Picture this: a misty French countryside, the scent of woodsmoke in the air, cats draped luxuriously over every available surface, and me—armed with a to-do list longer than a baguette, attempting to wrangle rural life, animal communication, fitness, and content creation into some semblance of order.
This past week has been… let’s call it ‘dynamic.’ From redesigning my Instagram account to creating a brand-new video series (because why not add another project to my ever-growing empire?), to tackling workouts without my trusty dumbbells, I’ve truly embraced the spirit of rolling with the punches—sometimes quite literally, as my elbow tendinitis would attest.
So, let’s take a stroll through my week. Bring your wellies; there may be some muddy moments ahead.
1. The Great Instagram Overhaul
The week began with a mission: to tame the wild beast that is my Instagram profile. Like any good social media strategist (or at least, one who is trying to avoid total chaos), I decided it was time for a refresh. My Instagram Highlights now match my content pillars—because nothing says ‘I have my life together’ quite like having everything matching.
I also tackled the mysterious case of Instagram’s new grid aspect ratio. If you’ve ever meticulously designed something in Canva, only to upload it and discover Instagram has changed things again, then you’ll understand my frustration.
Adjustments were made, exasperated sighs were exhaled, but in the end, my grid and I, survived.
Will Instagram change the format again next week? Probably. But for now, let’s bask in this small victory.
Lesson Learned: The countryside may be slow-paced, but social media isn’t. If you want to stay ahead, you have to be as adaptable as a countryside cat in search of a warm spot.
2. Whispers from the Countryside: A New Video Series Is Born
Because my life isn’t already brimming with projects, I decided to launch a brand-new YouTube series: Whispers from the Countryside.
The premise? A weekly peek into my world—animal communication, stone barn conversion, rural living, and, of course, the cats. All tied together in a way that (hopefully) makes people feel like they’re sitting down with a cup of tea, listening to a good story.
The first episode will be an introduction, setting the stage for what’s to come. The goal? Build trust, engagement, and curiosity. Also, an excuse to share more cat footage—because let’s be honest, that’s what the internet is really here for.
Now, of course, launching a new series means figuring out how to promote it effectively. Which means more planning, more strategizing, and more of me trying to balance creativity with analytics. If only I could train the cats to handle SEO…
Lesson Learned: If you’ve got a story to tell, tell it. Even if it means learning the ins and outs of YouTube’s algorithm along the way.
3. Workouts Without Dumbbells (a.k.a. A Lesson in Improvisation)
Life has thrown an unexpected challenge my way—I have to take an impromptu trip, meaning I won’t have access to my usual dumbbells. But will I let that stop me? Absolutely not. I will nothing but my resistance bands, sheer determination, and the vague hope that my muscles wouldn’t revolt. I’ve put together a full-body workout that covered all the major muscle groups.
Highlights included:
- Squats that will probably leave my legs questioning my life choices
- Resistance band rows that will make me rethink whether I actually need dumbbells after all
- A warm-up and cool-down that, shockingly, I won’t skip
All of this, of course, while being mindful of my ongoing elbow tendinitis and gluteal medius tendinopathy (which I still maintain sounds more like a Harry Potter spell than a diagnosis).
Lesson Learned: You don’t need fancy equipment to stay on track with your fitness goals. Sometimes, all you need is a resistance band, a good plan, and the ability to ignore the concerned looks of onlookers as you lunge across the room.
4. The Newsletter Gets a Facelift
In a bid to streamline my branding (and reduce visual clutter), I decided to refine the colour scheme of my newsletter. The goal? A simpler, more cohesive design that still reflects my brand but doesn’t overwhelm the eyes.
This might sound like a small thing, but trust me, when you’re juggling multiple platforms and projects, even the smallest tweaks can make a big difference. Now, my newsletter feels cleaner, clearer, and more aligned with my overall vision. You can click here to subscribe.
Lesson Learned: Simplicity is powerful. Sometimes, less is more—except when it comes to cats. Then, more is always more.
5. Health Tracking and the Art of Paying Attention
On Sundays, as part of my weekly routine, I checked in with my weight, fat percentage, muscle mass, and blood pressure. It’s become a habit now—one that keeps me accountable and helps me understand how my body is responding to different changes in lifestyle, exercise, and diet, especially since I’m ‘of a certain age’.
While there weren’t any dramatic shifts, the consistency of tracking itself is the real win. It’s easy to let things slip when life gets busy, but having a clear record helps me stay on course.
Also, fun fact: my blood pressure has remained impressively stable. Proof that rural living (and the occasional deep breath when Instagram changes its layout again) is doing wonders for my overall health.
Lesson Learned: Knowledge is power. When you track your progress—whether in fitness, health, or even social media—you give yourself the tools to make informed decisions.
6. Whispers from the Animal World: A Week of Heartfelt Connections
The highlight of my week, as always, was connecting with animals. One session, in particular, stands out—a cat preparing to transition. Her messages, despite being about to pass, were full of love, wisdom, and grace. Animals are constantly teaching us about love, trust, and strength, and I’m always in awe of the depth they share. My newsletter subscribers get an extended version of this section so do make sure you subscribe if you want to read more about this work.
Final Thoughts: Determination, Countryside Life, and a Positive Outlook
This past week has been a whirlwind—navigating Instagram changes, launching my new YouTube series, keeping up my fitness routine without dumbbells, and refining my newsletter. But beyond all of that, the most profound moments came from the animals I had the honor of connecting with.
Whether it was the beautiful cat preparing to transition, a dog offering playful insights, or a guardian finding comfort in their pet’s words, this week reminded me of some powerful truths:
Determination is about showing up, even when things don’t go as planned. Living in the countryside means embracing change—both the beautiful and the unpredictable. Our health is a journey, not a destination. And above all, animals teach us that love, trust, and connection are the most important forces in our lives.
So, as I step into a new week, I’ll be carrying those lessons with me.
Here’s to another week of learning, growing, and embracing the journey—one project (and cat snuggle) at a time.
Now tell me—what’s been your biggest lesson this week? Let me know in the comments!
