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insights

16/10/2025

The Three Non-Businessy Things That Have Helped My Business

This post is a little more personal than usual — more about me and my own growth, rather than the business itself.

A while ago, I shared a blog about how having a business can feel like a self-development quest. This sits along the same theme.

Last week I talked about the three biggest mistakes I’ve made in my business and what they’ve taught me. This week, I want to share something a little different — the three non-businessy things that have helped me most in my business.

1. Understanding Myself

Over the past eight years — which is also how long I’ve been in business — I’ve been on quite a journey of self-discovery.

Some of what I’ve learnt I already had an inkling of before starting my business; other parts have revealed themselves along the way. Having my own business really shone a light on who I am, how I work, and what I need.

I’ve discovered that I’m a highly sensitive person, and more recently, that I’m neurodivergent — and understanding what that means for me has been transformative.

I’ve also explored different tools and frameworks that help me understand myself more deeply — things like Human Design and astrology. They’re not “business tools” in any traditional sense, but they help me notice things about myself.

And when your business is small and heart-led — as mine is — you are your business. So understanding yourself becomes one of the most important business skills there is.

I’ve also found it incredibly powerful to look at patterns of behaviour — the ways I show up in the world. One book that really helped me with that is The Radical Awakening by Dr. Shefali Tsabary. It encouraged me to notice my patterns, reflect on how I behave, and see how those patterns affect my choices and relationships.
So, that’s the first thing: understanding myself — the structure, the patterns, the essence of who I am.

2. Accepting Myself

The next step after understanding myself has been accepting myself — fully and completely.

It’s one thing to know who you are; it’s another to allow yourself to be that person without constantly trying to fit in or keep up.

For me, this means leaning into my strengths and finding support where I need it, rather than seeing those needs as weaknesses. It means acknowledging my challenges without shame, and seeking help when it’s needed — whether that’s through systems, people, or rest.

It also means trusting myself — trusting that the decisions I make are okay, that I’m okay.

When I accept myself for who I am, I make better decisions. Things flow more smoothly because I’m no longer fighting against myself. I’m simply being me — in life and in business.

3. Loving Myself

This one feels the most vulnerable to say out loud: loving myself.

Loving myself means treating myself as a priority — not in a selfish way, but in a way that honours my worth and recognises my needs. It’s about the actions I take that show love and care for myself.

That includes how I treat my body and mind, and how I spend my time. It means looking honestly at my relationships and commitments — asking whether they truly support my well-being or whether they drain it.

Books that have supported me in this journey include Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff and Radical Self-Acceptance by Tara Brach. Both have helped me soften my inner dialogue and approach myself with more kindness.

Loving myself also looks like daily walks, time in nature, and regular energy work — all those “stereotypical” self-care things, but done from a place of genuine love rather than obligation.

Not because I should, but because I want to. That simple shift — from “should” to “want” — changes everything.

Taking Time for Me

With that in mind, and in the spirit of loving myself, I’m taking a little break. There’ll be no new blog or video from me for the next two weeks.

I’m giving myself extra space this autumn half-term — normally I’d only take one week off, but this time I’m taking two. I have a big training coming up, and I want to give myself the best possible chance to create it from a grounded, calm, and cared-for place.

So that’s all from me for now.

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this, it’s that the best thing you can do for your business might not be business-related at all. Sometimes the most powerful work happens quietly — in understanding yourself, accepting yourself, and loving yourself, just as you are.

A Gentle Reflection

If you also run a business or work in a caring profession, perhaps take a moment to pause and ask yourself:

How well do I truly know myself — my needs, patterns, and preferences?
Where could I offer myself more acceptance or compassion?
And what might it look like to show myself love through my actions this week?

You might be surprised by how much clarity and ease can flow into your work when you start by caring for you.

Thanks for being here, Julia x

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mistakes

9/10/2025

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The Three Biggest Mistakes I’ve Made in My Well-Being Business (and What They’ve Taught Me)

Each week, I share videos and reflections to help kids yoga teachers and children’s well-being practitioners with practical ideas, honest insights, and encouragement for this unique work we do.

This post is a little different, though. Today I want to share the three biggest mistakes I’ve made in my well-being business. These aren’t just about children’s work—they’re about being human, running a heart-led business, and learning along the way.

This feels like a bit of a vulnerable share, but if you’re up for that, then read on...

Mistake #1: Putting Too Much Emphasis on the Opinions of OthersFor much of my life—and especially in my business—I’ve had a habit of assuming that other people know better than I do. Experts, mentors, business coaches… I’d take their advice as ‘The Truth’ and ignore my own inner voice.
Now, I want to be clear: learning from others is vital. Growth and development are central to what we do. But there’s a difference between learning and handing over your power.
For me, this showed up when I started niching down. Every business coach seemed to say, “You need to find your niche!” So I did. Over and over again. I went from working with adults, parents, schools, and children… to narrowing right down to only children’s well-being, and then even further to just school-based work.
And while niching can absolutely be useful, I didn’t stop to ask: does this actually fit me?
I ignored my personality, my circumstances, and what truly lights me up. I made business decisions that didn’t align with my needs or values, and I lost my way a few times because of it.
Looking back, those experiences weren’t wasted—they were lessons. But they taught me an important truth: no matter how wise an “expert” seems, only you know what’s right for you.

Mistake #2: Comparing Myself with Others

Ah, comparison. This one’s a tough one.

I don’t see myself as competitive—I don’t want to “beat” anyone—but I have compared my business to others’. I’ve seen what other well-being practitioners are doing and thought, Maybe I should do that too.

And while experimenting is how I learn best (trial and error is my natural way!), too much comparison left me “shoulding” all over myself.

