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Is there something you really enjoy doing, but somehow never seem to find the time for? In this episode of The Purposeful Shift, I reflect on why I keep putting off the things that make me happy, particularly my love of lino printing, which I haven't made time for at all this year. I share how being surrounded by creative people on my master's course has inspired me to try new things, and why I find it so difficult to justify spending time on something that doesn't earn money or lead to a new opportunity. I also question whether everything we do needs to have a purpose beyond simply enjoying it, and how easily the things we love can get pushed aside by work, responsibilities, and everyday life. I'd love to know whether there's something you've been putting off, particularly if it's something you really enjoy. What's stopping you from making time for it? Enjoyed this episode? You can join my newsletter for more personal reflections, ideas, and updates from The Purposeful Shift. Sign up via my website at www.thepurposefulshift.co.uk.

How do you respond when something feels difficult or uncomfortable? Do you face it, or are you more inclined to avoid it and hope it goes away? In this episode of The Purposeful Shift, I reflect on two recent experiences: a swimming session with a friend and a conversation with an inspiring podcast guest that made me question how I think about my own ability to cope with difficult situations. I talk about my tendency to avoid confrontation, the things I've already managed to get through in my own life, and why wanting to escape a difficult situation doesn't necessarily mean we're incapable of dealing with it. I'd love to know whether any of this resonates with you, particularly if you've ever surprised yourself with how you've coped when life has been difficult. You can reach me on Instagram at @thepurposefulshift Enjoyed this episode? You can join my newsletter for more personal reflections, ideas, and updates from The Purposeful Shift. Sign up via my website at www.thepurposefulshift.co.uk.

We often hear that we can't control how we feel, but we can choose how we respond. It's something I say myself, but I also know that putting it into practice isn't always easy. About fifteen months ago, I nearly missed out on an opportunity because I didn't feel confident enough to take it on. I initially said no, but after some encouragement, I reconsidered. It turned out to be an experience I'm incredibly glad I had. It made me think about how much our emotions can influence our decisions, sometimes without us even realising it. Fear might make us turn down something we'd actually enjoy, frustration might make us resist a perfectly reasonable request, and guilt might lead us to agree to something when we've already got enough on our plate. In this episode of The Purposeful Shift, I'm exploring what happens when our first emotional reaction starts influencing what we do next. I share some of my own experiences of anxiety, frustration, and learning to recognise when my interpretation of a situation might not be the whole story. I also draw on psychologist James Gross's research into emotion regulation, Jack Brehm's theory of psychological reactance, and neuroscientist Joel Pearson's work on intuition. We look at why being told what to do can make us want to push back, how considering another perspective might change the way we feel, and why finding space to process our emotions looks different for everyone. Because choosing how we respond doesn't necessarily mean waiting until we feel completely calm or certain. Sometimes we have to make decisions while we're still feeling uncomfortable. A moment to reflectAs you listen, you might like to consider: Think about a recent situation where you experienced a strong emotional reaction. What was your immediate instinct, and might there have been something else influencing how you felt at the time?Is there an opportunity, decision, or conversation you're currently avoiding because you genuinely don't want it, or because you're worried about what might happen if you give it a go?There's no right answer, and you don't need to question every feeling you have. But sometimes giving ourselves a little space to consider what's happening can help us make a decision that feels more considered. Reflect & Connect - upcoming eventsIf you'd like to make a little more time for reflection and connection, I'm hosting Reflect & Connect, a series of free monthly online journaling sessions in October, November, and December. I'm also offering in-person 'walk and talk' sessions at various locations across the South West of England. You can find booking details for upcoming events on Eventbrite, and keep up with the latest news and opportunities by subscribing to The Purposeful Shift newsletter. Visit https://thepurposefulshift.co.uk to find out more. Thank you for listening, and for choosing to spend some of your day with me.

