A little bit of everything
This week, I wanted to share a little bit about what I’ve been up to, two new podcast episodes for you, a little bit more about my Mini Retreat for Mums (which is happening in 6 days!!) and the Substack posts I’ve enjoyed lately.
Life lately
Well, this UK heatwave has been crazy hasn’t it? I’m sitting here writing this with the fan on full blast, the only way I can cope!
It was back to school on Tuesday here, and the kids had a great week back - they are both really pleased with their new teachers so I’m happy about that. The routine has been so needed by all of us! Here’s a few pictures of our week…
A little park trip on the way to school
Lots of buggy walks
With snack stops of course!
Watching my Passionflower plant completely take over one side of my garden - it also grows fruit, but it doesn’t taste very nice apparently!
I’ve also been trying to fit in a few things for me into the morning routine, like journalling, a few crochet stitches or listening to a podcast while I’m making breakfast/getting the kids ready. It’s making a difference to my mood I think, I feel slightly less frazzled, which can only be a good thing!!
This week, I’ve also enjoyed the last 3 episodes of Love is Blind Series 4, which are one year on from the last episodes:
Brett and Tiffany are my faves, just two people genuinely in love. Have you watched Love is Blind?
Two new podcast episodes for you:
I recorded two bonus episodes of The Inspiring Mums Podcast on Friday morning while my son was napping - by some miracle he didn’t wake up while I was recording them (that’s what usually happens!!). Here they are!
Bonus episode: How journalling has helped my mental health:
In this episode, I share how taking up journalling again has helped my mental health after having my third child.
I talk about how:
️I’ve always loved writing my thoughts down
️Knowing I’ve got a tool that I can use to get my emotions out has massively helped my mental health
️How I fit journalling into my day
Journalling helps me make sense of the thoughts racing around in my head, gives me clarity on situations that I struggle with and allows me to come away with a totally different perspective
You don’t need to have a perfect journalling practice, you can just start and use it as a tool, as and when you need it
And next up…
Bonus episode: Your intuition is your superpower
In this episode, I share how helpful it is for us to tap onto our intuition as mums, and how it can help our confidence and connect us to our values more.
I talk about:
️How intuition is that gut feeling and knowing that you have
How our intuition connects us to a kinder voice, to what we really want and helps our confidence as mums
️How mums aren’t encouraged to tap into their intuition and instincts, and why they should be
️4 ways that we can tap into our intuition - meditation, journalling, group coaching and oracle cards
Mini Retreat for Mums
If you are a mum local to Cardiff, then I’d love you to come along to my brand-new Mini Retreat for Mums on Saturday 16th September 2023 from 1:00-3:30pm at Vibes, Cardiff Bay.
You’ll enjoy two and a half hours packed with meditations, journalling and group coaching at this unique afternoon retreat, designed especially for mums who struggle to find time for themselves.
At the retreat you’ll;
Feel grounded and soothed as you listen to the meditations I’ve designed especially for mums
Get clarity on your thoughts and feelings by journalling
Harness the back to school and new moon energy by setting intentions for the rest of the month with group coaching
Enjoy honest conversations with like-minded mums and realise you aren’t alone in your struggles in motherhood
As well as refreshments and cakes, blankets and yoga mats are provided for your comfort.
All you need to do is bring your lovely self, wear comfy clothes and I’ll take care of the rest!
You’ll also get these extra bonuses after the retreat:
A recorded meditation emailed to you after the retreat, so you can start your mindfulness practice at home
A 15 minute Voxer Catch Up with me, 2 weeks after the event, for accountability on your intentions that you set at the retreat
All the details are here
Readers get 30% off the ticket price - so that’s just £21 (instead of £30) with this link.
Ticket sales close Weds 13th Sept and there are currently 8 places left.
I can’t wait to see you there!
Also, if you know of any mums who live in Cardiff who might be interested, please share this event with them, thank you!
Substack posts I’ve enjoyed lately
I love this post from
- the writing, the photos and the focus on the seasons, all of it! This quote stands out for me all about September:“There is a depth to this corner of the calendar, as although it is a month of harvesting abundance, it is also a time of clearing, with layers to peel away. There is a release of expectations and a return to routine, a reset and a refresh. To me, it signals a time to let go of summer dreaming, instead turning inwards to take stock, to sift and refine.”
I’m saving these journal prompts from
to go through at a quiet time:
I loved this guest post from
on , especially this quote:“Creativity has come in unlikely places, as there are gorgeous, unexpectedly mindful gaps that have allowed my imagination to kickstart again.”
I really feel this - for me motherhood has made me more creative and given me a totally different perspective. It's a different rhythm of life too, so those gaps where we can be creative kind of appear and we have to grab them - mostly for me that's when I'm feeding my youngest to sleep!
I really enjoyed this post from
and this quote really resonated:"To enjoy a thoughtful season of sowing and listening to my intuition before shifting into a playful season of blooming."
I really enjoyed listening to this podcast from
& - I listened to it while I was getting the kids ready for school and it was like listening to a lovely chat between friends with all of these gems of wisdom in it. Two things that stuck with me were: writing about what you are enthusiastic about and how people will feel that authentic enthusiasm, as well as permission to strip things back and not do ALL the things.
I’d love to hear from you in the comments:
How has back to school week been for you?
How are you coping in the heat?!
What Substack posts have you loved lately?
Thank you so much for sharing one of my recent posts, Jenna. I’m glad it resonated 🥰
I’ve also picked journaling up again after having a break for a few months. It’s been such a huge support to me over the years. I first made journaling a regular practice after being diagnosed with PND with my firstborn and have never looked back. I’m just dipping in and out at the moment, doing a ‘glimmer practice’ (which I touch on in today’s post), and find every little helps 💛
I loved reading your updates, thoughts and wise words. The passionflower is absolutely beautiful, they are quite astounding!
I have just re-found some journaling within (most of) my days which had felt impossible. I loved reading Katherine May’s post about notebooks which seemed to take the pressure off for me in that it doesn’t have to be a neat, consistent practice and to embrace the messiness! I know what you mean about it helping to feel less frazzled.
I love the sound of your podcast and the bonus episode on intuition. After really losing touch with my inner voice after pushing myself and my body too hard, I feel as though motherhood has really led me to tuning out external noise and finding my intuition again.
Thank you SO much for featuring my September post in your roundup, it really means a lot to be included (alongside such brilliant writers).
I recently loved reading Sarah Robertson’s intro post, Joanna Wolfarth’s writing about mothering time and Claudia Wilde’s piece about holding space xx