Hey, Umer here!
Welcome back to Life Sized Voices—
where we go beyond the pages and into the stories behind the books.
This time, I sat down with Natalie Southwell—
author, speaker, and founder of The Essence of a Woman.
After years of corporate leadership, Natalie faced burnout, stress,
and the weight of constantly saying yes.
Her book, The Dangers of Ignoring Your Heart’s Whispers,
is an honest look at what happens when we neglect self-care and,
more importantly, how we can reclaim our inner voice.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by expectations, this one’s for you.
The Spark
Some books are planned for years. Others start with a realization.
For Natalie, that moment came after attending 98 meetings in two weeks—
a brutal cycle of overcommitment and exhaustion.
She had always been the go-to person, the leader who said yes to everything.
But at what cost?
She began journaling, at first just to process her thoughts.
But soon, she realized she wasn’t just writing for herself—
she was writing for every woman who had ever lost herself in the noise of expectation.
That’s when her book took shape.
Inside the Pages
At its core, The Dangers of Ignoring Your Heart’s Whispers is about one thing:
✔ Fear is a cage—saying yes too much can cost you your identity.
✔ Boundaries matter—self-care isn’t selfish; it’s essential.
✔ Your voice deserves to be heard—and no, you don’t need permission.
Natalie shares raw, real-life experiences from corporate life,
coaching, and personal growth to help readers break free from burnout
and reclaim control of their lives.
The Life-Sized Bookshelf – Handpicked Reads
Books that redefine resilience, boundaries, and self-discovery.
📚 Set Boundaries, Find Peace – Nedra Glover Tawwab
How to say no without guilt and yes to what matters.
📚 The Gifts of Imperfection – Brené Brown
Letting go of who you think you should be and embracing who you truly are.
📚 Essentialism – Greg McKeown
Why doing less, but better, leads to success.
Founder’s Note – Umer Farooque
Books aren’t just words on paper. They spark change.
At Life-Sized Publishing, we work with people who have something real to say—
whether it’s a mission, a lesson, or a movement—
and help them turn it into a book that makes an impact.
Natalie’s book is proof of that. It’s not just a story; it’s a wake-up call.
If you’ve got an idea the world needs to hear, let’s make it happen.
Best,
Umer