What does it really mean to feel grounded, connected, and at home within yourself? In this episode of The Purposeful Shift, Emma is joined by Natasha Jade, founder of Rooted Together Network, a growing community initiative supporting families through connection, nature, and shared experiences. Natasha shares how her own experiences of feeling disconnected led her towards Montessori education, and how what began as a different approach to teaching gradually became a way of living. Together, Emma and Natasha explore the importance of slowing down, being present, and learning to see ourselves and the people around us with greater compassion. Their conversation moves beyond education and parenting to consider what it means to create a sense of home within ourselves. Natasha reflects on her experience of nomadic living, the daily routines that help her feel grounded, and the role that nature, gratitude, and self-compassion have played in her personal journey. Natasha also shares how she's learning to move forward with less fear, recognising that sometimes clarity comes through doing, rather than waiting until we're completely ready. Join us for this thoughtful conversation about connection, compassion, lifelong learning, and the small changes that can make a meaningful difference to our lives and relationships. Find out more about Natasha and Rooted Together Network Instagram: @rooted_together_network Website: www.rootedtogethernetwork.org Exciting new opportunity  Natasha is looking for a small group to explore the 7 Seeds framework online alongside other parents and caregivers.  Available upcoming groups: Tuesday’s beginning: 13th October - 1st DecemberThursday beginning: 29th October - 17th DecemberREGISTER or ENQUIRE HERE:  [email protected] Continue the conversation If you'd like deeper reflections on the topics explored in the podcast and to be part of The Purposeful Shift community, you can sign up for the newsletter. Join the newsletter: https://thepurposefulshift.co.uk/ Thank you for listening to The Purposeful Shift. If you enjoyed this conversation, please follow or subscribe so you don't miss future episodes. Reviews, ratings, and shares also help more people discover the podcast and are always hugely appreciated.

What are you waiting for before you allow yourself to explore something you already know you want? In this episode of The Purposeful Shift, Emma returns to the idea of the nudge, that feeling that you might want something more, less, or simply different from your life, even if you don’t quite know what that looks like yet. Inspired by rereading Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks, Emma reflects on how easy it is to postpone the things that matter while waiting for life to become calmer, more organised, or more certain. She explores the impossible standards we can set for ourselves, the difficulty of choosing where to spend our limited time, and what happens when we keep waiting for external validation before allowing ourselves to claim something, make a change or explore what we really want. Drawing on her own experience with The Purposeful Shift, Emma considers why she still finds it difficult to call herself a podcaster, despite having created more than 30 episodes, and whether we sometimes create imaginary thresholds for when something will finally feel successful or valid. Rather than making dramatic changes or needing to know exactly where a nudge will lead, this episode is an invitation to give yourself permission to explore it, perhaps through one small experiment, and notice what you learn along the way. Questions to reflect on What are you waiting to have sorted, achieved, or proven before you give yourself permission to do something that you already know you want? If you accepted that the perfect time, complete certainty, or somebody else’s validation will never arrive, what is one small thing that you could choose to do now? Continue the conversation If you’d like deeper reflections on the topics explored in the podcast and to be part of The Purposeful Shift community, you can sign up for the weekly newsletter. Join The Purposeful Shift newsletter Thank you for listening to The Purposeful Shift.

What happens when life is demanding a lot from you emotionally, but you're still expecting yourself to work, think, and perform exactly as you normally would? After a week where several things were competing for my attention, I found myself questioning why I was struggling to concentrate and whether pushing through was really the most effective response. In this episode, I explore what happens to our thinking when we're stressed, drawing on research around executive function and emotion regulation. I reflect on the difference between being physically available for work and actually having the mental capacity to do it well, and whether we could get better at matching what we ask of ourselves to the capacity we have on a particular day. Because sometimes being effective might not mean doing everything we planned. It might mean recognising what else our brain is dealing with, deciding what really needs our attention, and giving ourselves a little more grace when we can. Pasted markdown.mdMD Questions to reflect on What else is my brain dealing with right now? Given everything that's going on, what would being effective actually look like today? Connect with The Purposeful Shift Website: www.thepurposefulshift.co.uk Sign up for the weekly newsletter via the website for more reflections, ideas, and opportunities to think about what you really want from your life. Thank you for listening to The Purposeful Shift.

