Bryony, I have been watching you for about 10 years. I've seen you make difficult transitions, and I know you will figure this one out. You are still very young and you have time to do things :) If you decide to leave YT we will miss you so much. You have made space to talk about things that nobody else is talking about. My daughter benefited from your videos as I prepared her for her first cycle with cloth pads and many discussions that moved her from fearful to empowered around her cycle. Then, years later, when she accepted that she is ACE, you again were having the conversation that supported our relationship (mom & daughter). You have influenced our lives for years, and if I never get the chance to meet you in person I want to say thank you. I could cry at how grateful I am for your content, your experience, and how you show up in the world. Sending love
Ever since the pandemic, I've been very lost. I was doing a service year after college 2019-2020 tutoring at a school. I just have a degree in actuarial science, but I've severely struggled with all of the exams. I don't know what to do. I've been working retail part time and tutoring online part time. Both jobs have a lot of negatives. Now, what? This summer during the tutor layoff, I've decided to do a certificate program for data analytics. It's the first time I feel like I'm moving forward. I'm scared to start something new. And the 1-2 days a week retail is going to be hard to live off of. I fear the worst. I fear that I'm going to fail. That I'm making a big mistake.
I can totally relate to the feeling of 'lostness' too. I recently retired after working as a nurse in the NHS for 42 years. I knew it was my time to go as I was finding it increasingly stressful e.g. COVID, short staffing etc and I know I made the right decision, but now I'm thinking 'now what?'. I feel part of my identity went the day I ceased being a nurse. I have now started doing some volunteering for local charities and I hope that may help to fill the void I feel in at the moment.
Hey Mairi, well done on making the decision for yourself to retire and what a service. You will always be a nurse ❤. I hope you find what you’re looking for
Unsettling feelings there Bryony, hard work, good on you talking & thinking about it. A space between, a time of deep caring for your son, I sit back and look forward to hearing about the continuation of your amazing life journey that is in process. Hope you get to enjoy some more aspects of this rollercoaster ride shortly. (For sure it’s a similar ride for us all.) We are so privileged to be living our lives on this wonderful planet, so fantastic & encompassing. Hope you know & realise that you will get there, new ideas will emerge for you on this path forward, they cannot not. Would some kind of career counselling/ parent counselling be of help? You have an amazing journey in progress, ever thought of writing a book, sharing all you have learnt with those younger starting out, study (pressing play again now can see you are thinking about), more on line content that is happening as I type this, I am sure. The world/life is our oyster, scary yes at times, understandably. All i can share is that life certainly shunts us along. It has for me now approaching 70. I get up every day excited about fulfilling plans or making new exciting ones. Having my past to reflect on gives me forward momentum. Cheers J ❤️
After two year, one miscarriage and two chemical pregnancies. I decided to step down from work to focus on myself and manage stress. I wonder all the time if it is the right decision. I fear we may never have a successful pregnancy and I’ll lose my edge/work motivation. I’m also unsure what I want for my next career
Watching you and thinking you are me 20 years ago - having a baby and the changes the little wonder brought with him❤️❤️❤️. And now 20 years later I’ve just said “I’ll send the bill”😂 as he has just moved out. So it’s another life changing situation again that I’m getting used to, it’s not easy and just so insanely weird and I wish with all my heart that I could turn back time and have more time with him❤️🥺❤️. But here I am, 50 years young and so much to offer still, just wondering where I’m directing the energy from now on. Us ladies we are power women and have so much to experience and offer still, just need to know where to put all the power. All the best Briony💐❤ like someone else said, please don’t leave without saying bye - as you can hear you mean so much to many people❤️❤️
i think you would make an amazing doula, birth coach or some other form of direct support mentor. :) just a thought. you have so much knowledge, and a very calming presence.
