Remembering What Matters

Making space. Finding clarity. Moving forward.

May 29, 2026

A few nights ago, I was sitting in the garden after the heat of the day here in the UK. The moon was shining brightly, and the bats had just started swooping above me.

Dusk - not yet dark, but no longer light.

Something landed on my hand, and I instantly shook it away. But it clung to me like a spider on a web. Except, it wasn’t a spider - it was fluttering, insisting on landing on my hand, following my every move. So I kept still. A little brown and black-speckled moth landed on my thumb and stayed for a while.

I like to see moments like that as a message.

I wondered what I was thinking about when the moth paid me a visit… returning to Substack. I was thinking about writing my first post in a year.

So here I am. I figured the moth was saying “stop thinking about it and just write!"

When I reflect back on the last year, I think of how full 2025 was. My enthusiasm got the better of me, and I said yes to too many things.

I slowly drifted too far into doing and away from the things that kept me connected to myself - like writing, making art, and spending time with loved ones.

But that’s ok - we learn from these moments.

Digital Detox

At the end of 2025 I decided to take some of my own advice, and had a mini digital detox over the Christmas and New Year break. I say mini, because I still checked emails. I just didn’t go on social media.

What was intended to be 3-4 weeks, ended up being a few months. The clarity and confidence that came back within just a few weeks was noticeable. I didn’t want that to end.

The main driver for my little break away from the online world was that I was helping my Dad write a book. A memento of his favourite things for me and my sister to enjoy.

My Dad is full of ideas, often nothing comes of them - but this one actually grew into something.

He was motivated, and it gave him something to focus on. It was a project that we could work on together as Dad and Daughter. And I didn’t want it to be squeezed into any spare moment I had. I wanted to enjoy the process.

The first few pages were written in June - just a few entries and ideas sent over WhatsApp that I popped into Canva. Then in August, on his 70th birthday, we sat down to choose illustrations, and reviewed the layout.

But then I got busy. And the Canva updates stalled. I didn’t want this to become a chore. I was loving doing this with my Dad. And we never know how much time we have. But I’d committed to too many things.

So by mid-November I started saying no to new commitments. With every no, I felt a little more space return. And a little more time for Dad’s book.

I’m looking forward to sharing more about the book soon. What I will share now, is that we published a few hardback copies for family a few months ago, and most importantly - Dad loves it!

My Dad’s book - written for his two daughters

Space to Create

My mini digital detox not only created space in my mind, but also space in my calendar - which meant I could return to things I loved, like making art.

Just before Christmas, I went to a Guide Dogs drawing class hosted by Wildlife Drawing. It felt so good to draw again! I even won a prize for capturing the soul and personality of the dogs - the best compliment I could hope to receive.

It came at a good time, the perfect way to start my detox. Reminding me of what I enjoyed and what helped me to relax my mind and body.

The New Year arrived, and on one of my cold morning dog walks, I bumped into my old art-for-wellbeing teacher - she invited me along to an acrylic pouring class. It was my first time doing acrylic pouring, I really enjoyed it! My kind of art. Messy. Just-see-what-happens kind of art.

Having fun with acrylic pouring techniques

I think the canvases have a cosmos-like feel to them. I plan to hang them above my desk, they’ll be nice to get lost in every now and then as I work.

Reset and Clarity

Creativity is my way to reset my nervous system.

We each have our own unique way to reset. For some of us it’s a walk in the fresh air, for others it’s making something delicious in the kitchen, or meeting a friend for a coffee and a natter.

It’s worth knowing what instantly relaxes you, so you know what to turn to anytime you need a reset.

One of the most unexpected things that time away from digital spaces gave me was clarity in my work.

That wasn’t my intention. But by stepping back I remembered what I enjoyed most, and what I really didn’t. What I was good at, and what I really wasn’t.

I started to restructure how I work, and what I offer. I stopped conforming to what was expected, and focused on what felt right.

Now, I feel excited again.

I know that creating space in my days is what allowed clarity in my next steps to emerge.

It’s exactly what helped me when I was navigating my career shift a few years ago, and the story behind the name of my Substack: Reconnect to Redirect.