What’s coaching? (and what it’s NOT)

Nov 19

Written By Laura

Maybe you’d been curious to learn more about yourself, but no self-help book seems enough anymore. Or maybe a particular coach peeked your interest online and now you’re starting to wonder how it would feel like to work on your own personal goals with a professional guide. Or maybe you know for sure you’d like some help and are trying to decide between coaching and therapy. Either way, it can feel a little mysterious to figure this out by yourself online.

Like… What actually happens?
Is it weird?
Am I signing up to talk about my childhood?
Is someone going to tell me how to live my life?

Totally fair questions. I’m here to help. Here’s an honest walk-through of what coaching is (and what it absolutely isn’t!), so you can decide for yourself if it’s something useful for you.

A supportive launch pad

It can feel really comforting and empowering to have someone on your side who can not only understand you deeply, with strengths and weaknesses alike, but also see the bigger picture of your environment, your resources and your challenges. When you’re either not sure what you want to do with your life, or you know what you want but not how to get there, your coach can help you put things into perspective, so you can take your next steps with confidence and hope.

Moreover, when you start to take new risks or ask new questions about yourself for the first time, a coach can make sure you’re not alone with your thoughts all the time, and that you’re not overwhelmed and stuck. Actually, they often help you get out of your own way, by helping you discover your own power and your blind spots concerning resources you already have at your disposal.

Everyone needs a safe space to step back, look at your life with someone who’s fully on your side and who has the knowledge, experience and tools you need. Then, from a clear and loving mindset, you can put together your game plan — for that one annoying issue that keeps eating at your every day, or for next week, next month, or even your 5-year dream life.

Looking ahead toward your future

At its heart, the most distinctive aspect of coaching is that it’s about your future. It’s not about digging up your childhood, but about discovering who you actually want to become, what you actually want to create, what would make you truly happy in a lasting way, and how to actually make your daily life feel more aligned with that.

And, as you are standing here and now, what realistic shifts could make your days feel more like you? What can really tip the balance and get you closer to your vision for yourself? How do you get what you really need, so you could undeniably reach the goal and celebrate it?

It’s about understanding yourself in a way that helps you move forward — not in a forced, ‘fix yourself’ kind of way, but in a gentle, ‘oh this makes sense, now I know what works for me’ kind of way.

A practical tool

During a coaching program, you get the space and tools to discover yourself deeper, to dream big and then to YOU DO IT, with solid support and accountability along the way. Your coach will guide you turn insights into real steps you can try in your day-to-day life.

And yes, you get to celebrate your achievements with your coach too, with great joy and satisfaction.

Talking about your dreams is uplifting, but living your dreams is still the best!

Close collaboration

I don’t think anyone’s purpose is to follow someone else’s rules or force themselves into a system that doesn’t fit. By the same token, coaching is also not about me just talking at you or telling you what to do either. It’s us figuring things out together.

We look at how your brain works, what energizes you, what drains you, and what systems and rhythms actually fit you as a person, not some imaginary ‘perfect’ version of you. And then we shape your life around that.

Coaching is about working with who you already are. It assumes you’re whole, capable, and resourceful. You’re not broken and don’t need to be remade from scratch. You just need support figuring out your rhythm. You’re worthy of support.

NOT motivational speeches or hype

It’s not “you got this!!!!” energy (unless you really need one, in which case… okay, fine, you got this 🧡).

It’s grounded. It’s real.

It’s not glittery inspiration. Instead, it is a structured space to explore your goals, patterns, dreams, needs, what gets in your way, and ultimately how to make your life fit you better.

NOT a magic wand

You won’t wake up transformed after one session.
But you will start noticing patterns, shifts, and tiny wins that build into something meaningful.

NOT therapy

Coaching is not about processing trauma, diagnosing anything, or exploring deep emotional wounds. It’s not a subtitute for therapy. It is not meant to diagnose mental illness, prescribe medication, or address crises.

Therapy is for healing. Coaching is for growth. Both are valuable. They just serve different purposes.

Coaching is more like having someone help you see your own patterns clearly and then break down mental and emotional barriers, foster self-understanding, and co-create solutions that feel doable and kind. Coaching is very grounded and very practical. Life design coaching specifically is about consciously creating a life that supports the way you function, one that feels good to live in. That can mean redesigning routines, boundaries, habits, your environment, the way you work… whatever helps your day-to-day feel more aligned and less overwhelming.

The right step for you?

Starting coaching can feel like a big step, especially if you’ve never had support like this before.

But the truth is, you’re not signing up to be analyzed or fixed. You’re signing up to understand yourself more deeply… and to build a life that feels kinder, calmer, and more aligned with your actual nature.

You don’t need to have your life figured out.

You just need a curiosity about what could feel better.

Coaching is great for you if: