Diary, She Wrote

Despite keeping a diary, I don’t remember all of the first dates I’ve been on, but I do remember my first Tinder date and the story that followed. This is a short story about wrong decisions from both parties, but it’s an important one to share. I faced a similar situation a year later and once again it wasn’t dealt with in the right way but the third time it happened in 2018 the world had changed and I felt comfortable expressing my decision.

Follow Instagram for more extracts from my Diaries: https://www.instagram.com/diaryshewrote/

Key Characters:

James - A guy I dated

Isaac - A London friend and the first man I fancied after ending an 11 year relationship

Jared - A one night stand

Harry - A guy I dated

Julian - A guy I dated

Rowan - One of my best mates I met in my single years

Beth - My best mate

Dan - My ex boyfriend who I spent 11 years with from 2001 - 2012

Eric - A guy I dated

Locations:

White Hart

https://whitehartstokenewington.com/

The Victoria

http://www.jaguarshoes.com/venue/the-victoria/

Ace Hotel

https://www.acehotel.com/london/

The Duke Of Wellington

https://www.frontierpubs.co.uk/your-local/duke-of-wellington-dalston-pub/

Cultural References:

Tippi Hedren - The Birds

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tippi_Hedren

Entertainment References:

Tinder

https://tinder.com/?lang=en-GB

Breaking Bad

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaking_Bad

Little Mix - Shout Out to My Ex

https://open.spotify.com/album/4TvPWe1vbrh0hozmCoSFRI

Diary, She Wrote was produced by Liz Beardsell in partnership with Bird Lime Media with original music by Ethan Illingworth

Throughout my twenties I wasn’t interested in going to festivals. I rarely listened to new music, my morning alarm would be joined by Magic FM playing the same songs on repeat that I’d known all my life. I also didn’t like the thought of camping, the dirt, the portaloo's, the greasy hair. I just didn’t think I’d enjoy it. And then as part of my transition into single life I dipped my toe into Field Day in London - a one day festival within walking distance of my flat which I obviously loved, from here I moved on to Glastonbury and others followed.

Due to CoronaVirus all our festivals have been cancelled for 2020, so for a bit of nostalgia, I thought it would be nice to share some festival experiences and dedicate an episode to our absent festivals. This episode takes a slightly different approach to others because it features 6 individual events rather than one overarching story over time.

Follow Instagram for more extracts from my Diaries

https://www.instagram.com/diaryshewrote/

Key Characters:

Rowan - One of my best mates who I met in my single years

Grace - One of my best mates who I met in my single years

Beth - My best mate

Heather, Jessica, Bob, Dave, Flossie, Charlotte, Jay, Nina, Sylvia, Caitlin, Adam, Vera, Ian, Jeff, Sasha, Patrick, Hayley, Gina, Heidi, Kristin, Megan, Helen, Lee, Shane, Eddy - London friends

Dustin, Poppy - American friends

Isaac - A London friend and the first man I fancied after ending my 11 year relationship

Gerard - A festival hook up

Vince - A guy I dated

Jill - A festival crush

Corey - A festival kiss

Locations:

Field Day

https://fielddayfestivals.com/

Glastonbury

https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/

https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/Areas/shangri-la/

https://www.facebook.com/lizardstage/

https://www.facebook.com/The-Rabbit-Hole-at-Glastonbury-Festival-226177724076526/

https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/pyramid-stage/

https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/west-holts/

https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/line-up-2020-item/the-crows-nest/

https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/the-green-fields/croissant-neuf/

https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/the-park/

https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/the-glade/

https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/beat-hotel/

https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/areas/arcadia/

Burning Man

https://burningman.org/

Green Man Festival

https://www.greenman.net/

Festival No. 6

https://festivalnumber6.com/

Shambala Festival

https://www.shambalafestival.org/

https://www.shambalafestival.org/2020/venue/chai-wallahs/

https://www.shambalafestival.org/2020/venue/rebel-soul/

https://www.facebook.com/WombyView/

Cultural References:

