Life after snacks and naps: My journey to finding me again

I was given this poster for Christmas around 14 years ago, long before my days at notonthehighstreet.com. Back then, it was bang on trend and brought a big smile to my face (no judgement please, I know it's very 2010!).

Since moving into our current home in 2015, it’s been hanging upstairs - no longer in pride of place, but there nonetheless. I remember glancing at it after having my second child and wondering, “When was the last time I did most of the things on that list?”

The Sauvignon Blanc and chocolate still very much featured, but much of the rest? Not so much.

You see, after baby number two, my personal hobbies and interests started to take a backseat. Suddenly it was all about “Child A likes X and Y” or “Child B will scream without Z.” And as is often the case, with time stretched thin, the things I loved got pushed down the priority list.

It’s not the most inspirational tale, but I suspect it’s more common than we’d like to admit.

As parents, especially as primary caregivers (often still the mother here in the UK - though thankfully this is slowly shifting), our identities can shift - sometimes unexpectedly - after having children. And in the thick of juggling work, life, home, and relatives, what we love and what makes us happy can get a little neglected.

There is no silver bullet or magic solution - but there are things that can help you get back on track.

There’s a simple but brilliant coaching tool called the Wheel of Life (or Wheel of Anything really). It’s a visual snapshot of how balanced (or unbalanced) different areas of your life are - like career, relationships, health, hobbies, and personal growth.

Coaching helps by taking that snapshot and turning it into a meaningful conversation. You can clearly see where your energy and attention might be too concentrated or lacking. In my experience, once clients see these gaps in front of them, it often leads to an aha! moment - a spark of awareness that something needs attention, but also a clearer understanding of how to address it.

For me, had I used this tool earlier, I might have recognised just how much my personal interests were being sidelined, perhaps often out of necessity but at least that awareness might have helped me see I needed a clear plan to address it . Over time, and especially when we are busy, we can stop checking in with ourselves, and that’s when the disconnect happens.

The magic of coaching is in these discoveries. It’s not about forcing change or always about big life overhauls but about gradual steps towards reclaiming what makes you feel like you again. It’s about identifying what you truly need and figuring out small, actionable steps to integrate it into your life - whether that’s carving out time for yourself, rediscovering a passion, or setting healthier boundaries.

If any of this sounds familiar, I’d love to help you reclaim your ‘you-ness’ and find what makes your life feel balanced and joyful.