Claire Schön
@clairescouch.bsky.social
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
Writer - flashed for a bit: WestWord, LIStoryPrize, Funny Pearls, Grindstone Lit. Long stuff: Winner Retreat West novel pitch '22
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
Check it out here:
clairescouch.substack.com/p/stop-look-...
#advice #support #coachingtips #amwriting
November 15, 2025 at 7:22 AM
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
Check it out here:
clairescouch.substack.com/p/stop-look-...
#advice #support #coachingtips #amwriting
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
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
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
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
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
clairescouch.substack.com/p/applause-a...
#WorkLifeBalance
September 20, 2025 at 6:23 AM
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
clairescouch.substack.com/p/applause-a...
#WorkLifeBalance
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
“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
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
“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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Keeping that holiday feeling going by running on the nicest routes back home in Vienna. Schönbrunn palace grounds are beautiful.
Sometimes we need to view where we live like a tourist to appreciate what we've got and not fall into that post-holiday slump 😎
#holiday #homesweethome #grateful #life
Sometimes we need to view where we live like a tourist to appreciate what we've got and not fall into that post-holiday slump 😎
#holiday #homesweethome #grateful #life
August 3, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Keeping that holiday feeling going by running on the nicest routes back home in Vienna. Schönbrunn palace grounds are beautiful.
Sometimes we need to view where we live like a tourist to appreciate what we've got and not fall into that post-holiday slump 😎
#holiday #homesweethome #grateful #life
Sometimes we need to view where we live like a tourist to appreciate what we've got and not fall into that post-holiday slump 😎
#holiday #homesweethome #grateful #life
You rule, right? Or is some past, well-meaning version of you lording it over you right now? Time to write a new rule-book or adopt a more flexible approach? Check out my blog this week:
clairescouch.substack.com/p/you-rule
What are some of your rules? Are they helpful, or are they holding you back?
clairescouch.substack.com/p/you-rule
What are some of your rules? Are they helpful, or are they holding you back?
August 2, 2025 at 7:27 AM
You rule, right? Or is some past, well-meaning version of you lording it over you right now? Time to write a new rule-book or adopt a more flexible approach? Check out my blog this week:
clairescouch.substack.com/p/you-rule
What are some of your rules? Are they helpful, or are they holding you back?
clairescouch.substack.com/p/you-rule
What are some of your rules? Are they helpful, or are they holding you back?
A very relaxing holiday, even though, or maybe because, I took the laptop with me.
The balance between work and relaxation is unique to each of us. I talk about this in my blog tomorrow, which I wrote while in lovely Croatia 😎.
clairescouch.substack.com
#writing #WritingCommunity #midlife #blog
The balance between work and relaxation is unique to each of us. I talk about this in my blog tomorrow, which I wrote while in lovely Croatia 😎.
clairescouch.substack.com
#writing #WritingCommunity #midlife #blog
August 1, 2025 at 4:56 PM
A very relaxing holiday, even though, or maybe because, I took the laptop with me.
The balance between work and relaxation is unique to each of us. I talk about this in my blog tomorrow, which I wrote while in lovely Croatia 😎.
clairescouch.substack.com
#writing #WritingCommunity #midlife #blog
The balance between work and relaxation is unique to each of us. I talk about this in my blog tomorrow, which I wrote while in lovely Croatia 😎.
clairescouch.substack.com
#writing #WritingCommunity #midlife #blog
This week's blog features squashed thumbs, p***ed-off cats and genies. So, of course, it's about making your own luck 😜.
clairescouch.substack.com/p/cross-your...
Enjoy! And please subscribe if you like what you read.
#midlife #blog #blogger #changeyourluck #takecontrol #doitforyou #writing
clairescouch.substack.com/p/cross-your...
Enjoy! And please subscribe if you like what you read.
#midlife #blog #blogger #changeyourluck #takecontrol #doitforyou #writing
July 19, 2025 at 1:10 PM
This week's blog features squashed thumbs, p***ed-off cats and genies. So, of course, it's about making your own luck 😜.
clairescouch.substack.com/p/cross-your...
Enjoy! And please subscribe if you like what you read.
#midlife #blog #blogger #changeyourluck #takecontrol #doitforyou #writing
clairescouch.substack.com/p/cross-your...
Enjoy! And please subscribe if you like what you read.