Same Sex Couples Act 2013

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/30/contents/enacted

StoneHenge

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/

Temple Project in Derry

https://www.artichoke.uk.com/project/temple/

Entertainment References:

Magic FM

https://www.radio-uk.co.uk/magic-fm

Broadchurch

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadchurch

Get Lucky by Daft Punk

https://open.spotify.com/album/2ePFIvZKMe8zefATp9ofFA

Savages

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1WFsBUAgQmrGQQEUyFKS60

Solange

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2auiVi8sUZo17dLy1HwrTU

Everything Everything

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HOeqtP7tHkKNJNLzQ2tnr

Django Django

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ARO60gI5do88ho6azmzab

Drunken Sailor

https://open.spotify.com/album/5iyQuCFO65zkVXaqtBYFuo

Alice In Wonderland

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice's_Adventures_in_Wonderland

Blondie

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4tpUmLEVLCGFr93o8hFFIB

Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/uk

Lily Allen

https://www.lilyallenmusic.com/

Tune Yards

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0asVlqTLu3TimnYVyY5Jxi

John Wizards

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4sPLhyVBoVtdlX0MaetdVK

Duncan and Disorderly

https://open.spotify.com/artist/78eJd4sr3KsjCukSow56Ut

Lana Del Rey

https://open.spotify.com/artist/00FQb4jTyendYWaN8pK0wa

Jagwar Ma

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6fEO1r9Y9TYL9O4w5kVPmc

Jon Hopkins

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7yxi31szvlbwvKq9dYOmFI

Jamie XX

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7A0awCXkE1FtSU8B0qwOJQ

Dolly Parton

https://open.spotify.com/artist/32vWCbZh0xZ4o9gkz4PsEU

Glass Animals

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4yvcSjfu4PC0CYQyLy4wSq

James Blake

https://open.spotify.com/artist/53KwLdlmrlCelAZMaLVZqU

Kate Tempest

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1O3wYcUD08X9yb6J3xaw5M

Thelma and Louise

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelma_%26_Louise

Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen

https://open.spotify.com/album/2vDNi8F9UpSCaBHeKQ3nzh?highlight=spotify:track:3lrNq7iGL5r3KS93YiKAbC

These Arms Of Mine - Otis Redding

https://open.spotify.com/track/5kDMkphwMFCiRn0MVyykjQ

Tiny Dancer - Elton John

https://open.spotify.com/album/2OZbaW9tgO62ndm375lFZr?highlight=spotify:track:2TVxnKdb3tqe1nhQWwwZCO

War Paint

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3AmgGrYHXqgbmZ2yKoIVzO

DJ Yoda

https://open.spotify.com/artist/134rP599PLJMjrccfctkmX

Informer - Snow

https://open.spotify.com/track/2LjiPAQOVazT8sRyXL3XRs

Hot Chip

https://open.spotify.com/artist/37uLId6Z5ZXCx19vuruvv5

Don’t Look Back In Anger - Oasis

https://open.spotify.com/track/19Jo73ISw9N9UVraSYBTr5

Orbital

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3csPCeXsj2wezyvkRFzvmV

Diary, She Wrote was produced by Liz Beardsell in partnership with Bird Lime Media with original music by Ethan Illingworth

This story is about my 10 day solo holiday in Mexico in Oct 2016. It touches on loneliness, lust and communication.

Follow Instagram for more extracts from my Diaries: https://www.instagram.com/diaryshewrote/

Key Characters:

Antonio - The Hot Waiter

Locations:

Chichen Itza

https://www.chichenitza.com/

Casa Jaguar

https://www.casajaguartulum.com/

Casa Banana

https://www.instagram.com/casabananatulum/?hl=en

Posada Margherita

https://www.posadamargherita.com/

Entertainment References:

Bridget Jones Baby

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_Jones's_Baby

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child

https://www.jkrowling.com/book/harry-potter-cursed-child/

Jamie XX, Gosh

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6hXkrOoS5XhXsp2XG5PNi9

Amelie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amélie

Tinder

https://tinder.com/?lang=en-GB

Jurassic Park

http://www.jurassicworld.com/films/jurassic-park

Diary, She Wrote was produced by Liz Beardsell in partnership with Bird Lime Media with original music by Ethan Illingworth