What happens when the version of success you’ve been working towards no longer feels like enough? In this episode of The Purposeful Shift, Emma is joined by founder and podcaster Caroline Canty for a wide-ranging conversation about success, confidence, fear, personal growth and what happens when we create enough space to start asking bigger questions about our lives. Caroline shares how her own experiences with anxiety, burnout and health challenges changed the direction of her life and eventually led her into coaching. She talks about losing a close friend at just 27, being confronted with her own mortality and beginning to question where she was going and what she really wanted.  Together, Emma and Caroline explore the idea that sometimes we simply “don’t know what we don’t know”, and why recognising that doesn't have to mean we've failed. They discuss how becoming experienced or successful can actually make being a beginner again more uncomfortable, why confidence is built through experience, and what can happen when we stop seeing mistakes as failure and start seeing them as part of learning. Caroline also challenges the idea that we always need to “let go” of the things holding us back. Instead, she talks about understanding where our fears and behaviours come from, learning to work with them and accepting the parts of our experiences that have helped shape who we are. The conversation explores how our definition of success can change as we move through life. They also discuss leadership, imposter syndrome, the challenges of moving from being good at a job to leading other people, entrepreneurship and the different risks involved in working for yourself versus somebody else. About Caroline Canty Caroline Canty is a Founder & Podcaster whose work explores leadership, wellbeing, performance and what it means to be human. Through Craft Coaching, Caroline works with individuals and businesses, helping people better understand themselves, the way they work and the things that can get in the way of their growth. Caroline is the creator of Being Human, an immersive coaching experience available through podcast platforms, where she explores the mind, body and soul and the ideas that shape how we live, work and grow. Find Caroline on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinecanty/Listen to her immersive coaching experience channel anywhere you get your podcasts, including: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4T0Ze4Znv9TeqIP9qCX0hl Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/being-human-trailer/id6806562641?i=1000786782671Caroline's website: https://craftcoaching.co.uk/

How do we know what we're capable of if we never have to find out? Inspired by a lyric from Lola Young's Flicker of Light, Emma explores how small challenges can help us discover what we're capable of and why confidence doesn't always have to come before action. Earlier this year, Emma went to see Lola Young in Manchester. It was her first time in the city and her first time going to a gig alone. It wasn't an enormous act of bravery, but it meant doing something unfamiliar and discovering that not only could she do it, she could really enjoy it too. Drawing on psychologist Albert Bandura's work on self-efficacy and mastery experiences, Emma considers how actually doing something and getting through it can give us evidence of our own capability. From competitive swimming to pressing record and publishing this podcast, she explores the difference between something being wrong for us and something simply feeling uncomfortable because it's unfamiliar. Because sometimes we don't need to wait until we feel completely confident. Sometimes doing the thing is how we find out what we're capable of. Reflection QuestionsWhat's something you can do now that a previous version of you wasn't sure she could do? It doesn't need to be something huge. Think about something that once made you nervous or uncertain but now feels completely ordinary. What does that experience tell you about what you're capable of? Then consider: Is there something you're avoiding at the moment because you don't want to do it, or because you've simply never done it before? You don't need to go looking for unnecessary challenges or spend your life outside your comfort zone. But perhaps there's one small opportunity to do something unfamiliar and find out what happens. If you've enjoyed this episode, you can also join Emma through The Purposeful Shift weekly newsletter, where she shares more of the ideas, questions and experiences she's exploring.  Sign up here or on The Purposeful Shift website: https://thepurposefulshift.co.uk/  Thank you for listening to The Purposeful Shift.

What happens when you've been living through something difficult for so long that you start to wonder whether life is ever going to feel different again? In this episode of The Purposeful Shift, Emma explores what happens when a difficult period lasts for months or even years, and it becomes hard to imagine life feeling any other way. Drawing on a particularly challenging 18 months in her own family life, Emma reflects on the experience of living with uncertainty, feeling unable to control what was happening and reaching a point where simply getting through one day at a time became enough. She also explores research into affective forecasting and why we aren't always particularly good at predicting how we'll feel in the future, alongside ideas around stress, coping and resilience. At the heart of the episode is a piece of advice Emma received when she was close to breaking point: if she couldn't control what was happening, what could she control about how she looked after herself while it was happening? This isn't an episode about promising that everything will work itself out. Some circumstances can't be changed and some difficult experiences have a lasting impact. Instead, it's an exploration of how we keep going when we can't yet see the other side, and why the way life feels today isn't necessarily an accurate prediction of how it will always feel. Reflection ExerciseIf you're currently dealing with something that feels outside your control, take a piece of paper and divide it into two columns: What I can't control What I can influence or do to support myself Think about whatever is taking up most of your headspace at the moment. What genuinely isn't yours to control? Then look at the second column. What choices are still available to you? Is there somebody you could talk to, something you could take off your plate, support you could ask for, or something that could give you a little time away from thinking about the situation? Finally, ask yourself: What am I assuming about my future because of how life feels today? You don't have to force yourself to believe that everything will be fine. But you also don't know that everything will stay exactly as it is now. If something in this episode resonated with you, Emma continues these conversations in The Purposeful Shift weekly newsletter, sharing practical ideas, experiences and reflection questions to help you explore your own purposeful shift.  Sign up here or on The Purposeful Shift website: https://thepurposefulshift.co.uk/  Thank you, as always, for listening and for sharing part of your day with The Purposeful Shift.

