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.
February is a funny month isn’t it? With all the daffodils sprouting from the ground, and the Valentine’s day flowers on the kitchen worktop, we could be fooled into thinking it were Spring. The evenings are lighter and the weather milder – when it isn’t absolutely chucking it down, that is. Funny though, that it is the shortest month, if even only by a couple of days, one day really when you think this year is a leap year. To me, February always feels rushed and over before we know it, a stark contrast to January the month that drags. In that sense, it hasn’t felt as full and brimming with things that I have done, but I must remind myself that life doesn’t all have to be content, that there is productivity even if it isn’t written about or put on Instagram and that the smaller steps will all come together eventually to make something bigger; in that I have to trust.
As ever I would love to know what has inspired you too - do feel free to let me know in the comments.
In case you missed it
I got angry at a bus stop in The Invisible Woman
I wrote about The Curated Self - on body image, ageing and ridiculous beauty standards.
I argued that I didn’t choose resentment - on the consequences of the lack of support and overwhelm in motherhood
I updated the Bumper Edition of Distracted By: Pregnancy and The First Years with more recommendations, an ideal read for mums in those early years.
On Substack
Everything you need to know about broken systems
Why I gave up on gentle parenting
- on the radical creative opportunities of grief
- opens up about her fear of flying and offers some advice.
- I chose my career over my marriage because it bought me more joy a guest post for
- talks about the wrong tears and how it feels to sleep train.
Books
Love, Nina by Nina Stibbe,
I stumbled upon this book in a charity shop and liked the premise of it. It is a collection of letters from Nina to her sister during her time as a nanny and student in London in the 1980s. I really loved it for its silliness, its charm, affection and the little laughs inside each mini story arc. (I have also seen it was made into a TV series which I will have to report back on.)
Telly
One Day, Netflix
Everyone has been talking about this so it is hardly a hidden gem, but I felt I could not leave it out. I was such a fan of David Nicholls’ book on which it is based, that I have always been terrified of seeing the film (and therefore never have done) as people said it wasn’t as good, but this TV mini series seems to be a resounding success. I think the fact that the will they/won’t they progression of their relationship is drawn out over the episodes really heightens the desire and the longing, which I could see could be lost in a film format. (Saying that, though, I have heard many people have binged this series, and I would have done if I had the stamina and wasn’t in bed by 9pm each night!)
Podcasts
- discuss Why we don’t have enough time with Four Thousand Weeks author Oliver Burkeman. I also really loved the episodes with Amy Liptrot and Sophie Mackintosh if authors talking about writing is also your thing.
I have also been enjoying the official One Day playlist on Spotify, if like me you didn’t want it to end.
Amethyst is the birth stone for February, said to symbolise peace, temperance and serenity, which I myself have been lacking this month.
I really hope you discover something new in my finds and do please share your hidden gems too. I’d love to know what has been distracting you this month.
If you enjoy Distracted and would like to support my writing, but can’t afford to upgrade to a paid subscription, you can buy me a coffee – it’s a one off £4 payment and it will mean the world to me.
Also loved One Day - i love finding a playlist based on a book or series I've loved - one of my favourite playlists is the Normal People one. Allegra Chapman's post on gentle parenting was fantastic wasn't it, and I've loved all of Clover Stroud's posts too. The conversation between Lindsay Johnstone and Lyndsay Kaldor on creativity in early motherhood was a great listen too.
I've just discovered your Substack -- I'm so glad I did! I'm a fellow writer and mother to an almost-toddler so I'm going to be gleaning tips from you!
Did you ever watch the film of One Day, starring Ann Hathaway and a dodgy Yorkshire accent? It definitely feels a little rushed and *that moment* doesn't pack quite as much of a punch.