The Next Right Step

A poem and a guide.

Hello loves,

As many of you know, I spent some time away reflecting on 2025 and resting at the start of the new year. Last year was one of the toughest of my life and a complete mental breakdown did ensue. (It’s all good now, I’m in a great place and feeling so joyful and excited about this year.)

Something I’ve been thinking about a lot is the idea of ‘the next right step’ and how when we feel overwhelmed or in pain, that can be the only way to begin to dig ourselves out of the mess we find ourselves in.

Even on the toughest days, it feels manageable for me, and I believe it’s how I have built a whole new life for myself. Not overnight, but over time.

This poem was written as a guide for those who perhaps feel in certain moments, that they don’t know where to start. It’s a love letter to reach for when everything feels awful.

Lastly, I hope you know this feeling is simply a core part of being human, and that you show yourself endless kindness and compassion.

When the tides are growing high,

Against the walls of your heart.

I wish that you would call me,

So I could tell you where to start.

Whether harsh voices echo,

Or the cheques are delayed,

Perhaps you really love him,

But all you ever feel is betrayed.

What happened, you can’t be sure,

Your bed lies half-made,

And every time you turn around,

Something seems mislaid.

We’ll find it again, love,

Just give me a call.

You can tell me everything,

I know how it feels to fall.

The tides never wash you away,

You just fear they will.

In fact, most of the battle,

Is simply learning to be still.

Things will one day be better

Than your heart could ever envision.

Just grab your pen and paper,

And make the next right decision

It could be as small as making tea,

Or moving house across the sea,

Step by step, through it all,

Rinse and repeat, rise after the fall.

One morning the orange sun rises,

And everything looks different.

Don’t all those tiny steps you took

Finally feel significant?