Welcome to Growth Spurts!

Today is a big day. Why? Because I’m starting all over again. Literally.

Some of you may know me from the internet (and those that don’t and are new here- nice to meet you!). I’ve spent the last few years on Instagram and Tik Tok. For a while it was fun. And exciting. Being one of the first to talk about body positivity on Instagram, it became my safe space to share about the body image issues we were all facing. I would share my innermost thoughts and feelings and it was often received with echoes from those who were feeling the same.

But lately, things have changed. Captions don’t seem long enough to capture true, nuanced thoughts. And a Tik Tok video? Well, if you have ever wondered why I talk so quickly, it’s because it’s hard to fit it into 60 seconds! And so I’m returning to what I know and love best: writing.

So welcome to my new home. And thank you for turning up!

Tomorrow you will get the official first post all about how a photoshoot gone wrong made me want to stop posting about body positivity so check your inbox at 8 am for your official welcome to being an insider in my life!

Substack marks a landmark point in my career. It will be a blank canvas for me to write to you every week. And even better, an opportunity for you to write back. I’m mostly going to be covering personal development stuff because that’s what my DMs are always filled with. I also wanted a place to have a proper conversation about what ‘personal growth’ truly means. Because God knows, telling people to ‘LOVE YOURSELF JUST AS YOU ARE!’ on an Instagram post is not only not enough, but it just makes me want to scream “IF THEY COULD, DON’T YOU THINK THEY WOULD?”. We’ve got so good at telling people what to do, but no one wants to actually give them the tools to get there! Human beings are complex. They are nuanced. They need help and guidance based on reality, not someone portraying it in an oversimplified way that creates a sense of competition of ‘if I can do it, why can’t you?’

Some of this Substack will be free, and some of it will be paid. This is new for me, and I guess it’s new for you too! But I’ve always believed writers should be paid for their work. The great, unspoken scandal of our times is that many writers are not. I have spent close to ten years giving talks, writing long, involved Instagram captions, replying to literally hundreds of DMs, and never charged a penny. But these things have taken time. And energy. And for someone who preaches so much about financial compensation… I want to start walking the talk. So for those who can afford it, please support me and the work I have done over the last decade. Your financial contribution also will help me provide paid membership to those who can’t afford it!

I’ve often thought that we throw around the word ‘empowerment’ without thinking carefully about its true definition. That definition is ‘to give power to’ the individual. By paying me a small amount (an annual subscription works out at just £1 a week) YOU empower me to write. So thanks for empowering me - in the true sense of the word!

And here’s what else you get too:

• A secret letter on Monday that only paid subscribers have access to

• My Q&As where your life coaching questions get answered directly by me every month

• Threads about important things like how to split finances with your partner to not-so-important things like Love Is Blind

• My monthly favourites at the end of every month!

And if you want to support me more?

I have a limited number of spots for founding members who really want to help me get off the ground! As well as my endless gratitude, you get one of my books signed with a personalised card and a comprehensive video message from me answering any life coaching question you would like thoroughly straight through to your inbox!

And if you want to be a free subscriber?

That’s great too! As free subscribers, you’ll be seeing me every Wednesday in your inbox! ALSO make sure to check your inbox tomorrow to find out a story that I’ve never told before on why I stopped posting about body confidence.

It still baffles the 15 year girl in me who was diagnosed with dyslexia that people want to read what I write and so I want you to know that you are appreciated <3 I can’t wait to get this personal growth party started :)

Come say hi in the comments so I can get to know you!

Lots of love,

M xx