Hi, I’m a chaotic, caffeine-dependent, overly ambitious Welsh mamma bear trying to juggle a full-time degree, two little ones, and life in rural Wales. Honestly, most days feel like I’m barely holding it together with a roll of duct tape. But I stumbled upon the Rebel Badge Club, and decided to give it a go.

I’m here to share the start of my Rebel Journey—a messy, honest account of how I’m attempting to go from “frazzled mum in survival mode” to the woman who can proudly wear the badges of personal growth, self-care, and a little (okay, a lot of) chaos management.

Finding the Rebel Badge Club

When I first joined the Rebel Badge Club, I felt overwhelmed. It’s not every day you’re told to tackle self-improvement with something as exciting (and intimidating) as badges. I mean, badges are for the Scouts, right? And here I was, staring at this shiny new club with its promise of challenges, growth, and small but meaningful changes.

Then Charly, the club’s founder, posted January’s monthly badge, the Butterfly Effect, alongside the first quarter badge of 2025: Lift Off. Suddenly, I realized this wasn’t about drastic, overnight changes—it was about small steps, manageable goals, and having a bit of fun along the way.

For once, I didn’t feel like I had to do it all perfectly. Instead, I thought, “You know what, I can give this a go. What’s the worst that could happen?” (The answer: a tantrum from the mini rebels, the puppy eating my planner, and me crying over burnt toast—but let’s stay optimistic.)

The Badges I’ve Chosen

For 2025, I’ve chosen a mix of badges to focus on areas where I really need help. These aren’t just about me—they’re about my family too. Here’s what I’m starting with:

1. Butterfly Effect (January Badge)

This badge is all about making small changes with a big impact. Here are a few tasks I’m attempting:

• Try something new each week. This might be as simple as cooking something other than pasta or as ambitious as convincing my partner to watch something other than football.

• Add 10 minutes of activity to my daily routine. Even if that just means chasing the puppy, Pluto, around the garden when he steals my shoe.

• Keep a daily journal of what made me happy—so far, it’s been tea, the mini rebels giggling, and finally getting Pluto to sit.

• Spend 30 minutes on self-care. I’ve started with washing my hair (you’re welcome, society).

2. Lift Off (Quarter 1 Badge)

This is about planning for the year ahead. I’ve chosen my six badges to work on (more on those below), and I’m committing to making progress in at least two by the end of March.

Other Badges I’m Tackling

Writer Badge

This blog—Rebels by Nature—is my way of tackling the Writer Badge. One of its clauses is to create a blog and write 12 posts over six months, and this is post number one. I’ve always loved writing, but life (and laundry) often gets in the way. This badge is my way of prioritizing creativity again, while sharing my Rebel Journey with all of you.

Reader Badge

Instead of just dipping my toe into reading, I’ve decided to aim for the 52 Books in a Year Badge. Yes, you read that right—52 books in 12 months. I’m trying to ignore the voice in my head asking, “Are you mad?” and focus on breaking it down into manageable chunks. That’s just one book a week, right? Totally doable…maybe.

My plan is to mix fiction, nonfiction, and biographies, so I don’t burn out. Recommendations are very welcome!

Fitness Badge

I’m aiming to walk three times a week, starting with 5,000 steps per day. If you see me huffing and puffing up the hills of rural Wales, please cheer me on (or offer me chocolate).

Self-Care Badge

I’m swapping doom-scrolling on my phone for actual me time. Think screen-free evenings, relaxing baths, and maybe even a skincare routine that involves more than baby wipes.

Sign Language Badge

Learning Makaton has been on my to-do list forever. It’ll help me communicate better with my 6-year-old daughter, S, who is non-verbal. This badge feels so meaningful because it’s not just about me—it’s about giving my daughter a voice.

Mindfulness Badge

Meditation, yoga, and creative activities are on the cards for this one. I’ll be honest, I’ve never done yoga without falling over, but hey, it’s all part of the fun.

Codebreaker Badge

This one’s just for me—a bit of nerdy escapism with escape rooms, ciphers, and secret codes. Maybe I’ll finally learn how to hide the snacks from my kids.

My Honest Starting Point

Let’s be real: my life is currently more “chaos” than “calm.” I’ve got a 6-month-old baby who’s still breastfeeding, a 6-year-old with additional needs, and a Labrador puppy who thinks the entire house is his chew toy. My partner works hard, and I’m trying to juggle all this while studying full-time.

Most days, I feel like I’m failing before I’ve even started. But that’s the beauty of the Rebel Badge Club—it’s not about being perfect. It’s about trying, learning, and celebrating the little wins (like remembering to brush your hair).

What’s Next

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be working these badges into my daily life. Here’s a sneak peek at my plan:

• Morning Routine: Study for my degree, practice a Makaton sign or two, and squeeze in a quick workout.

• Afternoons: Playtime and therapy with S, incorporating PECS and AAC apps.

• Evenings: Family time, self-care, and winding down without screens.

I’ll also be reflecting on what’s working, what’s not, and where I can improve.

Why I’m Sharing This Journey

If you’re reading this and thinking, “That sounds like me,” then welcome! You don’t need to have it all figured out to start making changes. Whether it’s a new habit, a fun challenge, or just trying to smile at strangers (even if it feels awkward), it all adds up.

This blog is my way of holding myself accountable, but it’s also a space for connection. If you’re on your own Rebel Journey, let me know—I’d love to hear about it.

Here’s to small steps, big strides, and a year of rebellion. Let’s do this together.

xo