Carley Nicholson - Peace Under Pressure

Name: Carley Nicholson - Peace Under Pressure
Address: Auckland, 0630, NZ
Telephone: +6421901193

Home
New Zealand
Auckland
Carley Nicholson - Peace Under Pressure

Call Directions Website

Peace Under Pressure - for positive, peaceful, productive workplaces Hi - I'm Carley. Book a virtual coffee here: https://10to8.com/book/vitalityunlimited/

I'm an Accredited Resilience Coach with The Resilience Institute which was founded in New Zealand in 2002 . I specialise in workplace wellbeing programmes and coaching, helping businesses, business owners and leaders enjoy the rich benefits of physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing. Let's start with a free chat to discuss your goals and help you learn more about the opportunities to grow your resilience.

29/09/2026

100 donations. 18 years. One very happy lunch break habit. 🩸

For those who have been asking for an update.....today I hit my 100th donation with NZ Blood, and I'm feeling pretty proud (and a little bit chuffed with my limited edition Flox artwork!).

While I started with donating whole blood, these days I'm a plasma donor which means I'm in the chair every two weeks.

I'll be honest, I've come to really look forward to it. I use my lunch break to donate, and it gives me a full hour to sit back, switch off and catch up on a good book or podcast. A cuppa, some cheese and crackers, and saving lives at the same time. Not a bad way to spend a Tuesday.

As someone who spends a lot of time talking about pressure, pausing and looking after ourselves at work, I love that this ritual does both. It's a pause for me and a contribution to someone else.

A few things I've learned about plasma along the way:
💛 It's the "liquid gold" in your blood
💛 It's used to treat more than 50 different medical conditions
💛 Demand is growing by around 10% every year

So if you've ever thought about donating, this is your sign. Your lunch break could be doing a lot more than you think.

A big thank you to the wonderful team at NZ Blood on Constellation Drive who make every visit feel easy and welcoming.

And now, a question for my network: after 18 years with NZ Blood, I'm keen to support another charity or not-for-profit as well. If you know of an organisation looking for a partnership, I'd love to hear about it.

08/09/2026

Last week I was very intentional about taking my own advice. I was feeling a bit flat and carrying some very heavy emotions from a combination of having a family member in hospital, big bills to pay, delivering some juicy projects, and working across different time zones.

Rather than ruminating on my low energy, I had to consciously ask myself "what do I need right now?" and the answer was super clear - I need to find joy and have some fun! It probably also helps that recently I met happiness researcher Declan Edwards, which was a good reminder of the power of positive emotions through ACTION.

So I decided to do something that I haven't done in 25 years....I went indoor rock climbing. Of the thousands of activities I could have chosen, I'm not entirely sure why I landed on this, but it just seemed to resonate at the time. From a practical perspective, I knew rock climbing would be a great way to clear my busy mind...because it's really hard to think about your worries when all you can do is focus on the next hand grip and try not to fall!

If I'm being honest, I was a bit worried about whether my body would be up to it, and whether I would really suck at climbing. But I surprised myself...starting out on the kiddies wall (climbing up past nursery rhyme characters) my confidence increased and soon enough I was on a big wall - the photo below.

In case you are wondering, being in full Flow was exactly what I needed, and I was buzzing for days afterwards at what I had achieved and how good I felt - mentally, emotionally and physically.

What's the moral of the story here?

If you find you're spending too much time in your head, maybe just pause and ask yourself "what do I need right now" and then take the next smallest step. Action helps keep us moving forward when we feel stuck.

I'm not sure who needs to hear this, but Happy Wednesday everyone :)

(And yes the t-shirt choice was intentional - 1% better everyday)

05/07/2026

Change fatigue isn’t a mindset problem. It’s a pressure problem.

I don’t think people are always resistant to change. Often, they’re just tired.

Tired from shifting priorities, uncertainty, constant change, and trying to keep up while still doing their job well, supporting others, and managing everything else going on in life.

When people feel overloaded, it becomes much harder to think clearly, stay calm, remain open-minded, and respond in the way they’d like to.

This is something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately: How do we help people navigate change in a way that feels practical, human and sustainable?

Not by pretending change is easy.
Not by telling people to “just be more resilient.”
And definitely not by giving them another complicated model to remember.

But by building simple, practical skills that help people stay calm, curious and capable through change.

