Naked Brits & Other Bits

'Great Little Newsletter' - March 2025 Edition

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the March 2025 edition of the “Great Little Newsletter”!

Apologies to the astute of you, who may have noticed that this month’s Newsletter has arrived a little later than usual. Oooops! 🙈

A very warm “Hello” to those of you who are new to Great Little Insights - There have been quite a few of you lately, which is delightful! You are so very welcome! 🤗

How the devil are you? Spring is on it’s way at last, Hoooraaaa!! 🌼🎉🌷The light is creeping back in and that grey haze that has engulfed most of England for weeks on end is finally lifting. It’s not that I actually even mind the cold, I mean I’ve recently come back from Lapland, where the average temperature at the time was -8°C! 🥶 It’s the drizzly, dreary, damp that comes with the bitter cold wind throughout winter in Britain that I find wearing after a while.🙄

Our Trip To Lapland! 🇫🇮

Ok, this was FABULOUS (obviously)! But I’ll tell you about it another time, because what I have to say (complete with a funny story about a mad woman with absolutely NO awareness of personal space) is too long to include in this already pretty long newsletter. So, for now - a few pics 😊 Other stories to come will include those of the “Naked Brits” of whom I mention in the title of this Newsletter. 😆

Alnwick Story Festival

Again, I have many a story to tell about my gorgeous little weekend in Alnwick (in Northumberland - for those who have no clue - just as I didn’t 🙈) and I look forward to (perhaps) sharing these with you at a later date.

What brought me to Alnwick (actually pronounced “Annick” by the way) was the beckoning of a weekend of celebrating all things books, writers, authors and stories. A promise of sharing, supporting, uplifting and connecting within the most welcoming, warmest and wonderful of communities - and it did NOT disappoint! ❤️

I connected with many wonderful souls and delighted in inspiring, nurturing, loving conversations and heart warming (sometimes hilarious) tellings of stories and experiences. I also endured a shower that apparently only had two temperature settings - A bit too cold and scolding hot! 🙄

The Highlights

1. Meeting the wonderful

   Suzy Walker
   - Founder of The Story Fest and the Heart Leap community here on Substack.

2. Catching up with

   Claire Venus ✨
   and meeting some fabulous new faces during an afternoon of drinks and yummy Italian food. 🇮🇹😋

3. Meeting

   Juliet Thomas
   , hearing of her harrowing journey through cancer and her inspiring mission with the Allyson Kent Award.

4. Seeing my gorgeous friend

   Emma Simpson
   talking about her FABULOUS new book - Breaking Waves 🌊 - Which I have almost finished reading and I can tell you it is absolute delight! 🥰

   I was lucky enough to grab a few minutes alone with Emma, when she took time out of her busy schedule to come and check I was ok, after I’d been suffering with a migraine all morning. Thank you Emma ❤️

5. Hanging out with

   Emma Simpson
   , her LOVELY husband, a couple of Emma’s friends and
   Juliet Thomas
   in one of the cute little pubs in the village - The Tanners Arms - with a tree growing right through the middle of it! Very cosy indeed 🥰

Recommendations

Books

My two favourites from the last month… ‘Tender’ by

Penny Wincer

and ‘The Woman Who Ran Away From Everything’ by

Fiona Gibson

. Very different books, but both wonderful in their own way.

As you have probably gathered by now, I’m a huge fan of Fiona’s books and I’m making my way through them steadily. 😆

If you’re interested in reading my recent review of ‘Tender’ you can do that here…

A Great Little Book Review

Film & TV

“Mad About The Boy”

Bridget Jones is back!! And damn it’s so good! What a treat for the eyes, spirit and soul! Be sure to take tissues!! 🥹🤧🤣

“Amandaland”

The fabulous spin off show of the extremely popular “Motherland” (both available to watch on BBC iPlayer) and what a delightful treat it is! I was a bit of a fan of Amanda’s hilarious character in ‘Motherland’ and Lucy Punch seamlessly carries Amanda’s tragic, yet highly relatable story through to the new spin off show in epic style.🥰

Along with her fantastic co-stars of-course, Joanna Lumley (no less) who plays her “mummy” and Philippa Dunne playing the part of the accidental, loyal and gloriously hilarious best friend, Anne. Give it a go… you won’t regret it! 👍

A Quick Random Rant

Sorry, I’m just watching the Brits in the background whilst I’m formulating this month’s list of recommendations… Why are all the ladies practically naked??!! 😲 I mean, Jesus… does no one want to leave anything to the imagination any more?! Ok, yeah I probably am jealous of their, quite frankly, ‘banging’ bodies… but come on… there are even nipples on show! Only covered by a thin mesh of see-through material!! 🙈😆

Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great that these artists feel like they have the freedom to express themselves with these amazing fashion statements. However, my problem lies with the double standards - Can someone please take a moment to explain to me, how it is perfectly acceptable for a lady to show up on the red carpet practically NAKED and this is admired and applauded. Yet, if a man were to show up with his nuts hanging out, everyone would be outraged and he’d be shamed, ridiculed (and no doubt “cancelled”) and most likely labelled as a pervert! I don’t get it… my mind seriously boggles! 🥴 Anyway, where were we?

