The Nourished Folk

Some of the best conversations with kids don't happen when we ask, "How was your day?" They happen when we ask questions that encourage them to slow down, reflect and share a little more of who they are.⠀
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I'm also a big fan of conversation cards. We have a couple of decks that make regular appearances at our dinner table, and they've given us some of the most thoughtful, funny and unexpected conversations. Sometimes all kids need is a different question.⠀
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Which one of these would your child be most likely to answer? Or do you have a favourite conversation starter of your own? ⠀
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It's easy to spend hours scrolling, watching what everyone else is doing, and before long we're comparing ourselves without even realising it. We sit a little longer, get outside a little less, and can end the day feeling flat.⠀
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Real life isn't always perfectly filtered or exciting. But it's where connection happens. It's where memories are made. And it's almost always better for our wellbeing than another 30 minutes of scrolling.⠀
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You'll never know what you're made of if you never give yourself the chance to find out.⠀
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Not every attempt ends in success, but every attempt teaches you something.⠀
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Sometimes the hardest part is simply being willing to try.⠀
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Running Diaries | Week 5 🏃🏼‍♀️⠀
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This week had a few sessions that pushed me well outside my comfort zone.⠀
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Monday started at Marion Bay with my daughter joining me for the warm up as part of her City to Bay training. Then it was straight into 8 x 400m intervals, followed by 8 x 200m intervals. The paces on my plan felt like something I wasn't sure I could actually do, but I hit them. It wasn't easy, but finishing that session felt like a real confidence boost. After a four-hour drive home, I still managed to tick off my strength session that night.⠀
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Tuesday was a rest day, teaching my usual three yoga classes at Salt Yoga.⠀
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Wednesday brought another challenging workout: 1km easy, 4km at 4:45/km pace, then a cool down. I had to stop a couple of times to catch my breath during the faster section. Not ideal, but that pace is still a big stretch for me and I was proud of achieving what I did.⠀
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Thursday was a strength session, and I also managed to get back on the stationary bike. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy it, and I'd really missed it. It was nice to mix things up a little.⠀
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Friday's 20km long run was all about finding a better route for the longer runs still to come. I wanted somewhere with water fountains, and I found one... but it also came with plenty of hills. Safe to say the hills won this round. 😅 They exposed a weakness, which probably means they're exactly what I need to work on. The cold also made this run harder than expected. My fingers were burning before going numb with pins and needles, and the freezing air made breathing feel much tougher than usual.⠀
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Saturday was a rest day with kids' sport, a family catch-up, and a long walk with a friend.⠀
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Sunday was an easy 7.5km before my son's footy, while my husband headed out for his own long run. Marathon training as parents definitely takes some planning! Later that afternoon I added another 3km with my daughter for her City to Bay training, while my little boy complained from the scooter the whole way. 😂⠀
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48km for the week.⠀
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There are a few more long runs coming up over the next few weeks before we head off to Bali.

Some runs happen because you're excited for them. Others happen because you choose them anyway.⠀
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Today's run almost didn't happen. Not because I couldn't do it, but because I just didn't feel like it.⠀
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It would have been easy to find an excuse, but running is built on moments like these. The ones where you put your shoes on, head out the door, and take the first step anyway.⠀
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It wasn't my fastest run. There was no breakthrough or perfect pace. Just a run I'm really glad I didn't skip.⠀
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Motivation isn't always about feeling inspired. More often, it's about showing up on the days when staying on the couch feels like the easier option. Those are the runs that build consistency, and consistency is what gets you where you want to go.⠀
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The few lines that don't fully disappear when a smile fades. The streaks of grey that appear over time.⠀
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They're easy to see as signs of getting older.⠀
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But they can also be seen as signs of living.⠀
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Enough smiles to leave their mark. Enough laughter to be remembered by the face. Enough worries to weave their way through the hair. Enough ordinary days, hard seasons and beautiful moments to shape the person looking back in the mirror.⠀
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Growing older isn't about losing youth.⠀
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It's about carrying the evidence of a life that's been lived.⠀
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There is only one you.⠀
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The way you speak to yourself matters more than you probably realise.⠀
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If the first thing you think when you look in the mirror is, "I look terrible," "I'm so tired," or "I'm not capable," those thoughts can influence rest of your day.⠀
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What if you started somewhere different?⠀
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Grab a journal or even a scrap of paper and write down 10 things that are great about you.⠀
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Not achievements. Not things you've done. Just things about who you are.⠀
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This can feel surprisingly hard. Many of us worry it sounds like bragging, or we genuinely struggle to think of anything. But recognising your strengths isn't arrogance—it's self-awareness.⠀
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Maybe you're kind. Maybe you're resilient. Maybe you're funny, thoughtful, determined or a great listener.⠀
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Starting your day by remembering what makes you *you* can change the way you show up for yourself and everyone around you.⠀
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There is only one you. That's worth remembering.⠀
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