Blending soulful insight, dry wit, and hard-earned real-world wisdom, these articles offer more than just feel-good inspiration — they’re field guides for anyone who’s found themselves standing at a crossroads or stuck in a life crisis. Whether you’re navigating an empty nest, a career change, a major loss, or just a nagging sense that your life needs a rewrite, you’ll find thoughtful guidance, gentle provocation, and the occasional laugh — all aimed at helping you rediscover clarity, reclaim your purpose, and set off in a new, more aligned direction.
- The Stories We Tell Ourselves: How to Rewrite the Narrative That’s Making You Miserable
What this is: A practical, warm-hearted exploration of why your inner narrative might be your biggest source of stress, and what you can actually do about it, starting today. What this isn’t: Another “just think positive!” pep talk. No toxic positivity. No worksheets asking you to “visualise your best self living your best life.” Read … - The Loneliness Epidemic: Why Do I Feel Lonely Even When I’m Surrounded by People?
The Loneliness Nobody Talks About: When You’re Never Alone But Always Lonely One crisp spring night, somewhere along the Camino de Santiago, in the southwest of France, a small group of reading retreat guests sits in a clearing around a fire. By the time Lisa speaks, both hands wrapped around her mug, her tea has …Continue reading “The Loneliness Epidemic: Why Do I Feel Lonely Even When I’m Surrounded by People?”
- Overthinking Can Make You Blind to Opportunities
The mental habit that keeps smart, capable people stuck, and the surprisingly simple shift that changes everything. What this is: A candid, research-informed look at how overthinking, especially during times of stress and uncertainty, actively blinds you to the opportunities that could change your life. Practical, warm, occasionally irreverent. What this isn’t: A collection of …Continue reading “Overthinking Can Make You Blind to Opportunities”
- Why a Reconnect with Nature Retreat in the southwest of France Might Be the Smartest Thing You Do This Year
An Esprit Meraki Stress-Reducing Retreat Could Be Your Most Powerful Reset in These Uncertain Times What this is: A grounded, honest look at why attending a stress-reducing retreat during a period of sustained political uncertainty is genuinely useful, not indulgent. We’re talking neuroscience, narrative, and the particular magic of walking the Camino de Santiago in … - The Doctor Who Couldn’t Breathe Part 4
As you may know, I host Camino de Santiago walking and writing retreats and belong to a delightfully creative band of scribblers called the Wordweavers in the southwest of France writing group, and at one of our meetings, held on Friday the 13th of February 2026, which felt appropriately theatrical—I read the story you’re about … - The Doctor Who Couldn’t Breathe Part 3
As you may know, I host Camino de Santiago Walking and Writing retreats, and I’m also part of the Wordweavers Writing Group here in the southwest of France. At our last meeting—held on the wonderfully ominous date of Friday the 13th of February 2026—I brought along this story. This is part 3 of the story … - The Village That Time Forgot: A Visit to Sainte Christie d’Armagnac
Deep in the heart of the rolling hills of Gascony, one of south-west France’s most remarkable medieval villages sits quietly on a pilgrim road, largely unknown to the wider world — and all the more remarkable for it. Within walking distance of my little farm it is a must-se for all of my Camino de …Continue reading “The Village That Time Forgot: A Visit to Sainte Christie d’Armagnac”
- A Visit to the Thursday Eauze Market – a Study in Mindfulness
During my Camino de Santiago Crossroads Retreat, we spend one morning visiting the Thursday Eauze market. This is not, strictly speaking, a demanding activity. No mountains are climbed, no ice baths are required, and the greatest physical challenge tends to be resisting the cheese stalls. Rather than rushing through with a shopping list, we slow …Continue reading “A Visit to the Thursday Eauze Market – a Study in Mindfulness”
- The Doctor Who Couldn’t Breathe Part 2
