The Balance Smith

Two years ago, I heard the words, “You have breast cancer.”

Today, I’m here about to go in the water for a swim, feeling incredibly grateful for the things I once took for granted.

Not because every day is perfect. It isn’t.

But because cancer has a funny way of changing what matters.

These days, I celebrate a body that continues to heal, and quiet moments that remind me just how precious ordinary life really is.

If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that our bodies deserve kindness, not criticism. They carry us through far more than we often give them credit for.

So today I’m celebrating two years. Not because I’d ever choose the journey, but because I’m thankful to still be here, doing the things I love.

Here’s to cold water, second chances, and never taking an ordinary day for granted. 💕

You told me. And I'm listening.

I recently asked what you've been struggling with most, and the results are in.

Running on empty. Anxiety/Mood.

Sound familiar?

These aren't small things. They're your body waving a white flag, asking you to slow down and pay attention.

Over the next few weeks I'm going to be talking about both of these, what's going on in your body, and what we can do about it together.

Because wellbeing is more than just coping.

Drop a ✋ if this sounds like you.

There are 34 recognised symptoms of perimenopause. Hot flushes are just one of them.

Joint pain that came from nowhere.
Anxiety that makes no sense.
Sleep that's completely broken.
A brain that won't co-operate.
Along with a creeping feeling that you no longer recognise yourself.

None of this is in your head. None of it is "just getting older." And none of it should be dismissed with a leaflet and a goodbye.

Swipe through, I've covered five of the most common (and most overlooked) ways perimenopause affects your body, and how reflexology can genuinely help.

Save this one. Share it with a friend who needs to hear it.

And if you'd like to talk about how I can support you through this, my DMs are open.

Which one resonated most? Tell me in the comments. ⬇️

This week I've been on a CPD course learning Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD).

For me, continuing professional development has never been about collecting techniques or adding things for the sake of it. It’s about deepening my understanding of the body and finding ways to support it with respect, especially when it’s under strain.

The lymphatic system works quietly in the background, yet it plays such a vital role in immunity, recovery, fluid balance and resilience. When it’s supported gently, the whole body benefits.

This learning feels particularly meaningful at this stage of my work, where professional knowledge, experience and lived experience intersect. I take my time integrating new skills. I don’t rush them into practice. That process matters to me.

Thoughtful care requires patience, both from the practitioner and the body itself.

I’ll share more once this has had time to land properly.

photo: Anna Keibalo/Unsplash

I’ve been a lot quieter on here lately, and I wanted to acknowledge that.

Not because I’ve disappeared or lost momentum, but because I’ve been in a season that’s full of learning, treating and real life.

Although I want to maintain consistency, sometimes you just can't post just to stay visible or to keep an algorithm happy. My work and the way I show up has always been shaped by lived experience, depth and integrity.

Some seasons are for sharing outwardly. Others are for integrating what we’re learning, tending to what’s right in front of us, and allowing things to unfold at their own pace.

Phot: Andrew Neal on Unsplash

If you’ve been quieter too, please know this: you’re not behind, and you don’t owe anyone an explanation.

I’m still here.
Just moving with intention.

Gentle care doesn’t rush.

January often arrives with the message that we should be doing more.
Fixing more. Improving more. Pushing harder.

But for many women I work with, that constant push is part of the problem.

Pain, low mood, fatigue, they don’t respond well to pressure.
They respond to safety. To rest. To being listened to rather than overridden.

An upcoming TV programme this week will be exploring chronic pain and depression through the lens of lifestyle medicine, looking beyond medication alone and towards how we live, move, rest, think and recover.

It's a reminder that small, supportive changes can have a powerful impact over time. After all, it's a journey.

Sometimes the most helpful question isn’t
“what should I be doing?”
but
“what does my body actually need right now?”

You’re not behind.
You don’t need fixing.
And easing off can be a very intelligent place to start.

Does this resonate with you?

Photo by Melanie Dijkstra - Unsplash