18/09/2026
Today I turn 45 🤍🤍🤍
And I feel proud. I often wish I could tell my younger self that. What would you want to tell your younger self?
I was painfully shy as a child. At family parties I'd rarely leave my mum's shadow, frightened to be on my own and with so little confidence in simply being me.
I never felt quite good enough.
And with red hair and the fairest skin, there was no hiding either. 😂 One blush and my whole face gave me away 🍅
As I've grown older, I've realised our inner child never really leaves us.
She can appear in our need for approval, our fear of rejection or that little voice telling us we're not enough.
But rather than push her away, I've learned to tend to her.
If I could sit opposite seven year old me today, I'd tell her,
“Danielle, we become happy my love, In our heart, body and mind. We grow in so many ways, even if not very much in height! And 20 years of hairdressing takes us blonde! 😂
You will face challenges and become stronger because of them. You find your voice, learn to trust yourself, create boundaries and stop being afraid to be seen. You find your voice.
And that creative little mind of yours? We use it! A lot! Because not only do you do your art foundation at university, one day we create, build, run and sustain our own business, something that becomes so much more than a job. Something we pour our heart into, where other women come to feel safe, cared for and nurtured.
You'll be really proud of us.” 🤍
For years I could look confident while feeling anything but inside. At 45, I'm not pretending anymore.
I'm aware of my flaws, but no longer held back by them. I trust myself. I put myself out there. I take chances.
I feel happy. I feel free. And I genuinely like who I am, even navigating peri menopause! 😂
I haven't left that shy little red-haired girl behind.
I've simply become the woman who knows how to look after her. And push her when she needs it.
So today, I'm proud of us. Look how far we came, little one 🤍🤍🤍
And maybe there's a younger version of you who needs you too...What would you say to little you?�How would you show up for them today? 🤍🤍🤍