I’m writing this because there’s a family I saw the other day that I can’t stop thinking about. After our time together, I felt emotionally drained - not in a bad way, but because there was so much emotion wrapped up in their situation.

I’m genuinely excited to be working with them because I know I can help. But at the same time, I saw how painful and exhausting their reality is, how deeply it’s affected them.

When you’re right in the middle of a tough situation, just getting through each day can feel overwhelming. It’s hard to step back and see the bigger picture. Emotions run high, and if you’re facing challenges, it’s easy to feel stuck, isolated, or like you’re the only one going through it.

That’s where someone from the outside - someone objective - can really help. They can see the whole picture, help you make sense of it, and work with you to build a plan to move forward.

Setbacks like this are temporary. Life throws curveballs at everyone. You’re not alone. But it’s not just about getting out of the immediate difficulty - it’s about building solid foundations that prevent it from happening again, or at least soften the blow next time.

Yes, this might mean tapping into savings you hadn’t planned to use, or making some tough short-term decisions. But there are ways to rebuild - step by step.

For this couple, we’ll need to access some of their savings in the short term, even though it’s not what they’d hoped for. Looking ahead, though, we can make changes to reduce their tax and National Insurance liabilities, invest in the most suitable assets for long-term growth, build an emergency cash buffer, and set up tax-efficient accounts for the future.

All these small, consistent steps really do add up. When you’re in the middle of it, it can be hard to see the path forward - but from the outside, especially for someone who’s been doing this for years, the way forward is much clearer.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your finances - or asking yourself, “How did I get here?” - please remember: that’s okay. It's not a personal failure. This isn’t the end of your story. It’s just a setback. And setbacks don’t define who you are.

What matters most is what happens next.

You will be okay.

It might not feel like it right now, but things can get better - with consistent effort and the right support.

A really good organisation in the UK is StepChange - the UK’s largest debt charity. For decades, they’ve been helping people through all kinds of financial difficulties. Their support is free, confidential, non‑judgemental, and regulated by the FCA.

Whether you’re just starting to feel the strain or facing a serious crisis, they offer clear, personalised debt advice, practical solutions, and budgeting tools to help you regain control - step by step.

Honestly, reach out for help. There’s no shame in going through financial difficulties. I’ve seen people of all ages and income levels struggle - it’s far more common than most people realise. We just don’t talk about it enough.

You may have always been good with money and felt financially secure - until suddenly, you’re not. It’s not a reflection on you, okay? I know it can make you feel terrible, like somehow you’ve failed - but truly, this happens to so many people.

With the right support, you can find your way out of this. You can rebuild your financial future - and your peace of mind.

No matter how tough it feels right now… there is a way through. 🩷