2025 — Looking Back; Looking Ahead,
2025 — Looking Back; Looking Ahead, Balancing being and doing. That tension sat quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) at the centre of my year. Work, Waiting, and the Loss of Momentum Professionally, 2025 was largely a year of waiting. The year began with an abrupt jolt. Much of my work had been in leadership development with international NGOs. Then, almost overnight, four contracts were called off following shifts in U.S. funding priorities. An entire ecosystem was shaken. Decimated isn’t too strong a word. Ten years ago, I had stepped away from a 23-year career to become an independent coach. That move, though risky, felt alive. I was younger, hungrier, and had planned for it. This transition felt different. My energy was lower. I hadn’t anticipated it. And the sense of direction I usually rely on wasn’t there. At times, I felt… rudderless. Almost like a product without a market. I did what one does—I reached out. I received sound advice from well-wishers. There were sp...