08/03/2026
On this International Women’s Day, I take a moment to appreciate how lucky I have been in the year gone by. The photo in this post reminds me of one of the high points in recent times, being back to stay in Achill with my wonderful friend Joanna for a second time in a year to co-host Soulful Self-care Sunday. We hosted 12 fabulous women in Septermber 2025 and very much replenished our souls as well in the process!
Women turning up for women, never gets old, nor does us women turning up for ourselves.
I very much witnessed this sentiment again just under 10 days ago when I took myself off to a Symposium in Mullingar which was a national event for practitioners dealing with Continence Care in Ireland. As a group of primarily females: nurses, physio’s and doctors primarily we were encouraged during the last talk of our day to shine a light on the work we do and to appreciate ourselves for working diligently and wholeheartedly with the continence issues we come in contact with. The progress in this field of medicine can oftentimes feel slow and it is a deep journey, yet giving ourselves that little shout out was important. Almost like an exhale and a hug to the heart.
I could feel tears well up, when Tara Rafter aka the 'Navigation Coach' was so touched by stories she had heard all day before she waited until the day's end to speak. She expressed that when she heard of real human stories that were highlighted such as one patient finishing with her use of continence pads after 42 years, (age 32 to 74, following the birth of her first child). A real story shared about a patient working with her continence nurse in Clontarf hospital, she knew there was so much amazing work being done in healthcare everyday. Meaningful, lifetouching work.We need to never slow down on this journey, empowerment and education for women is worth too much.
I am lucky that I believe in the power of women and how we can support each other too. I have been part of different groups over the years both personally and professionally. These days it’s the Mumboss network online and the local Knitwits knitting and crochet gang in Balla. Friendships are there too and that feels so good.
We all need a sense of belonging. And, I know that there are hectic chapters in our lives where we feel that there is no time to give that space to ourselves, but this is when you need it all the more.
Decompression is so much I believe part of health and happiness in today’s modern world. So, do yourself a little favour and DECIDE what it is you are going to give yourself in the line of this type of comradery or support going forward. It may be a little event you attend in the next month or two booking that evening out with your friends for the spring/summer of 2026. You know what it is. Please remember, you matter too! Enjoy the rest of IWD 💕.
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