Not enough conversations exist about this issue. Identity is very much tied up with work and when we have a baby our priories shift and in this we give up lots. Not that it’s a bad thing but it does have an impact if you are super driven. I think it is worth establishing what you love and looking at a job round your freelance work ❤
I don’t know what to do with my career either. I’m not exactly like you, I’m not a work driven person who is always working towards a goal. I would prefer to not work if that were possible. I’d like to be a stay at home mum or a full time kitten fosterer or an artist who just enjoys herself and doesn’t have to worry about making money from her art. Unfortunately that’s not possible and I do need to make money. I can’t afford to do what I want to do. I’ve been a bartender for years, and I need to move on so I can earn more so my partner and I can afford to have children, but I just don’t know what to do. I have ADHD and anxiety, I struggle with admin tasks and being “assertive”, I hate driving and I don’t have physical strength. I feel like my current job is all I can do. I went to uni for art and imagined I would have a career afterwards, covid and the cost of living crisis happened and I lost my way. I don’t know what to do!
I've felt very lost lately. I've gone as far as I can with my current job, and it's one I wasn't expecting to stay at for over two years. I love that I'm physically active, but..... That's about it. I'd love to go back to school, but it's out of reach at the moment.
So relatable. After having children and being a sahm for 6 years I didn’t want to go back to my old career. I had no idea what I wanted to do going forward though, no strong pull in any direction. I decided to do something that would give us a good work/life balance and something I find interesting. I’m now studying to become a primary teacher.
It's crazy watching your videos now that I have kids of my own. I remember being a very lost pre teen learning about periods from you. Thank you for everything you've done here on youtube!!
Really appreciate you talking about this, Im also feeling very stuck recently. I have been really struggling to get a job after finishing university last year and im not really sure what job I even want to do. Sometimes it seems like everyone around me has it all figured out, but it is comforting to see other people are in the same boat as me even if our lives are drastically different
You're so good at thinking things through. You seem to embrace change and I'm sure your new direction will become clear in time. I've really valued your content over the years.
Definitely know this feeling. I have a 2.5 year old and a 9 month old. When I was pregnant with my first I was working. I had a stable career that I mostly enjoyed. At the time I couldn't see myself staying home, I figured I'd go back to work after she was born. Boy was I wrong! After I had her I couldn't fathom going back to work. I tried for a few weeks once my leave was up and I was miserable. My husband got a new job that allowed me to quit and I've been home with the kids since. I am hoping to ease back in when the kids are older and less dependent on me but I really am out of the mindset of work being my identity.
I'm just getting by like you at the moment. Once my 3rd and last child goes to school I hope to work 2/3 days a week and study to be a nurse on the other days. However I'm not sure how shift work will work with a young family and a husband who also works shifts. There is never an easy answer. Good luck on your journey xx
This is definitely relatable ! I just started a new training program after closing my business in December and it's been strange but definitely needed. I'm still trying to figure out what I want after that but I already feel like myself again now that I'm doing something for me. Thank you for sharing your process
Hey Bryony! Thank you for posting this, i feel similarly ‘stuck’ in a mundane part of life in a different way. I’m glad you know what your priorities are and are finding purpose in that is important. ❤
Similar situation here. Can I suggest looking outside and around for inspiration of what to do, lookoing at what small and big problems would you like to solve in the world. Totally get it, same position myself x
You've grown up. It's happened to all of us 😊 Priorities and values will keep changing all your life. I can barely recognise the person I was ten years ago.
I know it’s difficult but try not to stress yourself about what you want to do in the far future and just focus on the present and take everything step by step. When you’re ready to focus on your career again I’m sure something will come up and it will all fall into place but there is no rush to decide on anything until you’re ready.
Glad to hear you’ve recovered! I dearly love watching your content. It’s so calming and nice and very pretty. I also am enjoying seeing your everyday life very far from where I live.
5mins 50 in. Why don't you adopt. As if you get pregnant and get ill, no one will be there to look after oryn. There's loads of kids that need adopting x
I'm in the same boat, I thought it was a new wave of PPD/PPA but I think I just care less about things that don't serve me or fill my bucket. And getting everyone to respect boundaries like work hours and work load/mental load bs at my job or in my family, wanting solo time WITH my kid, etc. I have new, clearer, simpler priorities/goals but no one around me was in that shift lol
Take opportunities that interest you but don't rush to find whats next. Cruise for a bit and indulge your curiosity. I never really had a direction that I was passionate about hut always felt the need to be working towards something despite not having the passion. It was when I stopped trying to reach goals I didn't care about and just cruised for a bit that I decided to indulge my curiosity without a goal in mind. I stumbled across my passion and I am now working towards the first goal I truly care about. Take it slow. Enjoy the lack of direction. You will find what's next.
