Free and Figuring It Out

Natasha studied at a much younger age than most herbalists after working for Neal’s Yard and being inspired to get a degree in the subject of herbs. Then her own challenges with her menstrual cycle led her down a path of self-discovery and becoming an expert when it comes to periods and herbal remedies. We start by chatting how we are raised to believe periods should be painful, so we don’t question it, and also how we should simply be the same everyday despite our cycle.

We discuss how buying Paracetamol feels more acceptable, and is much easier to find, then buying a herbal solution. We look at the place painkillers have in our lives and how they can support herbal remedies but can also disconnect us from the signals our bodies are trying to feed us.

Do you think your pain symptoms are connected to your mind and anxiety? Do you plan around your period? Do you believe that you can have a peaceful period?

Natasha discusses her goal through her work with women to have a better period and what that means to each individual woman. We then switch to discussing the contraceptive pill and Charelle highlights the control it allows her to have with her cycle and life but the fear of coming off the pill one day and the consequences. 

Natasha advises how she isn’t against contraception but is intrigued by the secondary uses it can be subscribed for such as acne and heavy periods. Verity highlights being in a same-sex relationship she doesn’t need contraception against pregnancy but is being advised to take it by doctors to help her heavy periods, which is very frustrating to her.

We delve deeper into the use of the pill and its history within our society and how to converse with the opposite sex about menstruating. We discuss talking about periods at work and how to surrender to the fact we can not operate the same each and every day.

Natasha describes PMS as the natural magnifying glass for your life and how it changes our reactions, observations and triggers plus advises the best ways of managing this with herbs. 

*COVID-19 snippet at the start*

Natasha talks about the anxiety and stress that we are feeling right now and what to expect from your monthly cycle and which herbs can help, including nerve tonics.

Please note, there is swearing in this episode.

Natasha’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/foragebotanicals/

Natasha’s website https://www.foragebotanicals.co.uk/

Natasha’s book https://www.foragebotanicals.co.uk/shop-3/your-period-handbook 

Natasha’s mailing list to access the Herbs for Anxiety webinar https://www.foragebotanicals.co.uk/

Menstrual leave https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/real-life/countries-menstrual-leave-actually-thing/

Invisible women https://www.amazon.co.uk/Invisible-Women-Exposing-World-Designed/dp/1784741728

Bad Science https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bad-Science-Ben-Goldacre/dp/000728487X

Where to buy herbs...

Neal’s Yard Remedies https://www.nealsyardremedies.com/wellbeing/herbal-remedies/dried-herbs/

Baldwins https://www.baldwins.co.uk/

Urban Fringe https://urbanfringe.co.uk/

Indigo Herbs https://www.indigo-herbs.co.uk/

Apotheca http://www.apothecaclinic.co.uk/

----

Have some feedback, a question you would like us to answer or a topic suggestion?

Drop us an email at [email protected]

Follow us https://www.instagram.com/freeandfiguringitout/ 

Your hosts are...

Charelle Griffith, 31, is a marketing strategist for solopreneurs and founder of PropelHer, a personal development blog and book club. She lives in London, dates men and has been single for 4 years (except for a summer romance in 2018). Connect with Charelle https://www.instagram.com/charellegriffith/ 

Verity Brown, 33, is a northerner and the founder of The Authentic DatA Revolution and is currently living in the Lake District, UK. She is bisexual, was single for 3.5 years and is in a relationship with a woman. Connect with Verity https://www.instagram.com/theseasaltplan/ 

Charelle and Verity open with why their title includes the word free and it’s origins and meanings for them. Areas such as choice and power come up when we discuss our entitlement to freedom in one of the richest (monetary wise) countries in the world.

Freedom can mean many different things including freedom from violence, from judgement, from societal norms. It can also be the simple like being able to safely hug a friend, to use a bus or go for after work drinks at the pub. Charelle talks about how she has always felt really free as she is accepted as a mixed race woman now in the present day more so than ever.

We talk about the realisation of how much power the Government has over us but how a level of restriction in turn provides us with freedom. Peacetime is mentioned many times in the media and we wonder how the children of now will react to this time and if it will be similar to those who were children during the Second World War.

Do you think the world will be more aware? Do you think you will make more of an effort to explore our world when this is over? Do you dream of the days you can date again?

We are blessed to have actually known true freedom and we must not take it for granted when normality returns.

Episode 1 https://freeandfiguringitout.com/episodes/hello-welcome-to-free-and-figuring-it-out

Harriet https://www.focusfeatures.com/harriet

Love language test https://www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/

Episode 68 https://freeandfiguringitout.com/episodes/love-is-blind-the-discussion

----

Have some feedback, a question you would like us to answer or a topic suggestion?

