Carol Hickson Mental Health

I'm so chuffed to tell you I'm a finalist in the Mental Health & Wellbeing Wales Awards in the Inspiring Individual category. I can't tell you what it means to me. So, I'll let my photo do the talking.

The awards are on the same day as the Woman Who Solopreneur awards for which I'm also a finalist - I am filled with gratitude.

The timing though reminds me of my children's graduation. Two of them graduated on the same day in different parts of the country - what was the chance of that!

Anyway, I'm beaming!

POV: Triangle sandwiches always taste better.
No exceptions!
What do you think? 😄

"I've disappeared a bit lately."

I've stepped back from posting, avoided networking and, if I'm honest, I've been avoiding quite a lot of other things too.
I've had a considerable amount of uncertainty around my health recently, more medical tests, and I'd be lying if I didn't admit it's been stressful.
And because I teach resilience, I find myself noticing something interesting:
I know my stress signature.

For me, one of the biggest signs isn't panic.
It's avoidance.
I go quieter.
I stay at home more.
I don't feel like answering messages or calls.
I stop networking.
I move less.
I retreat.

And while I know that avoidance can be part of an anxious response, knowing that doesn't magically make it disappear.
That's one of the things we don't always talk about when we talk about resilience.

Sometimes the signs aren't dramatic.
Sometimes they look like "disappearing from your own life a little bit."

I'm starting to notice that in myself again.
And that's always the first step.
Not judging it.
Just noticing.

"What does stress look like for you?"
Have you ever thought about it?

Do you recognise your own patterns? I'd love to know.

Who knew! I'm just waiting to join my call with the Welsh National Opera. I'd like to say it's because I'm an incredibly talented singer (I wish!) but it's a health initiative. If you have Breathing Pattern Disorder you get to access six weeks of support to help you breathe better. Lah lah lah!!!!

We're just going out for afternoon tea, thank you Liam Hickson but before I go out I wanted to say how chuffed I am to be nominated again in the Woman Who Solopreneur Awards, 2026.

Last year I won an award and if I'm honest I was in total overwhelm thinking that I didn't deserve to be a part of the stage. This year I've changed. I know that I truly deserve the nomination and that's why I've become a sponsor of this years awards too.

A lot can happen in a year when you give yourself permission to be true to who you are. I'll do some posts around what this means to me but first I'm going out for cake!

Have a wonderful day! :-)

Your nervous system needs calm.

Or you need to spend less time with people who drain your battery faster than an iPhone on 2%. 😬

I've been talking about Radio You recently - my metaphor for learning to tune back into the messages your body is broadcasting.

And I've created The Resilience Template® Resilience Resets - nine different ways to ask yourself:

What do I actually need right now?

I've shared all nine in my latest newsletter on LinkedIn. Link at the bottom.

But I'm curious…

Which part of YOU needs a reset today?

Mine is emotional. We're trying to sell the house and it's exhausting 😬
LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/july-newsletter-2026-resilience-template-radio-you-9-carol-hickson-jtede/