Sign up to my monthly newsletter here As I looked through my diary the other day, I noticed some significant anniversaries were on the horizon. Not romantic ones, although we are celebrating our two and a half year anniversary this month, if that counts? And when I say celebrating, we’re not doing anything to mark…
A Look Back at July
I can’t believe we’re already halfway through the Summer! I’m sure the world has been speeding up ever since we first went into lockdown last March! I’ve even started to track my working hours because I couldn’t work out where all my time has been going, which has been a helpful exercise. I’ve been using Toggl to…
The Highs of Being a Freelancer
When I became a freelance writer, I had no idea what to expect. I wasn’t someone who had planned for years to become a freelancer. I had taken redundancy the previous summer and decided I wanted to do something which involved two of my biggest passions – writing and helping others. Since then, my freelance…
Reflecting on Racism
This time last week, there was a feeling of excitement and anticipation in the air. The England Senior Men’s football team were due to face Italy in the final of the Euro’s that evening. The game would be the first final in a major competition the England team had played since their epic World Cup…
Is Football Really Coming Home?
As I sit here writing this post, it’s the eve of the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy. Yes, I know we’re in 2021 but, 2020 was meant to be the 60th anniversary of the Euro’s, so there was some reluctance from UEFA to change it. UEFA are also trying to ensure the tournament…
A Look Back At June
If you’re new to my blog, I like to finish each month (or start the next month) with a look back at the month just gone. It allows me to reflect on the highs and the lows of the last few weeks and is a great way to remember some of the adventures I’ve had….
Mid-Year Goals Review
As we edge closer to the middle of the year, I thought it was about time I sat back and reviewed my 2021 goals to see how they are progressing. Mid-year is a good time to reflect on your goals and to check whether we need to make any significant changes to them as we…
The Law of Attraction
This post was originally published on 27th May 2019 and updated on 20th June 2021. Have you ever felt an overwhelming desire to go somewhere or do something you’ve never done before? I’m not talking about a desire to go somewhere just because it looks nice or because it’s different to somewhere you would ordinarily…
How I Became Confident Without Realising
Thirty years ago, when I was just eight years old, I was a happy but shy kid. If anyone spoke to me in the street, I would often hide behind my mum and, I would avoid eye contact at all costs. As I progressed through my teens, I still struggled with shyness and nerves, despite…
Making New Friends and Returning to Some Kind of Normality
As I write this week’s blog post, I’m sitting outside my parent’s house in Northamptonshire, soaking up the sun, which has decided to grace us with its presence during the past week. May was a much colder, wetter month than I think any of us had hoped, although it didn’t stop me from getting out…
Old Fashioned Romance with a Modern Day Twist
This post was originally published on 9th June 2019 and updated on 30th May 2021. I love being single, but that doesn’t stop me from looking forward to being in love again. Although I have to admit, and if you have read some of my earlier blog posts, you may have already worked out, I’m…
Receive Monthly Musings Directly To Your Inbox
Happy Sunday! I hope you’ve had a productive week and a fun weekend. It’s been a busy week at the Mindful Gingernut HQ as I’ve been beavering away writing client newsletters and social media posts, as well as working in the background creating my first Mindful Gingernut newsletter! I’ve been toying with the idea of…
Mental Health Awareness Week
As many of you may be aware, it’s been Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK this week. We all have mental health, and we’re all impacted by it in different ways. I’ve had a very personal view of family and friends who’ve suffered from poor mental health since my teens. My own mental health…
The Aftermath of Being Made Redundant
Last August, a week before I was due to move, my boss gathered the senior management team on a call and told us we were all at risk of redundancy. Or in official terms, our jobs were at risk. I had two choices: To stay and fight for a new role Leave an organisation I…
Family, Radio Shows, and Wellness Retreats
I was starting to think this year couldn’t get any weirder, but it did. April was a strange month in many ways. It was time to readjust as lockdown measures continued to ease here in the UK, with two households or groups of six now able to meet outdoors and restaurants, pubs and cafes with…
My Top #5 Apps for Newbie Freelance Writers
Earlier this year, I snowballed into the world of writing. As much as I knew I wanted to chase a career as a freelance writer, I was starting everything from scratch. Up until that point, I’d spent most of my adult life working in sports governance. I had a massive network in football, but I…
How To Overcome Loneliness
I recently found myself sitting in a small room in central London being interviewed for a local radio show (click here to check out my guest appearance on Shoreditch Radio. You’ll find me from 36:18!). Not my average day by any means! During the interview, the radio host asked me if I thought London was…
Are You Having Problems Sleeping?
We all know that lockdown has played havoc with both our mental and physical health. But did you know that a key factor in maintaining a healthy mind and body is getting a good night’s sleep? Over the last year, many of us have experienced sleep problems. Whether you’ve had problems falling asleep, waking up…
Fresh Air, Photoshoots & The Mindful Gingernut
Happy Easter to you if you’re reading this over the Easter bank holiday weekend. Whether you’re celebrating Easter or not, I hope you’re having a lovely bank holiday weekend. The spring sunshine is out in full force here today, although rumour has it that winter may be returning tomorrow with the chance of snow. As…
Chocolate Memories
This post was originally published on 16th November 2019 and updated on 28th March 2021. Chocolate brownies fill me with mixed emotions. Whether I’m baking them or simply eating them, they fill me with a mixture of happiness and overwhelming sadness. My best friend was the absolute queen of baking brownies. No-one else’s could ever…
Achieving Goals in 2021
When I sat down and set my goals for 2021, I also booked slot’s in my diary to ensure I reviewed each goal quarterly. Whilst I’m pretty good at setting goals, I’m not very good at reviewing them. I have a habit of rocking up at the end of December and writing a year-end review…
Boris Bikes, Hail and New Adventures
It feels like a lifetime since we were able to go on new adventures. Although there is light at the end of the tunnel in terms of the lockdown measures here in the UK, it’s been a real struggle since Christmas. It’s been almost a year since we entered into the first lockdown, but the…
My Top 5 Places to Visit in India
On 23rd December 2019, I found myself at London Gatwick Airport about to board a flight to India. India had been on my mind a lot in the few years prior to my trip. I couldn’t get away from this nagging feeling that I had to go. So on a whim, in May 2019, I…
The Road Map out of Lockdown
February has been another odd month. There have been plenty of moments to feel grateful for, yet I can’t shake this feeling of trepidation. Animal Hospital Update I’m pleased to report that following last month’s roundup, my trusty companion, Wigs, seem’s to be doing a lot better. She’s discovered a love for Cat Malt which…
Olhos de Água and Praia da Falesia
As we eagerly await Boris Johnson’s announcement tomorrow as he lays out the UK’s ‘Road Map’ out of lockdown, I thought I would take another look back at my solo trip to Portugal. Fingers crossed BoJo’s plans see us being able to travel again before the year is out. This post was originally published on…
The Mindful Gingernut 