Thrive Solo

Send us a textSupport the showThis week, it’s a SOLO episode with yours truly!In this week’s episode of Spinsterhood Reimagined, I talk about not having children, how I’ve come to be childless at the age of 46, and how I truly feel about it. I go way back to my childhood, my teens and my twenties, and share how I could never really relate to friends talking about feelings of broodiness back then, despite the fact that I always assumed I would have children eventually.I tell you about how my feelings towards babies changed when my eldest nephew was born, and the excitement I felt when my friends started having kids; but how I still wasn’t entirely convinced that I’d been put on the planet to be a mother even though I took it for granted that it would happen sometime in my distant future. I also share how broodiness finally hit me like a ton of bricks when I turned forty, and how working in a Twickenham coffee shop has its challenges due to all the mums and babies who frequent my place of work! I talk about how much I love being an auntie, and how I think my relationships with my nephews and niece are enhanced because I’m childfree.Finally I talk about why, despite any residual sadness I may have about not having had kids, being childfree is a fabulous, exciting and liberating life path; and that ending up without kids does not define me in anyway, nor does it effect my happiness or the joy I find in life.I hope that you enjoy this episode and that some of it resonates with you.Join my private Facebook Group: Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: @spinsterhoodreimaginedFollow me on Twitter: @LucyMeggesonEmail me: lucymeggeson@gmail.com  Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Send us a textIn this week's Saturday Minisode, I'm talking about that often elusive (but always needed) concept of self-confidence. I talk about my own struggles with self-confidence over the years, and how I've worked to cultivate more of it. The good news is that self-confidence is something that ALL of us have the power to develop, and I talk about a few ways that we can improve what is, essentially, the belief we have  in ourselves. Working to improve our self-confidence is a step in the right direction if we want to feel better about our lives and, ultimately, ourselves. I hope you find something useful in this mini-episode.Press 'Play' and let me know what you think!Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: @spinsterhoodreimaginedFollow me on Twitter: @LucyMeggesonEmail me: lucymeggeson@gmail.com Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Send us a textOn this week’s episode of Spinsterhood Reimagined, I talk to journalist and writer, Radhika Sanghani. Radhika is an award-winning journalist, author and screenwriter. She recently published her debut adult novel, ’30 Things I Love About Myself’, while her two previous Young Adult novels, ‘Virgin’ and ‘Not That Easy’ were published in 13 countries worldwide. She regularly writes features for The Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, The Guardian, Grazia, Glamour and Elle. She is also an influential body positive campaigner and founded #SideProfileSelfie, a movement to celebrate big noses, which has reached millions. She has given a TEDx talk on self-love, and runs an anti-loneliness initiative with Age UK where she gives manicures to the elderly. In this conversation, Radhika and I talk about her relationship history, including the painful breakup that led to her journey of self love; her overactive inner critic and how she decided to become more aware of her internal dialogue; and how her issues with body image drove her to start the campaign #SideProfileSelfie which went viral.We also talk about her spiritual practices and how she believes in a higher power; how one of the most important things we can do is to spark other people’s journeys of self love; and how our relationship with ourself is more important than anything else. Radhika and I discuss what motivated her to write her new novel, 30 Things I Love About Myself; how she thought about writing it as a self-help book but decided instead to write a novel, largely because of her love of comedy; and how her favourite character from Sex & The City was always Samantha because of her sassy, strong personality.Finally we talk about Radhika’s love of living alone, and how her home is her haven; how lockdown forced her to start loving her alone time and how she once turned her phone off for a whole week; and how she recently took herself out for solo afternoon tea. Follow Radhika on Instagram: @radhikasanghaniFollow Radhika on Twitter: @radhikasanghaniUK Link to ’30 Things I Love About Myself’: https://www.amazon.co.uk/30-Things-Love-About-Myself/dp/147227766X  US Link to ’30 Things I Love About Myself’: https://www.amazon.com/30-Things-Love-About-Myself/dp/059333504X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2895HVD7AY7ZL&keyw Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Send us a textIn this week's Saturday Minisode, I'm talking about the importance of the people we spend the most time with.In this episode, I talk about my thoughts and feelings around how incredibly important it is for us to surround ourselves with people who have our backs, who we aspire to be like, and who make us feel good.It is said that we become the average of the five people we spend the most time with, but this isn't necessarily something we give very much thought to - however, we very much should.The people in our lives have far more of an impact on how we feel, think, and act than we perhaps realise, so being mindful of this really is key because, ultimately, it effects how our lives look. Press 'Play' and let me know what you think!Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: @spinsterhoodreimaginedFollow me on Twitter: @LucyMeggesonEmail me: lucymeggeson@gmail.com Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Send us a textOn this week's episode of Spinsterhood Reimagined, I talk to The Solo Motherhood Coach, Mel Johnson. Mel is a solo mum to her 4 year old daughter, Daisy, who was conceived using IVF and donor conception. Following her own journey into solo motherhood, and passionate about empowering women to fully understand their options on the path to parenthood, Mel created The Stork & I. Through The Stork & I, Mel provides a platform and community for women embarking on this path to parenthood. As a qualified coach, with over 10 years coaching experience, Mel supports single women considering solo parenthood as well as offering support for every stage of the process. She provides one to one and group coaching, and she also launched The Stork & I podcast in 2020, as well as a membership community for solo parents, Thriving Solo. Mel also documents 'a day in the life' of a solo mum on The Stork & I Instagram, to give a balanced insight into what daily life is like.In this conversation, Mel and I discuss her time living in Budapest when she decided to embark upon her solo motherhood journey; how she was always crystal clear about the fact that she wanted to have a baby - partner or no partner; and how, at the age of 36, she decided to take things into her own hands rather than wait for a partner.We also discuss the five real options when it comes to having a baby on your own; how it's almost impossible to be your best dating self when you've got the pressure of a baby at the forefront of your mind; the differences between IUI and IVF; and the steps that Mel had to go through in order to conceive Daisy. Mel and I also chat about how she chose a sperm donor; the financial implications of both IVF and IUI, as well as the financial implications of childcare once you have a baby; and the societal narrative around solo parenting.The Stork & I website: https://thestorkandi.com/Follow Mel on Instagram: @the_stork_and_i Link to Mel's podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-stork-and-i/id1519111127Link to Mel's podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FiJKxOdNTVIcGaHSBf71JJoin my private Facebook Group: Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: @spinsterhoodreimaginedFollow me on Twitter: @LucyMeggesonEmail me: lucymeggeson@gmail.com  Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Send us a textIn this week's Saturday Minisode, I'm talking about one of the (many) annoying things that people say when you're single; in this case: "You're too picky."Isn't it strange when people tell us we're too picky? Because when you think about it, shouldn't we be the MOST picky when it comes to finding the person we may potentially spend our lives with?In this episode, I talk about my thoughts and feelings around people telling us single girls that we're too picky when it comes to our love lives. We're allowed - expected, even - to be picky if we're choosing a new house, or a new job, or even a new t-shirt; but apparently when it comes to a partner, we should be less so. Hmmm. Press 'Play' and let me know what you think! Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: @spinsterhoodreimaginedFollow me on Twitter: @LucyMeggesonEmail me: lucymeggeson@gmail.com Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Send us a textOn this week’s episode of Spinsterhood Reimagined, I talk to entrepreneur, author, and coach, Jessica Huie. This episode is a little bit different because Jessica is neither single or childfree; but it's very much a conversation about living your best life, growth, and all that juicy stuff which is relevant to us all, no matter our relationship status. Jessica Huie MBE is an entrepreneur and the author of the best-selling book ‘Purpose: Find Your Truth and Embrace Your Calling’. Jessica enjoyed a glittering career as a journalist and publicist and has worked with some of the world’s biggest stars and business people, including Samuel L. Jackson, Simon Cowell, Kelly Rowland and Meghan Markle. Jessica founded and ran influential boutique agency JHPR.co.uk for ten years supporting small business owners, coaches, creatives and consultants in raising their profile authentically. In 2006 Jessica launched Color Blind Cards, a multi-award winning multicultural greeting card company which drove an early conversation around the importance of ethnic representation in retail and became the first independent brand to secure a high-street presence for black cards in the UK. Color blind also went on to be distributed in the USA and South Africa.In this conversation, Jessica and I talk about her childhood growing up on a West London council estate; how she found herself pregnant in her teens and had her baby girl when she was 18 years old; and the shame that her teenage pregnancy caused her which she subsequently compensated for through over-achieving. We talk about how she studied journalism and went on to travel the world, interviewing and mingling with the likes of Mariah Carey and Samuel L. Jackson; how she set up her own PR business during which time she worked with Kelly Rowland and Meghan Markle; and how she launched a multicultural greeting card company in 2006, Color Blind Cards, and subsequently won numerous awards. Jessica tells me about the loss of her beloved father who was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2016, and how his passing resulted in her life shifting and changing as she began to discover and explore her ‘inner world’; that happiness can never come from outside of ourselves, despite us finding joy in relationships and careers etc; the ‘self’ that lies in all of us which is unchanging, and how our relationship to that