On 31st December 1998 I met a guy called Macey from the year above me at school. I go on to talk about Macey for 116 of the 365 days of 1999. If I heard he was going out, I would go out, I would sit at home imagining he would call my landline, despite him not having my phone number, I learnt his lesson plan and knew that when I walked along the school path between my Psychology and Art classes I would pass him. Every time I would prepare myself to look up, lock eye contact and smile, it’s a simple concept, it makes you look more attractive, but, every time I would fail.

Macey plays a big role in this story, but this is really all about a 17 year old who wants to be noticed, I wanted people to call me pretty, I wanted people to describe me as fun, I wanted people to recognise how hard I worked, I wanted to be rewarded with the role of house captain for my sporting achievements, I wanted to be patted on the back for organising a charity fashion show, and embarrassingly I wanted people to notice my family's wealth.

As I’m 17 I am lazy and use the word ‘cos’ instead of ‘because,’ my writing is quite chaotic and I am also very unaware of my white privilege. I was brought up in a white middle class area, a bubble of security. I’m ashamed to say I thought it was normal to live in a semi detached house, to have annual family holidays, to never have to think about where the next meal was coming from. When I went to university I began to understand that this was not the case, but it still took me a good 10 years to really start to unpick this. I’ve learnt from friends I’ve met along the way, I’ve learnt from reading, listening, following activists and I still have a lot to learn.

Follow Instagram for more extracts from my Diaries: https://www.instagram.com/diaryshewrote/

Key Characters:

Macey - My school crush

Beth - My best mate

Lily, Holly, Georgie, Ashley, Erica, Susie, Ben - Some of my oldest friends

Polly - A friend at school

Mum, Dad - Family

Annabelle - Macey’s school crush

Kev - Another school crush

Locations:

Wetherspoons Cheadle Hulme

https://www.greatukpubs.co.uk/kings-tap-cheadle-hulme?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local_seo_gmb&utm_content=website

Governors House

https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/cheshire/governors-house/

Zest, Wilmslow

Now closed down

Surrey Institute of Art & Design

https://www.uca.ac.uk/

Bar Med, Manchester

Now closed down

Pizza Express

https://www.pizzaexpress.com/

Renaissance

Now closed down

Cultural References:

UCAS

https://www.ucas.com/

Entertainment References:

Saving Private Ryan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saving_Private_Ryan

Shakespeare In Love

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakespeare_in_Love

There’s Something About Mary

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There's_Something_About_Mary

Prince, 1999

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_(Prince_album)

S Club 7

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S_Club_7

Five

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_(group)

Seven

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_(1995_film)

Robbie Williams

https://www.robbiewilliams.com/

White Men Can’t Jump

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Men_Can't_Jump

Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel

https://open.spotify.com/album/0JwHz5SSvpYWuuCNbtYZoV

Gatecrasher

https://www.gatecrasher.com/

Kylie Minogue

https://www.kylie.com/

Ally McBeal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ally_McBeal

Now and Then

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Now_and_Then_(film)

Diary, She Wrote was produced by Liz Beardsell in partnership with Bird Lime Media with original music by Ethan Illingworth

Having spent time dating Jack, which had been the closest thing to a relationship for me in 5 years. It had made me realise that when I do meet the right person, it’s likely I will want kids to be part of our future. There is endless research you can do when it comes to learning about the fertility of women at various stages of their life. But The British Fertility Society says that ‘At birth, most girls have about 2 million eggs, at adolescence that number has gone down to about 400,000 and at age 37 there remain about 25,000. As I was approaching 36 I made the decision to use my savings to freeze my eggs.