What happens when everything on your to-do list feels important and there simply aren't enough hours available to do it all? After exploring procrastination in last week's episode, Emma found herself experiencing it in real life, but this time she began to realise that avoiding individual tasks wasn't really the problem. She was overwhelmed by the sheer number of things competing for her time and attention. In this more personal episode of The Purposeful Shift, Emma reflects on a week when work, study, family life, business changes and a head full of new ideas finally started to feel like too much. She shares some of the signs she noticed, including working more slowly, cleaning the house, baking cookies and consuming other people's content whilst convincing herself she was being productive. Eventually, she realised that perhaps the thing she was really avoiding was accepting that she couldn't do everything she wanted to do at once. That realisation led to a big brain dump and a different question. Instead of asking, "How am I going to get all of this done?", she began asking, "What actually needs my attention now?" Some things stayed in the diary, some became tasks rather than appointments, some were postponed, and a few ideas moved all the way into 2027. Rather than giving them up altogether, Emma began to see postponing them as a conscious decision to say "not now". She also reflects on why doing less can feel surprisingly uncomfortable when being busy, capable and able to manage a lot has become part of your identity. Looking back at the expectations she placed on herself from childhood onwards, Emma considers whether being capable of carrying a lot means we need to keep proving that we can. This isn't an episode about having overwhelm figured out. It's a reflection from right in the middle of it, and an invitation to consider whether everything currently taking up space in your own head really needs your attention now. Reflection questions If you've been carrying too much yourself, take a few minutes to consider: What are you carrying around in your head that doesn't actually need your attention right now? What could you consciously choose to postpone, rather than allowing yourself to feel guilty that you haven't done it yet? You might also want to look at your diary and ask whether everything in it genuinely deserves protected time, whether some things could simply become tasks or reminders, and whether anything could be removed altogether. Creating space isn't about finding more hours but making clearer decisions about what those hours need to contain. Continue the conversation If you enjoy these reflections, you can join The Purposeful Shift newsletter, where Emma shares thoughts from the podcast, things she's exploring and prompts to help you reflect on your own life. Sign up here or on The Purposeful Shift website: https://thepurposefulshift.co.uk/   And if you enjoy these more personal Living the Lesson episodes alongside the researched solo episodes and guest conversations, Emma would genuinely love to hear what you think. Thank you for listening to The Purposeful Shift.

Have you ever put something off, even though you knew it really mattered? Perhaps it's an email you've been meaning to send, a difficult conversation you've been avoiding, a business idea that's been sitting in your notebook for months, or a decision that somehow feels much bigger than the task itself. Many of us assume procrastination is simply a sign that we're lazy, disorganised or lacking motivation. But what if that's not true? In this episode of The Purposeful Shift, Emma explores what procrastination really is, and why the things we delay are often the things that matter most to us. Drawing on her own experience of trying to redefine her business, alongside research from Professor Timothy Pychyl, Professor Fuschia Sirois and reflections inspired by Maisie Hill's book Powerful, Emma explores the growing evidence that procrastination is less about poor time management and more about emotion regulation. Together, you'll explore why uncomfortable feelings such as uncertainty, fear, vulnerability and self doubt can make even small tasks feel overwhelming, why putting something off often makes it feel emotionally heavier, and how becoming curious about our behaviour can be far more helpful than immediately criticising ourselves. Emma also reflects on Parkinson's Law, why deadlines sometimes help and sometimes don't, and the important difference between intentionally choosing to delay a task and unconsciously carrying it around in your mind for weeks. Rather than offering another list of productivity tips, this episode invites you to understand what procrastination might actually be trying to tell you. Perhaps the question isn't, "Why can't I just get on with it?" Perhaps it's, "What is making this feel difficult today?" Reflection exercise Think of one thing you've been putting off. Then ask yourself: What am I actually avoiding here?Is it the task itself, or the feeling that comes with it?If it's the feeling, what might help me take the first small step with a little more compassion? Notice what comes up before you judge yourself. Sometimes understanding what's underneath our procrastination is the very thing that helps us move forward. Sign up for The Purposeful Shift newsletter If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to continue the conversation through The Purposeful Shift weekly newsletter, where I share reflections, psychology, practical exercises and gentle prompts to help you create meaningful change in your own life. Sign up here or on The Purposeful Shift website: https://thepurposefulshift.co.uk/

