Some of you already know that I’ve been on a mission to get fitter. Early morning walks where I feel the cool air brush my face, dancing classes that let me shake off the day’s stress, gentle Pilates sessions that make my muscles ache in the best way, and plans to get back into weight training have all become part of reclaiming my energy.

But let me share a little secret that might horrify my stylish friend Mandy. I own only one pair of exercise shoes. Just one. For Mandy, shoes are an expression of personality. For me, they’re practical. A tool to help me move forward.

Or so I thought.

Then came the uninvited guest.

One of my cats, either my fluffy tuxedo Cutey or Prince, my sleek, green-eyed walking companion, brought a large grey rat into the house. I never saw it. The creature escaped somewhere between the entrance and my walk-in wardrobe and found a quiet spot behind a box to call home.

Because my clothes hang low, brushing against the floor, we never noticed it. But it had settled in quite comfortably. Days passed. Life went on.

Then, one day, my husband walked into the wardrobe and paused.

“Why is your shoe lying like that?” he asked.

We looked down, and there it was. My only pair of training shoes, flopped over on its side, looking rather forlorn. The once spongy heel protector had been gnawed away. Ragged edges. Bite marks along the sides. Small tufts of fabric torn loose. The smell was faint but unmistakable. A whisper of something wild that didn’t belong.

My workout routine had just been derailed by a rat.

We called in Prince, who practically leapt at the opportunity to fix the mess. He darted past the wardrobe door, tail flicking and grasped the intruder between his teeth, grateful to be my rescuer. A small victory. Although I suspect he was the one who brought it in to begin with.

Now, you may be wondering what all this has to do with writing a book.

Well, quite a bit, actually.

You see, for many of the authors I coach, a book begins as a dream. A beautiful one. But in the beginning, that dream is delicate. Raw. Unprotected. Like my fitness goals, it’s vulnerable to interruption. And just like that rat, little threats creep in unnoticed.

They don’t always come from strangers or critics. Sometimes, they come from the people we love the most.

People who care about us bring their fears into our creative space.

They say things like:

• “Are you really going to publish that?”

• “Books are expensive. Isn’t that risky?”

• “You’re not worried people will judge you?”

They mean well. Really. But those comments are often laced with anxiety and protectionism. Like my cat Prince, bringing me a “gift” that turned out to be a problem.

If you know anything about cats, you’ll know that bringing in prey is their way of honouring you. It’s a love language. But I hate rats. I hate their smell, their sneaky movements, their ability to squeeze into places where they don’t belong. And if a cat injures the rat just enough, it can die behind something unnoticed. The stench that follows is unforgettable.

It’s the same with the fears others bring into our dreams. Left unchecked, they rot. They sabotage. They linger in the corners of our minds and whisper, “You’re not ready. You’re not good enough. You should just play it safe.”

We had to clean the wardrobe thoroughly. Every corner. Every shadow. Just in case there were hidden traces left behind.

Do I hate Prince? Absolutely not. He’s still my friend. He still curls beside me when I write. He still follows me on walks. But I now keep that door closed. I no longer leave it ajar, thinking it’s probably fine. Boundaries matter.

And I will replace those shoes. Because I’m not giving up on my fitness dream. Not now. Not over one setback.

And neither should you give up on your dream of writing.

But here’s the truth. Your dream deserves protection. In its early stages, it needs the right kind of support. You need people around you who don’t drag in fear, but help you clear it out. People who believe in the outcome, even when the process gets messy.

If you’re serious about writing your book, be cautious about whom you share it with. If you’re transitioning, reshaping your identity, or chasing a new vision, find someone who won’t let rats creep into your creative space. Someone who doesn’t flinch when things feel overwhelming, but helps you move forward with confidence.

That’s where I come in.

👉 Click here to book a free session with me

Let’s talk about your dream, your message, and your story. Let’s make sure the space it lives in is safe, clear, and ready to bring that book into the world.

Because your dream is worth more than a chewed-up shoe and a rat in the wardrobe.
It’s worth everything.