I also was somebody who always knew what I wanted to do, but after being a stay at home mom for 5.5 years now (I have 2 kids), I really don’t know what I want to do when I go back to work! My perspective on priorities and understanding of how much time is required to manage children, even once they’re in school, has changed.
I had a period of time when I was about your age where I had no idea what was next, worked a few different jobs that paid the bills but I didn't feel any particular way about, then in my early 30s found something I was really passionate about. Sometimes it just takes awhile to find your direction.
I didn't know what I was supposed to be doing with my life so last year, I took 6 months off on a peninsula. I am totally in debt from that trip but I don't care. A big fat break gave me the time I needed to reset what it is I want to do with my life. I too went through a major life change in 2022 which contributed to my unsettling last year. Now I have vision and I am cruising -but working toward a goal. That's my favorite place to be: working toward a goal whilst cruising.
I’m a mom of two. My first pregnancy was easy, but my second was like yours. Pregnancies are different and you may be blessed with an easier second pregnancy. Plus, it took over a year to get pregnant the first time and we weren’t trying for the second when I got pregnant 9 months post partum. Sometimes trying for a second child is easier. I’m thinking of what career I want too. Thinking of going back to school, since I want to teach at the university level.
I get you!! I've also had a baby and I've had a lot of different feelings that I can't place or understand, I sometime feel lost and at a need to talk to someone, but I sometimes don't know who to talk to. I've been watching your content for many years and you are a wise and strong young lady, I'm sure you will figure things out. I said it before and I will keep saying it, you are an inspiration!! 💛 I think I know a bit about your new project 👕, and I think you have nice designs! You could also add to the stock some mouse pads and hair accessories 😉, or matching shirts for moms and sons/daughters.
Hey Bryony have you thought about the open university? U van start with free courses, and maybe progress up to undergraduate studies..... Just a thought, as u can look into many different subjects to support your future x
I totally understand as I’m sure everyone is. You’ve gotta do what you want to do!! Having a child is a huge change. It’s hard to explain. Please do say goodbye even if it’s just a text post or something, but go be happy!!
My son is almost 2 and I would love to give him a sibling - especially since I have a sister (even though my pregnancy was also miserable and terrible the whole time)... But I just can't afford it 🤦🏻♀️ maybe in the future, but not likely.. Everything is just so expensive... And I'm turning 34 this year... So time also isn't on my side.. Luckily I work from too... Because I also wouldn't have been able to really work if I had to go to a job... I spent so much time on the bed / sleeping.. I'm not even sure how I got my work done 🤦🏻♀️
Just wanted to let you know, this feeling is so, so common after the transition to motherhood. You probably think it’s more of a thing because you’re self employed and the details of your work are less defined, but I had the same experience despite having a “regular job”. My relationship to work changed and I became unsure what direction I wanted to go in. Kids grow fast though, and you get more clarity as they grow and become less reliant on you. Eventually you get more brain space to work these things out.
There are some good herbs that help so much with bad thoughts and difficulty in pregnancy. I took some in my first pregnancy for mentally endangering thoughts. So it is possible if you did have a pregnancy again like that you can try herbs. Just an idea
Have you considered teaching dance? Whether to adults or kids, it might be nice to continue your hobby which you were once really passionate about 😊 part time along social media stuff might work really well! Just an idea x
If helping people is of an interest to you, maybe psychology degree and focus education on youth (minors) or social worker. Have a private practice and work around your schedule. I know in Canada there is such a wait list to see someone (social worker, psychiatry or psychology) that I waited 13 weeks for an initial consult.
