Before I blog about my first mediation experience I thought I would do a short and sweet one on my #goingitalone experience so far…..

 As you all know, I have jumped from a structured, steady, set career path into the unknown world of my running my own business, generating my own income and juggling it all with having a baby! I tend not to do things by halves!
 
Rosie changed my life completely, in fact she has changed my whole family’s life. Taking time to myself while I pregnant gave me plenty of time to think and contemplate what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it. Let’s face it, that little plan went out the window the minute she was born. Nothing prepares you for having a baby (or for labour for that matter but that is not one for this blog!!)
 
For the first time in my life I found myself without a plan and having to go with the flow, waking up each morning not knowing what my day would hold, being responsible for the tiniest most beautiful baby in the world and then starting on a new career path. My first blog talks about how I decided to #goitalone so I will send you there to catch up on that one!
 
The truth is I was incredibly scared! Scared I wouldn’t be able to do it, scared I wouldn’t be a good mam trying to juggle everything, scared it wouldn’t work but with a big deep breath I took the plunge and I haven’t looked back.
 
I try to share all sides of my journey on social media, the flexible side of it (not that I ever get a lie in with a toddler), the days by the fire with Rosie when I want to just soak up all the snuggles, the meetings over cake and coffee or delicious brunches, the decisions being made by no one else but me, the pats on the back that I can give myself. There are also the harder sides, the fluctuating income stream, the cancellations, having no one to delegate to or send in my place if I am ill or if Rosie is under the weather (leaving her to do a mediation in Manchester when she had Hand, Foot and Mouth was heart breaking but at least I have Daddy Day care and the grandparents to fall back on which I know is a luxury to have), the broken printer, incomprehensible IT and website speak…… but it is still one of the best decisions I have ever made. I cannot describe how liberating it is and how lucky I am to have had the opportunity to do it and see that smile from Rosie everyday makes it all worthwhile
 
One thing that has surprised me the most is the support from the business and mediation community around me, people have been incredible, they want to listen to my journey, hear about my venture and help me to develop it and take it to the next level. That is amazing!! I have met wonderful people on my journey so far who have opened up doors for me and welcomed me in and for that I am very grateful. So if you are reading this….. thank you for sharing my journey so far with me!