Have you ever found yourself feeling like the least experienced person in the room? Perhaps you've started a new job, launched a business, been invited to speak at an event, or found yourself surrounded by people who seem more accomplished than you. Instead of celebrating how far you've come, you begin questioning whether you really deserve to be there. In this episode of The Purposeful Shift, Emma explores the experience many of us call imposter syndrome through a very personal story. After being featured as an "Up and Coming" podcaster in Women Who Podcast magazine (https://www.womenwhopodcastmag.com/), what began as a moment of pride quickly became a moment of comparison as she found herself questioning whether she belonged alongside the other women featured.  Drawing on research from psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, who first described the Impostor Phenomenon in 1978, Emma explores why capable, successful people often struggle to recognise their own achievements. She also shares insights from Albert Bandura's work on self-efficacy, reminding us that confidence doesn't appear before we begin. It grows through experience and the evidence we collect along the way.  Rather than asking how to overcome imposter syndrome, this episode invites you to consider a different question. What if you're not an imposter at all? What if you're simply a beginner? If you've ever questioned whether you belong, this conversation is a gentle reminder that feeling like a beginner doesn't mean you're in the wrong room. Sometimes it simply means you've had the courage to step into one that's big enough to help you grow. Reflection ExerciseTake a few quiet moments this week to reflect on these two questions: Where in your life do you feel like you don't quite belong? Then ask yourself: If you stopped comparing yourself with people who've been there much longer than you, what evidence would you see that you've already earned your place? Think about the conversations you've had, the people you've helped, the skills you've developed and the courage it took to begin. The evidence is likely already there. Continue the conversationThe podcast is where I share conversations and reflections. The newsletter is where we explore them a little more deeply. Each week I share thoughtful ideas, practical exercises and gentle prompts to help you reflect, grow and create a life that feels more aligned with who you are. If you'd like those to arrive in your inbox each week, I'd love to welcome you to The Purposeful Shift newsletter. Sign up here or on The Purposeful Shift website: https://thepurposefulshift.co.uk/

Last week, I released an episode about the fear of being seen trying something new. Yesterday, I realised I'd spent the entire week living exactly what I'd been talking about. So this episode is a little different. Instead of my normal format, I'm sharing three reflections from my own week. From trying to redefine my business, to reaching out to an artist I admire, and recognising that growth doesn't always mean pushing harder, this is a more personal episode about what happened when I tried to take my own advice. One thing that struck me this week was how often we make decisions based on assumptions we've never actually tested. We tell ourselves someone will say no. We assume people won't understand a change we're making. We imagine what other people are thinking, without ever giving them the chance to prove us wrong. I also found myself reflecting on what growth really looks like. Sometimes it's taking a brave step. Sometimes it's recognising that today isn't the day for a difficult decision. And sometimes it's simply looking back six months and realising how much has changed without you even noticing. If last week's episode resonated with you, I hope this conversation reminds you that growth isn't something we understand once and move on from. It's something we keep practising, one small decision at a time. Reflection Question Take a few quiet moments this week to reflect on this question: What opportunity have you already talked yourself out of before giving someone else the chance to answer? Perhaps it's applying for something, asking for help, inviting someone for a coffee, or sharing an idea you've been keeping to yourself. What might become possible if you simply asked the question? Continue the conversationThe podcast is where I share conversations and reflections. The newsletter is where we explore them a little more deeply. Each week I share thoughtful ideas, practical exercises and gentle prompts to help you reflect, grow and create a life and business that feels more aligned with who you are. If you'd like those to arrive in your inbox each week, I'd love to welcome you to The Purposeful Shift newsletter. Sign up here