When you leave youtube. Please say goodbye. I get so sad and concerned when people I have followed for years just disappear, without a word.❤❤❤
Bryony, I have been watching you for about 10 years. I've seen you make difficult transitions, and I know you will figure this one out. You are still very young and you have time to do things :) If you decide to leave YT we will miss you so much. You have made space to talk about things that nobody else is talking about. My daughter benefited from your videos as I prepared her for her first cycle with cloth pads and many discussions that moved her from fearful to empowered around her cycle. Then, years later, when she accepted that she is ACE, you again were having the conversation that supported our relationship (mom & daughter). You have influenced our lives for years, and if I never get the chance to meet you in person I want to say thank you. I could cry at how grateful I am for your content, your experience, and how you show up in the world. Sending love
Ever since the pandemic, I've been very lost. I was doing a service year after college 2019-2020 tutoring at a school. I just have a degree in actuarial science, but I've severely struggled with all of the exams. I don't know what to do. I've been working retail part time and tutoring online part time. Both jobs have a lot of negatives. Now, what? This summer during the tutor layoff, I've decided to do a certificate program for data analytics. It's the first time I feel like I'm moving forward. I'm scared to start something new. And the 1-2 days a week retail is going to be hard to live off of. I fear the worst. I fear that I'm going to fail. That I'm making a big mistake.
I can totally relate to the feeling of 'lostness' too. I recently retired after working as a nurse in the NHS for 42 years. I knew it was my time to go as I was finding it increasingly stressful e.g. COVID, short staffing etc and I know I made the right decision, but now I'm thinking 'now what?'. I feel part of my identity went the day I ceased being a nurse. I have now started doing some volunteering for local charities and I hope that may help to fill the void I feel in at the moment.
Hey Mairi, well done on making the decision for yourself to retire and what a service. You will always be a nurse ❤. I hope you find what you’re looking for
Unsettling feelings there Bryony, hard work, good on you talking & thinking about it. A space between, a time of deep caring for your son, I sit back and look forward to hearing about the continuation of your amazing life journey that is in process. Hope you get to enjoy some more aspects of this rollercoaster ride shortly. (For sure it’s a similar ride for us all.) We are so privileged to be living our lives on this wonderful planet, so fantastic & encompassing. Hope you know & realise that you will get there, new ideas will emerge for you on this path forward, they cannot not. Would some kind of career counselling/ parent counselling be of help? You have an amazing journey in progress, ever thought of writing a book, sharing all you have learnt with those younger starting out, study (pressing play again now can see you are thinking about), more on line content that is happening as I type this, I am sure. The world/life is our oyster, scary yes at times, understandably. All i can share is that life certainly shunts us along. It has for me now approaching 70. I get up every day excited about fulfilling plans or making new exciting ones. Having my past to reflect on gives me forward momentum. Cheers J ❤️
After two year, one miscarriage and two chemical pregnancies. I decided to step down from work to focus on myself and manage stress. I wonder all the time if it is the right decision. I fear we may never have a successful pregnancy and I’ll lose my edge/work motivation. I’m also unsure what I want for my next career
Watching you and thinking you are me 20 years ago - having a baby and the changes the little wonder brought with him❤️❤️❤️. And now 20 years later I’ve just said “I’ll send the bill”😂 as he has just moved out. So it’s another life changing situation again that I’m getting used to, it’s not easy and just so insanely weird and I wish with all my heart that I could turn back time and have more time with him❤️🥺❤️. But here I am, 50 years young and so much to offer still, just wondering where I’m directing the energy from now on. Us ladies we are power women and have so much to experience and offer still, just need to know where to put all the power. All the best Briony💐❤ like someone else said, please don’t leave without saying bye - as you can hear you mean so much to many people❤️❤️
i think you would make an amazing doula, birth coach or some other form of direct support mentor. :) just a thought. you have so much knowledge, and a very calming presence.
Not enough conversations exist about this issue. Identity is very much tied up with work and when we have a baby our priories shift and in this we give up lots. Not that it’s a bad thing but it does have an impact if you are super driven. I think it is worth establishing what you love and looking at a job round your freelance work ❤
I don’t know what to do with my career either. I’m not exactly like you, I’m not a work driven person who is always working towards a goal. I would prefer to not work if that were possible. I’d like to be a stay at home mum or a full time kitten fosterer or an artist who just enjoys herself and doesn’t have to worry about making money from her art. Unfortunately that’s not possible and I do need to make money. I can’t afford to do what I want to do. I’ve been a bartender for years, and I need to move on so I can earn more so my partner and I can afford to have children, but I just don’t know what to do. I have ADHD and anxiety, I struggle with admin tasks and being “assertive”, I hate driving and I don’t have physical strength. I feel like my current job is all I can do. I went to uni for art and imagined I would have a career afterwards, covid and the cost of living crisis happened and I lost my way. I don’t know what to do!
