For a while, I felt lost.
After leaving One2One and starting to work from home, I found myself in a strange place – one where I had more freedom, yes, but also more silence. And not the peaceful kind. The isolating kind. I realised I was missing something I couldn’t quite name at the time. But now I know what it was:
Belonging.
Working alone, in a new area where I didn’t yet know many people, left me feeling disconnected; not just from others, but from myself. I missed being part of something. I missed community.
So I decided to change that.
Setting up my core & functional strength classes in Llanblethian has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done – not just professionally, but personally. Of course, I love teaching. I love empowering women to build strong, resilient bodies. I love seeing confidence grow in others. But more than that, I love what it’s given me:
A sense of purpose.
A reason to get out and connect.
A feeling of being part of something bigger.
That feeling of “I belong here.”
It gave me the courage to do more; to put myself out there, even when it felt uncomfortable. I joined the local social running group, The Cowbridge Moovers, where we meet for a run, jog or walk and a good chat on a Friday morning. Because I knew some of the Moovers from my core strength classes, it was less nerve wrecking to go along.
I joined a choir, My Kinda Choir, who meet up every Thursday lunchtime at The Bear Hotel. Walking in on your own and singing in front of people for the first time was totally terrifying!! I was put at ease straight away by choir director Eli who is bursting with energy and full of fun and the other members all welcomed me with open arms.
I have also met up with the team at Y Galon and to start volunteering there in September. I’m hoping to offer free exercise sessions for their Parkinsons Group and cannot wait to get involved.
These small steps have made a huge difference. They’ve reminded me how much we all need community. How much we all crave connection, shared purpose, and feeling seen. This is what I’ve been missing.
Feeling isolated taught me something important:
Wellbeing isn’t just about exercise, eating well & meditating; it’s about relationships, shared experiences, and finding your tribe – people who get you, who lift you, who like to do the same things as you. People who make you feel like you matter.
If you’re reading this and you’ve been feeling lonely, disconnected, or unsure of where you fit in, please know you’re not alone. It takes courage to reach out, to try something new, to show up when you don’t feel like it. But that’s where the magic happens.
Find your people. Follow your curiosity. Say yes. Show up.
Because community might just be the missing piece you didn’t know you needed.
