Hi Reader,

You may have realised by now that I love writing (newsletters, poems, essays, stories, journaling). So as my 30th birthday rolled around, I became even more reflective than usual and wrote about 3 important lessons I've learnt so far. I hope they help you too!

1.You have to do it with fear.​
Fear is normal. It is human. And it rarely disappears.

Learn the language. Travel the world. Start the business. Fall in love.

I have done all of these things with fear. Not fearless, but with the courage to act anyway.

That courage is the catalyst.

2. I've changed, but nothing else has.

When you commit to language learning, several things change, both internally and externally.

You begin to see yourself differently, it impacts your identity. Instead of “someone who isn’t good at languages”, you become someone who can learn, adapt, and communicate beyond comfort. That shift in self perception often carries into other areas of life.

Speaking another language builds a specific kind of confidence. Not the loud kind, but the steady kind. You learn that you can survive mistakes, misunderstandings, and imperfect sentences. That resilience strengthens your voice in meetings, presentations, and conversations.

Practically, language learning can open doors and opportunities. New markets, new clients, international roles, cross border collaborations. The ability to communicate across cultures changes how others perceive your competence and leadership.

Emotionally, connection deepens when you speak to someone in their language. Even simple efforts signal respect and curiosity. That can transform both professional and personal relationships.

Perhaps most importantly, language learning shifts your sense of control. Your tolerance for discomfort grows! Instead of waiting for translation, permission, or someone else to represent you, you step forward yourself. The deeper change is how you see yourself and how you move through the world.

3. You can have it all, but not all at once!

As a Libra, I value a balanced life and a sense of equilibrium. Yet, I've learnt I can have freedom to travel, but not stability. I can work for myself but not have colleagues to socialise with. I can ditch the traditional path but answer tough questions (form yourself, and others). I can learn Spanish but begin to forget my French. I can improve my grammar skills but still feel unsure when speaking.

Not everything can be a priority all the time. Accepting this is half the battle.

Any life lessons you would add?

Tip of the month

One of the most common mistakes I see shows up when people talk about birthdays, dates and plans 🎂 Even after years of learning English, do you know the difference, Reader?

Here is the simple logic (there are always exceptions!):

We use in for longer periods of time
in October
in 2026
in the evening

We use on for specific days or dates
on my birthday
on Wednesday
on 12 October

We use at for exact times
at 9pm
at noon
at midnight

Now put it together: My birthday is in October. This year it is on Wednesday. We are meeting at 9pm

October 2026

Coaching corner

A moment for quiet reflection or journalling, even just thinking about your answers can help you notice patterns and shift your focus.

Birthday deal ends:

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Thanks for reading,

Meg

P.S In my lessons, I create a safe, welcoming space for feedback and suggestions, and I want the same for this newsletter. Let me know what you'd love to see more (or less) of. I’m listening.

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Fully certified Business English coach

“Megan is an excellent teacher! Our classes are so dynamic that the 50 minutes pass too quickly. Having lived in different countries and loving to travel gives her knowledge of other cultures and languages which enriches our conversations.”
​Joao, Brazil