Taking inspiration from Julie Montagu, the American Viscountess Like most of you, I’m interested in ways to hustle. I want to live my best life, work on my own terms. I earn my living through a handful of different income streams, mostly around writing, but also teacher training, furniture flipping…

And other questions about sibling relationships… Today I double booked the diary. It’s the summer holidays so the littlest children are at home, and the bigger children are out with friends having adventures. During the holidays I assume primary responsibility for the childcare and my husband carries on working as…

Are you ready for this? I’m trying so hard to live my best life. I could list a stack of ways in which I’m so privileged, so fortunate, so winning at life. But what the outside world doesn’t see is that I am deeply exhausted. Deeply and seemingly permanently exhausted…

Keeping my manic business creativity at bay ‘I just wish I could think of an idea. A money making idea. A side hustle,’ said me NEVER. I’ve got the exact opposite problem. Despite the fact that I come on Medium to have a vent and a moan, use you for…

Do neighbours count as friends? I struggle to maintain friendships. I *think* I want friends, sometimes I really crave having a friend that I can tell everything to and hang out with, but I’m just not good at it. It’s not a problem. I’m not bothered anymore. I’m old enough…

The nicest person I’ve met in ages I’m not really a people person. I’m content with my own company, my kids and immediate family. I do have a few friends and I enjoy the odd coffee with them. I’m not a total recluse. But peopling is draining. …

Today I hands-down, unequivocally, undeniably, win the title of Queen of Procrastination. Urgh. I have this piece of client work I need to do. It was due to be handed over today. …

for no real reason whatsoever I’ve woken up feeling awful… and it’s completely irrational. It’s the summer holidays. I’m staying in our holiday home on the coast for a month. It’s an 800 square foot, three bedroom lodge with all mod-cons, overlooking the sea. Absolute luxury. My children are having…

I like wise sayings, mottos, and phrases to live by. It’s different from being a self-help fan. I’ve been there, read those books, worn that t-shirt. …