I wasn’t expecting this… but I said yes

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

June 1st already? How did that happen?

First of the month, halfway through the year - a perfect moment to pause, exhale, and ask: Where have I been? And what next?

Time to reset the compass, chuck out the clutter (emotional and literal), and choose a new direction for the next six months that excites you.

Below, you’ll find some juicy journalling prompts to help you do exactly that.

As for me? It’s been an interesting and frankly quite magical few months.

February and March brought the fabulousness of @alnwickstoryfest, where I got to meet so many of you glorious Heart Leapers. We celebrated new books, swapped creative gossip, and laughed so much I pulled a stomach muscle (true story).

Some of us in the Heart Leap crew also started Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way 10 weeks ago - cue daily journalling, solo Artist Dates, gentle chaos, and the slightly whispered affirmation:

“Something wonderful is about to happen…”

Well... it did.

I’m completely thrilled (and slightly stunned) to share that I’ve been invited to become the new Editor-in-Chief of Platinum magazine - taking over the reins from prolific Editor-in-Chief Katy Sunnassee, who is off to focus on the legendary Top Santé.

Begin Again

This came out of nowhere.

A classic plot twist.

Many of you know that I left London five years ago, launched this Heart Leap community, started the Alnwick Story Fest, and built a freelance life writing for lots of different publications.

I didn’t think I’d go back into a big magazine role.

But Platinum spoke to me.

It’s a mag for women like us. Over 50. Deep in reinvention. Asking:

What now? What next? What actually lights me up?
(Which is basically me, every Monday morning... and also Tuesday.)

It’s the magazine for those who have been holding everyone else together for years. Now we get to ask: What do I want to do now?

Is this it? Or… is there more?
Not “more stuff” or “more hustle”... but more aliveness.
More play.

More joy.

More cooking weird things and dancing in your kitchen.

More writing the book.

Falling in love again—with someone, with your body, or just with life.

It’s not just wardrobe-decluttering. It’s life-decluttering.
Making space emotionally, spiritually, energetically—for a life that fits.

That’s the magazine I want to create.

For her.

For us.

For anyone who wants to feel their heart leap again and feel ALIVE.

Where we can make it up as we go along.

Where you get to create your life, your way.

But don’t worry, Heart Leap isn’t going anywhere – it’s still my soul space, my creative clubhouse. Community, creativity, and connection are my north star, and I’ll still be right here with you… slowly writing my novel (emphasis on slowly, but hey, progress is progress).

There’ll still be two weekly writing hours, a monthly masterclass, and The Artist’s Way once a year—because some rituals are just too good to mess with.

And who knows…? Now that I’m at the helm of a magazine, perhaps there’ll be even more writing opportunities for all of us. I’m determined that Platinum will be a place that celebrates, inspires, and amplifies the voices of women in their 50s and beyond—women who know that life isn’t over. In fact, it’s only just getting started.

So let’s begin again, together.

Here are some gentle but powerful journal prompts to guide your mid-year reset:

Reflect

1. What has surprised me most about the year so far?

2. What have I done that I’m proud of – even if no one else noticed?

3. Where have I felt most like me this year?

4. What have I outgrown, and am I ready to let it go?

5. What’s one thing I thought I wanted, but don’t anymore?

Reset

6. What does “enough” look like for me right now – in time, money, love, or energy?

7. What have I been chasing that might not actually be mine to chase?

8. What area of my life feels like it needs more attention – and what’s one small step I can take?

9. Who or what have I been avoiding – and why?

10. If I gave myself permission to change one thing, what would it be?

Renew

11. What do I want to experience more of in the second half of the year?

12. What would I do if I felt brave?

13. What could I create (or finish) that would make Future Me feel proud?

14. What’s lighting a little spark in me right now – and how can I feed that fire?

15. If I could write a note to myself on New Year’s Eve, what would I want it to say?