Something hasn’t quite been lining up for me

Over the summer break, I gave myself a bit of space to think about my work.

Not in a big strategic way.
More in an honest, slightly uncomfortable way.

I noticed that last year, much of my time went to people who were already in real difficulty. Families who were exhausted. Children who had already lost confidence. Adults who had been pushing themselves for years.

That work matters, and I’ll always keep doing it.

But when I looked back, I could see how often support had arrived late. Not because people weren’t paying attention, but because concerns hadn’t felt serious enough earlier on. Things were manageable. Just tiring. Just a bit wobbly.

If I’m honest, I’ve also tended to show up most clearly at that later stage. When things are obvious. When help feels justified.

Over the break, that didn’t sit quite right with me.

Because so much of my work, and the work I value most, actually happens earlier than that. When people are starting to notice patterns. When children are working hard to hold things together. When parents are quietly wondering if something needs attention, but aren’t sure yet.

I realised I want to make more room for that stage this year. To listen earlier. To help people make sense of what they’re noticing before confidence erodes or pressure builds.

That means showing up a little differently. Being less focused on explaining and more focused on reflecting back what I’m hearing. Trusting that noticing is often the most important starting point.

That’s the lens I’m carrying into this year.

If you’ve been paying attention to small things and aren’t sure what they add up to yet, that’s not something to rush past.

Sometimes it’s exactly where the work begins.

Warmly,
Nikki

P.S. If you’re doing some quiet thinking about learning or confidence this year and want to talk it through, you’re very welcome to get in touch.