The School Holidays Episode

I’m recording this right in the middle of the school holidays, when the days are full, the routine has vanished, and the question “What can we do today?” seems to be playing on repeat. I want to say out loud what many mums quietly feel: you can adore your children and still find the holidays exhausting, lonely, chaotic and mentally relentless. I talk honestly about social media pressure, running a business with children at home, summer grief, and why keeping one small promise to yourself can help you feel grounded. I also explore two kinds of compassion: the soft kind that lets you rest, and the firmer kind that gives you the structure you genuinely need. Highlights: (02:06) - Why the school holidays can feel so mentally relentless (04:51) - Feeling lonely even when you are never actually alone (07:34) - Loving your children and still finding the holidays hard (09:21) - The reality social media rarely shows us (14:08) - When summer brings grief, isolation and old emotions back up (18:55) - Why real self-care sometimes needs boundaries and structure Connect with me: Instagram @thebestselfpodcast Website - https://thebestselfproject.co.uk/ Email [email protected]