From experience, we know that you can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely. That you can catch up with friends, and not feel seen. That you can share your truth, and not feel heard.

There is a quiet but pervasive myth in our culture that if we do the ‘right’ things (graduate, work hard, get promoted – date, get engaged, get married – have babies, steer them through toddlerhood, get them to adulthood) then, at this point, we have made it.

When we consider making big changes or chasing bright dreams, we look at the people we admire – the ones who seem to achieve their dreams effortlessly – and make an understandable mistake. We assume that those who achieve the most, doubt the least.

We three have rocked a few boats throughout our lives. From leaving marriages to departing successful businesses, and even pausing highly-anticipated creative projects. We’ve lost count of the number of decisions that have created waves.

“You must think I’m an emotional wreck,” she said with tearfilled eyes, spilling a life-long story of shame and self-consciousness about sharing her feelings openly.

Would you humour us for a moment? Imagine someone you know asking you for a favour – something you really don’t want to do. (Bonus points if you can imagine someone who intimidates you).