That’s the thinking behind something new I’ve been creating: Agilience™ - a blend of change agility and resilience.

Because change isn’t really a one-off event anymore.

It’s part of everyday working life.

And people need the skills to adapt well, without burning out.

I’d love to know - are you noticing change fatigue in your workplace too?

08/06/2026

Why can change feel so jolly uncomfortable?

Even when it’s something we chose. Or something “good”.

I suppose that’s the funny thing about being human - we want things to improve… but we also like what’s familiar. Predictable. Comfortable.

And yet, if there’s one thing that is constant, it’s change.

I see this so often in workplaces at the moment. People are tired. There’s uncertainty. Teams are being asked to adapt quickly while still trying to perform well and hold everything together.

And honestly, I don’t think most people struggle with change because they’re weak or resistant. I think many of us were just never taught how to navigate change well.

How to stay calm when things feel uncertain.
How to focus on what we can control.
How to adapt without tipping into overwhelm.
How to keep moving forward without losing ourselves in the process.

It’s something I’ve become deeply interested in lately, both professionally and personally.

And it’s also why I’ve been quietly working on something behind the scenes that I’m REALLY excited about.

I'm still shaping it and testing ideas, but it’s all centred around helping people navigate change with greater confidence, self-awareness, and emotional agility.

Watch this space!

And if you’d like to be one of the first to hear about it, feel free to send me a DM.

19/04/2026

I'm just going to put this out there.....if you're "too busy" to do something, it's likely to be because it just isn't a high enough priority for you right now.

Recently I've noticed that I'm constantly saying "when your WHY is strong enough, you'll find the HOW", so I went ahead and designed my own t-shirt.

And to amplify the effect, I also gifted one to my bestie Daria Williamson, because she gets it. It's through our conversations that I have learnt to challenge and question my own excuses (especially when I'm not playing to my strengths or there is a disconnect with my core values).

So I'm hoping this might be a message that someone might need to hear today....

When your 'why' is strong enough, you will find the 'how'. So quit the BS excuses.

Does this resonate with you?

04/03/2026

Confession: It has taken a bit of courage to share this and put it out into the world…

Recently, Daria Williamson and I were invited to be guests on a podcast to share our story of love in a platonic relationship.

We met over 11 years ago, and pretty quickly became both personal and professional “besties”. Over the years, we’ve had lots of people ask about our story, and now it’s here.

If you listen, my hope is that it gives you a moment to reflect on your own relationships… and the power of love in all its forms, both platonic and romantic.

A huge thank you to Christopher Miller for the amazing work he’s doing to expand love through his research (and genuinely make the world a better place). ExpansiveLove.

I invite you to listen to the conversation on Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/episode/1FNR6PWzYq7BtoZmQKRL6E?si=47ae2bb7c02243d7

If you do have a listen, I’d love to know: What’s one relationship in your life that you’re grateful for right now, and why?

06/01/2026

Some of you are back at work this week.
Some of you are squeezing every last drop out of the holidays and heading back next week.

Either way, that shift back into “work mode” can feel a bit awkward, right?

If you're anything like me, your brain has been enjoying slower mornings, fewer decisions, more fresh air and freedom. And then suddenly it’s meetings, emails, routines and responsibility again. No wonder it can feel a bit jarring.

So instead of throwing myself straight into full speed, I’ve been giving myself an "on-ramp" back into the working year.

And yes, I’m taking all my own advice!

Here are my top 3 gentle ways to ease back into routine, grounded in both neuroscience and health:

1. Focused work...but in short bursts.
After a break, our brains need time to rebuild focus. I’m choosing one or two meaningful tasks a day, working in focused blocks, then stopping. No overload, no multitasking.

2. Balance brain work with being outdoors.
Every day includes fresh air...ideally swimming or paddleboarding if I can. Natural light and movement do wonders for mood, energy and attention.

3. Make space to just be.
Unstructured time is not a luxury , it’s recovery. Time with friends, baking, jigsaws, pottering in the garden. The stuff that refills the tank.

And underneath all of this? Sleep.

Early nights. Calm evenings. Treating rest as a performance strategy, not something you earn.

If you’re easing back into work right now, here’s your permission slip:
**** You don’t need to be at full pace on day one. ***

A gentle on-ramp now sets you up for a calmer, more sustainable year ahead.

What does YOUR on-ramp look like? I would like to hear your ideas and suggestions.

