Happy Tuesday -
However your night was, however your week is going, however the kids are behaving -
Sending hugs from one imperfect mum to another.
Iโve written THIRTY of these now (?!) , so this week I thought Iโd have a little share with you about what Iโve learned writing once a week my Go Back Happy / WorkingMumming Tips.
๐คญ
3 things Iโve learned in 30 emails
1. When you are honest, the world doesnโt actually implode
Most people are cool about it ๐คทโโ๏ธ
The first ever podcast episode I did, during the pandemic, (back when it was called New Leaf) I made a decision - by accident - to be as honest as I could whenever I wrote -
Whether it was in my Letty Reflects mini pod episodes ๐ (where I reflect on my brilliant guests), my instagram captions, my weirdly popular Linkedin posts about Returnity -
Or in these emails.
Iโll tell you why.
I was (and still am a bit) really self conscious about sharing. Anything. Iโm a stiff upper lip Brit after all, from a family of non-sharers ๐ฌ๐ง๐ฌ๐ง๐ฌ๐ง๐ฌ๐ง.
However, I was inspired from the get-go of my writing, by moment no.1 actually, by interviewing a brilliant guest called Hannah Howard.
Hannahโs a best-selling food writer and accomplished journalist. Sheโd battled a severe eating disorder and was awe-inspiringly honest and raw about her experience on my first ever time interviewing or writing. Hannah is the โCoolAndAmericanโ to my โNotCoolAndBritishโ ๐บ๐ธ๐บ๐ธ๐บ๐ธ๐บ๐ธ
Her total ownership of her experience was jarring - her world hadnโt fallen apart when she was just herself - so what if mine didnโt, either? ๐ค
Since then, every single one of these Go Back Happy emails has been my inner voice, unflinchingly. The advice I would say out loud, or tell a friend. Sometimes I falter on whether to say it - but meh. I always go for it.
Itโs a journey - donโt get me wrong - but try just being emotionally honest sometimes. In work and at home.
Even if it feels cringe on the inside.
Youโd be surprised.
2. What you start with DEFINITELY wonโt be what you end up with
When I started out writing these, I wasnโt sure what they would be. I am dorky and like stupid gifs (in case you hadnโt noticed). I like communicating important concepts, making people think, and making people laugh. But Iโm also quite serious, fiery and incredibly passionate about this cause. Itโs hard to strike this tone (hopefully you guys feel like I manage?)
I didnโt know what would be the result for The Spring Back Guide, for the podcast. Or have any real clue of how it would turn out in 5 years.
Because, itโs physically impossible. You cannot see into the future.
Think about being on a path - it may look wooded, dark and scary. So - you take the sunny, easy looking route.๐ - only to find that itโs full of monsters at the end and takes twice as long ๐จ๐น.
Sometimes youโve got to try the dark and scary - walk a little way down its path - to be able to see that it all clears around the corner, and/or that a big pile of puppies/chips is at the end of it, and was worth the terror ๐ถ๐.
If we all knew immediately the โperfectโ business and the โperfectโ product or the โperfectโ way to be a mum or a woman or a partner then weโd all be blissfully happy perfect squillionaires ๐ - but it is a journey, not a destination.
The podcast, this newsletter, my instagram, my product, my style of coaching, my mumming, my approach to marketing - it has all completely changed.
Itโs always evolving, especially as I am listening ๐ - and Iโve accepted itโll all be totally different in 5 years. And that is fine.
Currently?
My mission is to make as MANY companies as possible recognise that we have a crisis. Organisations HAVE to prioritise #Returnity to ensure they hold onto fantastic talent, and close the gender pay gap - for good.
Obviously.
Think your old job / current workplace could benefit from Returnity Coaching for mat leavers?
Let me know an HR contact and I can help (donโt worry, you can be anonymous!)
3. Good things take time
Right?
โจMaking a baby
โจGrowing a baby
โจBirthing a baby
โจNurturing your career
โจFiguring out your path
โจKnowing when to deviate
โจClimbing up to where you want to be
โจPicking a Partner
โจHaving a loving relationship
โจBeing the best parent you can be
There are no shortcuts to the good stuff - it all takes time.
You can do it though.
Have a lovely rest of your week - would love your thoughts.
Letty
xx