivated whilst being kind to and patient with yourself is such a valuable message. Also so proud of you with your pilates!!! What an inspiration 🩷
Lily!! Thank you so much for reading🥹 it’s a little different to what I usually publish but I’m really happy you enjoyed this piece! I found it so useful and thought others might too🥰Thank you so much for your endless support and kindness, I appreciate you so much 🥹🥰🩷🧚🏽
This piece is an absolute breath of fresh air. At just 24 years old, balancing a demanding legal career, earning an undergraduate degree in Law with Criminology, completing a postgraduate diploma this year, and working in a law firm, is a massive accomplishment on its own. But what makes this piece so special is that you aren't letting those milestones define you as a static box. Instead, you’re actively reclaiming your own story by stepping out of the shadows and diving headfirst into Pilates training.
The biggest takeaway here is that growth isn't about chasing perfection or waiting for a fleeting spark of motivation. It’s about choosing a sustainable, deeply kind discipline that lets us show up for ourselves every single day. Thank you for opening up about the messy middle and reminding us that we are worthy of being the main characters in our own lives. Can't wait for Part 2! 🤍✨
Thank you so much lovely Marga! 🥹😭 what a thoughtful and kind comment. I’m super excited to be training in Pilates and really taking that leap, we don’t have to stay in a box or just do one thing. Despite being really proud of how far I have come in my legal career thus far I have so many interests and aspirations that also align outside of it. I hVe always been quite creative and I don’t think we should have to let that go, this is what Substack has allowed me to do and given me the confidence to pursue Pilates too!
Yes! I’m so happy to hear that those points came across well in this piece that’s exactly what I hoped people would get and to also feel encouraged to do what we want and not be burdened by perfection. Super excited to write part two which should have some more helpful mechanisms to begin choosing ourselves 🥰 thank you so much for reading Marga!🩷🧚🏽🥰
The image of becoming "a passerby in your own life," physically present but no longer really there, is such a precise way to describe how easily sport and self-care quietly get deprioritized in adulthood without ever making a conscious decision to give them up. Going from that six-month rut, trying Pilates alone knowing no one, to now training as an instructor is such a concrete example of what choosing yourself actually looks like in practice, not a glow-up montage, just one nervous decision that snowballed. The refusal to promise overnight transformation is what makes this land as trustworthy rather than another wellness pitch, sustainable growth over burnout is exactly the right framing. Excited to follow this series.
Thank you so much Nicole for reading and for the thoughtful comment! I really appreciate it🥹 I think as we become adults we don’t realise how self care and sport slowly disappear from our lives. I’m still actively trying to get out of the 6 month rut of I’m being completely honest, so I think it’s perfect way for me to really express what is working and how I’m going to implement my goals and really work to carry them out! It’s not an overnight change but a conscious decision that it’s time to become a priority again, to build from a place of self love and care to get the dreams we deserve to achieve! Excited to have you here for the journey and for the next pieces🩷
That honesty is exactly what makes this resonate, admitting you're still actively working through it rather than presenting it as already solved. "A conscious decision that it's time to become a priority again" is such a clear way to frame it, no need to wait until you feel fully ready, just choosing it on purpose. Really excited to follow along as you build this out 🩷
Preach ✨ Self Help is the way to go. Beautifully written, very engaging.
Thank you so much Bella! 🩷
Yara!!! What a beautiful piece and so full of helpful advice which isn't from a 'transformed' place of having everything figured out as so many self-growth pieces are! What you wrote about discipline is particularly interesting as I definitely have come to see this with negative connotations so it's been useful to reframe this. Choosing to be consistent, disciplined and motivated whilst being kind to and patient with yourself is such a valuable message. Also so proud of you with your pilates!!! What an inspiration 🩷
Lily!! Thank you so much for reading🥹 it’s a little different to what I usually publish but I’m really happy you enjoyed this piece! I found it so useful and thought others might too🥰Thank you so much for your endless support and kindness, I appreciate you so much 🥹🥰🩷🧚🏽
This piece is an absolute breath of fresh air. At just 24 years old, balancing a demanding legal career, earning an undergraduate degree in Law with Criminology, completing a postgraduate diploma this year, and working in a law firm, is a massive accomplishment on its own. But what makes this piece so special is that you aren't letting those milestones define you as a static box. Instead, you’re actively reclaiming your own story by stepping out of the shadows and diving headfirst into Pilates training.
The biggest takeaway here is that growth isn't about chasing perfection or waiting for a fleeting spark of motivation. It’s about choosing a sustainable, deeply kind discipline that lets us show up for ourselves every single day. Thank you for opening up about the messy middle and reminding us that we are worthy of being the main characters in our own lives. Can't wait for Part 2! 🤍✨
Thank you so much lovely Marga! 🥹😭 what a thoughtful and kind comment. I’m super excited to be training in Pilates and really taking that leap, we don’t have to stay in a box or just do one thing. Despite being really proud of how far I have come in my legal career thus far I have so many interests and aspirations that also align outside of it. I hVe always been quite creative and I don’t think we should have to let that go, this is what Substack has allowed me to do and given me the confidence to pursue Pilates too!
Yes! I’m so happy to hear that those points came across well in this piece that’s exactly what I hoped people would get and to also feel encouraged to do what we want and not be burdened by perfection. Super excited to write part two which should have some more helpful mechanisms to begin choosing ourselves 🥰 thank you so much for reading Marga!🩷🧚🏽🥰
Ahhh! I’m so happy I’m subscribed to you! This is exactly the type of articles I want to be reading 💞
Thank you lovely Shafagh!🥹you’re so kind!🩷🌸