And by no means is freezing your eggs a guarantee of conception, but it does act as a little security blanket. For me, the entire process lasted about 4 months, my clinic closely monitored my menstrual cycles, there were endless blood tests and scans, they prescribed the relevant medication to first get my hormones to the optimum level and to then stimulate my egg growth. I had to inject my own medication and the closer it got to my egg removal date, the more I had to do, some days I’d have 2 blood tests and I’d do 3 injections at various points throughout the day. It was an upheaval on my body, both physically and mentally.

Reading back it was quite a tricky time to reflect on, I was suddenly acutely aware and envious of my friends developing family situations and I think this was one of the loneliest points of my 30’s and where my desire to meet someone was at its peak.

The episode is taken from a 5 month period from Sept 2017 - Feb 2018. You will hear me repeat the last day from Episode 1 - Dexter Turner as the stories cross over the same time period.

Follow Instagram for more extracts from my Diaries: https://www.instagram.com/diaryshewrote/

Key Characters:

Jack - An amazing man who I dated for 2 months

Beth - My best mate

Willow - One of my best mates who I met in my single years

Grace - One of my best mates who I met in my single years

Dawn, Tim - Some of my oldest friends

Simone, Faith, Heather, Chloe, Mel - London friends

Mum - Family

Todd - A guy I dated

Dexter Turner - A guy who briefly entered and quickly exited my life on a number of occasions and unjustifiably has become one of those people who is hard to shake off and annoyingly someone I’m quite fond of.

Locations:

Columbia Road Flower Market

http://www.columbiaroad.info/

Wilton’s Music Hall

https://www.wiltons.org.uk/

Crooked Billet

https://e5crookedbillet.co.uk/

Prince George

https://theprincegeorgepub.co.uk/

House of Hackney

https://www.houseofhackney.com/

Goodhood

https://goodhoodstore.com/

Cultural References:

Grenfell Tower

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40301289

International Women’s Day

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Entertainment References:

Notting Hill Carnival

https://www.thelondonnottinghillcarnival.com/

Happn

https://www.happn.com/en/

Les Enfants Terribles:

https://lesenfantsterribles.co.uk/

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Billboards_Outside_Ebbing,_Missouri

Medical References:

ARGC Egg Freezing Clinic:

https://argc.co.uk/

Chlamydia

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chlamydia/

STI

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/visiting-an-sti-clinic/

AMH:

https://www.createfertility.co.uk/fertility-diagnosis/amh

NHS:

https://www.nhs.uk/

IVF Treatment

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ivf/availability/

Diary, She Wrote was produced by Liz Beardsell in partnership with Bird Lime Media with original music by Ethan Illingworth.

When you are in your mid thirties and you meet someone of a similar age who is at the same stage of their life as you; i.e. not newly single, they’ve have had some fun dating, they’re looking for a relationship and dating them is going well, it’s really fucking hard to just enjoy it for what it is, stop your mind running away to the future and just let the relationship develop at a normal pace.

You are aware that this is a rare occurrence, in your eyes and for your needs, you have met a good one. From 2013 - 2017, out of the hundreds of first dates I went on, I liked maybe 10% of them, so if they also liked me, they turned into second dates, and maybe 10% of those second dates turned into third dates which leaves a very small handful of people who I have genuinely liked and they have liked me in return and therefore I have wanted to potentially develop a relationship with. This story is about one of those people.

Follow Instagram for more extracts from my Diaries: https://www.instagram.com/diaryshewrote/

Key Characters:

Jack - An amazing man who I dated for 2 months

Beth - My best mate

Rowan - One of my best mates who I met in my single years

Willow - One of my best mates who I met in my single years

Grace - One of my best mates who I met in my single years

Caitlin, Ollie, Mandy, Gavin, Tim, Chloe, Mary, Flossie - London friends

Brother, Mum, Dad - Family

Liam - A guy I dated

Stephen Minder - An uncomfortable encounter before #metoo

George - An amazing man who I dated for 3 months

Dexter Turner - A guy who briefly entered and quickly exited my life on a number of occasions and unjustifiably has become one of those people who is hard to shake off and annoyingly someone I’m quite fond of.

