Many of my clients come to me because they want to find ‘work-life balance’. They feel they’re constantly failing and never feeling good enough. I want to share my secret to finding ‘life balance’.

With no colleagues around or boss telling us what to do, being self-employed can feel lonely at times, and it can be hard to stay motivated. But it doesn’t have to be that way! I share my own experience of thriving as an entrepreneur and give you some helpful ideas to be happier and more productive in your own business. 

You know what I’ve been thinking lately? – That I’d like to be a snail sometimes. I wouldn’t want to carry a big house around, but I would like to be slow as a snail from time to time.

 
I have a confession to make. I said I would never look at my e-mail while waiting for the traffic light to turn green in my car. When my husband does it, it always annoys me, “are you crazy? It’s really dangerous!”

How can we start the new year with more energy after yet another strange year of living through a global pandemic and difficult experiences?

 
I told my neighbour I was back from a 4-week holiday, and she looked at me with surprise and asked ‘how is that for your clients’? I checked in with my inner judge, but it turned out she had nothing to say today.

I look at the sea from the little sand dune where we’re hiding from the sun under a tree. Bright spots shine like diamonds on the water’s surface. No loud music, no plastic pop-it toys. Just him and me and some other tourists at a far distance.

 
It was late in the evening. My upper back was aching, and I was stress eating another cracker with cream cheese. My eyes were tired—from wearing my contact lenses too long I told myself, but the truth was, I had been staring into a screen for more than 12 hours.

I’ve been aware of the idea of creating space, slowing down and simplifying for some time, but until recently I was not able to fully grasp what this idea is all about. When I moved to Germany 12 years ago, I didn’t think I could afford to slow down.