Welcome to my blog
A place to find help, insights and clarity
I’m worried about my pension gap. Any advice?
Many of the mums that I work with have this question; they may have taken a pay drop through reducing hours or changing roles. It could have been a career break or moving into self-employment. There are a range of reasons why pension contributions take a back seat,...
Why we need to speak more about grief
On Wave of Light Day, it seems fitting to share some thoughts about grief. Each year, on the 15th of October, we light a candle at 7 pm to remember the babies that have gone too soon. Time has passed since my losses, and I still have moments of crushing grief;...
We need to talk more about how your identity changes when you return to work.
I don’t think anyone is truly ready for what it feels like to be a parent. We can read the books, listen to the podcasts and pick the brains of our parents. But when it happens, it’s a fundamental shift. It’s beyond the biological shifts that happen when you are a...
October Plans – Signatures, longer nights, and some candid self-reflection
“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...
How to navigate AI’s impact on job searching
Each month, there is a chance to “pick my brains for free”. Some call it a question-and-answer session. I call it Ask Me Anything. Sometimes, those questions come directly from the community; other times, they’re themes I have seen in conversations with clients. Each...
Book Review: All the feels: How technology can change our emotional lives for the better” by Pamela Pavliscak
How does this title make you feel? Hopeful? Sceptical? Intrigued? I think many of us have a complicated relationship with technology. One that has changed as technology and its impact on our lives have evolved. I tend to have a mixed bag of emotions when it comes to...
The (brief) history of The Balance Collective
Deciding to move to a new role and company can take a lot of soul-searching. When I knew I was ready to move to a larger organisation and team, I had a list of must-haves. I knew I wanted the not-for-profit sector, and I was determined to work with smaller/start-up...
September Plans – new starts and cooler days
“Find out who you are, then do it on purpose”. Dolly Parton I couldn’t think of anyone better to open this month’s email than words from the amazing Dolly Parton. What an inspiration! I am aiming to “be more Dolly”; are you? I’m back at my desk after a lovely August,...
When is the best time to make a change in your career?
“I really want to be in school hols with G; oh well, off to work I go”. My Facebook status from August 1st, 2011, isn’t unique. It’s a sentiment that so many parents share. The pull between work and home over the school holidays. The juggle of arranging childcare and...
August Plans – I’m quieter, but I’m not disappearing.
“Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.” We are now officially in a birthday month, for both family members and me. That, along with annual leave, means work will be a little quieter. In fact, I only have two of my working weeks over...
Book Review: The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
With over 15 million copies sold worldwide, “The Courage to be Disliked” has found its way onto quite a few bookshelves. The title seems to have waves of popularity, especially on social media, since its 2013 publication. Promising to give you tips on “how to free...
Seven last-minute ways to feel calmer during the summer juggle
The middle of July always creeps up on me fast. It doesn’t matter that I’ve been sorting the summer break since 2011; I always feel like I have more time. It doesn't help that a shift in my youngest’s schooling earlier this year has meant that I’ve got to the summer...
About
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.
Isn't it time to have career to enjoy not endure?
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