Hi Mamas,

I want to share a story with you. Picture the scene - I was 8 months pregnant with my 3rd child and had been to London for the weekend. My train back to Manchester, where I lived at the time, was at 3pm, scheduled to arrive at 5:27pm.

About an hour into the journey, we were told the train had to turn around due to mechanical issues. On the way back to London, the train lost power and broke down. We sat on the track for 3 hours, freezing cold (it was mid-February) as there was no heating, and after 2 hours when the backup generator for the lights died, we were plunged into total darkness.

Eventually, we did a controlled evacuation down a steep ladder onto the tracks. I had never appreciated how very high up a train is before! And how very vertical a ladder appears when you cannot see your feet and your center of gravity is totally off! There was then a 15 minute walk to a coach, but I was escorted in a police car because I was so pregnant

There was waiting around, there was a train station after the coach, a change, a further 1 hour delay, a platform change and another train before I finally arrived home at 10:27 p.m!! Despite the shlepping and the advanced pregnancy stage, I realized later how relaxed I had been the whole time. In fact, I was grateful that it wasn't a real emergency, and that I didn't have my other two children with me. I was grateful I had plenty of water, and battery on my phone, I was appreciative of the Virgin train staff and the emergency services who did their best to get everyone sorted, and who were particularly lovely to me. I was also grateful to two women I befriended who helped me carry my bags and looked after me!

A year or two before, this ordeal would have totally stressed me out. I know how furious I would have been about every part of the day! (And there were plenty of people around me throughout the 8 hours who were very rude and cross )

This was a pivotal moment when I realized just how much daily personal growth, mindset work, affirmations, meditations, gratitude and reading had impacted my life. It helped remind me that there is no point getting angry or worrying about things you cannot control. It also helped me keep a cool head and have perspective.

At this point in the summer, it can be hard for us mamas to have perspective (if I hear the word 'mom' one more time ), we could really do with some time alone to focus on ourselves and reset. I have something so special and exciting coming in September - details are being finalized this week, keep an eye on your inbox and hang in there!

Let's finish the summer strong - let's BeMoreMom this week.

Have a great week.

Natalie x

Weekly Reminder - "I will try to remember not to worry or get frustrated about the things I cannot change or control" (say in your head, whisper, say out loud, write it down and shout it out, multiple times a day).

Weekly Read/Audible - Make it Happen by Lara Casey

Weekly Reset - choose one area of your life you want to change, work on, or get better at, and email me. I will reply and give you some action steps and ideas