Not that we need a particular day to celebrate the amazing women in this world, but it’s always nice to focus our attention to some of the influences we have as women.
This past year or so has been rather monumental with the #MeToo movement (which also included men, of course), and awards/nominations/elections being fairer between men and women. Things are beginning to change, and it’s about bloody time, too! I have always thought about how women have been treated in the past and the present. The sexual innuendoes, harrassment, and the general feeling that men are naturally born to treat women in such a derogatory manner. What gets forgotten is that, without women, there would be no men! There would be nobody. I would LOVE to see a man in childbirth. I would love to see many of the tables turned to show men how difficult it is to be female sometimes. The pressures, the pains, the constant battle to be recognised as an equal in business, the notion that we are objects of attraction, or should be, and the inability to control what happens to our bodies sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, I know men have pressures and pains of their own (I, for one, would not like to know what it feels like to be kicked in the balls), and I think women are generally sensitive to those things, but it doesn’t seem to work so well the other way around. I KNOW I am generalising like crazy, so I apologise to any men or women who disagree with what I am saying. I suppose you never really know something until you experience it for yourself, so we are never going to be able to truly get men to understand that getting pregnant and having a child, or an abortion, has extreme emotional and physical effects on our bodies and minds.
Anyway, enough of the rant. What I really wanted to write about today are the wonderful women who I have been following online, and who have all played a part in influencing me and my writing, and my confidence. Here is my guide to the best women online at the moment, and why…
Sarah Turner AKA The Unmumsy Mum
Sarah Turner has been a huge influence on me (Not that I’ve had the guts to tell her that yet!). I received a copy of her first book, The Unmumsy Mum, on my first birthday as a Mama. It got me through some really tough times in those early days, and I was so relieved to see that I was not alone in feeling crappy sometimes. Sarah made it feel totally normal, and even quite funny, to go through those harder times. She has an amazing way with words, and is not afraid to tell it like it is. Every post of hers makes me laugh. She is mama to three boys, and is about to release her third book, which is on my preorder list! If you haven’t already seen her online, find her, and enjoy.
This mama has done so much. Not only has she had three babies (also three boys!), she’s written books, she is an ambassador for charities, broadcasts her own podcasts, as well as vlogging and posting photos and videos on social media every day. I can honestly say that she is my mummy goal! I remember when I was in a CBT session last year, my counsellor asked me who I think is the perfect mum, and I immediately said ‘Giovanna Fletcher’. She’s an inspiration to all mamas, and I think she has completely nailed it.
Sarah Gynn AKA The Crafty Wintonian
I have a bias here, as Sarah is my wonderful cousin. But, she still kicks ass. I have been so proud of what she has achieved (Again, but I’m too chicken to tell her to her face!), and under the circumstances she has had to go through over the past few years. Sarah has two children, and decided a while ago to do something she really wanted to do – Launch a website and a business that teaches others how to crochet, knit and do other wonderful (and rather useful) crafty things through workshops across Hampshire and the surrounding area. For her, it was a way to ease issues with mental health, and she wanted to help others to get the same benefits. She also makes items and sells them at craft fairs. Her website is awesome, please check it out and, if you can, go to one of her workshops! She is a teacher by trade, so she knows her stuff.
Another mummy who just seems to have done so much! I admire her bravery, her attitude towards motherhood and her ‘mum-bod’. She’s funny, she’s bold, and she has an amazing smile. She also has a podcast, and regularly uploads videos, sometimes live. She has been through some tough times, and is a real influence to all mamas who have struggled. I suggest you check her out on social media (She’s on all platforms)!
Ellie Russell – CWP Consultant
OK, biased again, as this is my other wonderful cousin! Regardless of this, she is also kicking ass. Ellie recently lost 4 stone with the Cambridge Weight Plan, and is now working for them as a consultant to help others keep going when the going gets tough. She recently posted a screenshot of her Fitbit stats, which showed she’d done almost 20,000 steps, and I seriously have no idea how she managed to do that in one day! As someone who is carrying too much weight, and eating too much junk right now, I can’t help but look up to Ellie for making such an incredible change to her life. She tells me she feels better in all aspects, not just physically. I admire her greatly. If you’re in the Birmingham area, give her a shout!
Another bias (sorry!). My sister from another mister, Mandisa Mamba. She is beautiful, talented, strong and a fantastic mother to her son – My boys’ cousin Kenzo. She has raised him virtually all by herself, and he is the brightest, cleverest and most devious little man ever. She decided a few years ago that she wanted to pursue music as a career in Swaziland, and has worked tirelessly and with many obstacles to get to where she is today. She recently won Best R&B Artist at the 2018 MTN SWAMA Awards in Swaziland, and is still keeping on, writing and performing alongside her job as a mother. She really does kick some serious ass. She represents a large majority of women in Swaziland who no doubt look up to her for her determination and strength in her dreams to become a successful artist. Check out her music through the link, above.
So, even just these few women have made a massive impact on me and, most definitely, many others. Thank you all for what you have done for us mamas/women. You’re all amazing.
Happy International Women’s Day to you all!
NSG xxx
(Photo credit: Ian Macharia from Unsplash.com)
Not So Goldilocks 