What is the worst that could happen?

I remember 2020, the year of COVID, where I had just started working as a Pilates instructor. Through shut downs on and off, mask-wearing, young children at home, stresses of potentially getting sick, I was trying to navigate this new life I wanted to create for myself. I had an inkling that perhaps I could create a business and run my own Pilates studio. But there were so many reasons not to do it.

I would be giving up a secure, well paid job as a lawyer.

There was no certainty it would succeed.

What if no one wanted to come to a studio at my home?

What if I wasn't any good at running a business?

Who would I call when I get stuck with IT?!

So in typical lawyer fashion, I found all the reasons not to do something and to make sure I had enough evidence to support my decision NOT to open a studio, I did a business coaching course on "Running a boutique Pilates studio from home". And you know what? Doing this course made me realise something...

What is the worst that could happen?

This sentence was put to me by my coach (and also my husband, my biggest cheerleader in my business). And I thought about it... and starting a business became that little bit less scary. I certainly didn't jump headfirst into opening a studio the next week - in fact, it was 12 months behind the scenes of securing the best quality equipment I could get (from the US when there was a shortage of shipping containers so I waited 8 months for the equipment!), spending four months getting approval to run a home-based business from Council and identifying what type of studio I wanted to operate. I spent hours upon hours developing my induction paperwork, my website, the right artwork, lighting - all to create a unique and welcoming experience for my clients.

And as I reflect on the past three years, I realise I have learned so many lessons on the way.

One of the Wellspringers loaned me a book last year called The Girl Who Fell From The Sky by Emma Carey (thanks Jodi!). It's a story of a 19 year old girl who goes sky diving in the Swiss Alps and her parachute doesn't open. And she survives the fall from 14,000ft (4km!!). What happens next is a story about her recovery and amazingly, her ability to walk - not a spoiler, it's on the back cover. But what is truly inspiring about this book is the way Emma views life. She has an incredible outlook despite facing insurmountable challenges in living with a disability.

She never had a "what is the worst that can happen?" mentality (and let's be honest, falling from a plane with a parachute not opening really IS the worst that can happen). Instead, her particular quote that I still think of to this day is:

If you can, you must

She wrote this down three days after her accident. She was a runner and was meant to go for a run in a beautiful Swiss town before her sky dive. But she chose not to go and greatly regrets that choice. So, she decided from now on, if she could do something, she would do it.

Have you ever experienced this? The "I will do it later" or "I will get X done but I have to finish Y first".

I am SO pleased I took a chance to open a studio. I bet on myself and that's who you should trust when it comes to big decisions. Yourself.

It's very easy to put things off until later. One thing I am hearing lately with clients is putting other things before their health. The clients who want to come to Pilates but take an extra shift at work or work back late, deal with a family situation, take kids to school activities and so on. We know this way of life is only going to get more manic in the lead up to Christmas.

I GET IT. And I hear you. You are not alone in the push-pull demands of life.

There is no magic solution. We are all trying to balance careers, children, fiscal challenges in these economic times, aging parents, illness, keeping our house clean, grocery shopping, the dentist, staying fit, nurturing friendships, being a good partner. The list is endless. But what I can say is, if you put your health first, everything else will seem just that little bit easier.

I want you to prioritise YOU. Put your own oxygen mask on before helping others. It doesn't have to be Pilates - although I do love to see all of you. It could be going for a walk, simple stretching or doing some other form of movement that you love. Just imagine, if this choice to do the things you love was taken away from you, would that motivate you to do it?

One other area I am focusing on right now is mental health. We all take on huge daily demands in life and thinking of things that truly make me happy resets my mind from that feeling of overwhelm.

5 things that come to mind for me:

• the sound of the ocean. The waves crashing lulls me into a sense of relaxation

• the feeling I get when I put my cheek next to my girls' cheeks when they are asleep every night and then I smell their hair and wonder how I got so lucky to have them

• the warmth from my fireplace and gentle crackling (I really do love my fireplace - damn you Spring, it's too hot already!)

• the look in my husband's eyes when we both think something is funny and we check to see the other's reaction

• that feeling of lying in bed by myself when it's really quiet before I start my day. I wonder what amazing things will happen (I am working to shift my mindset from how busy my day is to wondering how it could be incredible)

So reset your day. Think about 5 things that make you feel amazing. And next time you aren't sure if you should do it, go by the mantra, If you can, you must*

See you in the studio, Wellspringers,

Love Holly

xx

*Act responsibility, Wellspringers!! This is not permission to do dumb stuff.

PS Do yourself a favour and get your hands on this book. It will change your mindset for the better.