Let’s be honest. When life throws a brick at your head, the last thing you want to hear is “Keep calm and carry on.” Right? But that simple phrase – born in the middle of war, dust, and danger – still speaks to us today. It’s not just a cute slogan for a mug or tea towel. It’s a reminder that we’re stronger than we think.

We’re not in a warzone but between burnout, bad news, and social media storms, it can feel pretty close. The pressure to have it all, do it all, be it all is real. It’s relentless.

And somewhere in between the emails, expectations, and endless “Are you okay?” texts when you're definitely not okay... we forget to breathe.

That’s when the old slogan kicks in. Not as a stiff-upper-lip command – but a soft nudge from the past: “You’ve got this. Even when you don’t feel like you do.”

Let’s not pretend calm is easy

Here’s the controversial bit – sometimes “keeping calm” feels like silencing yourself. Especially as women. Especially as older women. We’ve been told for too long to be quiet, not make a fuss, stay composed.

No thanks. Calm doesn’t mean mute. Carrying on doesn’t mean carrying everything on your back without asking for help.

You can cry and still be calm.
You can rest and still be strong.
You can say “No” and still be carrying on – in the right direction.

Calm is cool again

Have you noticed? Calm is making a comeback. There’s a whole wave of quiet wellness hitting the scene. Think sound baths, forest walks, slow fashion, digital detoxes.

It's not about hustle. It's about harmony.

So what do you do when life goes sideways?

Here’s what I try (on a good day):

• Step back, breathe deep.
• Remember the Caroline in me – the strength, the sass, the sparkle.
• Whisper “Keep going, girl.” And then take one small step.

Because maybe it’s not about carrying on in the same direction – but finding your own pace, your own path.

In the end…

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep showing up. Keep being real. Keep choosing peace over panic. That’s the modern legacy of Keep Calm and Carry On – not silent suffering, but soulful resilience. And if today all you did was make a cuppa, scroll for a laugh, and smile at someone – that’s carrying on too.

You’ve got this.

Caroline’s daughter, Diahanne x