I've felt very lost lately. I've gone as far as I can with my current job, and it's one I wasn't expecting to stay at for over two years. I love that I'm physically active, but..... That's about it. I'd love to go back to school, but it's out of reach at the moment.
So relatable. After having children and being a sahm for 6 years I didn’t want to go back to my old career. I had no idea what I wanted to do going forward though, no strong pull in any direction. I decided to do something that would give us a good work/life balance and something I find interesting. I’m now studying to become a primary teacher.
It's crazy watching your videos now that I have kids of my own. I remember being a very lost pre teen learning about periods from you. Thank you for everything you've done here on youtube!!
Really appreciate you talking about this, Im also feeling very stuck recently. I have been really struggling to get a job after finishing university last year and im not really sure what job I even want to do. Sometimes it seems like everyone around me has it all figured out, but it is comforting to see other people are in the same boat as me even if our lives are drastically different
You're so good at thinking things through. You seem to embrace change and I'm sure your new direction will become clear in time. I've really valued your content over the years.
Definitely know this feeling. I have a 2.5 year old and a 9 month old. When I was pregnant with my first I was working. I had a stable career that I mostly enjoyed. At the time I couldn't see myself staying home, I figured I'd go back to work after she was born. Boy was I wrong! After I had her I couldn't fathom going back to work. I tried for a few weeks once my leave was up and I was miserable. My husband got a new job that allowed me to quit and I've been home with the kids since. I am hoping to ease back in when the kids are older and less dependent on me but I really am out of the mindset of work being my identity.
I'm just getting by like you at the moment. Once my 3rd and last child goes to school I hope to work 2/3 days a week and study to be a nurse on the other days. However I'm not sure how shift work will work with a young family and a husband who also works shifts. There is never an easy answer. Good luck on your journey xx
This is definitely relatable ! I just started a new training program after closing my business in December and it's been strange but definitely needed. I'm still trying to figure out what I want after that but I already feel like myself again now that I'm doing something for me.
Thank you for sharing your process
Hey Bryony! Thank you for posting this, i feel similarly ‘stuck’ in a mundane part of life in a different way. I’m glad you know what your priorities are and are finding purpose in that is important. ❤
Similar situation here. Can I suggest looking outside and around for inspiration of what to do, lookoing at what small and big problems would you like to solve in the world. Totally get it, same position myself x
You've grown up. It's happened to all of us 😊 Priorities and values will keep changing all your life. I can barely recognise the person I was ten years ago.
I know it’s difficult but try not to stress yourself about what you want to do in the far future and just focus on the present and take everything step by step. When you’re ready to focus on your career again I’m sure something will come up and it will all fall into place but there is no rush to decide on anything until you’re ready.
Glad to hear you’ve recovered! I dearly love watching your content. It’s so calming and nice and very pretty. I also am enjoying seeing your everyday life very far from where I live.
This came at the right time- I feel a bit less alone now thank you Bryony! X
5mins 50 in. Why don't you adopt. As if you get pregnant and get ill, no one will be there to look after oryn. There's loads of kids that need adopting x
Good morning Bryany! Thanks for sharing with us. I hope you have a great day as well ❤
You could do something with periods and school
I'm in the same boat, I thought it was a new wave of PPD/PPA but I think I just care less about things that don't serve me or fill my bucket. And getting everyone to respect boundaries like work hours and work load/mental load bs at my job or in my family, wanting solo time WITH my kid, etc. I have new, clearer, simpler priorities/goals but no one around me was in that shift lol
Take opportunities that interest you but don't rush to find whats next. Cruise for a bit and indulge your curiosity.
I never really had a direction that I was passionate about hut always felt the need to be working towards something despite not having the passion. It was when I stopped trying to reach goals I didn't care about and just cruised for a bit that I decided to indulge my curiosity without a goal in mind. I stumbled across my passion and I am now working towards the first goal I truly care about. Take it slow. Enjoy the lack of direction. You will find what's next.
