“October teaches us that letting go can be a beautiful act of courage.” – Unknown
Now we are in the final months of 2026; your mind may be turning to Halloween, the half-term break and colder days.
Ditto!
However, before we get to that, let me share some key dates for the diary and the things you need to know about!
19th October: 1:30 pm Ask Me Anything
Your chance to ask me anything about, well, anything! Some people call it a Q&A session; others “pick my brains”. Whatever you choose, this is an opportunity to get insight on your burning issue from a coach with over twenty years of experience. The theme for October is all about identity: who are you now as a working parent? Send your question to hello@thebalancecollective.co.uk to take part.
Want to find out what others have asked? You can find the previous questions here.
29th October: Read along blog share!
This month I am reading On Living by Kerry Egan.
“What are the greatest regrets of the dying?
At her patients’ bedside, witnessing their final moments, this is what Kerry Egan discovers. How do the dying seek to make meaning of their lives, the people and moments that have shaped them; and what are those things above all else that they wish they could have done differently?
This isn’t a book about dying – it’s a book about living. Each of Egan’s patients taught her something: how to find courage in the face of fear, how to make amends whilst you still can, how to see that the world is not just black and white, and that there can be beauty in the grey.
In this deeply moving and illuminating book, Kerry captures the fragility of the human experience, imparting the poignant and profound lessons from the dying, on how to live a life without regrets.”
Sometimes, the best personal development books are the ones you least expect! The review will be published on the blog on the 29th; if you want to read and be ready to chat about it, then you can grab a copy here.
Take some time to catch up on last month’s blogs:
How to navigate AI’s impact on job searching
The (brief) history of The Balance Collective
New Client Availability
Looking to finish 2026 with a flourish? If you need a reminder of my services:
- Six-Session Coaching Package – from £450 – Working towards YOUR version of a career to enjoy, developing balance and confidence, this package includes your values, strengths, and personality profile. It is ideal for parents who are returning to your place of work after parental leave, those looking for a new role or career, and people coming back to work after a break.
For those who want it, we also work on your CV and interview technique.
- Four-Session Package – from £300 – This is a shorter package that helps you prepare for your next career step, be it a new job, new career path or promotion.
We understand your motivation, what you can do next, and how to present your skills to the world. It is perfect for those seeking a career coach and mentor. - Fast and Focus! – from £150 – This is a 90-minute 1:1 session to help you focus on specific areas such as CV work, interview technique, return to work plan or (for an extra £50) your DISC profile.
As I have a social mission, I offer a sliding scale of pricing.
All the prices above are for individuals (i.e., you are self-funding, not paid by your employer). The corporate package is tailored to your specific needs, volume, and the size of your organisation. If you are interested in learning more, for yourself or your staff, you can book an insight call here.
Maternity Pay Petition
Thank you so much to those who have already signed and shared. It’s now hit over 54K! But we want this debated in parliament, especially with the upcoming changes as part of the Employment Rights Act (2025). So, let’s get this to 100K, fast!
Whatever you are up to this month, I’d love to hear from you!
Bye for now
Clara
I’m Clara Wilcox, the affordable coach who helps parents enjoy their careers again. Return-to-work, career & redundancy coaching for individuals, freelancers, businesses and parents & carer groups. Book a call to talk about coaching or career wellbeing workshops.
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
