I’m a woman in my 40s, moving through life with a body that doesn’t always play by the rules. I live with two long‑term conditions — fibromyalgia, which brings widespread pain, fatigue, and a nervous system that’s easily overwhelmed, and endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows where it shouldn’t, causing pain, exhaustion, and a constant negotiation with my own energy. On top of that, I’m navigating the shifting landscape of suspected perimenopause, with all the hormonal unpredictability that comes with it.

Like many women, I’ve spent years trying to access support through the NHS. Long waits, limited options, and the sense of falling between the cracks have been familiar companions. Professionally, I work in a busy and often stressful role supporting others — and I see every day how people are waiting months for help like guided self‑help or low‑intensity CBT, even though they need tools and ideas now, not in half a year.

Somewhere in the middle of all this — the pain, the fatigue, the hormonal shifts, the emotional load of my job — I realised I needed a gentler way to live. A way to support myself while supporting others. A way to create calm when the world felt anything but calm.

Relaxed Squirrel was born from that need.

It’s my collection of ways and means — the small rituals, the gentle routines, the seasonal shifts, the honest reflections — that help me navigate real life with a tender body and a full heart. It’s where I gather what I’m learning, what’s helping, and what I wish more women had access to without waiting months.

This space isn’t about perfection or polished wellbeing. It’s about the real, everyday practice of finding softness in a life that can be loud. It’s about recognising overwhelm, creating pockets of calm, building routines that don’t demand more than we can give, and honouring the seasons we move through — inside and out.

On the blog, you’ll find everything I’m learning about living gently in a busy, unpredictable life — from recognising overwhelm and creating space and calm, to building gentle routines and practising seasonal self‑care. And each month, I share a real‑life reflection in Relaxed Squirrel: The Unpolished Bits, where I talk honestly about what’s helping, what’s slipping, and how I’m navigating the messy middle.

Here, you’ll find four guiding themes—each one offering tools and reflections to help you breathe easier and live more intentionally:

1. Recognising Overwhelm

This theme explores the subtle signs of emotional overload and offers gentle ways to acknowledge, understand, and honour your experience—without judgment or urgency.

2. Creating Space and Calm

Whether it is a quiet corner or a brief moment of stillness between tasks, creating calm is essential for supporting your health and wellbeing. This section explores practical ways to create space and cultivate calm, even when life is busy and you are juggling many responsibilities.

3. Gentle Routines

Routines help life run more smoothly, whether they support your mornings, your workday, or the quieter moments in between. They allow us to prioritise what matters and create space for our wellbeing. Routines do not need to be rigid; this section explores gentle, flexible rhythms that help you feel grounded and in control.

4. Seasonal Self-care

Our needs shift throughout the year. What feels nourishing in summer can become burdensome during the darker, colder winter months. This section explores practical, seasonal self‑care ideas that help you stay grounded and supported as the seasons change.

Whether you’re drawn to quiet rituals, practical tools, or the comfort of seasonal rhythms, Relaxed Squirrel offers a place to pause and reconnect. Find link to themes in menu above.

Thank you for wandering in. You’re always welcome here.