If you’ve landed here wondering who I am, what I do, or whether this space is right for you — welcome. This page is a short introduction to my work, my philosophy, and the heart behind Make Self Care Simple.

A Warm Welcome

Hi, I’m Jo Oliver — retired herbalist, former intuitive practitioner, and someone who understands what it’s like to try everything and still feel stuck.

For more than 20 years, I worked in natural health, supporting women who felt overwhelmed, reactive, or confused by their body’s responses.

Many came to me after trying everything:

supplements
diets
routines
protocols
expert advice

…and still not experiencing the results they hoped for.

During those years, I began noticing something important — something that quietly shaped the foundation of my work.

My Big “Ah Ha” Moment

As a practitioner, I always gave clients personalised self-care “homework” —
simple, everyday practices tailored to their individual needs.

And over time, a consistent pattern emerged:

Even when clients used high-quality remedies, special diets, or targeted protocols, progress often stalled unless their body was being supported through simple, consistent self-care.

When those small, personalised practices were added,
their bodies responded more clearly —
and their overall wellbeing often shifted in unexpected ways.

Not because self-care replaces treatment,
but because the body needs everyday support
to do what it’s already trying to do.

The personalised self-care “homework” I created for clients back then is the same approach that has evolved into the gentle self-care challenges you’ll find on this blog today — small, doable experiments designed to help you notice what your own body responds to.

But I also noticed something else:

Most women didn’t struggle with knowing what to do…
they struggled with doing it consistently — especially when stressed, discouraged, or exhausted.

These two insights —
the power of personalised self-care,
and the difficulty of staying consistent —
became the foundation of everything I do now.

From Practitioner to Personal Journey

Years later, a long-Covid episode shifted everything in my own body.
Foods, routines, and remedies I once relied on became unpredictable and my body felt overwhelmed.

Nothing external seemed to help.
My body felt reactive, sensitive, and unfamiliar.

And in that unsettling space, I realised something essential:

If external advice couldn’t guide me, I would have to listen to my body more deeply than ever before.

So I began again — gently, slowly, curiously.

Not with strict plans or protocols,
but with small, doable self-care experiments that gave my body space to speak.

Some things soothed.
Some didn’t.
Every response taught me something valuable.

Over time, a personal pattern emerged —
a set of practices my body consistently responded well to.

This became my Menu of Self-Care:
a living, evolving collection of practices I’ve tried, tested, and know support me.

This is the same process I now share with you.

Why I Created Make Self Care Simple

Because so many women feel like they’re doing everything “right”…
and still don’t feel the way they hoped to.

Because conflicting advice can be overwhelming.
Because sensitive or reactive bodies often feel hard to understand.
Because healing isn’t linear — and no one teaches us how to navigate that.

And because of what I learned through both my practice and my own healing:

Your body responds best when cared for in the simple, personalised ways it uniquely needs.

Make Self Care Simple exists to help you explore that —
gently, at your own pace, through curiosity rather than pressure.

🌿 What You’ll Find Here

Make Self Care Simple is built around gentle self-care challenges, four simple pathways, and a personalised Menu of Self-Care — all designed to help you understand what your own body responds to.

You’ll also find monthly updates from my own journey, a supportive toolkit to help you begin, and a clear map (in the How This Works page) to guide you through the approach at your own pace.

My Mission

To make self-care simple, personal, and meaningful —
so you can stop guessing, stop doubting yourself,
and begin understanding your body in a new, hopeful way.

I’m retired from practice now,
but I haven’t stopped supporting women.

I simply do it differently —
through guidance, exploration, reflection,
and the steady encouragement that makes consistency feel natural.

Your Next Steps

If you’re feeling drawn to begin, here are a few simple ways to explore:

→ Start Here

Discover the missing piece behind why past attempts didn’t work.

→ How This Works

Your simple map to understand the MSS approach and navigate the blog with clarity.

→ Get the Free Start-Up Toolkit

Learn how to choose your first self-care challenge with confidence.

I’m so glad you’re here.
Take whatever step feels right.
I’m walking beside you.

As a natural health practitioner of 20 years I am passionate about selfcare

Joanne Oliver (H.Nr.Ir)

For over 25 years I studied and worked as a master Herbalist, Natural Health practitioner, medical Intuitive, Iridologist, Flower essence Therapist, Astrologer, Reflex Touch therapist and teacher, Spiritual Life Coach and Blogger.

I gave many talks to interested groups and therapists, including an infamous live ‘Green Smoothie’ Radio Talk!

The content shared on Make Self Care Simple is for general information and personal growth only.
I’m no longer working as a practitioner, and the ideas shared here are not medical advice or a substitute for professional care.

Everything you read here is designed to help you explore gentle, everyday self-care practices that support your overall well-being — but please always consult your qualified health professional before making any major changes to your lifestyle, diet, or treatment.

Your body is unique, and only you (with the right support) can decide what feels right for you.