Birthday Letter: Gemma, Aged 40
So today we pass another milestone. One that, for weeks, filled me with dread and a little self-denial. Forty.
Shouldn’t I have achieved more by now? Shouldn’t I have ticked off the goals, the big dreams, the things people I look up to already have? Cue: comparison, doom spiral, self-loathing. Lovely birthday vibes.
So, this is my first birthday letter. Forty years old and, for a lot of moments if I’m honest, I almost didn’t bother. I thought: too late, Gemma, there’s no point in starting now. But then it hit me - when I’m sixty, that will be twenty letters. Twenty chances to capture gratitude, chaos, dreams, prosecco, and cake. Twenty opportunities to immortalise me - not for self-worship, but for acknowledgement of who I am today. Owning my journey, being proud of myself, loving myself, and most importantly, letting my children know how much they were (and still are) loved. So they’ll always know how much I adored them, how grateful I was, and how proud I’ll always be to be Mum.
The Scroll Trap: How to Swap Doom-Scrolling for Actual Joy
We’ve all been there: you sit down for a “quick scroll” and suddenly it’s 2 hours later, your tea is cold, and your thumb is begging for a union rep. TikTok has taken you from sourdough starters to celebrity divorces to an oddly compelling sheep-shearing account - and you’re wondering how on earth you got here.
Why Safety Comes Before Spark: The Overlooked Foundation of Joyful Leadership
We love to talk about sparking innovation. About lighting people up with purpose, fuelling them with perks, or dazzling them with Friday yoga and pizza nights. But here’s the thing: you can’t spark joy if the ground beneath your team is shaky.
Because joy isn’t the starting point. Psychological safety is.
99 Alternatives to Scrolling on Your Phone
Do you ever find yourself picking up your phone without even realising it? One minute you’re waiting for the kettle to boil, the next you’re knee-deep in someone else’s holiday snaps, wondering why your life suddenly looks a bit . . . beige.
The Joy Audit: A New Way to Understand Your Team Culture
Most “culture reviews” feel like they were designed by a robot. A loooooong, soul-sucking survey. A few tick-box questions about policies, perks, and maybe “how often do you socialise with colleagues?”
A polite thank-you email.
And then . . . nothing changes. It’s no wonder most people treat them like a compliance chore and utter waste of time and energy.
But here’s the thing: you can’t fix what you don’t truly understand.
The Hidden KPI No One Talks About: Why Joy Might Be Your Most Profitable Business Strategy
We’ve been obsessing over the wrong KPIs.
Quarterly profit, sales targets, productivity dashboards are the usual suspects. And yet, tucked quietly in the shadows, there’s a metric that could transform your bottom line faster than any of them.
It’s called joy. And yes, it’s measurable.
Where Did the Smiles Go?
Why Workplace Joy Is Everyone’s Business, Especially in Visitor Experience
I’ve been quietly noticing something.
Something that started as a flicker . . . and has now become a full-on ache every time I visit one of my favourite places; a historic house, a beautiful estate, a charming garden, or a family-friendly attraction.
The buildings are beautiful. The experiences are meant to delight.
But the people?
This is My Joyful Rebellion
Somewhere between the WhatsApp pings, the empty snack wrappers, and the relentless chase for “balance’ . . . I lost my spark.
Not in a dramatic, scream-into-a-pillow kind of way. Just slowly. Quietly. Little by little.
Between keeping the plates spinning, the lunch boxes full, and the inbox from exploding, something in me dimmed.
The Scotch Egg: A Delicious Celebration of Picnic History
Is there anything more quintessentially British than a Scotch egg? This golden, breadcrumb-coated delight is the very definition of a picnic staple — a portable, savoury snack steeped in tradition, bursting with flavour, and endlessly versatile. Whether nestled in a Fortnum & Mason hamper, gracing a gastropub menu, or tucked into a well-loved picnic blanket, the Scotch egg is nothing short of a national treasure.
Why Picnics Are the Ultimate Antidote to Modern Life
Modern life is fast, loud, and relentlessly digital. We wake up to notifications, scroll before breakfast, and cram our days with to-do lists longer than a picnic blanket. We live in a world of instant gratification and endless screens, where meals are rushed, conversations happen via text, and ‘switching off’ feels impossible.
Must-Visit Picnic Spots in Somerset: Winter Edition
When you think of picnics, winter might not be the first season that comes to mind. But there’s something undeniably magical about a cold-weather alfresco gathering. The frosted landscapes, peaceful surroundings, and excuse to wrap up in cosy layers make a winter picnic an adventure like no other.
5 Dream Picnic Destinations for a UK Road Trip
Few things are more quintessentially British than a picnic, and when paired with a road trip through some of the UK’s most iconic locations, it’s pure magic. Picture yourself nibbling treats on a Hyde Park blanket, exploring the woods of Winnie-the-Pooh, or imagining a Bridgerton scene in the rolling hills of Bath. I’ve put together a list of my own personal dream picnic destinations right here in the UK, each steeped in charm, history, and its own unique inspiration. So grab your hamper, a cosy blanket, and join me in dreaming of these picture-perfect picnic spots.
Christmas Gift Guide: For Bigger Little Ones
As the festive season approaches, finding the perfect gift for older children can be both delightful and challenging. If you’re looking to inspire imaginative play and a love for the outdoors, consider these charming picnic-themed gifts that are sure to bring joy and endless hours of fun.
Christmas Gift Guide: For Little Ones
When it comes to Christmas shopping for the little ones, it’s no surprise I naturally gravitate towards the perfect picnic finds! As a mum who adores outdoor adventures, I couldn’t resist the hunt for a delightful picnic basket for Theo.
Christmas Gift Guide: Perfect Picks for the Picnic Lover
If you’re on the hunt for Christmas gifts that bring a little joy to those who love the great outdoors, I’ve gathered some of my absolute favourite finds! Each of these items is perfect for the picnic aficionado or anyone who cherishes a bit of alfresco elegance.
The Fine Art of Picnic Etiquette: How to Picnic Like a Pro
Picnics are a charmingly simple pleasure, yet they come with their own unwritten rulebook, one that ensures everyone enjoys the occasion, rather than dashing back to the car as soon as the ants arrive.
No Tricks, all Treats
As Halloween approaches, it’s time to add a touch of seasonal charm and spooky elegance to your home and celebrations. These carefully chosen Halloween essentials will not only elevate your seasonal décor but also bring a whimsical touch to your autumn festivities.
Autumn Picnic Traditions
As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to fall, autumn offers the perfect backdrop for slowing down and creating new family traditions. There’s something undeniably magical about this season, the vibrant colours, the cool breeze, and the sense of peace that comes with it.
Joyful Living in Autumn
As the vibrant energy of summer fades and the crispness of autumn settles in, we’re reminded to take a step back, breathe deeply, and savour the slower pace that comes with the season. The shorter days and cooler air invite us to pause, reflect, and enjoy the simple pleasures that surround us. Honestly, I was always a summer girl and never really understood the love affair so many have with autumn.
Seasonal Picnic Recipe: Warm Roasted Vegetable Salad
Autumn is all about embracing the heartier, warming flavours of the season, and this Warm Roasted Vegetable Salad is the perfect dish for those crisp, breezy days when you’re out enjoying nature.