Hello , My fellow brave human

Can I just say a huge thank you to you all for being on this journey with me over the last year. It has been so lovely to be writing and seeing that people are actually reading them! And it’s especially lovely to get responses.

Do you remember earlier this year when I asked you to choose three words to guide your year? An intentional anchor to help you navigate what you wanted to do or be.

I was nudged into reflecting this last week when one reader emailed and shared how her three words – joy, alight and grace – helped her navigate a difficult year:

”My year hasn’t gone smoothly and the future isn’t as optimistic as I’d like. However, my three words have been brilliant for thinking about the ups and downs. I’ve found JOY in family and friends, more connected than if I hadn’t been unwell. ALIGHT as I settle into drawing and sketching with oil pastels – something I might not have done if I was always on the go. And GRACE from above, learning to be gracious to myself.”

Isn’t this beautiful? how three simple words can become a compass through both highs and lows.

Mine were Surrender, Growth and Play. And I too have gone back to them often throughout the year to.

Surrender has been my teacher this year – though I’ll admit, I’ve often only found it when things got tough and my ego took over. However, I now recognise that feeling that it’s time to let go. And what a difference it makes.

Play has been present, particularly in developing my Brave work. But on reflection – there hasn’t been enough joy or fun in it - I don’t half get in the way of myself! Something I need to think about next year

Growth – well, the first two have certainly contributed to this. I’ve been intentional about leaving no stone unturned in understanding what makes me tick and what gets in my way. It’s beginning to pay off, though I know this is lifetime’s work.

2025 in short

It’s amazing what can happen in a year. My Mother in law dying while we were with her, my father moving into the village - and buying a house with a shed in the garden. My new space! Chelsea flower show, new and brilliant clients. People leaving The Brave Collective for great things and others joining. Me finally getting on paper my ‘why’ of brave and My Theory of Brave. Committing to a marathon in March.

In the wider world, 2025 has also been a year where Elon Musk declared that “The fundamental weakness of Western civilisation is empathy, the empathy exploit”. And hasn’t the US gone full flow into that philosophy?

A new world order seems to have formed - the far right has become louder than ever and even in our community up here, there are large pockets of Reform voters who are very vocal about what they think.

Some of us have been playing (or grappling!) with AI. I liken it to taming a wild horse that at any time could bolt - I’ve had a couple of clangers using it - it’s definitely down to the art of how you can use it, rather it using you.

All of those points above speak of disconnection within humanity. We must keep connected to ourselves, each other, to humanity and the planet. This has to be our North Star as we head into 2026. Together.

So, on that note. Have a wonderful Christmas. And see you on the other side.

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Marathon Update

I’ve been hit with the lurgy AGAIN - so I managed 3 miles before another week was lost in training. However, it’s just a set back. I’m off to the doctors for a check-up. I’ll be back on my feet after Christmas.

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Myths that prevent us from choosing brave…

Myth 2: My Voice Doesn’t Matter - Who am I to Speak Up?

This is a particularly pertinent subject matter for me. For years I separated ‘work me’ and ‘personal me’ - not in how I acted, but in what I spoke about. And I performed a role that I had made up - one of ‘the strategist’ - which meant I didn’t feel I had a voice or opinion about anything outside of strategy or being a mother. I didn’t even know what it was. Which meant I could fully bore myself silly let alone everyone else, until I worked out what I had to say that was from me me, not ‘professional me’. (Hence the birth of The Brave Collective)

Understanding who we are beneath the roles we perform mean that we can find our voice - which is particularly important in this new era. Speaking out and speaking up.

Kirsty x

P.s. If you'd like to support Down's Syndrome Scotland or join me on the run on 20th March, here’s the link

P.p.s And if you’d like to join us at The Brave Collective for your own brave journey - we have a space waiting for you.