In this episode of 'A Thought I Kept,' host Claire Fitzsimmons welcomes Emma Lightfoot, a pet grief expert and animal behaviorist, who shares an impactful epiphany from a wise friend. Emma discusses her tendency to immerse herself in learning and preparation to avoid the discomfort of starting and the fear of failure. She reveals her 2025 pledge to stop spending on self-help books and courses, focusing instead on trusting her own knowledge and abilities. Through engaging storytelling, Emma explains how she maintains this thought with visual reminders and mini zines. The conversation explores the balance between seeking comfort in ideas and the necessity of action.

00:40 Meet the Guest: Emma Lightfoot

01:00 Emma's Epiphany: The Fear of Starting

02:00 The Cost of Perfectionism

02:43 Breaking the Cycle: Embracing Discomfort

06:00 Practical Steps: 25 Things in 2025

07:05 Reflecting on Progress and Freedom

08:51 The Power of Trusted Advice

12:34 Creating Personal Reminders

Emma Lightfoot is an animal behaviourist who went to work in HR and then undertook research into the meaning of grief for pet owners. She is passionate about opening a space to talk about the loss of pets and aims to reduce any stigma around this. Emma also reads a lot, walks a Spaniel, and keeps guinea pigs and a lot of fish. You can find her on Substack at @tails_of_grief_and_love and instagram at @pumpkinmatisse and @tails_of_grief_and_love.

Claire Fitzsimmons is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives.

Learn more about Claire and how to work with her here.