The last time I experienced this feeling, I was a youngster living in Croatia in the 1990s during the Balkan War. My mother and father, who had been called up to the war and had been “away” for many, many long months at the time, were visibly terrified as they hurried my sister and I into the air raid shelters located underground. The three tenets of everyone at the time were “be ready,” “don’t take chances,” and “keep your head up.” However, it was difficult to remain unnerved as we…

I chose a picture at 10 years after my youngest daughter was born, because 3 months is where everyone kept telling me I’d be “back” to where I was. I’d have the fitness SnapBack. That wasn’t my journey. I was not disappointed….nor was I sad that I didn’t live up to the expectation a lot of people had on me. In fact, I was the opposite; I was happy, proud and body positive. And my mind was healthy.

It’s been a while since a little voice was saying: “Mummy, it’s morning time”, whilst I’d barely nodded off. I was told years ago by my children’s nanny whom I asked after a very difficult day at work when I came home in tears, to please tell me honestly, hoping for that ‘oh yes it does get easier’ answer….when mine were still very little that apparently it gets worse when they become teenagers and you lie awake watching the clock, and not wanting to look like a psychotic parent texting…

The pressure to have the perfect family is at its greatest. Social media is an exhibition of what the perfect family should look like. Siblings who call themselves best friends, parents or partners who never argue….

There are families that are suffering painfully from grief, families overshadowed by health issues. Single-parent families. No-parent families. Estranged families.

You can’t put a filter on your DNA. You can’t take your ancestry back to the shop and exchange it for a new one.

It takes management and boundaries; mediation and listening; curiosity and…

Last weekend I got to fly, and it wasn’t by flying in an airplane. It was by jumping out of one from 15,000 feet. Yes! I did skydiving. I did it for the charity close to my heart, and in memory of my dad.

My family and I have been left devastated by my dad’s sudden death from stroke at the age of only 62. I did the skydive on what would have been my dad’s 6th anniversary. By doing this skydive not only I, but also my family, you…

“Dream. Inspire. Courage. Harmony.”

Forty is all about balancing family and career which provides a sense of purpose to one’s life. While this perpetual juggling act can be stressful, a 40-year-old woman has learned to combat this by surrounding herself with a supportive network of friends, and family and making time for self-care. After a decade of investing in her career, marriage and motherhood; in her forties, a woman passionately pursues the best of life. So for those who may be greeting 2018 with some apprehension, fear not, and join…

Dear Self,

This is going to be your year. So dust yourself off and get started. Every time you doubt yourself know that everyone successful was once where you are – they just did not quit.

Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Keep the faith. It will all be worth it in the end!

Whatever your role, age or experience always keep your dreams alive, be true to yourself and always strive to be the best you can be. Keep working for what you…