As you may know, I spend part of my time hosting Camino de Santiago walking and writing retreats, and another part happily scribbling away with the Wordweavers in the southwest of France writing group, At one of our meetings—daringly scheduled on Friday the 13th of February 2026—I shared the little story that follows. This is … - The Doctor Who Couldn’t Breathe Part 1
As you may know, I host Camino de Santiago walking and writing retreats, and I’m also a proud member of the Wordweavers writing group here in the southwest of France. At one of our gatherings—held, with admirable dramatic flair, on Friday the 13th of February 2026—I shared the story below. This is the story of … - Not All Who Wander Are Willing (featuring the Camino de Santiago)
An Accidental Walker’s Unexpected Journey to Clarity and Calm What is this post about? Clare once considered parking slightly farther from the office an extreme sport. So when she clicked “confirm booking” on a Camino de Santiago walking retreat, she knew something in her life had officially gone off-script. Clare was not a hiker. Clare …Continue reading “Not All Who Wander Are Willing (featuring the Camino de Santiago)”
- Why You Keep Abandoning Yourself (And Why Self-Abandonment Has Nothing to Do With Being Weak)
Understanding Self-Abandonment as a Nervous System Response, and how to Stop the Cycle for Good People-pleasing is a survival response, not a character flaw, and what it takes to rewire this response. What this is: A deep, science-informed look at why so many capable, intelligent people spend decades minimising their needs, suppressing their feelings, and … - Divorce FAQ: When Extended Family Turns Your Divorce Into a Spectator Sport
Managing Your Cast of Supportive Characters Article 1 of 10 | Divorced: Bruised-but-not-Broken Series There is a moment, usually about three weeks into your separation, when you realise something alarming: your divorce no longer belongs to you. You were busy — sorting out bank accounts, crying in supermarket car parks, googling “can I keep the …Continue reading “Divorce FAQ: When Extended Family Turns Your Divorce Into a Spectator Sport”
- 5 Kinds of Listening That Will Help You Navigate Life’s Biggest Transitions
The Hidden Art of Hearing What Life Is Really Telling You Quick Snapshot: What You’re About to Read What this is: A fresh look at the overlooked skill of listening, not just to other people, but to your body, your instincts, your grief, your silence, and even your horses (stay with me). For people at …Continue reading “5 Kinds of Listening That Will Help You Navigate Life’s Biggest Transitions”
- Were You Born With Empathy Or Did You Become a Pseudo-Empath to Survive? Part 2
And Other Questions That Will Start Arguments at Dinner This is Part 2 of the original article about whether we are born empaths or whether we become empaths, because Part 1 apparently struck a nerve. Thanks so much to everyone who wrote to me! Few questions in popular psychology generate more passionate responses than this …Continue reading “Were You Born With Empathy Or Did You Become a Pseudo-Empath to Survive? Part 2”
- Are You Born An Empath? Or Do You Become One? Part 1
An Honest Look at a Controversial Question During my recent travels, I talked to people from different cultures, and discovered that although empathy is a well-recognised concept in many cultures, “being an empath” is not. I started thinking: So is being an empath actually a thing? Like, a real, scientifically valid thing? Or is it …Continue reading “Are You Born An Empath? Or Do You Become One? Part 1”
Ready to start again, stronger than ever before? This quiz will help you find out. It is not just about measuring where you are right now; it’s about shining a light on the areas of your life that feel meaningful, as well as those that might need attention. It’s an opportunity to reflect, recalibrate, and take steps toward a life that’s not only successful but profoundly fulfilling. Take The Quiz
Author Bio: Dr Margaretha Montagu – described as a “game changer”, “gifted healer”, “guiding light” and “life-enriching author” – is an experienced medical doctor, a certified NLP practitioner, a medical hypnotherapist, an equine-assisted psychotherapist (EAGALAcertified) and a transformational retreat leader who guides her clients through life transitions – virtually, or with the assistance of her Friesian and Falabella horses, at their home in the southwest of France.