#16: 'Being You Is Enough'

Natalie from England has spent more than 30 years helping people share their stories. But in this episode, she shares some of her own: stories of caring for her father through Alzheimer's, supporting her stepmother through motor neurone disease, walking through years of uncertainty with her son's health, and slowly rebuilding her life after seasons that left her exhausted.

In this episode, I talk with Natalie about what happens when life forces us to stop, reassess, and ask what we're really building. What struck me most is Natalie's honesty about ambition, burnout, grief, caregiving, and our deepy human desire to prove ourselves even when, as she says so beautifully, "being you is enough."

Natalie shares how a difficult four-year season led her to a surprising trip to Los Angeles, a vision board, a Porsche named Dolly, and a deeper understanding that manifesting a dream requires showing up, taking the next step, and paying attention to what actually brings you joy. Her story is a reminder that we can live out our lives each day on purpose -- rather than constantly chasing an elusive purpose that never arrives.

Sincere thanks to Lee Williams for his fantastic production of this and every episode of Perennial Pen.

In this episode, we explore:

Natalie's reflections on caring for her father during Alzheimer's

The emotional weight of caregiving, responsibility, and making difficult decisions as a family

Supporting a child through years of medical uncertainty

How personal hardship led Natalie to build a Facebook group and write a book to help other families and make sure they never feel that they're alone

The difference between ambition, burnout, and meaningful purpose

Why manifestation is less about wishing and more about daily action

The question Natalie asks clients: "When someone says your name, what do they think?"