It also made me feel 'less than', even when my goals were completely different. I’ve never been interested in building a six-figure business, or having a flash car or big house—and there’s nothing wrong with those goals—but they’re not mine.

When I compared myself to people chasing things I didn’t even want, I felt small. And sometimes, I tried to mimic their way of doing things. I’d notice myself copying their tone, their format, their approach—probably my neurodivergent brain at play, seeking structure—but it always left me feeling like a failure when it didn’t fit.

Because of course it didn’t fit. It wasn’t me.

Mistake #3: Trying to Be Someone I’m Not

The first two mistakes naturally led to this one: trying to be someone I’m not.

Every time I ignored my own rhythm, energy, or creative flow to fit a mould, I lost authenticity—and that never ends well for me. As a neurodivergent person, authenticity isn’t just a preference; it’s essential to my mental health.

When I try to be someone I’m not, I feel disconnected, low, and stuck. It becomes hard to promote my work or even talk about it, because it doesn’t feel like my work anymore.

Here’s what I’ve learnt about myself:

I’m inconsistent—and that’s okay. My energy fluctuates, so full-time delivery in schools doesn’t suit me.
I’m creative and expansive—I love making new things, connecting ideas, and exploring variety. That’s why overly narrow niches feel suffocating.
I learn through experience, not through strict five-step plans. I need space to explore, adapt, and follow what sparks joy and curiosity.

When I honour those parts of myself, my work feels alive again. That’s why you’ll see me returning to offer adult workshops and training again—it feels expansive and freeing, and most importantly, true to me.

Why I’m Sharing This

You might be wondering why I’m sharing all this—my mistakes, my missteps, my messy bits.

It’s about shame.

I’ve been doing a lot of work around self-discovery and self-compassion, and I love Brené Brown’s teachings on shame. She says we all experience it, and that the less we talk about it, the more power it has over us.

So, this is me shining a light on my own shame—the part that whispers I’m not “enough” to be successful, or that I should have it all figured out by now. Speaking it aloud takes away its power.

And maybe it helps you, too. Maybe you see a bit of yourself in these reflections—putting too much weight on others’ opinions, comparing yourself, or trying to be someone you’re not.

If so, know this: you’re not alone. Sharing our vulnerabilities makes us braver, and it reminds us that we’re all learning as we go.

Over to You

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What mistakes have you learned from in your own well-being or yoga business? What truths about yourself have shaped the way you work?

Let’s keep the conversation open—because when we stop hiding the things that make us human, we take away their power.

Thanks for reading,
Julia x

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organising mats

2/10/2025

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Behind the Scenes:
How I Store and Organise My Yoga Mats

Welcome to my under-the-stairs cupboard! I promised I’d share a behind-the-scenes look at how I store and organise my yoga mats, so here it is—messy cables, chaos and all.
This little space is where I keep everything tidy(ish) and ready for classes. It might not look glamorous, but it works for me.

My Full-Size Mats
Most of the time, I use full-size mats—even when I’m teaching younger children. I find them more versatile and they give a lovely sense of space.

I use Yoga Matters sticky mats and I have 33 in total (I actually have 5 others hidden around the house in case of emergency 🤣 these are the ones I regularly use).
They’re stored in three large IKEA laundry bags, with 11 mats per bag.
30 mats cover a full class, and the extra 2 are really useful if:
- An adult wants to join in (hopefully they do).
- A child needs to move to help with focus, comfort, or safety.

Inside each bag, I alternate the mats blue, green, blue, green. It might sound a bit odd, but it means I can count and set up the room much quicker. That’s my little system, and it works.

I use a flatbed trolley to move the bags around. Each bag goes on the trolley, and I hook cables around them to hold everything in place.
After a class, the children roll the mats up, we put 11 back into each bag, and then I load them into my car. Once home, they go straight back into their storage cupboard under the stairs until I need them again.

My Smaller Mats
I also have a full set of smaller mats—again, 33 in total.

These live in two IKEA bags tucked inside a drawer under the stairs.
One bag holds 16 mats, the other holds 17.
Instead of rolling, I fold them in sets of four and then place them into the bag.

This system has been through lots of trial and error, but it’s the one that’s stuck. I used to store large mats in these IKEA bags too, but switching to the clear laundry-style bags made life much easier (and cut me down from four bags to three).

My Philosophy on OrganisationThis little “organisation series” has shown you my cards, props, and now my mats. You might have noticed a theme--things don’t need to look perfect to work.

Organisation doesn’t have to be fancy or Instagram-worthy. It just needs to be:

Functional.
Practical.
Right for you.

That’s all that matters.

Over to You
I’d love to know:

How do you store your mats?
What bags or systems do you use?
Do you roll, fold, or do something totally different?

Share your systems with me—I find this stuff genuinely fascinating! (Weird hey?)
And if organisation feels overwhelming for you, I’d be happy to chat things through in a mentoring session. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes helps uncover simple solutions.

Training Opportunity
Exciting news! The Well-Being Journey training has been launched. If you’d like to become a Children’s Well-Being Practitioner, join the Well-Being Adventurers Practitioner Community, and receive the Well-Being Adventurers Toolkit, find out more here

The Well-Being Journey

Thanks for following along with my organisation series. I hope it’s given you some useful ideas—and permission to let things be a little imperfect.

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insights

The Three Non-Businessy Things That Have Helped My Business

mistakes

The Three Biggest Mistakes I’ve Made in My Well-Being Business (and What They’ve Taught Me)

organising mats

Behind the Scenes: How I Store and Organise My Yoga Mats

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Behind the Scenes:
How I Store and Organise My Yoga Mats