In my early twenties, I was fit, healthy and generally felt pretty invincible… Until I literally died. (Yes, I’m one of the few people under 40 who is still using “literally” in the correct context). Obviously, I was resuscitated, which means I have an opportunity to tell this story and hopefully let it serve as […]
I first wrote this for Heart Of Nursing – an online resource for nurses. But then I realised with a few tweaks I could share it on here for the wider healthcare community, all of whom do an amazing job. Note that throughout this piece I use the word ‘healthcare workers’ very broadly. It […]
When I first watched Amy Morin‘s TEDx talk, I felt immense sadness intertwined with joy. Sadness because Amy has lived through unimaginable amounts of grief. Joy because I could resonated with so much of what she said about how we deal with challenges. Finally, I didn’t feel like such a nutter – someone else was saying the […]
“True confidence is very different from egotistical swagger. When people believe in themselves and their abilities without bravado, there are certain things they simply don’t do.” – Travis Bradberry Confidence can be one of the bigger challenges in life but it’s also something you often have control over. Your thoughts and actions are […]
Ahhhh! The holidays have arrived. It’s time to wind down, unravel and distress… If only you could. I want you to really recharge, refuel and restore these holidays – and every holiday season, weekend getaway or momentary lapse in routine. But… I know that’s easier said than done. There’s no denying that turning ON your […]
“Don’t be afraid your life will end. Be afraid it will never begin.” – Grace Hansen This isn’t a morbid post. I promise. Have you ever thought about what happens when you die? I hadn’t thought about it until it happened to me – twice. I mean I literally died. That’s not to be confused […]
When you think of women’s health and wellness, you might think of those stereotypical images. You know the ones. It’s hard to miss them, especially on social media. Health and wellness (including everything from food to fitness and activewear) all looks identically picture perfect. You might see a perfectly proportioned woman who is perfectly poised […]
\ If you had a second chance at life, what would you resolve to do differently? What would you regret from your past if you had the power to change it in your future? In 2011 Bronnie Ware wrote a wonderful book called, ‘Top 5 Regrets Of The Dying.’ As a palliative care nurse, Bronnie […]
I clearly remember the morning I woke up in the hospital and realized nine of my fingertips were going to be amputated. It was a few days after I’d been told my leg would be amputated and I was still emotionally raw from that news. I opened my eyes and saw a woman gently holding […]
This was also published here on The Huffington Post. “You’re ugly,” said the little girl as she stared me down in an elevator. “Excuse you,” her mother exclaimed with a mix of horror and embarrassment. The mother began to apologise profusely, to which I simply shrugged and smiled. “That’s ok,” I said as the elevator doors […]
Up until this point, what has made your life good? There may have been highlights, such as a wedding, birth or some other special event that really left a positive impression. But what about the bigger picture? If you could look back at your life on your 100th birthday, what would you tell others […]
Anxiety sucks. It’s as simple as that and there’s polite way to say it. It has been a part of my life for years and if you’re reading this I’m guessing it is a part of yours too. Or maybe you’re really stressed right now? The two are different but they can sometimes feel similar. […]