Favourite Comedy Piece

My favourite Substack read of the month has to be the hilarious

Sara

of Pandora’s Box of Shit 💩🤣 There are THREE parts to this piece, be sure to read them all!

I accidentally had 3 kids in 2 years (Pt.1)

Favourite Poem

I really loved this short poem, written by

Penny Harrison

of Writing Life, Writing Fiction here on Substack. 🥰

A birdless sky

Favourite Thought-Provoking Piece

I LOVE the way

Shirley

talks of the importance of protecting your own wellbeing and putting secure boundaries in place in order to do so. The power of saying NO and prioritising maintaining healthy relationships. Something that is very close to my heart. 🥰

I said no.

Favourite Podcasts 🎙️

1. This is a truly beautiful and inspiring chat between

   Anna Rose
   from ‘The Burnout Rebellion’ and
   Jane Galloway
   of ‘Quiet The Hive’ and ‘The Coaching Cafe’ here on Substack. Discussing the importance of self-worth, sisterhood, the life-affirming nature of grief and “living courageously on your own terms”. I thoroughly recommend. 🥰

2. I really enjoyed this fabulous, uplifting and joyful chat between

   Selina Barker
   who has the fantastic Substack and Podcast “Another Way” and Jo Fiddy - Confidence & Menopause Coach - Website: Rise & Vibe with Jo. During their hugely interesting and inspiring chat, Selina and Jo delve beautifully into all things perimenopause and menopause, and Jo shares some fascinating insights that will blow your mind! 🤯🤣 Just have a listen… you won’t regret it! 😍

Best FREE Resource

I LOVED this great workshop from

Andrea Hoffmann

from What Are The Chances? Andrea has had a long, award-winning career as a copywriter and corporate communicator. She has a huge wealth of knowledge and experience to share. This workshop is packed FULL of great tips and useful information and is easily digestible - so won’t take up too much of your time. 👍

Recording: That's a Helluva Story - Writer's Workshop

A Little Highlight

I’ve been very touched recently by some of the wonderful things a few of my fellow writers on Substack have said. Their kind and supportive messages really warmed my heart and gave me a little boost during a difficult week. ❤️

That’s a Bit Sketchy!

Yikes! What the fuck is that?! 🤣

As promised, in this section I will share whatever artistic/creative endeavours I’ve been trying and/or failing at - I started out thinking, “Fuck Me! This is the worst sketch I’ve ever done” - but I’ve been brave and shared it anyway, in the spirit of celebrating the most important thing here, which is that I’m doing it! Right? I’ve actually grown quite fond of this weird little guy! 🙈🤣

A Quick Update

I’ve been working a lot recently on getting clear on my ACTUAL capacity and time I can dedicate to this publication. So, below I have included a realistic rough schedule of what you can expect going forward. The numbers represent the weeks of the month, but I may switch things around occasionally to allow for some flexibility around illness, etc.

Underneath the schedule, I have included a “bare minimum”, which I will endeavour to deliver come hell or high water… rain or shine… you get the idea! 😉

Schedule for Great Little Insights

1. Podcast Episode – Guest Chat

2. Book Review and/or Essay/Article

3. Newsletter – Including Recommendations

4. Member’s Hub – Personal Essay & Links to Resources

Bare Minimum

1. Newsletter – Including Recommendations

2. Member’s Hub – Personal Essay & Links to Resources

In case you Missed Them

1. The first of the Member’s Hub Posts - FREE for all!

Ooops, I did it again!

2. Episode #1 of The Great Little Podcast

3. My recent Guest Piece

Written for

Lisa Bolin

and published over at the FABULOUS “Flucking Flourishing” 🥰 Thank you for having me Lisa! 😘

Come Into the Light—But What If I'm Not Ready?!

Thanks for so much for reading! 🥰

As always, if you’ve enjoyed reading this Newsletter, I would really appreciate a like, comment or share… It helps other people find it, apparently 😉 Thank you! 🤩