Distracted by...

February 2026

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.

Morning!

What utter bliss full-time childcare is?

Why didn’t any of you say?
I think this is the secret, you know. I think with full-time childcare I might just survive until September, when, you know we get full-time childcare (school). Unfortunately, for me it is only temporary.

I double-booked myself in January and into February, which is fantastic news as a freelancer. Of course the two jobs I agreed to do before Christmas would start in the same month, why didn’t I imagine that would happen? Either way, with extra childcare (Thank you, nursery) and the odd weekend and Christmas holiday day (Thank you, Stephen and his family) we survived.

The funny thing about booking ad-hoc childcare is that you never really know if you will need it or not, so inevitably when I panic-booked the entirety of February (less the half term days) I was not needed as much as I foresaw, but then I had the gift of flexibility!

Flexibility is what I hark on to employers/agencies about all the time - I need them to be flexible, and this month I was able to be flexible back. You want me to work Friday instead? No worries. The only down side is my son’s swimming teacher has forgotten what we both look like and I am bracing myself for a telling off when we finally return next week!

With all that flexibility and a little bit of a free time - I read more, I watched more, I listened more yay. Hey, I even went to the Cinema!?

So here we are without further ado. This is Distracted By February.

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. A Bit of Luck - a new piece of fiction this month - another short story inspired by childhood. I also opened up the previous Distracted Fiction pieces to all readers so if you fancy a little dip in, now is the time.

On Substack

1. There’s a Cost to Supporting Someone Else’s Career Cindy DiTiberio

2. Reclaim your Mornings and Evenings - with working on purpose

3. Charlotte Stephens We Were Told We Could Have it All

4. Aliza Sir Shares a candid infertility update on Platonic Love

5. Rebecca on Formula Feeding as the Secret to Marriage Equality

TV

1. We binged all 4 seasons of The Bear on Disney + this month.
   I loved it. It was all over the place - I loved the variety. If you haven’t watched it, it follows Carmen, a top chef, who comes back home to Chicago to run the family beef sandwich shop after his brother takes his own life. Some episodes felt different stylistically and in content, which really gave it an interesting pace overall. Ultimately, though, I fell in love with these characters. Haven’t watched something that good for a while.

Podcasts

1. Martin Freeman on Elizabeth Day’s How to Fail was great. I had seen him just before listening on Graham Norton and I think he is an under-hyped actor, and he’s bloody good. I loved what he had to say on parenting and how chaotic and hard it is. I really enjoyed the series he co-wrote Breeders (which seems to have disappeared from Netflix!) It was hilariously funny and hugely relatable. He also talked about AI and how we just do not want it - we want to think - we want to do the thing. I’m surprised more people aren’t saying this. Worrying, perhaps.

Cinema

1. I think this must be the first time I have had a cinema category. Well it is Oscar season. I loved Hamnet the film as much as I loved the book - I won’t be the first to say it but I thought Jessie Buckley’s performance was incredible. I was in tears for most of the later scenes. Despite it being a story centred on grief it felt very hopeful and uplifting and I practically skipped to nursery pick up with my wet eyes and puffy face.

Books

1. The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

   I was inspired after watching Hamnet that I should finish this book that had been long forgotten on my bedside table. The first time I read it I never got into it, so I started it again and I am so glad I did. I don’t know if it was a different headspace, more time - but wow. I loved it. She truly has a way with words that is transporting, which for a historical novel is the dream. I urge you to read it if you haven’t already.

2. Frankie by Graham Norton

   I found this in a charity shop, and much like other Graham Norton novels, I was inspired by the back cover to read it straight-away. Lovely little story, easy read - great characters and again really transported you back in time. Perhaps that’s my theme for the month!

Come meet me in the comments and share what has been distracting you this month,

Until next time,

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