Step one: after Maternity leave
A portrait photo I took during my maternity leave showing the blurred nature of feeding an infant at night.
When I first conceived Time To Be, I thought very broadly. I didn’t have a particular participant group in mind to get me started. As my first couple of weeks of work after maternity leave conclude, I have decided where I want to start.
But to really explain this, I need to go back. My original intention when starting Time To Be was to keep the remit broad. I have worked with a diverse selection of communities, people and organisations throughout my career so far. I love working with so many different people and want that to continue. However, I have to remember that Time To Be is brand new. In my previous work, it took many years to build up experience and my diverse client base, and I realised I needed to do that here, too. I have trouble with thinking and dreaming too far ahead. So, I took a moment to ground myself, and I started thinking about who I would like to work with right now. That is what led me to decide on a more focused starting place.
I keep talking about these ‘experiments’ over on my Instagram. I think these will be an important part of my return to work because, to be honest, post maternity leave, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. What would fit with my new life? What would fit with the rising childcare costs and how much I want to be at work vs home? I don’t know the answer to all of the questions I have now I am returning to the work of paid labour. And it’s a looooong list. I didn’t know what to do, but I knew I was passionate about using my skills to help people. This is where the combination of coaching, workshops and mindful photography came from.
So, who do I want to work with right now?
I want to work with people like me. Mums, parents, and those with caring responsibilities who are returning to work, their communities or thinking about it. Perhaps you are starting a new business like me or returning to an employed role. Maybe you want to do both and start something new on the side. Maybe, like me, you don’t know what you want to do, but you have gut feelings or glimmers of ideas. Perhaps you want to explore what you can do besides work, explore who you are now and reconnect with old or new interests and hobbies.
Change is challenging, and having received coaching myself, I know that having somebody to walk alongside you can be transformative.
If you are a parent or carer and are currently returning to work, thinking about it, or don’t know what to do next, please get in contact or book. At the moment, I can offer coaching or mindful photography sessions if you want some time for yourself to reconnect and be creative. I am also devising some downloadable tools and workshops that will be coming soon!
Starting something new is messy, and if you have been watching this website there have been a lot of changes in the last two weeks! But this is developing as my understanding of my new self as a parent develops - so messy it shall be.
I can’t wait to work with you.
Of course, I still have my experience in the creative and charity sectors, and whilst this client group is where my heart and attention are right now, it doesn’t mean I don’t have space for other folks. Perhaps you are going through a change in your life, too, or are simply unsure about your next steps and would love a space to discuss that. Please still get in contact or book.