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Author: Hannah Young

Support for women who are overwhelmed and burnout

The Freeze Response Behind Burnout

Written by Hannah Young on . Posted in Overwhelm and Burnout. No Comments on The Freeze Response Behind Burnout

The ‘freeze response’ is the sneaky nervous system behaviour that might be sitting behind the fact you feel on the edge of burnout.

We all know from secondary-school science that, when faced with a threat, our bodies can go into ‘fight or flight’. But what I never remember being taught about in school is the freeze response. It was only really when I got to A-Level and Degree Psychology that I learnt more about the lesser-known siblings of fight/flight – that is ‘freeze’ and ‘fawn’.

To ‘freeze’ is a pretty good survival instinct for your nervous system to have developed. Faced with a sabre-tooth tiger, your cavewoman ancestors may have survived by ‘freezing’ – making themselves hidden, smaller (think ‘playing dead’).

But when our modern-day threats are no longer the sabre-tooth tiger, but instead often a cumulative build-up of pressures – at work and in our personal and social lives – that lead to feelings of emotional overwhelm, the freeze response doesn’t feel too helpful. In fact, it can lead to us feeling numb, dissociated, anxious or unable to participate in life.

Feeling overwhelmed and burnout is something I experiencing myself during my teaching career.

And it literally felt like I was going about my days in a trance. I was still functioning (we now know about functional freeze), but I wasn’t participating in life.

And something that I completely abandoned (and I see many women I work with doing the same) was a connection with my self. As well as being numb to the world, the volume on my own needs turned down too. Nutrition, exercise, time in nature, engaging in conversation about how I was feeling – I didn’t do any of it. Until one day I literally could not open my front door to leave for work.

When life feels overwhelming, disrupting the pattern of life in a small way can be a good place to start. I found such relief in stepping out into nature, booking a massage, or speaking to one of the amazing women healers I had around me at the time. It was connection I needed – and a space just for myself.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed and teetering close to the edge of burnout, start small. Why not make today the day you begin to reconnect with yourself. Step out into nature – feel the grass underfoot, observe the new buds of spring – heck, hug a tree! – and by doing so, you’ll feel yourself gently stepping back into your self.

And, if you’d like a space to escape to, my in-person Reset Session might be just what you need.

woman enjoying a quiet ordinary moment, reflecting on happiness in everyday life

Happiness in Ordinary Moments: Feel More Grounded

Written by Hannah Young on . Posted in Real Life and Reflections. No Comments on Happiness in Ordinary Moments: Feel More Grounded

Is it just me, or does everything feel a bit off right now?

There’s a lot of uncertainty in the air. And when life feels like that, it’s easy to look outward for something bigger, better, or more certain to hold onto. But more often than not, what steadies us is much simpler than that.

Happiness in ordinary moments is easy to overlook, especially when comparison is constantly pulling our attention elsewhere. We open our phones and within seconds we’re measuring our lives against someone else’s highlight reel. Even when we know it’s not real life, it still has an effect.

So before anything else, it’s worth gently stepping back from that. Not forever, just enough to create a bit of space. Enough to notice what’s already here.

Because when you do, you start to see that your life is not behind. It’s just quieter.

The conversation you spoke up in. The small step you finally took. The way you’re handling things now compared to a few years ago. That is progress, even if no one else sees it.

This is where happiness in ordinary moments really begins to land. Not in big milestones, but in the details you would usually rush past.

Instead of listing the same gratitudes each day, try noticing something more specific. The sound of birds before your alarm. A message from a friend you hadn’t heard from in a while. Even the satisfaction of getting something slightly more right than you did yesterday.

These moments are easy to dismiss, but they are often the ones that stay.

The same goes for the things we think we need to upgrade. We’re used to chasing the next version of everything, but the feeling rarely lasts. What does last is a quieter kind of contentment. The kind that comes from realising what you already have is enough, for now.

And maybe most importantly, the relationships that don’t look perfect on the surface are often the ones that matter most. The ones that pick up where they left off. The ones that don’t need constant attention to still feel solid.

So if things feel unsettled at the moment, come back to what is steady.

Happiness in ordinary moments is not about lowering your expectations of life. It’s about noticing that your life is already happening, in ways that are easy to miss if you’re always looking for more.

And when you start to see that, things don’t feel quite so off after all.

Hand reaching into light beam - Hannah Young Life Coaching there must be more to life passion and purpose

‘There must be more to life’

Written by Hannah Young on . Posted in Real Life and Reflections. No Comments on ‘There must be more to life’

‘There must be more to life’

This is something I used to say to myself pretty much every day. I’d wake up, pull myself up to sit on the edge of the bed, feeling exhausted and lacking motivation.

And even though, on paper, I had nothing to complain about, something just felt ‘off’.

The tick list of life, but we want more

Sometimes we fall into the trap of treating life like a tick list. The house. Tick. The car. Tick. The marriage. Tick. The job. Tick. We have it all, but life somehow feels draining, not uplifting.

This is where passion and purpose come in.

