I stood on the northern Portuguese shore, waves stretching into mist, the ocean’s breath colder than reason. I dipped one toe in and felt it in my bones, my ears, my skull like a mini‑freeze‑frame of mortality. A line in the sand, laughed by my 22‑year‑old self, who once would’ve plunged in just to say, “I did it.”
But I didn’t. Not this time. At 48, nearly 49, I realized I have nothing left to prove.
And so I left my holiday in Portugal without a single sea dip. And I’m proud of it.
I came back yesterday – delayed plane, exhausted kids. But Damian Lewis was on our flight. Yes, that Brody /Axel – I’m a huge fan. HUGE. MASSIVE. He helped my son with his suitcase on the escalators, and I was happy as a pig in shit. Which is also why I’m writing this with a slightly embarrassing grin.
But back to that cold Atlantic moment…
And this got me thinking: It’s the same in business.
You can skip the trends and hustle, the things everyone else swears by. Because what’s right for you doesn’t have to match what’s cool for someone else.
And at this point in life, the only thing that needs justifying is to yourself.
Quote of the Week
“Courage is knowing what not to fear.”
Plato
Boundaries aren’t excuses—they’re the foundation of freedom.
Remember how imposter syndrome used to worm into every decision, whispering you had to prove yourself, with every new offer, every client call? I’ve been there.
My younger self would’ve braved the ocean’s fury just to be “the brave one.” But here’s what shifting from proving to owning feels like:
- A Harvard Business Review study found that midlife entrepreneurs who defined success on their own terms experienced 50% less burnout than those chasing external validation. Picture three out of four seasoned businesswomen, no longer performing for likes or “authority,” thriving instead in alignment.
- And the Journal of Career Development reports that people who prioritize authenticity over achievement report 35% higher job satisfaction and clarity in decision‑making.
Even science says that the less you chase applause, the more energy you have for what truly lights you up. So maybe it’s time to turn in and really figure out what it is you want to be and do now, instead of focussing on that idea of “entrepreneur” you once thought you had to be.
To‑the‑Bone (Literally Cold) Clarity
That toe-in-the-ocean moment? It was clarifying.
I’m not missing out by skipping the freeze. I’m preserving my mental energy and my joy. Maybe you’ll put your toe in, or maybe you’ll choose something entirely different. Both are valid as long as they are what you actually want to do.
Remember: What’s right for you doesn’t need to be right for anyone else. And what was right for you 10 years ago, doesn’t have to be right for you now.
🔦 Spotlight Offer
Let’s Get Real About What You Actually Want
Book your 30-min “Own‑Your‑Way” Clarity Call—where we’ll uncover the exact decision you’re avoiding (and how to move forward with it).
This is not a funnel. This is a truth-telling session—with strategy.
OWN IT
If that little voice is whispering that you “should” be doing what everyone else is doing – jumping in, following the latest tactic – it’s time for you to start ignoring it.
Not everyone’s script fits you. Not plunging into the deep freeze doesn’t make you a coward, it makes you smart.
What if your business decisions were guided by what energizes your bones and not by what gives you “status chills”? Step back. Feel how that foot in the cold led to clarity, not regret.
Your brilliance is in the things you choose to do and the reasons behind it.
A week from turning 49, I’m taking a slow‑breath because I know I’ve already done the hard work.
It’s time for you to do the same and relax into what’s really yours.
Weekly Action Plan
- Book your “Own‑Your‑Way” Clarity Call This is your permission to stop proving and start choosing.
- Hit pause on one “should-do” in your business, just for today. Watch your energy shift.
- Scan the last 3 weeks: What brought in real connection or client momentum?
- Choose a bold “non‑decision” this week: where can you stop saying yes to earn gold stars?
Until next Wednesday. I’ll be pouring coffee, closing my eyes, and thinking of Damian (or Axel… or Brody… whatever gets me through).
Claudia