#midlife #blog #blogger #changeyourluck #takecontrol #doitforyou #writing
20 posts, so far, on different life themes 😊
clairescouch.substack.com
#blog #blogger #coaching #inspiration #writing #midlife
clairescouch.substack.com
#blog #blogger #coaching #inspiration #writing #midlife
July 18, 2025 at 3:21 PM
20 posts, so far, on different life themes 😊
clairescouch.substack.com
#blog #blogger #coaching #inspiration #writing #midlife
clairescouch.substack.com
#blog #blogger #coaching #inspiration #writing #midlife
About the need to use filters, feet being a THING for some and the popularity of eggs - confused? You will be.
This week's blog post is about persistence in today's online world.
Enjoy!
clairescouch.substack.com/p/youve-got-...
#persistence #socialmedia #wellbeing
This week's blog post is about persistence in today's online world.
Enjoy!
clairescouch.substack.com/p/youve-got-...
#persistence #socialmedia #wellbeing
May 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
About the need to use filters, feet being a THING for some and the popularity of eggs - confused? You will be.
This week's blog post is about persistence in today's online world.
Enjoy!
clairescouch.substack.com/p/youve-got-...
#persistence #socialmedia #wellbeing
This week's blog post is about persistence in today's online world.
Enjoy!
clairescouch.substack.com/p/youve-got-...
#persistence #socialmedia #wellbeing
My weekend trip out of the city and inspiration for the setting for the novel I'm writing 😊
#amwriting
#amwriting
May 5, 2025 at 2:12 PM
My weekend trip out of the city and inspiration for the setting for the novel I'm writing 😊
#amwriting
#amwriting
I wasn't familiar with this story, but I thoroughly enjoyed the theatre production in Vienna last night. Shocking to think how little has changed in society or politics (or marriage to some extent) from the days of Oscar Wilde. Love the ticket - right down to the heart-shaped stamp 😊
#theatre
#theatre
May 2, 2025 at 8:30 AM
I wasn't familiar with this story, but I thoroughly enjoyed the theatre production in Vienna last night. Shocking to think how little has changed in society or politics (or marriage to some extent) from the days of Oscar Wilde. Love the ticket - right down to the heart-shaped stamp 😊
#theatre
#theatre
Maypoles and dirndls - I love this time of year in Austria 😊
April 30, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Maypoles and dirndls - I love this time of year in Austria 😊
Have you booked your summer holiday yet? I hope it was easier to decide on than ours - lots of expectations and all of them different. I write about how to get it just right in my blog this week: clairescouch.substack.com/p/sun-sea-and
#summerinspiration
#summerinspiration
April 28, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Have you booked your summer holiday yet? I hope it was easier to decide on than ours - lots of expectations and all of them different. I write about how to get it just right in my blog this week: clairescouch.substack.com/p/sun-sea-and
#summerinspiration
#summerinspiration
April 22, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Too much sun (am a little bit pink about the cheeks) and too much chocolate. The perfect Easter Sunday. Hope you are all having a good one 🐇
#Easter
#Easter
April 20, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Too much sun (am a little bit pink about the cheeks) and too much chocolate. The perfect Easter Sunday. Hope you are all having a good one 🐇
#Easter
#Easter
My sister-in-law knows me so well - better than my husband, maybe - just opened my belated birthday present from her: a unicorn pen "Believe in Magic" and a bar of chocolate "You are Wonderful". I'm off to write magic and nibble 😊
#amwriting #writingcommunity
#amwriting #writingcommunity
April 15, 2025 at 9:58 AM
My sister-in-law knows me so well - better than my husband, maybe - just opened my belated birthday present from her: a unicorn pen "Believe in Magic" and a bar of chocolate "You are Wonderful". I'm off to write magic and nibble 😊
#amwriting #writingcommunity
#amwriting #writingcommunity
"It’s good to have people in our lives who know the real us, but we all develop, and when friendships hold us back rather than allowing us or helping us to grow, they’re no longer healthy."
My blog post this week is about friendship: clairescouch.substack.com/p/mad-about-...
#amwriting #midlife
My blog post this week is about friendship: clairescouch.substack.com/p/mad-about-...
#amwriting #midlife
April 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"It’s good to have people in our lives who know the real us, but we all develop, and when friendships hold us back rather than allowing us or helping us to grow, they’re no longer healthy."
My blog post this week is about friendship: clairescouch.substack.com/p/mad-about-...
#amwriting #midlife
My blog post this week is about friendship: clairescouch.substack.com/p/mad-about-...
#amwriting #midlife
Inspiration everywhere - this tree is blooming in a back walkway at the end of a carpark in the city (Vienna) - beautiful 😊
March 31, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Inspiration everywhere - this tree is blooming in a back walkway at the end of a carpark in the city (Vienna) - beautiful 😊