Real talk, self love ❤️

Hello, my lovelies,

Welcome to the very first edition of Ask Wendy. For a moment, let’s pretend we’re sitting round my mum’s kitchen table in Glasgow, cuppa in hand, biscuits on the plate, having one of those honest, heart-level chats that leaves you feeling both lighter and stronger.

For those of you who don’t know me, I spent more than 30 years in the corporate world. My life revolved around chasing promotions, leading massive projects, wearing that badge of busyness like a soldier’s medal. But I eventually realised that true belonging and fulfilment isn’t found in a 60-hour workweek or a corner office. The moment I stepped away from that life, messages started pouring in from old colleagues, friends, even complete strangers, all hungry for guidance on how to stop feeling like corporate drones and start feeling like human beings again.

Now I’m here to share the lessons, tips, and heartfelt wisdom I picked up along the way, without the corporate fluff and nonsense. So, if you’re feeling burned-out, fearful of speaking your truth, or simply craving more joy, you’re in the right place.

Let’s crack on, shall we?

This Week’s Question

The other day, I was chatting with Samantha T., and she said something that echoed what so many others are feeling:

“Wendy, I’m feeling exhausted, and I’m terrified to speak up at my corporate job. I don’t want to look weak, but I’m struggling to keep up. How do I find the strength to be myself without risking my career?”

Oh, Samantha, I hear you darling. I know that ache in your soul. The one that wonders if you’ve got anything left to give. So, let’s have a conversation about what true resilience and success look like. And if we’re going to have that chat, I need to share a story that changed my life forever.

A Story of Loss—And the Lesson It Taught Me

Years ago, I was a leader at Tesco, moving at breakneck speed, forging my reputation as the woman who never failed. Then, at 38 weeks pregnant, I heard the words no mother wants to hear: “No heartbeat.” My daughter Hannah was gone before she ever took her first breath.

In that moment, all my achievements felt meaningless. The grief was overwhelming, but I did what many of us do. I became a machine. Three months later, my boss rang, “You need to come back to work.” When I explained that I was terrified even to leave my house, she insisted: “You’ll be fine. I’ll send two people with you.”

So I went back. And on the surface, I excelled. Leading massive projects, travelling the world, making decisions that changed entire organisations. But inside, I was numb, refusing to feel anything at all. The NHS offered counselling years later, but when they suggested I could pay privately, my pride roared. “I don’t need help,” I told myself, offended by the implication that I was somehow weak. Let’s be honest. Pride is a fierce protector, but a poor healer.

It took me years to realise the truth. You can’t outrun grief. It follows you wherever you go until you have the courage to turn around and face it. Strength, I discovered, isn’t about soldiering on. It’s about giving yourself permission to be human, allowing yourself to feel the full weight of what life throws at you. That vulnerability is what ultimately saved me.

Samantha’s question, and maybe yours too, is about feeling terrified to speak up for fear of looking weak. But the real weakness, I’ve learned, is refusing to acknowledge when we’re not okay. Being honest about our struggles doesn’t diminish our credibility. It amplifies our humanity. And guess what? People connect with ‘human’ a lot more than they connect with ‘perfect.’

A Practical Guide to Self-Love

I’m a firm believer that we need tactical steps to move forward. So here are a few techniques to help you reclaim your sense of self, even in the toughest corporate environments:

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings, No Matter How Ugly They Seem

Jot them down in a journal or confide in someone you trust. Naming your emotions takes away some of their power.

2. Set Micro-Boundaries

Start with small steps. Decline one unnecessary meeting or block 15 minutes in your calendar for a mental breather. Proving to yourself that you can set boundaries is hugely empowering.

3. Ask the Daily Question

Each morning, look in the mirror and ask, “How can I love myself even more right now?” Your brain looks for answers to the questions you pose. Ask it to find more love.

4. Seek Genuine Support

Whether it’s a counsellor, a mentor, or a no-judgement friend, don’t wait until you’re on the brink. Start talking now. You’d be amazed how quickly things shift when you let someone in.

5. Celebrate Your Wins (Big and Small!)

From finishing a tough project to finally speaking up in a meeting, acknowledge every step. Success has many forms, and sometimes the biggest victory is just having the courage to say, “I’m struggling.”

Closing Thoughts

Losing Hannah was the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced, and it changed the way I see success, resilience, and strength. I’ve faced that black door of depression, and I don’t want anyone else to feel they must endure it alone.

If you’re feeling burned out, terrified to show weakness, or just plain numb, take a moment to pause. Ask yourself, “How can I love myself even more right now?” Self-love isn’t selfish. Strangely enough, this is where real belonging starts. Inside you, before anyone else can see it.

Thank you for reading this edition of Ask Wendy. Keep those questions coming, and remember… You’re not a machine, you’re a human being. And there’s real power in that.

With love and a loud laugh,

Wendy ❤️

Glasgow Girl, Former Corporate Machine, On a Mission to Help You Thrive