May, what a month and what a heatwave

This month has been hectic for everyone in the team, and the heat hasn't made it any easier! I've had two nights without sleep, which led me to purchase a fan... I'm sure you're all thinking I should have done that sooner. Anyway, two days later, it arrived, but it didn't work. So, while waiting for a replacement, my son insisted on going out to buy one for me and brought it over.

Diane Faben

Today at Waresley, we discussed the challenges we face as women in the workplace. One topic we covered was the guilt we experience when struggling to excel in all areas—work, children, cleaning, cooking. We must acknowledge that we can't do it all perfectly; something has to give. Although I didn't want my son to go out at 8 p.m. to get me a fan, I was very thankful, and I'm learning to be kinder to myself when I don't complete everything on my endless to-do list. Don't succumb to overwhelm! My advice to myself is to tackle tasks in manageable pieces and seek help when needed.

We also talked about how to create a business plan and the fact that a business plan should cover all aspects of your business and should be updated on a regular basis. Its a living document, transitioning you from an idea through implementation to a live product. That all changes overtime and we need to recognise that. I have been updating mine recently and I am surprised by just how much has changed.

Polly Joseph

Last week Polly reminded us that building a business does not have to come at the expense of your mental health. We had a real and honest conversation about protecting your peace, setting boundaries, and staying grounded whilst chasing your goals.

Next month, Chloe Ambrose will join us at the Arthur Rank Hospice to discuss creativity with Social Media. I'm personally very excited about this session. It will take place on June 16th at 4:30 pm. For those who haven't visited the Arthur Rank Hospice, we have a wonderful room in the training wing of the building.

During our last visit, Lisa gave us a guided tour, and it's truly an amazing space. The garden is fantastic, and we hope to gather a team of volunteers to work in the garden for a few hours in the future. We are provided the space free of charge in exchange for some fundraising. More details on that later. If anyone wants to volunteer to do their Just Me there, just send me an email to justwomennetwork@gmail.com. We have a spot available in June!

Next month at the Woodman, we have an open slot for Just Me if anyone is interested in participating. Following that, Marie Janson Jones will present on "Move Better, Feel Better, and Maybe Look Younger: The Fascia Connection." Marie, a Bowen therapist, will enlighten us about our fascia. That's on June 16th at 9:30 am at the Woodman Inn Nuthampstead .

On June 25th at 9:30, Armajia will present her "Just Me" at the Duncombe Arms in Waresley. Following her, my colleague and business partner, Peter Woolf, will discuss "How to Create a Brand." He collaborated with me on branding for Mentors for Women and the Just Women Network and has expertise in marketing and IT.

Well that's all for today ladies, but a little reminder to everyone to prioritize self-care, seek assistance when needed, and communicate with those who support you. Remember, we are all human.