What has stretched and supported you this year?
As the year draws to a close, it’s worth taking a moment to pause, reflect and start to make sense of the year that was.
For the final episode of The School of Wellbeing for 2025, I decided to do something a little different. Instead of sharing my usual solo end-of-year reflection, I handed the microphone to my friend and colleague David Bott and stepped into the guest chair.
What followed was an honest, thoughtful and often funny conversation about the real year behind the scenes. We talked about the moments that stretched me, the patterns that showed up when I was tired and depleted, and the quieter wins that mattered far more than the loud ones.
From people-pleasing and parenting children with additional needs, to reflection, language and the invisible crumbs of impact that keep us going, this episode captures the texture of a year that didn’t always run smoothly, but was deeply formative.
What you’ll learn in this episode…
- How to recognise your default patterns when you’re depleted.
- Why reflection is easier to access with others.
- What “good enough” looks like across different seasons of our lives.
- How to notice and value the crumbs of impact that show your work matters
- And so much more…
Why this conversation matters…
So much of what we see and hear about wellbeing is polished and aspirational. This conversation offers something different.
It speaks to educators and school leaders who are carrying a lot, and who are navigating the complexity of their roles while trying to care for others and themselves. It normalises the reality that some seasons are harder than others, and that progress does not always look neat or impressive.
By slowing down and reflecting on what has stretched us and what has supported us, we create the opportunity to learn from our experiences rather than rush past them. This conversation reminds us that wellbeing is not about doing more or doing it perfectly, but about being deliberate, human and connected.
As the year comes to a close, it offers permission to pause, make sense of the year that was, and move forward with greater clarity and care.
You can quote us on that…
“It’s about creating a space for important conversations; for people to feel seen, to feel heard, and to feel like they’re not alone.”
Meg Duham
“The moments that make my heart sing are the moments of deep connection.”
Meg Durham
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Hi, I'm Meg!
B.Phys Ed, M. Ed (Student Wellbeing), CIPP
I’m a teacher with experience working in primary and secondary schools across Australia, and a specialist in the field of wellbeing education and coaching. I founded Open Mind Education in 2013 with a vision of sharing practical, enriching wellbeing education with staff, parents, and broader school communities.
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