Locations:

Beyond Retro

https://www.beyondretro.com/

Pelicans and Parrots

https://pelicansandparrots.com/

John Salt Pub

https://www.john-salt.com/

The Gun

http://www.thegunwellstreet.com/

Chesham Arms

http://www.cheshamarms.com/

Yard Sale Pizza

https://yardsalepizza.com/

Osea Island

https://www.oseaisland.co.uk/

Uchi

http://uchihackney.com/

Clapton Hart

https://claptonhart.com/

Millfields

https://www.millfieldscoffee.co.uk/

Behind This Wall

https://www.behindthiswall.com/

Bonneville

No closed

Pamelas

https://pamelabar.com/

Groucho Club

https://www.thegrouchoclub.com/

Hampstead Heath

https://www.hampsteadheath.net/

Cultural References:

Ariana Grande Concert

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-bombing-live-updates-latest-13075807

Entertainment References:

Fyre Festival

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-46904445

GIRLS

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls_(TV_series)

Guardian Soulmates

https://www.theguardian.com/help/insideguardian/2020/jul/01/guardian-soulmates-has-come-to-an-end

Design Museum, California Exhibition

https://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/california-designing-freedom

Darren Miller

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darren_Miller

Baby Driver

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Driver

Visions Festival

http://visionsfestival.com/

SOPHIE

https://msmsmsm.com/

This Is England

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_England

My Girl

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Girl_(film)

Diary, She Wrote was produced by Liz Beardsell in partnership with Bird Lime Media with original music by Ethan Illingworth

This week's episode is taken from the shortest time period, just 5 days of diary entries. I think it’s a great example of a Sliding Doors moment, there is a point in the story where I am offered a glass of red wine, and had I said no, I would have had a totally different 5 day experience.

Follow Instagram for more extracts from my Diaries: https://www.instagram.com/diaryshewrote/

Key Characters:

Elliot Lite - A Parisian fling

Rowan - One of my best mates who I met in my single years

Beth - My best mate

Grace - One of my best mates who I met in my single years

Dexter Turner - A guy who briefly entered and quickly exited my life on a number of occasions and unjustifiably has become one of those people who is hard to shake off and annoyingly someone I’m quite fond of.

Brother, Dad - Family

Miles - A guy I dated

Laura - A London friend

Locations:

Hotel Amore

https://www.hotelamourparis.fr/en/

Merci

https://www.merci-merci.com/en/

Poulette

https://www.pouletterestaurant.com/

Berghain

https://www.berghain.berlin/en/

Palais De Tokyo

https://www.palaisdetokyo.com/en

Eiffel Tower

https://www.eiffeltickets.com/

Louvre

https://www.louvre.fr/en

Chez Janou

http://www.chezjanou.com/

Sacre Coeur

http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/english/

Pompidou Centre

https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en

Jim's Cafe

https://jimscafe.co.uk/

Cultural References:

100 Year WW1 Anniversary

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World_War_centenary

Single-use

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/single-use

Entertainment References:

Sliding Doors

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sliding_Doors

Jodie Whittaker

https://www.instagram.com/jodie.whittakeruk/

Dr Who

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who

Thierry Henry

https://www.instagram.com/thierryhenry/

Terminator 2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminator_2:_Judgment_Day

Speed

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_(1994_film)

Die Hard 3

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Hard_with_a_Vengeance

Love Actually

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Actually

Whiplash

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiplash_(2014_film)

Lost In Paris

https://lostin.com/products/lost-in-paris

Photo Paris

https://www.parisphoto.com/en/Home/

Fotografiska

https://www.fotografiska.com/london/

Saatchi Gallery

https://www.saatchigallery.com/

Blue Is The Warmest Colour

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Is_the_Warmest_Colour

Ralph Lauren

https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/

Daniel Day Lewis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Day-Lewis

Dr Martens

https://www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/

Killing Eve

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_Eve

Diary, She Wrote was produced by Liz Beardsell, and edited and engineered by Ethan Illingworth

This week's episode is taken from April 2014 and is about the highs and the lows of dating in London. Dating apps were just beginning to really take off, but it wasn’t rare to still meet people in real life. This story features another guy who plays a big role in my life, but of course when I first met him, I didn’t know the impact he was going to have and I love that I have my first impression of him captured in my diary.