Passion and purpose

I’ve heard it said that if you have a passion and turn it into something that impacts others, that’s your purpose. But for many of us, this seems like a pipe-dream. Right now, you might not even have the time to spend on your passion, let alone turn it into purpose.

But this is where life coaching can help.

In life coaching sessions, we uncover exactly what it is about your passion that you love, and work on ways to bring an essence of this into your life as it is right now. Say, your passion is creating art but you have no time for it right now. We’d ask what it is exactly you love about creating art. You might say that you love getting lost in the paint, the colours, the form – for you it’s a form of meditation. So, we take that idea of getting lost, of flow, and find a way to bring it into your daily life. Let’s say, with 5 minutes of meditation each day. Over time, this 5 minutes might become 10 minutes with a sketch pad, and so on.  Then, if you start selling your sketches or giving them away for others to enjoy – there’s your purpose.

So if life feels ‘off’ right now, life coaching could be a great place to start. Book a free no-pressure chat to find out how life coaching could change everything for you.

A woman holding a cup by a window in sunlight - Hannah Young Life Coaching

Emotional Wellbeing Coaching: Reduce Stress and Overwhelm

Written by Hannah Young on . Posted in Mindset and Patterns. 1 Comment on Emotional Wellbeing Coaching: Reduce Stress and Overwhelm

Many women I work with tell me they feel overwhelmed, stuck, or constantly stressed. Life can feel heavy, and managing emotional wellbeing often becomes a daily challenge. Emotional wellbeing coaching provides tools and support to help you manage stress, reduce overwhelm, and feel more grounded in your life.

When stress and overwhelm build up, it can affect not only your mood but also your energy, relationships, and ability to focus. Nervous system regulation is often an important part of this work. Through personalised techniques like guided meditations, breathing exercises, and grounding practices, coaching helps you reconnect with your body, calm your mind, and gain clarity even during challenging times.

Emotional wellbeing coaching is not just about coping in the moment. It is about creating sustainable strategies to support yourself every day. Together, we identify the patterns that keep you feeling stuck, explore practical tools that work for you, and develop personalised practices you can use both in sessions and at home. Over time, these small but consistent actions build resilience, reduce stress, and improve overall wellbeing.

The goal is to feel more in control of your emotional state and empowered to navigate life with ease. You learn to recognise when stress is building, respond to it effectively, and prevent overwhelm from taking over. By prioritising your emotional wellbeing, you can show up more fully in your work, relationships, and personal life.

If you are ready to manage stress, reduce overwhelm, and feel more grounded, emotional wellbeing coaching can provide the guidance and tools you need. Reach out today to explore how personalised meditations, grounding exercises, and practical strategies can help you restore balance and create lasting calm in your life.

woman enjoying a quiet ordinary moment, reflecting on happiness in everyday life

Self-Care for the Collective: Care for Yourself and Others

Written by Hannah Young on . Posted in Slowing Down and Self-Care. No Comments on Self-Care for the Collective: Care for Yourself and Others

Self-care for the collective is more than a personal indulgence. Today, many people think of self-care as routines, habits, or practices designed only for individual benefit. Bubble baths, journaling, and solo walks are often the first examples that come to mind. But true self-care is deeper and has a history rooted in empowerment and collective well-being.

During the Civil Rights Movement, self-care became a political act. Marginalised communities fought not only for their rights but also for the ability to care for their own health and wellness. Self-care became a tool for survival, resistance, and community strength. It was never only about the individual. The idea was simple: healthy individuals build healthy communities.

When we think about self-care for the collective in our own lives, it changes how we see taking time for ourselves. Often, self-care is dismissed as indulgent, selfish, or unnecessary. But if we care for ourselves intentionally, we are better able to show up for our families, friends, and communities. Our personal well-being creates a ripple effect that benefits everyone around us.

To practice self-care that counts, consider small daily actions that strengthen your mind, body, and emotional resilience. Simple habits like mindful breathing, walking outdoors, or journaling can boost your energy.

Self-care for the collective is essential. It is a commitment to yourself and the people around you. The next time you take time for yourself, remember that you are not being selfish. You are investing in a stronger, healthier, and more connected community. By embracing self-care for the collective, your personal wellness and your community’s well-being grow together.

Hannah Owner of Hannah Young Life Coaching

Life in fast-forward

Written by Hannah Young on . Posted in Slowing Down and Self-Care. 1 Comment on Life in fast-forward

Sometimes life feels like it’s in fast-forward…and that’s not good for intentional living

3 second reels; ‘This item is selling fast!’; ‘Bring on the Summer!’….

We are so often living life in fast-forward – it’s no wonder our connection with intentional living fell silent.

So today…slow down time. Sip your coffee with intention. Slow down your walking pace. Spend an extra 5 minutes on your skincare. Slow down, and connect.

Wooden sign with 'CHANGE' text - Hannah Young Life Coaching

Self-awareness is only the beginning

Written by Hannah Young on . Posted in Mindset and Patterns. No Comments on Self-awareness is only the beginning

Self-awareness is something that grows through life-coaching. Though it’s something that (alarmingly!) many people fail to achieve throughout their entire adulthood, self-awareness is only as good as the actions you take because of it.

