Hey there Reader,

So here we are. End of February, end of the week, all in one go.

How's your week been?

Did you notice where your boundaries held, or where they didn't quite?

I'd genuinely love to know.

My week has been a good one, and I'm still excited about everything going on in the community right now.

There are some collaborations in the works that are top secret at the moment — and if you know me at all, you know how much I love creating things that open doors for people.

That's quietly become one of the things the community is growing into: a space where opportunities get made, not just discussed.

I think that deserves a bit of a celebration.

We don't celebrate enough. And the more we do, the more our brains go looking for the next thing worth celebrating. That's not toxic positivity — that's genuine research-backed neuroscience!

Now. To a story that felt very relevant given we're heading into a whole month on boundaries.

Next Tuesday I'm heading to London to deliver a mini keynote at Rebound and Rise's coffee morning. Which is already sold out — not sure I've taken that in yet.

I was originally invited to speak on the panel.

I moved client appointments to make it work.

And then one of the organisers came back to me, apologetic and mortified, to say the panel was already full — they'd made an error — but they'd still love to have my voice somehow.

A few years ago, that would have sent me into a full RSD spiral.

The embarrassment, the overthinking, the "I've caused inconvenience and I should just disappear quietly" energy. I know that place well.

But I've done enough work on understanding what my time and energy are actually worth that I was able to respond differently.

I thanked them, genuinely — mistakes happen, we're all human — and then I said: I've already blocked out this time and moved people around to be here.

I'd also really love to find a way to still show up for this event. Would a 10 minute solo slot work?

They said yes!

And now I'm delivering a mini keynote on collaboration through a neurodivergent lens, which honestly feels like exactly the right thing to be talking about right now.

I want to be honest — it still felt scary to ask.

My brain very much offered up the possibility that they'd tell me to forget it.

That would have stung.

But I did it anyway, and it worked out.

And even if it hadn't, I'd have known I advocated for myself rather than quietly swallowing the disappointment.

That's what boundaries can do.

Not just protect you from burnout — they can also help ensure your value is recognised and respected.

I can't wait to tell you how it goes!

Have a wonderful weekend. Take care of yourselves.

Best and brightest love.

Beth X

PS- for those of you who said you'd love to see the recording of last week's speech, I haven't forgotten! It's on my list to get edited and uploaded to YouTube. I promise I'll share the link with you all once that's live!