When I was 19 I was pretty healthy, I had asthma & ended up being admitted to hospital a few times, but nothing too serious.

My boyfriend at the time who was in the RAF threatened to throw himself out of a window when I tried to end our relationship, but when I tried to stop him, I fell instead…..

Wow what a week it has been! With the pandemic, lockdown and government restrictions still at the forefront of everyone’s minds, no one knew if we would be able to do anything for International Women’s Day in 2021.

When I was a little girl, International Women’s Day (IWD) was a highlight in the year. My mum was a feminist activist in the 1980’s and throughout my childhood we spent IWD attending and taking part in events that were alive with women’s voices, women’s art and women’s music from all over the world….

Here is a little bit about me for International Women’s Day

I’m a mother, farmer’s wife and self-employed mortgage adviser…in that order. This is my experience 1 year in after setting up in business…..

I had always believed I was pretty good at relationships. I’d taught communication skills to organisations for many years, with a focus on developing better working connections between colleagues. I’d also trained as a professional coach and spent a lot of time supporting my clients to improve their relationships at work and at home. But then in 2018 my own marriage fell apart…

For me this story is the merging of two rivers, interspersed with rocks, sharp turns, the odd waterfall and ultimately finding my way to the ocean. It's still pretty wavy! But there's definite progress…..

My Avon ‘lady’ is called Brian. He’s a retired widower who has taken up an Avon round to help combat the loneliness of covid-19 restrictions. Back in the 60s when I was a child it was unheard of for a man to be in such a role, yet it was a man who started it all…

Hopefully this blog will show you dreams can come true; inspire you to believe in your dreams; turn them into an achievable plan, whatever the challenges you face. Go for it!…..

Imagine this scenario! There I am, struggling with the demands of three weekly sessions of chemotherapy, over a seven month period, following a mastectomy. I am doing well much of the time, maintaining a positive approach to my future, especially during the third week of the chemo cycle when I feel quite well….

As we started the first lockdown back in March 2020, I was going to be facing the year ahead and all the years after without my Mum…..

I lived a normal life in Scarborough with mum and brother up until the age of 14 when my brother died suddenly from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (Hereditary Heart Disease). Within two weeks I was diagnosed with a different strain of Cardiomyopathy………

Once, on my long commute to work, in amongst the throngs of people at Leeds train station, I saw a girl with a black cloth bag that read ‘I am not a tourist; I am a global citizen’ and I thought: ‘That’s what I want to be. In fact, that’s who I am’. …….

Life can be stressful, demanding and busy and I’m sure we all feel like pulling our hair out at times, I know I do as a self employed working mum! I love what I do but gosh it can be a juggling act at times. However it’s on days like this that I have to remind myself that during my teenage and young adult years if someone had said I’d have these challenges I’d have probably been pleased……

I have always worked in the corporate world, initially within Banking and Estate Agency and then latterly for a large Recruitment Agency with offices all over the world……..

Being a dancer teacher is something I dreamed of from a very young age. I loved being in the studio with my friends and my teacher - our dance family. Everyday being inspired and encouraged to follow my feet and my heart and dance my way through my life……..

For years I used to be so scared of change. My husband on the other hand, loves to change and move things around a lot. This would cause me great anxiety as i felt out of control and fearful. But over time I learned to trust him and began to embrace change. Whether that be moving furniture, decorating, buying a new car or changing career………

I have always had a passion for travel and seeing the world but never had the desire to take a Gap year after University or just pack up and go for an extended period. I have always opted for the more consistent, considered approach in keeping with my personality, by taking holidays every year, often shorter and more frequent trips, visiting new places, seeing and trying new things….