self is where true peace and purpose lie.We also discuss how the grief over her father actually opened a doorway inside of her which allowed her to truly open her heart and appreciate life for the first time; the importance of her morning practice whi Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Send us a textOn this week's Minisode, I'm talking about the concept of shame. I've received an alarming number of messages from women who listen to the podcast, telling me that they're struggling with feelings of shame around their single status. To me this just seems so...wrong. Subsequently, I've been compelled to do a Minisode on the topic because it feels as though it warrants some kind of acknowledgement and some airtime.In this episode, I share my feelings about single women feeling shame regarding their relationship status. In my opinion, there is no reason for any of us to feel shame based solely on the fact that we do not have a partner. I truly hope that my thoughts on this subject are in some way helpful.  Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: @spinsterhoodreimaginedFollow me on Twitter: @LucyMeggesonEmail me: lucymeggeson@gmail.com Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Send us a textSupport the showIn this week's episode of Spinsterhood Reimagined, I talk to my sister, Annabel.Annie has recently changed careers and is now an English teacher at a secondary school in London; but before that, she enjoyed a glamorous career as a journalist and the Beauty Director at Red Magazine. She has written for multiple publications, including The Guardian, The Times and The Daily Telegraph. She is also the mother to four teenagers (three of whom are triplets) and my beloved nephews and niece.    In this conversation, Annie and I cover an array of topics including: the world’s biggest launch party to celebrate my new podcast, which consisted of Annie, me, and one of my nephews; why it’s been helpful to have a sister who hasn’t travelled the ‘conventional’ path of marriage and kids because it’s given her a front row seat to what being a ‘spinster’ actually looks like; and how she has never felt that my journey of not having children has required any pity.We chat about: how her career started off at Goldman Sachs but she quickly realised that a career in banking was not for her; how she went onto work as a journalist for many years, but decided to pack it in a few years ago to become an English teacher; and how both of us think that, actually, I’m the older sister because I’m the boring, practical and bossy one so we reckon our parents got us confused when we were little.   We also discuss how she has never judged me or thought there was anything missing from my life just because I don’t have my own family; the things that she has seen to be advantages and benefits of being single and childfree; and how she strongly feels that the lives of those women who don’t have children are equally as valid as anyone else’s.  Annie also talks about: how much it annoys her when people say that those who don’t have kids are selfish, and what she thinks they mean by that; how she has learnt alot about herself through being a mother; how, with hindsight, she can see that bringing up four young children was all-consuming in the early days of motherhood; and how she completely disagrees with those people who suggest that if you don’t have children, then you’re not ‘complete’.And finally, we talk about the time she met Jennifer Aniston at a party, and the time she interviewed her (I know!); AND we get real about the elephant in the room - whether or not she thinks my cleaning is as good as her previous cleaner. ;)   I sincerely hope that you all enjoy listening to this conversation!Join my private Facebook Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!

Send us a textIn this Saturday's Minisode, I'm talking about a book called 'You Are A Badass: How To Stop Doubting Your Greatness & Start Living An Awesome Life' by the fabulous Jen Sincero.This book really is one of my favourites, and it's also one that I go back to time again when I'm in need of a bit of inspiration or a kick up the ar*e. Jen Sincero is a brilliant, bright, funny, cool, down-to-earth American woman who went from living in a converted garage at the age of 40, to living a life of her dreams. In this minisode, I talk a little about the book itself, and a little about my feelings around the things that the book touches on. I really hope you enjoy the episode, and that you immediately go and order your copy!UK Link to 'You Are A Badass': https://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Are-Badass-Doubting-Greatness/dp/1473649528/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=US Link to 'You Are A Badass': https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Badass%C2%AE-Doubting-Greatness/dp/0762447699/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=you+are+a+badass&qid=1654520722&sprefix=you+are+a+%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1COME & JOIN MY FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: @spinsterhoodreimaginedFollow me on Twitter: @LucyMeggesonEmail me: lucymeggeson@gmail.com  Support the showPre-Order my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book Download my FREE PDF 'The Top 10 Answers To The Most Irritating Questions That Single People Get Asked On The Regular...& How To (Devilishly) Respond'? Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/questions Join the waitlist for my membership, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Interested in my 1-1 Coaching? Work with me HERE: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/workwithme Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/ Email me: lucy@lucymeggeson.com And thank you so much for listening!