Marbles Creative Coaching

What if your next wellbeing habit was already sitting on your bookshelf or waiting for you at your local library? 📚

I have a little something different planned for September… and I’m rather excited about it!

For the month, I’m going to take you on a little journey through my bookshelf, looking at a different wellbeing book each week (more about this on Friday).

But if books about wellbeing aren’t really your thing, I discovered something recently that I think you might love…

Libraries NI are celebrating the National Year of Reading 2026 with something called Book Bingo - suggesting a different book from 12 different genres.

I LOVE this idea.

Because reading is good for us, of course… but so is trying something new.

And when the two come together? Even better. 😊

There are only four months left of the year, but that’s still four opportunities to discover something completely new - perhaps a genre, an author or a book you might never normally pick up.

So, whether you fancy joining me for my September wellbeing reading challenge or trying Book Bingo, why not make a little more space for reading in your life?

👉 What book have you read that has genuinely changed the way you think, live or look after yourself?

I’d love to hear your recommendations — you might even see one of them popping up in September!

You can find the Libraries NI Book Bingo challenge here:

https://www.librariesni.org.uk/browse-read/libraries-ni-national-year-of-reading-book-bingo/

LOOK HOW FAR YOU'VE COME

Before you focus on where you're going...

Take a moment to celebrate how far you've already travelled.

Growth deserves to be recognised.

Even the small victories matter.

Question: What's one thing you're proud of from this month?

EVERY SEASON HAS SOMETHING TO TEACH US

Some seasons are exciting.

Others are difficult.

But every season has the potential to help us grow.

Embrace the season you're in.

Question: What is life teaching you right now?

ENCOURAGE GROWTH IN OTHERS

One kind word.
One conversation.
One act of kindness.

Sometimes our greatest growth comes from helping someone else grow too.

Question: Who has encouraged your growth recently? Tag them below or tell us what they did - it might encourage someone else today.

PS I'm no artist as you can see in the little sketch, but I do enjoy doodling! This little drawing felt like the perfect reminder that encouragement often starts with two people sharing a conversation over a cuppa.

GROWTH NEEDS REST TOO

We don't grow by constantly doing more.

Sometimes growth happens when we pause...

to reflect,
to breathe,
to simply be.

Rest isn't stopping.

It's preparing for what's next.

Question: How do you recharge?

DON'T FORGET TO NOTICE YOUR OWN GROWTH

We're often quick to spot what still needs to change.

But how often do we pause to recognise how far we've already come?

The conversations you handle differently.
The boundaries you've learned to set.
The courage you've found.
The peace you've discovered.

Growth isn't always dramatic.
Often, it's wonderfully ordinary.

Question:
What's one positive change you've noticed in yourself recently?

GROWTH HAPPENS OUTSIDE OUR COMFORT ZONE

Most of us like familiar places.

But confidence grows when we take one small step beyond what's comfortable.

You don't have to leap.

Just take the next step.

A couple of months ago I was invited to deliver a webinar for the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA).

I'll be honest, it was well outside my comfort zone.

It's one thing chatting with clients or standing in front of a room. It's another knowing you're presenting online to advisers from across the UK!

I could easily have talked myself out of it.

Instead, I said yes.

And I'm so glad I did.

Not because it was perfect (it wasn't!), but because it opened new doors, built my confidence and reminded me that growth rarely happens while we're playing it safe.

Sometimes the opportunities we're most grateful for begin with a nervous "yes."

Question: What's one small step you've been putting off?

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT

Growth isn't about getting everything right.

It's about learning, adjusting... and sometimes laughing at yourself!

Progress will always beat perfection.

A few years ago, just before lockdown, I decided (against my regular hairdresser's better judgement!) that I wanted a perm. So I did what any stubborn person would do... I found a different hairdresser who was willing to do it!

I had visions of soft, effortless waves.

Reality? Let's just say "effortless" wasn't the word. Think more frizz meets poodle... and every morning became a battle to persuade my hair to behave.

Lesson learned?

Sometimes the experts really do know best! 😂

Thankfully, hair grows, mistakes fade, and most of life's "disasters" become funny stories.

Every mistake teaches us something - if we're willing to learn from it.

Question: What's one lesson you've learned from a recent mistake?

GROWTH STARTS WITH CURIOSITY

Growth doesn't begin with having all the answers.

It begins with asking better questions.

What matters most?
What do I need?
What's my next small step?

Stay curious.

Question: What's one question you're asking yourself at the moment?

GROWTH TAKES TIME