Claire Schön
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clairescouch.bsky.social
Claire Schön
@clairescouch.bsky.social
110 followers 97 following 65 posts
Blog (midlife/humour): https://clairescouch.substack.com

Writer - flashed for a bit: WestWord, LIStoryPrize, Funny Pearls, Grindstone Lit. Long stuff: Winner Retreat West novel pitch '22
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clairescouch.bsky.social
Ever stumbled at something you usually do with ease, simply because you were being watched?

My new post Like Nobody’s Watching explores how to stay calm under pressure and true to yourself. Read here: clairescouch.substack.com/p/like-nobod...

#CalmMind #pressure #amwriting #coachingtips
Like Nobody's Watching
Performing with focus, not for the crowd.
clairescouch.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:44 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
Advice can burden the giver and dismiss the receiver. My new post explores both sides, and why presence often matters more. Stop, Look and Listen!
Check it out here:
clairescouch.substack.com/p/stop-look-...

#advice #support #coachingtips #amwriting
November 15, 2025 at 7:22 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
“I can only drive from A to B!” No stopping.

Turns out, that mindset had crept into more than just my driving. This week’s blog is about midlife pressure, online noise, and finding a pace that fits.

clairescouch.substack.com/p/the-road-l...

#midlife #slowsuccess #amwriting
The Road Less Travelled
Slow progress isn't no progress.
clairescouch.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:53 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
Some people blend in. Others step forward and change direction.
Are you the headline act or the background melody?
New post: how to show up with intention and test your talents.
🎶 Read here: clairescouch.substack.com/p/thank-you-...

#coaching #midlifereflection #creativecareer #amwriting
Thank You for the Music
Are you the headline act or the background melody?
clairescouch.substack.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:15 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
“You are very old. These are flowers.” My mum didn't appreciate getting this birthday card 😡

New post: Growing Old Gratefully.

Midlife is a maze and a marvel – mindset helps. From purple rinses to perspective shifts. clairescouch.substack.com/p/growing-ol...

#Mindset #CoachingWithHumour
Growing Old Gratefully
Midlife is a maze and a marvel – mindset helps.
clairescouch.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 8:51 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
When I told my kids my blog post is called Precious, Pricey and Yours, they asked if it was about them 😅.
It’s not — but it is about valuing your time. Emotionally, practically and financially.

clairescouch.substack.com/p/precious-p...

#time #balance #life #values #amwriting #writingcommunity
October 20, 2025 at 3:56 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
I’m not exactly cartwheeling across the living room (never could), but I’m finding my way back. Check out my blog this week:
clairescouch.substack.com/p/hi-energy

#energy #Balance #amwriting #midlife #reallife
Hi Energy!
When your energy says goodbye, reclaim it your way.
clairescouch.substack.com
October 11, 2025 at 6:48 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
"Deciding is like stopping at traffic lights with a flooded windscreen and ... flicking a switch, to clear the way ahead."
This week’s post is about shrinking big decisions and finding clarity. If you’re feeling stuck, this one’s for you.
clairescouch.substack.com/p/indesizeive

#decisionmaking
Inde(size)ive
How to shrink big decisions and speed up clarity.
clairescouch.substack.com
October 4, 2025 at 6:54 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
Ever had something you love soured by one person? A job, a project, or a hobby?
My latest blog explores how to proceed and be the hero in your own story, even when “There’s ALWAYS one.”
clairescouch.substack.com/p/theres-alw...

#writinglife #amwriting #blog #wellbeing #careerpath
There’s Always One
Other people influence our path – but you hold the power to choose where it leads.
clairescouch.substack.com
September 27, 2025 at 7:47 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
Constantly striving forces us into a state of physical and mental exhaustion from the outset of any major endeavour. If we never let up or reward ourselves, where is the incentive to work hard and pull ourselves through what lies ahead?

clairescouch.substack.com/p/applause-a...

#WorkLifeBalance
September 20, 2025 at 6:23 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
Starting something new?
Whether it’s a job, relationship, project, life phase or studies – this post is your pep talk with punchlines. Read Starting Something now for my tips on how to make beginnings less dramatic and more doable.
clairescouch.substack.com/p/starting-s...
#BeginAgain #life
Starting Something
Beginnings can be challenging, but they don't have to be exhausting.
clairescouch.substack.com
September 6, 2025 at 5:50 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
Is decluttering liberating, or just another chore to add to your endless list?

This week I dive into the paradox of tidying up to free our minds and how it can trap us all over again.

