From Crossroads to Clarity - Why I chose a life coach and never looked back

Not long ago, I found myself at a crossroads; it was one of those moments in life that quietly demands a decision.

It was lockdown and I’d temporarily stepped away from teaching and was furloughed from my new role. And for someone whose sense of purpose is deeply rooted in service, that pause felt uncomfortable, especially when all of my friends were still working, still in service and contributing wonderfully to society.  I suddenly felt like I wasn’t contributing, and worse still, I wasn’t growing.

It wasn’t dramatic, it was more like a low hum of restlessness, a whisper of a question I couldn’t quite answer.

That’s when I decided to work with a life coach.

And honestly? I’ve never looked back.

Coaching Gave Me Clarity I Didn’t Know I Needed

At the time, I couldn't articulate exactly what I was searching for, I just knew that I felt stuck. But through regular sessions and lots of journaling, I uncovered something I hadn’t dared to name: a yearning to build something of my own. Something that blended service, creativity, and growth.

The seed of my own coaching business began to grow - slowly, steadily.

Would I have found that clarity on my own?

I’m not so sure.

This is because coaching did something profound. It gave me a safe space to think aloud, to gather my puddled thoughts and be challenged, explore my values which swilled about in my mind, and finally connect the dots between what mattered to me and how I could shape my future around it.

“Do I Really Need a Coach?”

It’s a fair question. I asked it myself: Is it worth the time? The money? The emotional investment?

Here’s what I’ve learned, both as a client and a coach. Coaching isn’t a luxury. It’s a catalyst.

It’s definitely not about advice or quick fixes. It’s a thought-provoking process designed to help you unlock potential and then take action. According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), 80% of people who receive coaching report increased self-confidence, over 70% benefit from improved work performance, relationships, and communication and 86% of companies report recouping their coaching investment - and more.

As a coach, I can honestly say that coaching isn’t off-the-shelf. Each programme is bespoke because it’s built around you - your values, mindset, challenges, and goals.

When I work with clients, we often explore your core values – what truly drives and fulfils you, your comfort zone – where you're stuck, and what growth could look like, limiting beliefs – those quiet, persistent stories we tell ourselves and goals and accountability – not just what you want, but why

It’s not therapy. It’s not mentoring. It’s a powerful blend of reflection, psychology, strategy and future-focused action.

The Psychology Behind Coaching

At the heart of coaching is a fundamental principle from positive psychology: people are more likely to flourish when they are empowered to set their own goals and take meaningful action. Carl Rogers, one of the founding thinkers behind humanistic psychology, argued that "the curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”

This is the paradox coaching helps to unlock, by creating psychological safety, we invite change.

A coach holds space for you to pause, reflect, and reimagine. But they also challenge you gently and consistently to step forward.

Coaching Works at Any Stage of Life

Since launching my practice, I’ve supported women in all stages of life and career: women returning to work after maternity leave or redundancy, creatives and entrepreneurs exploring a portfolio career and professionals on the cusp of retirement, wondering what next looks like

Career and life aren’t separate. They’re deeply intertwined -and coaching can offer clarity and momentum wherever you are on that path.

Where I Am Now

Two years on, I’m still growing, still learning. I’ve built a coaching and mentoring business that feels like an extension of who I am - rooted in psychology, nature, and service.

I continue to invest in coaching myself and I’m lucky to be surrounded by brilliant women who challenge me, cheerlead me, and question me when I need it. I’ll be starting another round of coaching later this year, not because I feel lost, but because I’m ready to grow again.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that growth is never a one-time event. It’s a continual process of tuning in, stepping up, and aligning your outer life with your inner truth.

So, if you're swaying at a crossroads…

If you’re feeling that quiet itch for change, whether it’s a new role, a new direction, or a new version of you - maybe this is the sign you’ve been waiting for.

You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

Coaching helped me find clarity, confidence, and purpose. It helped me build something meaningful.

And it might just do the same for you.