Follow Instagram for more extracts from my Diaries: https://www.instagram.com/diaryshewrote/

Key Characters:

Ashlee, Lily, Dawn, Tim - Some of my oldest friends

Beth - My best mate

Eric Taylor - The God who solved my vaginismus

Heather, Brittany, Jacob, Katie, Matt, Atlas, Caroline, Dillon, Adina, Dave, James, Mick, Marie - London friends

Sam - A guy I dated

Dan - My ex boyfriend who I spent 11 years with from 2001 - 2012

Rowan - One of my best mates who I met in my single years

Mum - Family

Isaac - A London friend and the first man I fancied after ending my 11 year relationship

Johnny - A one night stand

Locations:

The Spurstowe Arms

http://www.thespurstowearms.com/

The Prince George

http://www.theprincegeorgepub.co.uk/

Voodoo Rays

http://voodoorays.com/

Royal Free Hospital

https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/

Floyd’s

Restaurant on Shacklewell Lane, Hackney, now closed

Towpath Cafe

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Towpath-Cafe/118939978161114

Shacklewell Arms

http://www.shacklewellarms.com/

HBV Dalston

https://www.hackneyicare.org.uk/kb5/hackney/asch/service.page?id=WV1aOPYUtQ0

Euston Station

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/eus.aspx

Trangallan

https://www.trangallan.com/

Scolt Head

https://www.thescolthead.co.uk/

Efes

Snooker Club on Stoke Newington Road, now closed

The Alibi

Club on Kingsland High Street, now closed

Rita’s Dining

https://www.ritasdining.com/

Oslo

http://oslohackney.com/

Dalston Kingsland Centre

http://www.kingslandshopping.com/

Entertainment References:

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin consciously uncouple after 10 years of marriage

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2014/mar/26/conscious-uncoupling-gwyneth-paltrow-chris-martin-separation

The Grand Budapest Hotel

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grand_Budapest_Hotel

The Ice Bucket Challenge

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Bucket_Challenge

Tinder

https://tinder.com

David Gandy

https://www.instagram.com/davidgandy_official/?hl=en

Jack Guiness

https://www.instagram.com/jackguinness/?hl=en

Alexa Chung

https://www.instagram.com/alexachung/?hl=en

Friday Night Lights

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_Night_Lights_(TV_series)

Glastonbury

https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/

Medical References:

Vaginismus

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginismus/

Diary, She Wrote was produced by Liz Beardsell, and edited and engineered by Ethan Illingworth

After I split up with Dan, who I’d spent the whole of my twenties with, I was faced with a situation where many of my friends were now married, had started a family and were moving out of London to buy a home. I realised that over the last 11 years I’d not made an effort to expand my friendship circle other than the friends I’d naturally made at university & at work. And despite feeling lonely at points, I was still excited about single life, I saw it as an opportunity. I always knew London was one of the most exciting places to live, I was in awe of the lives others lived and I knew I was just skimming the service, I wanted to meet new people, stay out all night, go on dates & try new things.

This week's reading is taken from April - Aug 2013 and they are predominantly about one amazing man, and now a friend, he was the first guy I fancied after ending my 11 year relationship, and they touch on my first steps into dating and ALL the confusion that comes with it.

