Well f*ck me, that was uncomfortable

I'm all for being pushed out of my comfort zone. In fact, I love nothing more. The slight adrenaline spike that comes with it. The unknown. The wondering if you'll come out the other side unscathed. The growth, the stretching, the relief when you actually are on the other side.

It's a pretty unique character trait, and one that's taken me many years to fully embrace.

Recently I discovered a new kind of 'outside my comfort zone'. Being photographed. Well f*ck me. I was SO far outside it, it's not funny.

I've been photographed before, but usually with my family, or alongside other people, and almost never as the sole focus. This time, my beautiful friend Kate came into my home and did a bloody marvellous job capturing some snaps of me. Just me.

Why? Because apparently, when you're building a new business and the primary offering is your skillset, you have to show your face on the website. Who knew.

Here's the thing though. I leapt way out, and I came out the other side remarkably unscathed, with some brilliant shots to show for it. Am I still slightly uncomfortable being the sole subject? Absolutely. That's a whole personal growth piece I know I have to lean into in this next chapter. I'm working on it.

And that's really the point. The discomfort doesn't disappear just because you're someone who seeks it. It doesn't vanish with experience, or confidence, or nearly 20 years of backing yourself. It just changes shape. The work is stepping toward it anyway.

Even the photo I was most willing to share first was the one featuring my gorgeous Groodle, Winnie, rather than just me. Make of that what you will. (Also, yes, there is a random toy on the coffee table. Mum life.)

Because this is the work. Not just for me, but for every owner, leader and human I sit across from. Growth lives on the other side of the thing you'd rather not do. The conversation you've been avoiding. The decision you've been circling. The version of yourself you haven't quite let people see yet.

You don't have to love the discomfort. You just have to be willing to walk into it.

The next chapter, professionally, is here. And I'm damn excited.