Suzanne Lock - Pure Living

As the evenings draw in, I've been thinking about what I need to feel my best at this time of year 💭

For me, autumn always feels like a natural moment to slow down and reset. Instead of big goals or overhauls, I'm focusing on a few gentle habits that make my days feel softer and more supported 😌

Shorter days and colder mornings can really impact our energy, especially in midlife, so I'm being a bit more intentional about how I take care of myself 🍂

This is my list for the season, and I'll be coming back to it whenever I need a gentle nudge 🕯️

Save this post so you can revisit it too, and let me know which one you're starting with xx

These last few weeks have had a bit of everything - from sunshine & sea views to blankets & cosy evenings 🍵🌊

Getting away with Steve gave me a proper chance to switch off, and coming home to Simba and the first signs of autumn has been just as lovely in its own way 🥰

Something I've noticed as I get older is that the things that nourish me come in all sizes. A week in the sun, a mindful slow morning, a quick cuddle with Simba or five quiet minutes with a tizzy. I used to save my rest for holidays I'd 'earned', but now I'm learning to find it in the everyday too 🍂

As the year winds down, I'm choosing to protect the time and rituals that keep me feeling my best ✨

What's been good for your soul recently? I'd love to know 💭 xx

For years, I treated rest like a reward I could only claim at the weekend 🛏️

I'd push through Monday to Friday, telling myself I'd catch up on Saturday. But before I knew it, it was back to Monday again 😴

Midlife has a way of making us slow down and learn to listen. It showed me that rest needed to become part of my daily life, rather than something I kept putting off 🌿

These days, I take regular breaks, protect the boundaries that support me and allow myself time off without the guilt. My weekends actually feel like mine again, and I have so much more energy for the people and things I love 💗

I'd love to know - when do you give yourself time to rest? Is it something you plan in, or does it tend to wait until the weekend? 💭

And if you need a reminder on the busier weeks, save this post to come back to whenever you need it xx

Something I've been reflecting on lately is how many of the things we used to worry about seem to quietly fall away with time 🍂

When we're younger, so much of our energy goes into second-guessing ourselves. Whether we're doing enough, saying the right thing or just getting life 'right' 🙃

But as the years go on, we start to notice that a lot of those worries simply don't have the same hold on us anymore. And that's something worth recognising 💗

For me, I've realised that I used to care so much about what other people thought of me - or at least what my mind told me they did. My choices, interests, work, boundaries..

Now, I feel so much more at peace. I'm being authentically me, and I know the people who matter to me don't need me to be someone else. It's so freeing 🌻

If you feel comfortable sharing, I'd love to know - what's something you used to worry about that doesn't bother you anymore? xx

Looking back, there was a time I'd shrink myself without realising it 🍂

I'd downplay the things I was proud of. Hold back my excitement in case it seemed silly. Keep my opinions to myself so I didn't come across as 'too much' 💭

So many women start to feel invisible in midlife, as if their best years are behind them..

But it doesn't have to be that way.

Over time, I realised I didn't want to fade into the background anymore. These days, I'm prioritising my wellness and growth like never before, which has been game-changing for both my fulfilment and my confidence 💫

Wearing bold colours and bright patterns has also become one of my favourite little ways of saying "I'm here, and I'm thriving" 🥰

I share my opinions more freely now, instead of keeping them to myself.
I let myself get excited about things and show my feelings without worrying what others might think.
And I celebrate the things I'm proud of - the big, the small and the works in progress 💗

Midlife deserves to be lived out loud 🌻

Have you ever felt yourself shrinking, or are you learning to take up more space too? I'd love to hear where you're at xx

Something I've been thinking about lately is how much courage it takes to change direction in midlife 💭

We spend so many years putting everyone else first and just doing what we think is necessary to get by, that making a choice for ourselves can feel huge. Even the thought of it can be a bit scary 🫣

For me, the brave thought was saying yes to something new about 10 years ago now. I had no idea where it would take me, but it ended up opening the door to a lovely community of women, more freedom in how I spend my days, and a whole new sense of purpose ✨

I'm so glad I listened to that instinct 💗

If this is the little push you've been waiting for, save it for the days you need a reminder 🌿

And if you're curious about what I said yes to, my inbox is always open 💌

The other day, it occurred to me that we treat 'still working on it' like it's a bad thing or it's disappointing.. when really, it's something to be proud of 🫶🏻

We're so used to celebrating the finish line and the things we feel we've mastered. But staying committed to something, even when it's slow, challenging or there's no end date in sight, that takes just as much strength, wherever you are in your journey 💭

For me, finding a work-life balance is exactly that. I've always been stuck in to my work, and it's probably not something I'll ever fully 'crack', but I'm proud I keep working on it anyway. Some weeks, I feel like I've got it right, but other times, I feel like pressure creeps in and gets on top of me 🙃

However, I know I'm making progress. I can feel it. I'm stricter with my boundaries, and I let myself enjoy holidays without worrying so much about leaving my desk. Above all, I keep showing up and working on it, and that's something I'm proud of 💗

With that being said, I'd love to know - what's something you're still working on that you're proud you haven't given up on? I'd love to hear your experience in the comments xx