✨What Happens When Sharing Stops Feeling Scary (029)

Have you ever stopped yourself from sharing what you’re really going through, afraid of what others might think?

Maybe you’ve thought:
“What will people think if I admit I’m struggling?”
“Will they see me as less capable?”
“Will this make me look weak?”

If so, you’re not alone. Many high-performing professionals and leaders carry that quiet fear — the one that says, keep it together, don’t show too much.

But what if the thing you're most afraid to share is exactly what others need to hear?

The Power of Self-Compassion

The research by Dr. Kristin Neff, a pioneer in the field of self-compassion shows that real progress begins with a simple pause...

Simple words, but not easy to live by - especially when you’ve been conditioned to prioritise others first, to keep going no matter what, to earn your worth through performance.

The truth? Meeting your needs doesn’t make you selfish. It makes you sustainable.

When you meet yourself with honesty instead of judgment, something shifts. You stop powering through pain and start listening to what your mind, body, and heart actually need.

Burn Bright Insight

Self-compassion isn’t about lowering your standards. It’s about raising your awareness.

It’s recognising when your energy is low and choosing to recharge before you crash. It’s allowing yourself to ask for help not because you’re weak, but because you’re wise enough to know you can’t do it all alone.

The moment you start practising this regularly, guilt begins to fade, and grace takes its place. And from that space of grace, you show up differently.

Your Action for the Week

Pause for a second.
Breathe.

Ask yourself: What do I need now?

Don’t rush to answer. Notice what shows up first.

Whatever comes up, honour it. That’s your wisdom speaking.

A Story You Might Relate To

A coaching client once told me,

That’s self-compassion in action - the kind that creates room for others to breathe too.
When leaders practise this, they don’t just feel better. They make it safer for others to be human at work.

That’s how real culture change begins: one moment of honesty at a time.

Over to You

What’s one act of self-compassion you can practise this week at home or at work?
Hit reply and tell me. I read every response.

And if you’re ready to reconnect with what fuels you (not drains you), join my next Vision Board Workshop on 14th November — a virtual space to reconnect with your spark, clarify what “enough” looks like, and build goals that honour both your ambition and your well-being. Reply with Vision and I will send you the details.

To your spark,

Mary