What’s Next?

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Today’s Breakdown

Question: What’s Next?

I used to get so frustrated when someone would ask me, “What’s next?”

Those two words triggered an immediate cocktail of shame, urgency, and panic. Layered on top? A big old dose of fear about the unknown.

What is next? What do I want to do next? Who do I want to be next? And why?

But here’s what I’ve learned over the last few years: progress isn’t measured by how far or how fast you move.

There’s a quote on the top of my daily Notion dashboard that says, small steps make a marathon. Those 26.2 miles? We’re running them, honey. Some days in big, bold strides. Other days in the tiniest, most minuscule shuffle. But we are moving.

When people ask me what I’ve been working on, I tell them about all the magic I’ve been making for clients over the last eight-ish months. But more than that? I have been rehabilitating.

The word “rehabilitation” only hit me yesterday: I have been in a season of deep, necessary rehabilitation after what was, without a doubt, the most painful couple of years of my life. My “what’s next” wasn’t about a new job with a shiny title. It wasn’t about immediately jumping into a big, audacious goal. It was about healing. Recovering. Recalibrating. Strengthening. Giving myself permission to live fully again.

If you're new here, hi. Hello. I had a mental breakdown. A culmination of 30+ years of unprocessed trauma and pain.

And because life has a sense of humour, the breakdown wasn’t the end. What followed was a barrage of near-violent physical symptoms that come when your nervous system is in complete disarray. I then had a breakup, moved out of the home I shared with my ex, was made redundant, and lost my grandmother in the space of 6 months - and that’s the mere tip of the iceberg.

So, no, my "what’s next" wasn’t a LinkedIn announcement about a new sexy role. It was: Let me drink a litre of water today. Let me get comfortable being outside again. Let me learn to use my voice, to show myself love, to believe I am worthy.

And I know. I know. From the outside, it probably looks like I’m fine. You see the highlights, the wins, the things I have been doing, and assume: She’s okay now.

But that’s not how it works.

Some days, although now thankfully few and far between, the weight is still so heavy I wonder if I will ever fully recover. If I will ever feel like me again. I just trust the universe that I will. That even sharing this is part of my recovery, part of my healing, part of using my voice in the way I know I am meant to.

I’ve battled with the question: How can I show up as a businesswoman while navigating all of this? We so often see women in business as either forcedly robotic or relics of the outdated "girl boss" trope. I worried that if I shared my journey, potential clients or brands wouldn’t take me seriously.

But the answer is simple: I am showing up as me and I am allowed to be multifaceted. By being me I am embodying the authentic leader that I am.

And maybe, just maybe, these past few years have only added to my superpowers. As a highly sensitive person, I was always empathetic, but now I understand people on a different level. I now fundamentally look after myself in a way I didn’t before because I know what happens when I don’t. And I never want to go back there again. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.

So, in a world obsessed with what’s next?, maybe today is the day to give yourself permission to pause.

To understand that progress doesn’t always look like a viral career move, a huge business launch, or a five-year plan. Sometimes, what you’re working on today is something so small it feels insignificant. But those tiny steps? They build the big things.

Across all facets of life - personal and professional - not every day will be a powerhouse day. Not every moment will be an energetic, strategic, creative triumph. And despite what society may demand, you don’t have to live at 100% output all the time.

You are allowed to just be and breathe.

Extremely relevant for this newsletter and an instant soother to add to your playlist - “I don’t know what's next but I’m blessed”

Breakthroughs

🎙️ I have started a podcast! On No Stupid Questions, I ask inspiring people in business, beauty and beyond the juicy questions you’ve always wanted to know the answers to. Guests to date are the powerhouse author and speaker Candice Brathwaite and April Gargiulo, founder of cult luxury skincare brand, Vintner’s Daughter.

Next week’s episode is Georgie Coleridge Cole, founder and CEO of Sheerluxe.

💭 I’m thinking about running IRL events again. Connection in person rather than in an inbox or on social media. Part retreat, part workshop. If you’d be interested, let me know and I’ll start plotting!

See you soon!

Rhea x

PS. Thoughts, feedback or just wanna say hi? Email me here