Follow Instagram for more extracts from my Diaries: https://www.instagram.com/diaryshewrote/

Key Characters:

Dan - My ex boyfriend who I spent 11 years with from 2001 - 2012

Beth - My best mate

Rowan - One of my best mates who I met in my single years

Isaac - A London friend and the first man I fancied after ending my 11 year relationship

Ollie, Atlas, Heather, Caroline, Holly - London Friends

Lily, Alf, Susie, Ellie - Some of my oldest friends

Jared - A one night stand

Locations:

Shoreditch House

https://www.shoreditchhouse.com/

Columbia Road

http://www.columbiaroad.info/

The Fox

Pub on Kingsland Road - Now closed down

Scolt Head

https://www.thescolthead.co.uk/

Duke of Wellington

https://www.frontierpubs.co.uk/your-local/duke-of-wellington-dalston-pub/

The Hunter S

http://www.thehunter-s-pub.co.uk/

Kempton Antiques Market

https://www.sunburyantiques.com/kempton/

A Little Bit Of What You Fancy

Restaurant on Kingsland Road - Now closed down

The Dead Dolls Club

Bar on Kingsland Road - Now closed down

John Lewis

https://www.johnlewis.com/

Old Blue Last

https://www.theoldbluelast.com/

Looking Glass Cocktail Club

http://www.lookingglasslondon.co.uk/

Broadway Market

https://broadwaymarket.co.uk/

Off Broadway

https://www.offbroadway.org.uk/

Entertainment References:

David Beckham retires from professional football:

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/david-beckham-retires-the-time-is-right-to-retire-from-football-8619336.html

Andy Murray Wins Wimbledon

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/tennis/23220414

Miley Cyrus and Robin Thick MTV VMA’s 2013

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/twerk-it-out-miley-and-robins-vma-performance-one-year-later-65286/

Land of Kings

https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2013/04/09/dalston-prepares-land-of-kings-festival/

Grazia Magazine

https://graziadaily.co.uk/

Mud

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_(2012_film)

Burning Man

https://burningman.org/

New Girl

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Girl

Diary, She Wrote was produced by Liz Beardsell, and edited and engineered by Ethan Illingworth

This was a really important story for me to share and I hope this episode will have a positive impact on others who are experiencing similar circumstances. From the age of 20 to 31 I was in a relationship with a very kind, caring and patient man. During our time together I suffered from a medical condition called vaginismus; if you aren’t familiar with the term, it is an involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles making sexual intercourse or any sexual activity that involves penetration painful or impossible. Physically, at points, I was able to have sex but I was in agony with tears welling up, every part of my body tensed and any passion sucked away as if transported to a smear test in a doctors surgery. You will hear about all the things I tried to resolve the issue, vaginal dilators, an operation, psychosexual therapy, hypnotherapy and how it led to a negative association with sex and intimacy. This coupled with perhaps a barrier built up from childhood around what love meant and maybe not emotionally processing my Dad’s death at the age of 15 made for what I realise now was a complicated 11 year relationship, although it didn’t feel like it at the time. As I read back over my diaries I identified certain events that may have caused the condition or worsened it, and no doubt how those events impacted the decisions I made in later life and the ways I reacted during the relationship.

Follow Instagram for more extracts from my Diaries: https://www.instagram.com/diaryshewrote/

Key Characters:

Erica, Dawn, Ellie, Lily - Some of my oldest friends

Dan - My ex boyfriend who I spent 11 years with from 2001 - 2012

Macey - My school crush

Mum, Dad - Family

Locations:

Chicago's Epsom - Now closed down

https://www.starbucks.co.uk/

SU Bar Surrey Institute of Art & Design Epsom Campus - Now called https://www.uca.ac.uk/life-at-uca/locations/epsom/

https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/cheshire/ladybrook/

https://www.annsummers.com/

https://www.mangal2.com/

https://www.libertylondon.com/

Cultural References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euro

Entertainment References:

The Osbournes reality TV show is just about to launch on MTV

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Osbournes

https://www.campamerica.co.uk/

https://www.trekamerica.com/

Gilbert & George

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_%26_George

Ant & Dec

https://www.antanddec.com/

Medical References:

Vaginismus

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginismus/

Vaginal Dilators

https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/30804Pexercises.pdf

Psychosexual Therapy

https://www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk/other-services/psychosexual-counselling/

Hypnotherapy

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hypnotherapy/

Smear Test

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/

Vulva Pain Society

http://www.vulvalpainsociety.org/vps/

Diary, She Wrote was produced by Liz Beardsell, and edited and engineered by Ethan Illingworth