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.
Is Summer over now? My son asks regularly on the way to school. A moment of the day I have come to really enjoy now that I see him far less. The days are shortening and we have various strains of colds in the house; it certainly feels like autumn, and yet the leaves have yet to fall from the trees and my rose buds are opening as I write this.
September marks the start of school and I have realised the sheer amount of admin that having a school-aged child entails. My diary is filled with events that have barely anything to do with me. I have anywhere from 1 to 5 emails a day from the school - I am hoping it is because we are finding are feet, but it’s a lot isn’t it? Like the first week I felt like I spent the entire week walking to and from the school, waiting in queues to collect him and to drop him off. It really felt like I had taken on a role where I was entrusting his care to someone else, but I am still waiting in the wings shadowing - not really able to move on or have my own life. I keep asking myself has anything changed? It’s weird, but I have talked about a taste of freedom as I start to work more and enjoy the down time that comes with freelancing, trying not to feel too much of the uncertainty. I keep telling myself that this is how times of change feel, and it can take a while to settle in.
So in this month, which has felt a little odd - I have taken to TV and podcasts as comfort. And I would love to know, what has been distracting you this month? Come join us in the comments.
In case you missed it
My Kids Want Too Much of Me - How I often feel my children want so much of me there is nothing left to give.
Why I Write about Motherhood - on the foundations of Distracted and its community.
Rebuilding my Eroded Sense of Self - Music is the sign that I am creating headspace as I enter this new chapter of motherhood.
Children should be seen and not heard - views from the other person’s shoes.
Elsewhere & On Substack
- asks Will we get a 4-day working week?
- shares her Lessons from babyworld
The impossibility of parenting by
Am I a Good Dad or Is the Bar Just Really Low? by
An open letter to my friends with kids by
My Covid baby starts school tomorrow – I still mourn his lost childhood -
for i News.Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett tells us why Parental leave isn’t a holiday or a year off on the Guardian
Have a Happy Period - Wendi Aarons’ letter of complain to sanitary pad company Always.
Books
How to Feel Better, Cathy Rentzenbrink (2023)
I savoured the wisdom in this book. Cathy shares her advice on getting through tough times, grief and depression with her signature warmth. It is like a hug in a book if you are feeling down or want to help someone who is.
Mr Salary, Sally Rooney, (2016)
This was a short story I stumbled upon in the library. (A new Sally Rooney?!! - Not quite…) It is a nice short read full of all the usual Rooney charms and wit.
Telly
Bodkin, Netflix (2024)
Watching films and tv series set in Ireland is a hairy business with my Irish born partner, but he had nothing but praise for this. It’s like a behind the scenes to a true crime podcast, with some feisty characters and some fun Irish idiosyncrasies.Celebrity Race Across the World, BBC, (2024)
I always enjoy these series. Have you not watched it yet?
Podcasts
- and Lucy Jones
Katherine interviews Lucy Jones on all things Matrescence. How to Fail with Elizabeth Day and Kate Winslet - on the media’s obsession with her body image, mothering and wanting to be well in her body.
is now on substack too!
And as a bit of fun, Substack have sent everyone a round up of their Summer reads, which I thought would be fun to share alongside my Distracted by recommendations.
Summer Reads
Highlights
☕ I read the most in the morning
💌 I subscribed to 19 new Substacks
🎧 I listened to 41 minutes of podcasts
📽️ I watched 71 minutes of video
❤️ I liked 206 posts
💬 I left 123 comments on posts
📜 I scrolled 443 meters in Notes
🕵️ I discovered 23 new posts via Notes
Top Substacks
The Hyphen by Emma Gannon by
✨ a cosy online space for curious readers ✨ from Sunday Times Bestselling author Emma Gannon. On books, work, wellbeing & creativity. 5th literature Substack globally. "One of Britain’s most prominent Substack writers" —The Times
Top post this summer: #65 A Slow Sunday Scroll ☕️
Postpartum Matters CIC by
Welcome to Postpartum Matters CIC, a non-profit aimed at supporting women+ through the postpartum period & beyond. All whilst breaking taboos and creating space for women+ & girls (like you!) to connect, to feel empowered to take charge of your own health
Top post this summer: ‘Why would a trans woman need a women’s health hub?’
Clover Stroud: On The Way Life Feels by
I write about the moments that make up our extraordinary lives, especially related to creativity, relationships, sobriety, motherhood, grief and joy. I like hearing other's experiences too, so we can connect through a sense of our shared humanity
Top post this summer: On realising that the best aphrodisiac for parents costs absolutely nothing
You can see your own summer recap in the Substack app. I’d love to see what you’ve been reading.
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 (or a cup of tea!) – it’s a one off £4 payment and it will mean the world to me.
Oh my god.. the school admin thing! It's like having an extra part time job!! 😁 I swear it never used to be like this! 🙄 It is relentless! I feel you 😕
oh my god the school admin is real! i would say now we’ve reached year 2 i don’t open it as much as i should. there is always so much to remember and i feel like the day ends at 2pm mentally. you’re always either preparing to drop or collect them. podcasts recommendations are great thanks. you were in my top 3 summer reads thought you’d like to know! xx