06/09/2025

I'm guilty

So often I pick up my phone for “just a quick look”… and suddenly half an hour’s gone.

Sound familiar?

Our brains love bright colours and notifications. They’re designed to keep us hooked.

One simple hack I’ve been trying: switching my phone to grayscale mode.

No shiny red alerts. No vibrant apps calling my name. Just boring shades of grey.

And it works! Scrolling feels less appealing, so I put the phone down quicker.

Why it matters at work:
📱 Less distraction
🧠 More focus
⏸ Breaking the habit of mindless scrolling
🌱 Protecting energy for the things that really matter

Quick tip:
On iPhone: Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Colour Filters > Grayscale
On Android: Settings > Accessibility > Vision Enhancements > Colour correction > Greyscale

Let me be really clear here:
It’s not about never using your phone - it’s about using it intentionally.

Sometimes the best way to stop a habit isn’t willpower. It’s making the habit less fun.

>>>> Have you ever tried grayscale mode? I would love to hear if it worked for you.

www.peaceunderpressure.co.nz

16/06/2025

The shortest day / longest night of the year is coming up on Saturday 21 June for those of us here in NZ.

And if your energy has taken a bit of a dip lately, you’re not alone.

At this time of year, the darker mornings, colder temperatures and shorter days can all take a toll.

You might notice you're feeling more tired, less motivated, or just a bit... flat.

I've certainly noticed this in myself recently.

It makes sense. Less sunlight affects our sleep, mood, and even how clearly we think.

And while we can't control the seasons, we can support ourselves through them.

Here are a few simple things I’ve been reminding myself (and my clients) to do right now:

☀️ Get outside during the day - even for 10 minutes. Natural light really does help, even if it's cloudy.

🍽 Eat meals that fuel your body and your brain. Now’s the time for hearty, nutrient-dense food. Cue the wholesome winter soups!

💬 Stay socially connected. A good laugh or an honest chat can be surprisingly energising.

⏸ Take micro breaks. Don’t power through the whole day. Your brain needs rest to work well.

🛏 Prioritise sleep. Even 20 minutes more can make a difference, so maybe try going to bed a little bit earlier.

This is a good time to check in with yourself and your team.

Not to push harder, but to notice what support might help.

What’s one thing helping you stay steady this winter?

Let’s swap ideas - we might all need them.

Photo: Sunrise at Long Bay beach.

HOT TIP: The blue light of dawn plays a crucial role in regulating our energy, mood and sleep. Try getting 15 minutes of natural light exposure within the first hour of waking - ideally outside - maybe while you're sipping on your morning coffee.

04/06/2025

Is it just me, or is anyone else finding that the colder, darker, wetter days are zapping their energy too?

Over the past week, as winter has crept in, I’ve noticed my own energy start to dip.

My mood’s been flatter. My motivation has wobbled. And some days I’ve just felt… a bit meh.

So I’ve been intentionally supporting myself to stay energised - mentally, physically and emotionally - so I can keep showing up as my best self.

Here’s what’s helping:

🧘‍♀️ Movement – I’m sticking to my morning gym routine, even when it's a struggle to get out of bed. Once I get going, the endorphins lift my mood every time.

🚶‍♀️ Fresh air – I walk for at least 15 minutes every day. Even in the rain. Jacket on, umbrella up, and out I go.

📵 Less screen time – I’m reading more, researching offline, and spending time with people instead of endlessly scrolling.

💬 Connection – While it’s tempting to retreat, I’m staying in touch with my favourite people (like you, Daria!) who lift my spirits.

🥦 Nutrition – More veggies, more colour, more nourishment. Homemade soup is my current hero.

😴 Sleep – I’m heading to bed 20 minutes earlier and leaning into rest. Sleep is a true superpower.

🎭 Finding the good stuff – I’m intentional about making space for laughter and lightness. A funny podcast, a great comedy show (has anyone else seen The Play That Goes Wrong?), or a good belly laugh with a friend - it all helps shift the mood.

These small shifts are helping me feel more grounded, calm, and resilient.

What about you?

What’s supporting your wellbeing at this time of year?

I’d love to hear your ideas - and I know others would too.

Address

Auckland
0630

Telephone

+6421901193

Website

http://www.carleynicholson.co.nz/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Carley Nicholson - Peace Under Pressure posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your business to be the top-listed business in Auckland?