When everything’s ‘fine’ but you’re not: the courage not to settle
I had a conversation with someone recently who said something to me about her journey from one season to the next, that I know so many people don’t feel able to actually say out loud.
What right do I have to be frustrated and dissatisfied, when I have so much to be grateful for? Everything’s fine, so I should be fine.
I wonder if this resonates with you. Not everyone who feels stuck, or is ready for a new season is hating what they do, at the edge of burnout. A lot of us are just aware that we are comfortable, settled, coasting perhaps, doing good stuff, but maybe not the great stuff? In the grand scheme, we’re fine. Don’t rock the boat.
Let me introduce you to Laura Wheatley.
Laura is someone who made the decision not to just settle for good, fine, everything’s settled, and instead bravely stepped out to look for the fulfilling and the great.
She’s not totally arrived there, yet (who does?) but she’s well on the way and living without the regret of settling for comfort.
I first met Laura when I led a workshop for a group of business leaders and owners (she was a delegate), and from the first moment we spoke, I knew she had that rare mix of clarity and curiosity that makes for the best kind of conversation. She not only wanted to be there (at the event I was leading) but she was keen to learn, grow, do and be better. She engaged, asked questions, shared honestly, and set the tone for everyone else in the room to aspire to.
She’s brilliant in that understated way, thoughtful, honest, deeply capable, but not interested in performance. And our chat on the Purpose Pursuit podcast? It was one of those rich, real, meandering conversations that leaves you thinking about your own life a little differently.
We cover a lot - from George Michael to Filofax to the power of naming what you actually want, this episode is full of gentle truth and honest moments of self-awareness. Laura is in a season of reflection, asking some big questions – and she’s brave enough to say them out loud.
The persistent feeling of dissatisfaction she couldn’t ignore
Why having so many right moves can still leave you unsure of what’s next
The paralysis that comes when everything is a priority – and nothing is
What happens when you say what you really want out loud
Whether you're standing at a crossroads, or just quietly wondering if there might be more to this life, Laura’s story will speak to you. It’s not about having all the answers, it’s about being honest enough to keep asking the questions.
This episode reminded me why I created Purpose Pursuit in the first place. It’s not about huge transformations or flashy breakthroughs. It’s about sitting with what’s real, getting clear on what matters, and learning how to move forward from there – even when the way is messy.
With love,
Hannah x
P.S. If Laura’s story resonated and you’d love to explore your own purpose with more intention, the next round of Purpose Pursuit starts this September. You can join the waitlist here - I’d love to have you.