Why The Alder Path

Since beginning my coaching practice in 2018, the name of the work I offer has changed many times. Each change reflected where I was at the time - the questions I was asking, the experiences I was moving through, and the way my understanding of transition was evolving. Yet through all those shifts, one image kept returning: The Alder Tree.

Looking back, that persistence makes sense. My own life has been shaped by transition, and the coaching work grew alongside it rather than separate from it. As my path changed, so did the practice - responding to new insights, different rhythms, and a deeper appreciation for slower, more grounded ways of living and working. The Alder, quietly present through each iteration, became less of a symbol and more of a companion along the way.

The Alder is a tree of thresholds. It grows where land meets the water, in places that are often unstable or changing. Rather than resisting these conditions, it strengthens the ground around it, enriching the soil so that other life can take root. For me, this mirrors the nature of transition itself - not something to push through or overcome, but a process that asks for steadiness, patience and presence.

Transitions are rarely linear or tidy, and the spaces between endings and beginnings can feel uncertain or quiet. Yet, it is often here, in the in-between, that the deepest growth happens - when we pause, notice, and allow ourselves to be present. Like the Alder, we can meet change with steadiness and patience, strengthening the ground beneath us as we move forward.

As I relaunch my coaching practice in to Alder Path Coaching, this feels like the next chapter - a space to continue walking alongside people through change, supporting reflection, clarity, and intentional living. Sometimes simply recognising this process, and giving ourselves permission to walk it at our own pace, is enough to begin noticing what wants to take root next.

If this reflection resonates with where you are, you're warmly invited to explore it further, reading my reflections here in the Alder Path blog, following me on social media, or if you are curious about coaching or simply want to reflect on your own transitions, you can get in touch or book a free, no obligation conversation. Sometimes the gentlest next step is simply taking a moment to connect.