Why it's OK to feel scared and what to do about it

I'm off to Paris on Thursday to meet a client and spend the day strategising for her new business  🤩

And I'm feeling a bit nervous. 

There. I said it out loud. 

It's taken me completely by surprise. 

I LOVE solo travel. 

But I haven't done it much AT ALL for over 3 years as I have been focusing my energies on becoming a Mum and learning how to run my business at the same time.

Confidence is what I do well. Confidence is what I help others do well.

Yet here I am - feeling the all too familiar butterflies in the tummy and wondering why?

And through a short walk out the house to Costa for some fresh air and headspace here’s what I’ve discovered/been reminded of. 

In Paris without the safety blanket of my partner Charlie and my little boy Maximilian I will be more exposed.

Without them to focus my energy and attention on I will be left to my own devices. 

And it’s been a loooooong time since I was left to my own devices with only myself to take care of. 

As women we are GREAT at focusing on others and putting their needs first, less so remembering our own. True for you too? 

Surprisingly I realise this feeling of exposure makes me vulnerable to my doubts, my insecurities and my fears. They have shown up as passing thoughts, little questions and wonderings… 

‘How will I get from the airport to my hotel?’ (I’ve always managed it before!) 

‘How will I manage to converse with my schoolgirl french?’ (I always end up talking in french when in Italy and Spain so not likely to be a problem!)

‘What will be the right thing to wear?’ (I’ve been focusing on refreshing my wardrobe with lovely items of clothes I enjoy wearing for occasions JUST like this!) 

‘How will I find having a meal on my own after all this time?’ (Pure and utter bliss as I won’t have to wolf it down within 2 minutes flat!) 

So why the nerves?! Because going to Paris on my own is me jumping back onto a horse after feeling like I have forgotten (just a wee bit) how to ride. 

Will I have a wonderful time being in Paris for a few days with no toddler - YES ABSOLUTELY!

I am going to rediscover the joy of following my nose and walking in a beautiful city which is one of my all time favourite pre 'Mummy Mel' things to do. 

I am feeling a call to visit The Louvre - not sure why but I’ll follow it anyway and see what I discover. I am NEVER disappointed when I follow my intuition in a new place it always leads me to magical situations and deep and inspiring self realisations. 

So although I am a wee bit nervous I’ll still jump right in and have an amazing few days.

That’s my choice and my decision. 

I will do the prep I need to make me feel more comfortable and less unsure. 

I will meditate each morning and focus on setting an intention for the day that will guide me and lead me to be more present and experience more joyful moments.

And most importantly I will lead my amazing coaching client to have a powerful day of self discovery and strategy that will set her up for a successful and impactful year ahead. I am SUPER excited about that! 

So perhaps the moral of the story is YES, I feel a bit nervous and will be putting on my big girl pants on Thursday when I kiss the boys goodbye for a few days. 

But that’s perfectly OK! 

It’s OK to feel a bit scared sometimes, it’s OK to feel nervous about stretching your comfort zone and in fact IT’S NORMAL! 

And NECESSARY to your growth and ability to live your life full out and filled with meaning, fulfilment and adventure. 

It’s how you live your Wildly Authentic Life. 

So tell me, where do YOU need to lean into your nerves to stretch your comfort zone and come out the other side?...