This week has definitely thrown a few curveballs… and I know I’m not the only one feeling it — especially here in Fermanagh. My car slid backwards down a hill, I got out to try and get help, slipped on the ice and ended up with whiplash and a few sore bits to go with it. Not exactly how I planned to start the year 😅 But here’s the thing. This year, I want it to be another really good year for me — for my health, my weight loss, and my mindset. I want to do the very best I can in every sense. And moments like this? They’re exactly when our minds try to convince us to give up — even if it’s “just for a few days”. I’m not doing that. I’ve been reminding myself that doing your best doesn’t always look the same. Some days it’s a big workout. Some days it’s just getting out for a gentle walk. And when the roads are a sheet of black ice and walking or driving just isn’t safe? You adapt. So today I dusted off the Peloton — which has been badly neglected the past few months — and honestly, it felt great. Legs moving. Heart pumping. Mood lifted. Anyone who knows me (or my coach Mike 😂) knows how much I claim to dislike cardio… but I’d forgotten how much I actually enjoy it once I start. And the truth is, cardio is something I need to focus on — alongside stretching and recovery. This is your reminder: You don’t need perfect conditions. You don’t need to go all-out. You just need to keep showing up in whatever way you can today. Rest when you need to. Adapt when you have to. But don’t give up on yourself. We keep going 🤍

After sharing about my anxiety around driving, I wanted to follow up with this — because I know how frustrating it can be when people say things like “just breathe” or “try not to worry”. These are the tools I genuinely use. They don’t make anxiety disappear — but they stop it running the show. 1. I narrate safety to myself When my anxiety spikes, I quietly repeat things like: “We’re ok. We’re doing ok. I’m safe right now.” It might sound simple, but grounding your brain in the present moment really helps interrupt the spiral. 2. I remove extra stimulation Radio off. No podcasts. No noise. Silence helps me focus and stops my nervous system from tipping into overload. 3. I slow things right down — without apologising If I need to slow or stop, I do. Anxiety eases when I stop judging myself for what I should be able to do. 4. I prepare instead of pushing through Knowing my car needs work heightened my anxiety massively. So I name that. I plan around it. I don’t gaslight myself into pretending it’s not a factor. 5. I let the feeling pass instead of fighting it I remind myself: this is uncomfortable, not dangerous. Anxiety peaks and falls — even when it feels endless. 6. I talk about it — and I get support This one has been huge for me. I’ve been to counselling, and I honestly recommend it to everyone. Having a safe, neutral space to talk things through has helped me understand my anxiety instead of fearing it. I’m also incredibly lucky to have an amazing support network — coaches who guide me, and trusted friends who know the real me. Talking about things like this can feel nerve-wracking at first. But I promise you — the moment you do, someone will let out a huge sigh of relief and say: “Oh my god… I’m so glad you said that.” Because so many people are carrying the same things quietly. The biggest thing I’ve learned is this: coping isn’t about being fearless. It’s about meeting yourself with compassion while the fear is there.

Most people probably see me as a pretty confident person. And in many ways, I am. But one of my biggest anxiety triggers is driving — especially in the dark, in bad weather, or on icy roads. I have a very bad astigmatism in both eyes, so when cars approach, the lights completely blind me. There are moments where I genuinely have to slow right down or stop because I can’t see properly. Add snow or ice into the mix and, honestly, I feel physically sick. Days like today really test me. That short 15-minute drive along the Coa Road until I reached Garvary Church was nerve-wracking. The radio was completely off. My hands were tight on the steering wheel. And the only thing going through my head — over and over again — was “We’re ok. We’re doing ok.” On top of that, my car needs work done at the minute, which has definitely heightened the anxiety even more. What people don’t always see is that, at times, I suffer from crippling anxiety. Not the mild, passing kind — the kind that sits in your chest, makes your stomach turn, and convinces you that everything is unsafe. I work very hard on it. Not to make it disappear — but to stop it controlling my life. And I’m sharing this because I know I’m not the only one who: • looks confident on the outside • holds it together most of the time • but still has moments where fear takes over If this resonates with you, please know this: you are not weak, broken, or failing. Sometimes bravery isn’t being fearless. Sometimes it’s just getting in the car, turning the key, and whispering “we’re ok” until you arrive. And if you’re reading this and struggling in your own way — quietly, privately — you’re not alone. I see you 🤍 This is exactly why Radiance Quest exists. Not for perfection or positivity — but for honesty, tools, support, and learning how to live with our fears rather than letting them shrink our lives. If this helped even one person feel less alone today, then it was worth sharing. If anxiety is something you want ongoing support with, I’ll be creating deeper guided content and resources inside the Classroom for members who want to go further.