Since starting this new chapter in my work, I’ve been asking myself, What’s new? The answer is, well, everything! Newness is constant, unfolding around us all the time. My challenge has been to discern which pieces of that newness might be most useful to share and how to distill them into something meaningful for you.
If you’ve ever tried to share a developing idea, you might relate to this process: something begins to emerge, and you think, Ooh, that’s cool, I can’t wait to share this! But then, as days pass, it evolves. Wait, this is even better! Then it evolves again, and again, until finally, you have to pause and say, Alright, time to capture this moment before it changes again!
Writing about these things while they’re still emerging can feel uncomfortable. It’s raw, unpolished, and not quite “ready.” But if I waited for perfection, I’d never share anything. Life is too fluid for that. So here’s to embracing the imperfection of evolution.
A Shift in Focus
As my offerings evolve, I’m pivoting toward supporting people in life’s key transitions, such as:
- Preparing to start university.
- Preparing to leave university.
- Parents or guardians supporting someone transitioning to university.
- Navigating any life or career transition, like changing jobs, shifting careers, or embracing new directions.
Transitions are at the heart of life, and these pivotal moments shape so much of who we are and what we become.
Why Focus on Students?
In a word: brains. I love how students think, how they see the world, and the perspectives they bring. They challenge my viewpoints and help me grow.
When I started mentoring students with mental health disabilities and neurodivergence in 2017, I didn’t realise how deeply it would change me. One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned is that giving up is a luxury I’m unwilling to indulge, not when I have so much to share about navigating uncertainty.
My role is to provide students with a stable base – a certain environment from which they can explore, grow, and thrive as individuals labeled disabled. I offer them everything I can: encouragement, practical tools, and spiritual grounding, so they can rediscover the wisdom and power already within themselves. Watching someone begin to believe in themselves is nothing short of thrilling.
A Personal Journey
When I was 17, I had one GCSE, a City & Guilds qualification in horticulture, and a life full of despair. I was depressed, anxious, and angry, with no one in my corner. My school experiences, marked by labels like “slow learner”, left me believing I was inherently “thick,” hopeless, and incapable.
It wasn’t until I was 32 that I astonished myself by becoming eligible to attend university. For years, I believed I wasn’t intellectually capable. Unlearning that belief and the internalised ableism, shame, and criticism that came with it, has been the journey of my life.
Through healing myself, I’ve learned to hold space for others. I can now witness others’ struggles without being triggered, offering an environment where they can co-regulate, find their center, and grow.
For the students I support, growth might mean passing an assignment, giving a presentation despite trembling knees, taking a break, or embarking on a new academic path. Each step forward, no matter how small, is profound.
Why Transitions Matter
Life is transitions. As biological organisms, we’re constantly evolving, even when we resist it. Growth can feel scary, it’s natural to fear the unknown. But fear holds a tremendous energy. When we stop fixating on the object of our fear, we can release that energy and use it to grow.
I’ve learned that transitions are opportunities to uncover our deepest strengths. Whether they involve academics, careers, or life changes, they remind us that we’re not static beings.
Closing Thoughts
Sharing this with you feels brave, and a little nerve-wracking. Did I say too much? Not enough? That’s the beauty of growth. It’s messy, imperfect, and full of learning.
Thank you for being here, witnessing this process, and walking your own path of transformation.
With love and sparkles,
Marina
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