“I’m having fun. I’m being myself. I’m doing what I love. That’s all that matters.”
Although many parts of the world are currently facing intense heat, with one heat wave following another, summer feels gentler to me than any other season. That’s why I quoted James Charles, a YouTube influencer and makeup artist. His words are playful, yet they also encourage reflection on authenticity and meaning.
What matters to you?
I chose to share a very personal photo: you’ll recognise the blond character. The other two are my family: my cat and my husband.
This picture was taken just before my cancer surgery, during a time when confronting my own mortality brought sharp clarity to what truly matters.
I kept this photo by my bedside throughout my hospital stay. That was five years ago.
Of course, my work matters. So do other family members. And my treasured circle of friends.
But when all is laid bare, I realised how little else truly mattered.
Let me offer two tips to reconnect to what matters. Today’s world often feels like a whirlwind. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, confused, and unsure of what’s truly important. The noise can be deafening.
Tip #1: do you expect to – want to in fact – remember this in five years? Or even next year? If not, then perhaps it doesn’t truly matter. As with conflict, I encourage going where the energy is. As you reflect on the first six months of 2025, what do you want to remember from this time next year or five years from now?
Tip #2: When you finally get a moment to unwind – perhaps on a beach or a mountain walk – pause to consider what feeds your frustration. If this question seems strange, I am asking it because we humans often default to negative thinking. We (sadly) list frustrations with ease.
What is the opposite of each frustration you came up with?
This simple exercise can help surface what truly nourishes you.
Once you’ve done that, try to list what gives you joy just as effortlessly as you listed your frustrations.
What we love and what we resent tell us what matters.
Beyond the obvious, our loved ones, knowing what matters helps us steer ourselves towards the right people and situations. Right for us.
What would you like the second half of 2025 to be about for you?
Would you like to focus more on what genuinely matters?
And did you know? Living in line with what matters may just be the most fulfilling path of all.
I’m taking the next month off – not completely from work, but from LinkedIn!
Happy summer 😎
