03/08/2026
One Year Later: The Journey That Brought Me Here
There are certain dates that quietly become landmarks in our lives.
At the time, they can seem like ordinary days. It is only with the passing of years that we realise they have become turning points—markers of endings, beginnings and everything in between.
For me, one of those dates is 4 August.
Over the years, it has come to represent a series of significant transitions.
It marked the beginning of learning to live independently.
A year later, it became the day I experienced the profound loss of someone who had once shared that journey with me.
Last year, it marked something very different. The final pieces of redundancy had fallen into place. The paperwork was complete, the financial loose ends were tied up, and I was preparing for a trip to Europe with my daughter, Siân, unaware that I was also stepping into one of the most transformative years of my life.
Looking back now, I can see that each of those moments asked something different of me.
To let go.
To grieve.
To begin again.
At the time, I thought redundancy was simply another ending.
Instead, it became the beginning of a year that invited me to rediscover who I was, what I valued, and what I wanted the next season of my life to become.
There were moments of uncertainty.
Moments where I questioned myself.
Moments where I wondered whether I was good enough.
Yet there were also moments of incredible discovery.
I’ve spent many years studying numerology, astrology, mythology, philosophy, astronomy and psychology. This past year gave me the gift of time to explore those studies more deeply, to revisit what I had learnt, and to see the patterns that weave between them. Not because I was searching for certainty, but because I have always been curious about how people seek to understand themselves and the world around them.
As I explored these different perspectives, something unexpected happened.
My work began to evolve.
It became less about finding answers and more about asking meaningful questions.
Less about prediction and more about perspective.
Less about telling people who they are, and more about helping them recognise the patterns already woven through their own story.
Perhaps one of the greatest lessons has been learning that I don’t have to choose between faith and curiosity, or between intuition and thoughtful observation. They can sit alongside one another, each offering a different lens through which to understand life.
This year has also reminded me that comparison serves very little purpose.
Each of us has a unique voice.
Each of us has a unique path.
Each of us has something meaningful to contribute.
As I look back, I can see that life rarely unfolds in a straight line.
It is often only with hindsight that the scattered pieces begin to reveal a pattern we couldn’t see while we were living it.
Above all, I feel deeply grateful.
To my family and friends who encouraged me when I couldn’t always see the next step.
To those who shared their knowledge, opened doors, offered opportunities, or simply listened when I needed someone to hear me.
And to every soul who has trusted me to walk alongside them—thank you. Your willingness to share your stories, your questions, your hopes and your challenges has been one of the greatest privileges of this journey. I have learnt as much from you as I hope you have taken from our time together.
None of us walks this path alone.
We are shaped by the kindness, trust and generosity of those who journey beside us.
So today, I don’t simply celebrate a year since change began.
I celebrate a year of growth.
A year of learning.
A year of rediscovering who I am.
And a year of finding the courage to continue becoming the person I believe I was always meant to be.
Here’s to whatever the next chapter brings.