I also was somebody who always knew what I wanted to do, but after being a stay at home mom for 5.5 years now (I have 2 kids), I really don’t know what I want to do when I go back to work! My perspective on priorities and understanding of how much time is required to manage children, even once they’re in school, has changed.
I'm 40 and also lost. I just don't know what I want to do next.
I had a period of time when I was about your age where I had no idea what was next, worked a few different jobs that paid the bills but I didn't feel any particular way about, then in my early 30s found something I was really passionate about. Sometimes it just takes awhile to find your direction.
I didn't know what I was supposed to be doing with my life so last year, I took 6 months off on a peninsula. I am totally in debt from that trip but I don't care. A big fat break gave me the time I needed to reset what it is I want to do with my life. I too went through a major life change in 2022 which contributed to my unsettling last year. Now I have vision and I am cruising -but working toward a goal. That's my favorite place to be: working toward a goal whilst cruising.
I’m a mom of two. My first pregnancy was easy, but my second was like yours. Pregnancies are different and you may be blessed with an easier second pregnancy. Plus, it took over a year to get pregnant the first time and we weren’t trying for the second when I got pregnant 9 months post partum. Sometimes trying for a second child is easier. I’m thinking of what career I want too. Thinking of going back to school, since I want to teach at the university level.
I get you!! I've also had a baby and I've had a lot of different feelings that I can't place or understand, I sometime feel lost and at a need to talk to someone, but I sometimes don't know who to talk to.
I've been watching your content for many years and you are a wise and strong young lady, I'm sure you will figure things out. I said it before and I will keep saying it, you are an inspiration!! 💛
I think I know a bit about your new project 👕, and I think you have nice designs! You could also add to the stock some mouse pads and hair accessories 😉, or matching shirts for moms and sons/daughters.
Hey Bryony have you thought about the open university? U van start with free courses, and maybe progress up to undergraduate studies..... Just a thought, as u can look into many different subjects to support your future x
I totally understand as I’m sure everyone is. You’ve gotta do what you want to do!!
Having a child is a huge change. It’s hard to explain.
Please do say goodbye even if it’s just a text post or something, but go be happy!!
My son is almost 2 and I would love to give him a sibling - especially since I have a sister (even though my pregnancy was also miserable and terrible the whole time)... But I just can't afford it 🤦🏻♀️ maybe in the future, but not likely.. Everything is just so expensive...
And I'm turning 34 this year... So time also isn't on my side..
Luckily I work from too... Because I also wouldn't have been able to really work if I had to go to a job... I spent so much time on the bed / sleeping.. I'm not even sure how I got my work done 🤦🏻♀️
Just wanted to let you know, this feeling is so, so common after the transition to motherhood. You probably think it’s more of a thing because you’re self employed and the details of your work are less defined, but I had the same experience despite having a “regular job”. My relationship to work changed and I became unsure what direction I wanted to go in. Kids grow fast though, and you get more clarity as they grow and become less reliant on you. Eventually you get more brain space to work these things out.
Would you consider surrogacy?? X
There are some good herbs that help so much with bad thoughts and difficulty in pregnancy. I took some in my first pregnancy for mentally endangering thoughts. So it is possible if you did have a pregnancy again like that you can try herbs. Just an idea
Have you ever thought about being a teacher ? I think you would be a fantastic teacher !
I know it’s a long educational path but I could see you as a social worker for sure
Do you have a university degree ? Social Work ?
We encounter crossroads in life.
You could always adopt a foster child if the idea of pregnancy is too much.
Have you considered teaching dance? Whether to adults or kids, it might be nice to continue your hobby which you were once really passionate about 😊 part time along social media stuff might work really well! Just an idea x
Thanks
If helping people is of an interest to you, maybe psychology degree and focus education on youth (minors) or social worker. Have a private practice and work around your schedule. I know in Canada there is such a wait list to see someone (social worker, psychiatry or psychology) that I waited 13 weeks for an initial consult.
Have you thought about a daycare business? You’d be incredible at that!
What is your degree in? Maybe you could think of a way to spin into another field.