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As always, we begin with the question I ended with last time:
“Where in my life would I like to nurture more power? How will I know when I have achieved that?”

Last time, we explored power as being the ability to choose for ourselves. That sounds liberating, and it is. But in my experience, it’s also terrifying. Life can feel easier when we stay obedient to the well-worn paths of school, job, promotions, repeat. But when you’re called to think critically, to live more truthfully, it can be deeply unsettling.

I used to hold a big corporate marketing job. On paper, I had power: I led teams, managed £15m+ budgets, and earned enough to buy everything I thought I wanted. But something felt off. It was as if I’d climbed the wrong mountain and the higher I went, the more it burned me out.

Despite my efforts to hold onto that world, my body was keeping the score and I had to leave. While that choice brought relief, it also woke something up in me, fear. Fear of what I’d walked away from, and who I was without it. Letting go of the external markers of success has been its own kind of journey, one that’s making space for something deeper, slower, more real.

Recently, I was in Dartmoor and I was reminded of a quote that I’ve loved for years. Marianne Williamson’s powerful line:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”

You might recognise it from the film Coach Carter. There’s a 2-minute clip of the scene here and it’s worth watching if you’ve never seen it (or even if you have). The final line stays with me every time:

“As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

This is what power looks like to me now: not domination, but freedom from fear. The courage to speak my truth, even (especially) when it feels risky.

I’ll now pass to the legendary Audre Lorde who was a true inspiration to revolutionaries of her time…

If power is the freedom to choose, then freedom from fear is what makes that power usable. But we can’t just Dream our way into courage, it has to be Designed into our lives.

Here are some of the small but powerful design principles for you to try:

1. Build in Daring spaces

Freedom from fear isn’t about never feeling fear, it’s about cultivating spaces where you can show up anyway. For me, that looked like saying yes to a roundtable conversation with Bournemouth’s new MP, Jessica Taole. I could have stayed quiet or tried to sound impressive. But instead, I chose honesty. I listened deeply, reflected and spoke about love, compassion, and interdependence. It was my version of speaking love to power and it reminded me how powerful it is to be real.

🌀 Reflection: Create conditions where you can practise showing up truthfully even if it’s just one sentence, one moment, one room.

2. Detach from the performance

Fear often shows up when we feel we have something to prove: to a boss, a client, a system, even our past selves. The alternative? Shift from performing to participating. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need a script. You just need to try.

🌀 Reflection: Instead of preparing to impress, prepare to connect. Ask: what does it look like to simply be present here?

3. Redefine what “success” looks like

Freedom from fear means letting go of inherited success metrics. The house, the job title, the social proof - none of these define your worth. What if success was measured by how fully you’re living your truth or how much integrity you’re holding?

🌀 Reflection: Name your own metrics of success. Write them down. Revisit them often. They are your compass.

4. Let your body lead

Fear lives in the body but so does wisdom. One of my biggest lessons was realising my body knew before my mind did that something was off. When I left the corporate world I was following that wisdom. Designing a flourishing life means listening more closely, not pushing through.

🌀 Reflection: Notice what happens in your body around certain choices. Tightness? Softness? Heaviness? Energy? That’s data.

5. Surround yourself with people who see you

It’s hard to dismantle fear alone. Find the people who make you feel safe and expansive. People who celebrate the version of you that doesn’t need to shrink or pretend. That’s where freedom grows.

🌀 Reflection: Map your circle. Who energises you? Who makes you feel like hiding? What needs to shift?

I hope that helps nurture your power and freedom from fear. Community is where I’m charging my power. So I loved co-hosting an amazing screening of the film ACTionism recently. The discussions afterwards gave me true hope that we are waking up to our collective power as active citizens.

• 8th May - Food For Thought: Strengthening Our Local Food Community. I’m excited to be on the panel for Claire King’s event.

  This inspiring and down-to-earth gathering is all about exploring practical ways to ensure that good food is accessible, sustainable, and beneficial for all. Bringing together parents, food lovers, local producers, farmers, chefs, and nutritionists who care about what they eat and where it comes from. Tickets here

• 29th May - People Planet Pastry

  This gathering removes any ‘sustainability shame’ and judgment, creating an open space for like-minded people from all walks of life to meet, talk, and enjoy delicious plant-based pastries. What’s not to love? Book your ticket here.

I always leave us with a reflection.

This time, we’ve explored the idea that real power isn’t control, it’s the freedom to act without fear. So here’s a question to carry forward as we continue this journey together:

“What fear might I need to face or gently release to step more fully into my power?”

We’ll unpack it next time. With compassion and curiosity,

Nick