Read why tidy-ish suits me and my writing ☺

clairescouch.substack.com/p/tidy-ish-f...

#WritingCommunity #blog
August 31, 2025 at 11:27 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
Pic 1: cold and dark. Pic 2 sunshine and stunning views. You never know what’s around the corner!

I don’t glorify struggling – but life is a mix of light and dark. The mix makes it.

If you’re into honest moments and humour, check out my blog:https://clairescouch.substack.com

#life #blog #writing
August 25, 2025 at 6:02 PM
clairescouch.bsky.social
We’ve all been there: hunched over the laptop, finally, the words are flowing. We can’t stop! Fantastic, right?
The productive/creative part, yes. The hunching🤔

Take a break, make a cuppa, and read my blog this week for more on the subject.

clairescouch.substack.com/p/stand-up-f...

#writing #blog
August 23, 2025 at 10:15 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
My son gave me a Love Heart sweet. “It says MOM,” he said. I think he felt he had to.
It was upside down. “It says WOW,” I told him and ate it before he could take it back. “I think I’m WOW, don’t you?”
Whatever he was thinking, he didn't say, and I got to be WOW for a moment😊

#mumhumour #mumstuff
August 21, 2025 at 3:10 PM
clairescouch.bsky.social
Midweek Mistakes:

Looking forward to the weekend!
Don’t. Enjoy each day.

Bogged down in To-Dos!
List achievements since Monday – pat on the back.

Not moving!
Get moving.

Not taking breaks!
Take breaks.

Slumping!
Sit up straight.

Hope it helps😊

#writingcommmunity #amwriting #blogger #midlife
August 20, 2025 at 9:08 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
Anyone else have their best ideas in the middle of the night?

If I try to make myself remember them, I can’t sleep. So, I’ve started noting them down.

Woke this morning with 9 blog post ideas and an article outline.

I’m on fire at 3am! Now I’m just tired🥱😅

#WritingCommunity #amwriting #plotideas
August 19, 2025 at 8:21 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
Can we influence the way the universe treats us?

A bit woo woo for some, but my blog this week offers some concrete tips for feeling in control of our happiness😊.

Check it out:
clairescouch.substack.com/p/kindness-c...

#Kindness #writing #blog #coaching #selflove #begoodtoyourself #takecontrol
Kindness Currency
Why good deeds are an investment in your soul – and your karma.
clairescouch.substack.com
August 17, 2025 at 12:11 PM
clairescouch.bsky.social
When we're busy, we cut back on unnecessary activities.

Be careful what you categorise as unnecessary.

The things that balance and calm you will help you navigate stressful days and cope with them more effectively.

For more on balance, see my blog (in profile)

#Balance #stress #wellbeing #life
August 10, 2025 at 11:39 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
“Make good choices,” they say. Whoever they are 🤔 But if you don’t, at least be ready to live with the consequences.
clairescouch.substack.com/p/ready-for-...
Check out my blog this week - all about living life to the full exactly the way you want.

#challenge #life #GrowthMindset #Writing #blog
August 9, 2025 at 5:27 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
Left a networking event early last night. I was knackered, my feet were throbbing (bloody high heels), and I wanted to catch my babies before bed. I must've been giving off different vibes, because the youngens (they were all younger) asked, "Are you going on to another party?"😅
August 8, 2025 at 9:24 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
We're trying Duolingo. My hubbie is challenged enough by the in-laws pelting him with Essex😅, but my kids were in. The app reminds us to keep up. We ignore it until bedtime, then all shout into our phones at the same time in different languages. Not the best bedtime routine 😯.
August 7, 2025 at 9:58 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
People can energise or exhaust us. Make sure you're surrounding yourself with the right people.
Here's a post I wrote earlier this year:
clairescouch.substack.com/p/mad-about-...

Not cat-related! This little fella isn't even ours. He visits me daily and forces me to take a break 😊

#writing
August 6, 2025 at 12:19 PM
clairescouch.bsky.social
Little one joined my yoga practice this morning 🧘‍♀️. I told her we set an intention for the day. She ran off to get her toys during the second pose, spread them on her mat and played on her belly.
"My intention is to have fun," she said. "What did you choose?"
"To be productive."
"Mine's better!"
🤔
August 5, 2025 at 8:41 AM
clairescouch.bsky.social
I love this quote, but it took me a while to get it 🤔
Everyone's definition of success is unique. Yes, we live in a society that dictates what success is, but if we're not being true to ourselves, we're living someone else's dream.

Follow YOUR path to success.

#feelgood #truetoyou #writing
August 4, 2025 at 1:16 PM