Returning from a break and creating Frondescence

It’s been quite some time since I posted here. I’ve wanted to be here updating you along the way during the past 10 months or so, however time out is what was needed. I’m gently easing back in to say a warm hello.

How are you? How has your summer been? Are you noticing the cooler mornings and dew soaked grass where you are?

We are welcoming the start of the ‘ber months at last, September through to December are my favourite months of the year. The cosy feelings of autumn, the rich autumnal colours, the fresh feeling in the air, the twinkly lights, the cups of spiced tea, and a different energy and focus of work draw me in during this time of year and inspire me.

In September last year I started a One Year Diploma in Professional Garden Design and I quickly realised my plans for this newsletter, my coaching and mentoring work, and writing needed to pause for some time. 

An unexpected volume of homework tasks set every week threw my schedule and plans out and it all felt too much to juggle. What was meant to be eight hours a week of homework turned into considerably more. It wasn't just me feeling it as many of the others on the course did too so I knew I wasn't alone. If you know me well you’ll know I like to deliver a high standard of work with a certain level of quality of thought in whatever I do. I knew if I tried to do it all I wouldn’t enjoy any of it. I’d feel dissatisfied doing the things which were meant to be joyful.

At the same time I was adjusting to working during school hours and within the 6 week term time school rhythm, it felt very different having spent my 19 years of corporate experience in a 9 to 5. I soon realised the new type of work I was doing, involving creative thought, in-depth research, reading, spatial problem solving and drawing, was requiring a different approach.

It took time to get used to this new way of working and living. I felt sad that all my lovely plans for the business I had diligently created over that summer were going to be on an extended pause, however in my heart I knew they would be there waiting for me when I was able to come back to them.

Being intentional and choosing to go all in with the course meant I could allow myself the space and time to get the most out of the experience and deepen my expertise and skills in this new area of my career. Going from having no knowledge of plants and what is needed within a garden design, I’ve found a new way of seeing and even more of a love of plants. The horticulture industry is developing and you can never know everything so I’ve found my space in a world of lifelong learners who are keen to share their knowledge and support.

I’m delighted to have completed the garden design diploma in July. I received a Distinction (96% for my overall mark) and the Top Student Award. The focus and dedication to learning something very new was a humbling process. I had to dig deep into my self-belief and trust I would find a solution for each garden design project, and deliver all 7 units of coursework for each of the four projects.

In July after finishing the course I dived straight back into creating things for the business. I completely evolved the area of the business with the garden design offering with my new found skills and clarity around the work I most want to do. I spent time deepening my plans for the business and working on the outlines of a few of my offerings ahead of the summer holidays.

The school summer holidays started in late July, work paused, and we headed to Cornwall for 10 days to be near the coast and escape the city life. Beach time, relaxing and having a different rhythm to each day was restorative and much needed. During the rest of the school holiday we have kept it simple and slow, with no pressure to be up and out each day or doing all the things. We have spent time crafting, drawing, playing in the park, reading, tending our garden, baking, watching movies, going on a few playdates, and seeing friends. We headed to Sussex for a few days to visit my parents and family which was really needed and was so lovely to head ‘home’. For two days of the summer break our daughter headed to a holiday club and I dipped back into work to plan and work on some content creation.

Slow and simple has been the theme of this summer holiday and with the school term starting next week, I want to continue to hold onto some of the simplicity and slow. I’m excited for another chapter to shift and a season to be welcomed.

This autumn I’m finally able to bring Frondescence, my business, to life. Just like the meaning behind the name, ‘to unfurl new foliage’, I am doing the same. It has been such a long time coming and I’m feeling all the feelings. For the first time in my career I’ll be able to bring to life all the parts of my multi-passionate self in a job and bring the enthusiasm that comes with each of these parts of me.

I haven’t shared much about Frondescence (apart from it showing on my LinkedIn profile) and wanted you to be the first to hear about the details.

Frondescence is a nature-led intentional living consultancy to help you elevate the everyday. Through coaching, mentoring, thought partnership and outdoor space design I support heart-led, ambitious soul-seekers to unfurl the potential of the spaces in their lives.

Cultivating a connection with our inner and outer landscapes we can (re)discover ways to cultivate more joy, create feelings of greater fulfilment and nourish our wellness and wellbeing.

This season I will be publishing a new website for Frondescence and opening up a few spaces for my one to one coaching offerings. I’m excited to be doing the work in this area which I’ve been developing since 2017 when I received my first coaching qualification, and since then have added another four coaching certifications and over 100 hours of experience.

I’m creating self-paced and supported offerings focusing on personal development planning, values discovery, strengths, intentional and seasonal living, and a few ‘work-life’ stand alone offerings. Drawn from my 19 year HR career and my own personal experience, they are being lovingly crafted with deep thought and care. I will be gently, and gradually, launching them when they are ready with a few planned for late autumn and winter.

I’m already working on a few garden designs so I will be opening up this area of the business at some point early next year to a small number of bookings.

Writing has been a passion of mine since I started my blog in 2011 and it continues to be something I love spending time doing. There will be plenty of content filling my blog for you to enjoy, to feel inspired by and to learn more about what I do.

Alongside my work I’m still quietly writing sections of my seasonal living book which has been evolving since 2019 when I took Beth Kempton’s first class of ‘The Book Proposal Masterclass’. One day my book will be sitting on the shelves in the indie bookshops and National Trust shops I have created a vision for. In the coming year I may even be brave enough to submit a proposal to publishers, but for now I’m just loving adding to this private piece of writing when I can.

As I write this I am feeling deep gratitude being able to lean into this work. I’m grateful for my family for bearing with me as I plan and create this business behind the scenes.

I’m thankful for all those people I’ve worked with in the past 19 years in corporate environments who have allowed me to explore my passions during my career and given me the opportunity to widen the work I did so I could thrive. I have been incredibly lucky to have worked in places which have inspired me with the most passionate people I’ve ever met, and coached and supported people within them who gave me the space to grow my approach.

I’m energised by the offerings and services I’m creating for individuals and small business owners. I hope to be able to work with ethical companies and the BCorps I’m most inspired by too. I’m looking forward to working with people who are heart-led, who are ambitious (especially those who are quietly ambitious), and who are soul-seekers, seeking different ways to do things and wanting to connect to their true selves and passions.

The next chapter starts later this week.

Fuelled by cups of tea, working at my kitchen table, and taking regular walks in our local park with Juno our dog, the season will shift. The leaves will change colour and fall, leaving space for new leaves to unfurl and take up space in the spring.