Hello Christelle,

I know, it’s been a while…

Not because I was unwell.

Not because I was overworked.

And not because I got tired of writing this newsletter…

…But simply because I needed a break from going through this process.

Basically, I needed a change!

It took me a while to realise that, though.

After all, I have a tendency to “keep going”.

And I had made a promise to myself to publish this newsletter every two weeks.

But somewhere along the way, that choice had quietly turned into an obligation.

I wasn’t publishing every two weeks because I was looking forward to it anymore. I was doing it because I had told myself I would.

So, I resisted taking a break.

Until a coaching conversation with another coach helped me look at it differently.

What would actually happen if I stopped publishing for a while?

And the answer was… not very much!

After all, nobody was going to die because I didn’t publish a newsletter!

And I know I need diversity in what I do. Forcing myself to keep repeating the same process wasn’t helping me - or this newsletter.

So, I stopped.

And something interesting happened.

The space didn’t immediately make me want to come back to writing this newsletter.

Instead, it made me curious about something else: longer-form writing.

I started exploring what it might be like to write articles. To have more space to develop an idea, follow it a little further, and see where it takes me.

And I’ve been using some of this break to explore that.

A different way to look at this

Sometimes, we keep doing something not because it still makes sense, but because at some point we decided we would.

A choice becomes a commitment.

And, without really noticing, the commitment becomes an obligation.

Taking a pause doesn’t necessarily mean giving up.

Sometimes, we just need enough space to find out whether we want to come back - or whether our attention wants to go somewhere else for a while.

A question for you

Is there something you feel like pausing right now - even though you can’t give yourself a particularly “good” reason for it?

And what do you imagine would actually happen if you did?

One simple move

What could you stop doing - just for a day - and see what happens?

Not forever. Not as a big decision.

Just long enough to notice what changes when you don’t automatically keep going.

One last thing

On September 19, I’ll be speaking at the “Lean In Together MSP - Career Explorers” online event, where I’ll facilitate a breakthrough session called “If Trees Could Hear Your Thoughts”.

What would the trees hear if they could listen to the way you think about yourself?

During this Coaching-Infused Conversation, I’ll invite you to notice your inner dialogue, imagine what you’d like it to sound like instead, and identify one small step towards thoughts that are fairer, healthier, and more helpful.

📅 September 19, 2026

🕙 10:00 - 11:30 am ET / 16:00 - 17:30 CET

💻 Online and free

Click here for details and registration

I’d be delighted to see you there!

To knowing when to keep going… and when to pause,

Christelle

Self-Leadership Catalyst - Small steps. Real progress.