One year ago today, life threw me off course.
I went from healthy to hospitalised in a matter of hours. What started as feeling unwell turned into emergency surgery and a long road I never planned to walk. The days that followed were filled with doctors, uncertainty, pain, and slowly—very slowly—healing.
Today, I’m grateful to be here. I’m no longer in danger, but life is different now. After eight months away from work, I got to come back—half time—and am learning how to live life at a slower, more deliberate pace. It’s not where I expected to be, but it’s where I am. And there have been lessons—big and small—that I think are worth sharing.
Health really is everything. Everything else—work, deadlines, ambitions—feels important until your health is gone. Then it becomes the most important thing. This year has reminded me that we can’t pour from an empty cup. If we want to show up for our work, our people, our families—we have to look after ourselves first.
Celebrate the little wins. In recovery, there are no big leaps—just small steps. Some days, the progress has been tiny: walking to the letterbox, making a meal, getting through a day without needing a nap. But those moments matter. Noticing them has helped me rebuild, bit by bit. In the world of HR and leadership, we often focus on the big outcomes. But sometimes the most meaningful progress is the quiet kind.
Progress, not perfection. This mantra has never been more real for me. I used to be someone who thrived on high output, fast pace, constant motion. Now, I measure success differently. I’ve learned that doing my best today—even if it looks different than yesterday—is enough. And that mindset shift has been freeing.
Humanity is beautiful. In the thick of it, what stood out most was the kindness of people. The nurses who sat with me through the pain. The family and friends who kept showing up. The strangers who offered a hand when I was struggling in public. And my workmates and clients—people who reached out, picked up the slack, and genuinely cared. I’m especially grateful for the leaders who gave me space to rest and recover, without pressure or guilt. That kind of compassion—at work and beyond—matters deeply. We talk a lot in our field about culture, leadership and care. This year I experienced those things in their rawest form—and they reminded me that how we treat each other matters, more than we know.
Sometimes, the answer is to live slower. We live in a world that celebrates busy. But being forced to slow down has made me realise how much richness there is in the pause—in noticing, in listening, in being present. It’s not always easy, but it’s often exactly what’s needed.
I’ve returned to No8HR with new boundaries, a bit more wisdom, and a deeper appreciation for the people and work I get to be part of. I’m still passionate about supporting others in their leadership and HR journeys—but I’ve also learned that sometimes the best leadership starts with leading ourselves gently.
Here’s to progress, presence, and looking after what matters most.
If you’ve been through your own version of a “life reset” or just need to talk about what sustainable leadership looks like, I’d love to connect.
#PeopleFirst #LeadershipLessons #LivingSlower #No8HRStyle #ProgressNotPerfection