On a journey of growth, you’ll have many penny-dropping moments. You start tracking your cycle, so now you know why you want to throw plates two days before your period. You trace your people-pleasing back to childhood, where you learned that being the “good girl” gave you value and love. You realise why it is that your boss triggers you whenever they make a reasonable request.

This kind of awareness often comes through mindset coaching – and while it can feel powerful, it’s only the beginning.

Now you’ve seen the light, what you do with that awareness is what really matters. That’s where real growth comes in.

You know your fuse is short two days before your period arrives… so what will you do with that information? Perhaps you’ll block out your calendar so there are no social demands at this time. Or you’ll set a non-negotiable walk in nature every day that week. If you now understand why you people-please, will you begin learning how to set boundaries? And if you’re triggered by your boss, what calming nervous system practice will you turn to the next time it happens?

This is the part of the journey where many women get stuck — not because they lack self-awareness, but because changing habits and behaviour is hard. It often brings tension with those around us, because suddenly we’re doing something different. We’re pushing back. We’re choosing ourselves.

This is where holistic life coaching can offer real support — helping you bridge the gap between insight and action. The work is about turning awareness into lived change.

The outcomes are always worth the discomfort the journey brings. This is where we step, truly, into ourselves. It’s where holistic coaching for and practical life coaching meet, and where real, lasting change begins. If you’re interested in growing your self-awareness through life-coaching (and turning that into action!), read more about how I can help.

prioritising happiness and emotional wellbeing

A life lesson on happiness and emotional wellbeing – from flowers

Written by Hannah Young on . Posted in Real Life and Reflections. No Comments on A life lesson on happiness and emotional wellbeing – from flowers

Here’s a little reminder if you’re prioritising happiness and emotional wellbeing at the moment…

 

The other day, I was having a bit of a mindful moment arranging some flowers, and I remembered a time when this simple pleasure would completely pass me by…

 

There was a time when I was so burnt-out that if someone bought me flowers, there would be a part of me that resented the time it would take me to arrange them into a vase.

 

That seems absolutely crazy to me now – to think that I was so exhausted, so disconnected from myself and the world around me that I was so ungrateful for a moment like that. Prioritising my own happiness and emotional wellbeing was way down on the list.

 

Now, the experience is totally different: I make space in the kitchen, carefully unpack and organise the stems into groups; clip the leaves and the stems and take my time thoughtfully arranging my new blooms into an abundance of beauty and colour (and yes….sometimes I might talk to them too!).

 

When we feel frozen in the moment – overwhelmed, unable to make decisions, feeling unlike ourselves; it’s so often part of a wider story – a story of self-neglect, defensiveness, survival…living life in high alert.

 

That’s why it’s so important to reclaim the slow moments in our lives – just like arranging flowers – if we want to truly feel connected to ourselves and our own happiness.

 

If you’re looking for holistic life coaching that doesn’t overlook the significance of moments like this, book a chat to find out how we can work together.

woman enjoying a quiet ordinary moment, reflecting on happiness in everyday life

When the demands of the day fall silent…what fills the space?

Written by Hannah Young on . Posted in Mindset and Patterns. No Comments on When the demands of the day fall silent…what fills the space?

Do you ever have those moments during the day – however fleeting they may be – when the demands put on you silence, and you have no idea what to do with yourself? Well, this could be contributing to your sense that your wellbeing could be better…

As women with various hats to wear within any one day, ‘free time’ can be easily lost to doomscrolling, busying ourselves with tasks that don’t matter, or even crashes of exhaustion.

This is where a holistic life coaching approach comes in – tuning in to the smallest moments of the day – the ‘white space’ to see what happens there and finding ways of reclaiming it.

So here’s something I want you to plan for over the coming days – when the demands fall silent, have a plan for what action you immediately take for yourself. Even if it’s just 10 minutes – it might be stepping out into the garden with a hot cup of coffee, a moment of meditation, or reading 5 pages of your favourite book. Decide what you will do with the time (which takes away the cognitive load of making a choice in the moment) and stick with it.

If you’re looking for a holistic approach to coaching to increase your wellbeing every day, why not book a chat with me to find out how I can help.

 

Hand writing in a notebook - Hannah Young Life Coaching

Setting intentions for an incredible 2026

Written by Hannah Young on . Posted in Mindset and Patterns. No Comments on Setting intentions for an incredible 2026

You know me – I’m not into setting strict goals or New Years resolutions. But here’s an alternative you might like to try journaling on before the New Year sets in:

Imagine it’s this time, next year. Think about what you want to have achieved by then….now write:

– It’s December 2026 and I’m sitting in…and life is…
– So much has changed for me this year. It started back in January, when I…
– In February I…..and by Spring I was….

For each season, or even month, write down what you ‘did’ to get you where you are ‘now’, in December 2026. Be as specific as possible. So, if you’d normally set a goal to ‘lose 5kg by Summer’, instead you might write, ‘In January I started to walk on most days, and learnt how to make the most delicious protein pancakes for breakfast…’

When you’ve finished writing, read it back – and make sure you read it regularly. This is your plan for the year, to achieve exactly what you want.