This Christmas I am trying to tell myself to simmer it down - to what really matters. I’m trying to get rid of the fancy ingredients that stress me out during the holidays and focus on what really matters: being present.

Dependency. Such an uncomfortable word to this generation. In our parents’ generation, this was the norm. But this generation is one that was nurtured to study and build a career which meant getting a full-time job and salary.

Grief is not a nice emotion. It hurts. It’s painful seeing loved ones suffer. But we can’t protect them from it. We can, however, be there and try to find our courage together.

Here’s a question I find myself struggling to answer as a parent: How much should I push my child? Counselling psychologist Stephanie Borg Bartolo helps uncloud this question.

Sarah Calleja has become more and more established in the local art world. The young mother-of-two, who is an architect by profession, has been building herself up to be a recognised and respected artist while juggling everything else. She talks about what inspires her to keep at it… and how she does it.

The other day, while I was driving home from work, I thought back to a series of different conversations I’ve been having with several friends who have kids. I realized that many parents are currently going through some kind of beginning-of-school-aftershock. Let me explain.

This week I’m choosing to be kind to myself. I’m choosing to ease off the pressure. I’m choosing to allow myself to sit down when I feel tired and slow down when I feel overwhelmed.

I have been haunted by the urge to dance. I want to learn to dance. I don’t want to become a dancing star. I don’t want to take part in concerts. I want to have fun. I want to feel the music. I want to let go.

September is a time of change. Summer is ending. School is about to start. This is the time of year when the dormant mummy chat – that semi-hibernates over the summer – reawakens.

For the past decade, creative entrepreneur Lorinda Mamo has been sharing her life journey with readers to offer inspiration and support. She shares her feel-good formula.