01/08/2026
Winter chilled us, admin almost killed us but turning nine reminded us that we’re old hands at this and we’re not done yet xo
It’s been a wee while since I’ve done a personal health update and in the context of hugs, my health is hers and vice versa. The symbiosis is real and true. A few months back you may remember hugs and I were scooped up into the arms of an altruistic helper right when we both desperately needed it. It has been life changing. My chronic issues had piled up so high that nothing short of a heavily hand-braked 180 degree turn was going to move the needle on my well being. The shift from always going to necessarily never moving has been incredibly difficult. What if work was how you defined yourself? What if your capacity no longer matching your capability caused a constant mental disconnect? What if you were always the strong one, carrying it all, often literally, on your since childhood broad shoulders (“You’re lucky to have that naturally.” - mum as she velcro-ed shoulder pads into her polyester blouse) but you could now barely stand?
What if? Well, ready or not, you get to dismantling a lot of long held beliefs about yourself, your values, the concept of success as a construct. You accept help- you even ask for it- because there is no other way forward and wouldn’t you know, that help was freely given and you aren’t lesser for having accepted it. A revelation. You begin to feel your feelings, make yourself a priority and advocate for what you need.
None of it is easy, and as this is all happening there is a daily effort onsite at hugs to find a new path that holds space for a more humane hospo existence. None of us should have to reach breaking point to succeed in the industry we love- looking after people and giving them a bright spot in their day to look forward to.
There is specifically one person who is lifting heavy right now so I can lay it all down, and that person wants to stay unnamed. To that person- I cannot express loudly enough how much I admire you, and how much your effort has impacted all aspects of my life these past months. Even if no one else does for now, I see you. Sending hugs, always xo
