From Burnout to Renewal: My Journey Back to Supporting Parents

From Dreams of Change to a Life of Adventure: My Journey So Far

For those of you who knew me before, you’ll know how passionate I was about making meaningful changes to maternity services.

Becoming a parent opened my eyes to so much, and I threw myself into spreading evidence-based information, training, and networking. I truly believed it would make a difference.

But reality had other plans. I watched One to One Midwives disappear with barely a protest. I saw key positions in maternity services filled strategically, silencing those of us who were passionate about real change. I’ll never forget the moment birth workers were told they could choose the colour schemes for new wards – and were thrilled to be included. It was heartbreaking. I had fought for so much more than superficial changes. My vision was for Gold Standard One-to-One Midwifery Care, and it felt impossible to achieve.

On top of that, I faced personal challenges. My decision to home educate and embrace Steiner Education wasn’t supported by my family. I had achieved so much, but their disappointment weighed heavily on me. Practical and emotional support began to dwindle, and I felt increasingly alone. It wasn’t the life I wanted for my boys.

What I craved was a deeper connection to the land, a life full of forest school adventures, camping trips, fire-lighting, and outdoor living.

Teaching crafts at health and wellbeing festivals gave me a glimpse of the life I dreamed of
– one rooted in heritage skills, resilience, and tenacity.

So, we took a leap of faith and set off to follow that dream.

It wasn’t easy – it was terrifying at times, especially with no fixed abode and no guarantees. I kept all my furniture in storage for three years, convinced we’d move back eventually. But slowly, I realised that wasn’t where our path was leading. This was a journey forward, and there was no going back.

Looking back now, I can see how much we grew. The pictures I’m sharing here show the highlights – the good bits. They remind me of the adventures, the beauty, and the incredible people we met along the way. People who guided us, fixed vans, taught us skills, and supported us from afar. For them, I’ll always be grateful.

Of course, it wasn’t always sunshine and excitement – there were scary moments and challenges too. But through it all, we learned resilience, self-reliance, and how to trust the universe to guide us.

So, here’s a little peek at some of those cherished moments. Perhaps someday I’ll share more of the story, but for now, I hope these snapshots bring a little inspiration and joy to your day.

With love,
Emma x