Mother of all Lists

HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, MOTHER OF ALL LISTS, THOUGHT-PROVOKING
WHEN MY DRINKING NO LONGER MADE ANY SENSE

This one really struck a chord with me after I stopped drinking three years ago. Veronica Valli eloquently puts into words exactly how I felt around alcohol and the anxiety I suffered as a result. I know it's a very personal choice to make, but it's one that really does bring me empowerment and total joy.…
HEALTH, THOUGHT-PROVOKING
LIVING WITH PARKINSON’S

When Jo Yaldren was given the shocking news she had Parkinson's aged just 47, she was utterly devastated. It felt like the worst diagnosis she could ever receive because there is no hope of recovery and no cure. Yet amongst the bleak reality of a degenerative condition, Jo's list is full of wisdom and wonder.…
MOTHERHOOD, THOUGHT-PROVOKING, USEFUL
RAISING RESILIENT GIRLS

This list from Jo Wimble-Groves is packed full of advice about what we can do to help the next generation…
EMOTIONAL, LOVE & MARRIAGE
WHAT I’M THINKING AFTER MY HUSBAND HAS DIED

Last September, Stacey wrote the most harrowing list What I'm Thinking As My Husband Dies, which was unbearably moving and heart-wrenchingly painful. Seven months on since Greg died, I'm honoured to share more of Stacey's powerful words.…
HEALTH, INSPIRING, MENTAL HEALTH
HOW MENTAL HEALTH BROKE MY BACK BUT DIDN’T BREAK ME

The title of Nikki's incredible list exactly sums up what happened to her. Having suffered from psychosis and feeling shame and embarrassment around it, which is heartbreaking to hear, it was during the last psychotic episode, in 2019, that Nikki had a horrendous accident, which became a turning point in her life. Her positivity and determination really are an inspiration…
INSPIRING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING
YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS

This excellent list from Veronica Dearly is full of words of wisdom about how we really can all do hard things, whether they're big or small. Life is full of ups and downs, highs and lows, and if we're honest, there will always be hard things we come up against. But here, Veronica gives us some helpful advice, even when life's problems seem insurmountable.…
HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, THOUGHT-PROVOKING
EATING DISORDERS DON’T HAVE ONE LOOK

In this powerful list Hope Virgo, author and found of #DumpTheScales, writes about her long, painful and exhausting experience of anorexia. As she explains, eating disorders are still one of the most stigmatised of illnesses, and at times it felt as if there was no way out for her, but she also tells us that full recovery really is possible. …
LOVE & MARRIAGE, MOTHER OF ALL LISTS, MOTHERHOOD, MUST READ, THOUGHT-PROVOKING
MOTHERHOOD AND RAMADAN

This week's list is one from the archives, from Nilly Dahlia. Having just returned to Morocco at the beginning of Ramadan, where we enjoyed being swept up in some of the festivities around Ramadan, it reminded me of the piece and the insight from Nilly about being a Mother during the period. …
EMOTIONAL, MOTHERHOOD
THE LOSS OF AN ADULT CHILD

I grew up in the village where Ninette and her family lived, so when she sent over her list about losing her son Tosh, I was utterly heartbroken for her. The death of a child is incomprehensible and, as she says, it's not the correct order of life, no matter their age. He was still her beautiful baby boy. Ninette has written 27 bullet points, one for each year of Tosh's life. And I'm honoured to share her precious words…