By Elva O’Conaire, BSc, MSc, Certified Health Coach First published in the Spring 2026 Wellness Issue of   Galway Now Magazine. You can purchase the magazine on their website. There’s a quiet kind of strength that comes from the women we choose to keep close. Not the acquaintances we wave to in passing, but the friends who know our history, our quirks, our seasons of joy and our moments of uncertainty. These friendships aren’t just a pleasant extra in life, they are, quite

By Elva O’Conaire, BSc, MSc, Certified Health Coach In my work as a health coach, I see a pattern that rarely gets talked about openly. Women who are competent, experienced, and deeply committed to their work reach senior positions only to find themselves in unexpectedly difficult workplace dynamics. Often, the shift is subtle. A change in leadership. A different tone in conversations. Support that once felt steady becomes inconsistent or withdrawn. Over time, these women beg

December is often a month full of expectations. For many, it carries the pressure to feel joyful, festive, and full of holiday spirit. Everywhere we look, there are reminders of celebrations, decorations, and gatherings. Social media, television, and the people around us can amplify the sense that everyone should be feeling merry and bright. When our own experience doesn’t match this ideal, it can be easy to feel isolated, inadequate, or even guilty for not sharing the same e