Distracted by...

October & November 2025

This is a regular post featuring the best of what has been distracting me each month. It could be anything that has made me think: the hidden gems of Substack, a book, a podcast or even something on the telly. I would love it if you shared what you have enjoyed this month too – come join me in the comments on the app or simply reply to this email.

Firstly, I would like to apologise for the absence of October’s Distracted By newsletter and would like to swiftly blame the two week half-term holiday (!!) that was thrust upon us. It wasn't all bad, we took our first family holiday in years just the four of us and whilst it did rain a lot, we relaxed a lot, we did a lot and we laughed a lot. It was great.

Two things have been happening since then. Firstly, obviously after a trip to Hastings, Bexhill and St Leonards-on-Sea, we now joke about packing up and leaving our London suburb in search for the calm of the seaside. Of course, seasides aren’t the same when you live there and have proper lives to live and just because some where is far from London doesn’t mean it’s affordable. (Far it’s only an hour and a half, but slightly too long for a commute in my opinion) - Anyway, I think they call this the post-holiday blues. The second is that finding freelance work has been tough again this autumn and I feel like I spend far too much time convincing people of my worth, which in time can become demoralising and make day-to-day working life feel all a bit pointless, which has in turn added to the post-holiday blues. Not the best time of year for it, but we also know we could have it much worse, so here’s to November and the crazy month that is to come as we prepare for the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Good Luck to all…

Here are some gems I have uncovered from Substack and elsewhere this month and I would love to hear yours. Come join me in the comments. Until next time,

In case you missed it

1. Thanks to Nursery, My Son has “changed” his name*

2. The Process is Reward Enough

3. Call Me By My Name

*An Update: Since the nursery have been made aware they are calling my son by the wrong name, he has come to recognise his correct name more easily. That said, he has also explained to me that he is either/or, citing both names as correct, which to be honest I think is the best outcome.

On Substack

1. The Legal Trap No One Warned Unmarried Mothers About Important read from Danusia Malina-Derben

2. The Loneliness of Being the Perfect Parent by Kathryn Barbash, PsyD

3. To those who tell women to stop being negative Emma Barnett

4. Carissa Potter on When to repair and when to let go of friends

5. What Happens to a Parent’s Dreams? Marc Typo

6. The Housewife Parable Madison Huizinga

7. What School-Aged Kids Have Big Feelings and How to Help Melinda Wenner Moyer

8. Marisa No 76 - like your life depends on it

9. Stark Raving Dad Kevin Maguire

10. Should you go part-time? - What to consider by Jessica Wilen

Elsewhere

1. Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett asks - Do we really expect five-year-olds to sit at desks?
   

Podcasts

1. My love for Dig It with Zoe Ball & Jo Whiley continues. I really enjoyed the menopause special with Dr Naomi Potter. (Also they are on Substack Dig It Podcast !)

If you enjoy these recommendations - please share them, it really helps blogs like mine get noticed.

Until next time,

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