The Courage to Be Seen: Are You Afraid to Be Seen Trying? How often have you stopped yourself from doing something, not because you couldn't do it, but because you were worried about what other people might think? Whether it's starting a business, posting on social media, changing career, returning to education or simply trying something new, many of us hesitate because we're afraid of being seen as beginners. We worry about looking awkward, making mistakes or being judged before we've even had the chance to learn. In this episode of The Purposeful Shift, Emma explores why the fear of looking stupid can quietly shape our decisions, and why courage isn't about becoming fearless, it's about refusing to let fear make our decisions for us. Drawing on personal stories, from recording Instagram videos and launching a podcast to converting a campervan with little more than enthusiasm and YouTube tutorials, Emma reflects on why confidence rarely comes first. Instead, confidence grows through experience, curiosity and a willingness to learn in public. Alongside these reflections, Emma explores the psychology behind the Spotlight Effect, the tendency to overestimate how much other people notice us, and shares insights from Carol Dweck's research on growth mindset, Kristin Neff's work on self compassion, and Elizabeth Gilbert's perspective on allowing fear to come along for the journey without letting it take the wheel. Rather than waiting until we feel ready, this episode is an invitation to embrace being a beginner again, to see mistakes as part of learning, and to remember that the opportunities we regret are often the ones we never gave ourselves permission to explore. If you've ever held yourself back because you were worried about what other people might think, this conversation is for you. Reflection ExerciseTake a notebook, or open the notes app on your phone, and complete this sentence: If I wasn't worried about looking stupid, I would... Keep writing without editing yourself. Then spend a few moments reflecting on these questions: What am I really afraid might happen?Whose opinion am I giving the most power to?What opportunities might I miss if I continue allowing fear to make my decisions?What would one small courageous step look like this week? Sometimes the things we're most afraid of are also the things that matter most. They ask us to be seen, to be beginners again and to trust ourselves enough to learn along the way. Thank you for listening to The Purposeful ShiftIf this episode resonated with you, I'd love to continue the conversation through my weekly newsletter, where I share reflections, practical exercises and gentle prompts to help you create a life and business that feels more aligned with who you are. Join The Purposeful Shift newsletter here. "Fear will always have something to say. You just don't have to let it have the final word."

In this episode of The Purposeful Shift, Emma is joined by yoga teacher, menopause coach, and retreat host Louise Pitman for a thoughtful conversation about career change, midlife reinvention, creativity, and finding the courage to follow what lights you up. Before becoming a yoga teacher, Louise spent 25 years working within the criminal justice system, progressing to senior leadership roles. She shares how a growing sense of discomfort led her to step away from a career she cared deeply about and gradually build a new path that felt more aligned with who she was becoming. Louise reflects on the unexpected role yoga played in her life following the loss of her mum, how grief became a catalyst for change, and why learning to listen to herself opened the door to an entirely different future. Together, Emma and Louise explore the reality of making significant life changes, including the fears, practical considerations and mindset shifts that often come with them. The conversation also explores menopause, wellbeing, creativity, community and the importance of making space for joy in everyday life. Louise shares more about her move from Wiltshire to Northern Ireland, the retreats she now hosts, and the book she is currently writing about wild swimming, menopause and the women whose stories have inspired her along the way. Louise's story is an inspiring example of what can happen when we stop asking "What if it goes wrong?" and start asking "What if it's the best thing I ever did?" You can find out more about Louise's yoga classes, retreats, swimming, and writing below: Yoga Retreats Yoga classes Follow Louise on: Instagram Substack Thank you for listening to The Purposeful Pause, and inviting this podcast and conversation to be a part of your day today. If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to welcome you to my weekly newsletter. It's a space where I share reflections, ideas and practical exercises that build on the conversations from the podcast, helping you to keep making small, purposeful shifts in your own life. Join the newsletter here.