Drop us an email at [email protected]

Follow us https://www.instagram.com/freeandfiguringitout/ 

Your hosts are...

Charelle Griffith, 31, is a marketing strategist for solopreneurs, an award-winning blogger and founder of PropelHer, a personal development blog and book club. She lives in London, dates men and has been single for 4 years (except for a summer romance in 2018). Connect with Charelle https://www.instagram.com/charellegriffith/ 

Verity Brown, 33, is a northerner and the founder of The Authentic DatA Revolution and is currently living in the Lake District, UK. She is bisexual, was single for 3.5 years and is in a relationship with a woman. Connect with Verity https://www.instagram.com/theseasaltplan/ 

A lot has been happening over the past few weeks and we are aware that most of us are now in self-isolation. So we wanted to discuss how you can keep yourself in a strong head space during this period and making the most of the free time we have been gifted.

Both have had self-isolation like periods in their life - Verity during a career break and Charelle after a knee operation - so want to share how they have used their time during similar periods.

Do you have a healthy relationship with time? Have you allowed yourself to cry if you have wanted to? Have you gone from a full diary to nothing?

We talk about focusing on the things that we can control, getting a routine and understanding your personality and traits and do your best to manage those healthily during this time. Verity opens up about her depression and how this period has triggered her mental health once again and gives others permission to surrender to this.

We chat social pressures with the world going virtual, setting intentions and 

Verity talks about taking time out to think about things you have wanted to do for years - from the practical to the silly - and that you have used time as the excuse not to do them.Charelle turns to self-development and reading to fill her time along with the tonne of life and house admin that had been hanging over her.

From finances to meditation and YouTube hair tutorials to virtual dinner parties we explore the ways you can use this time the best. We chat food (have you seen how much vegan stuff is still on the shelves!!!) and the importance of being present and gratitude.

Your key takeaway for this episode? Write a list of 3 things you want to achieve whilst you are in self-isolation.

Sending you lots of love, stay home and stay safe.

Verity’s video about your relationship with time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiPnHjPjbVo

Free 30 day trial on Audio Books https://www.audiobooks.co.uk/browse

Charelle wins Blogger of the Year https://digitalwomen.live/learn/2020/2/6/shortlist-of-the-year-digital-women-awards-digital-course-gpkde-ylcj7

----

Have some feedback, a question you would like us to answer or a topic suggestion?

Drop us an email at [email protected]

Follow us https://www.instagram.com/freeandfiguringitout/ 

Your hosts are...

Charelle Griffith, 31, is a marketing strategist for solopreneurs and founder of PropelHer, a personal development blog and book club. She lives in London, dates men and has been single for 4 years (except for a summer romance in 2018). Connect with Charelle https://www.instagram.com/charellegriffith/ 

Verity Brown, 33, is a marketing consultant and manifestation coach, currently living in the Lake District, UK. She is bisexual, was single for 3.5 years and is in a relationship with a woman. Connect with Verity https://www.instagram.com/theseasaltplan/

Charelle and Verity decided to record this last-minute episode due to the pandemic that is currently occuring and the importance of us keeping it real and being there for our audience.

Conversation includes working from home, public transport, confusion, economic crash, cancelling events, savings, redundancies, independent businesses, moving online, refunds, mother earth kicking ass, home schooling, extroverts, love languages, video chats, pyjamas, scrolling, squash, meditation!

Do let us know of any guests you would like to hear on the show?

Do let us know if you want us to chat about any particular topics?

We are here for you so please reach out if you need too!

Thank you for your ongoing support and stay safe x

Past episodes mentioned...

Morning routines https://freeandfiguringitout.com/episodes/morning-routine-miracle-morning-night-owls-affirmations

Self love https://freeandfiguringitout.com/episodes/self-love-and-manifestation-with-gina-swire

Self love for single women https://freeandfiguringitout.com/episodes/real-self-love-for-single-women

Resources mentioned...

PropelHer’s Book Club (Online) https://www.propelher.co.uk/bookclub2020/ 

PropelHer’s article on 7 productive ways to use an extra hour - https://www.propelher.co.uk/seven-productive-ways-to-use-an-extra-hour/

Authentic Data Revolution crowdfunder https://natwestbackherbusiness.co.uk/the-authentic-data-revolution#start

Free Ivy league courses https://www.classcentral.com/collection/ivy-league-moocs

Frida Kalo online exhibition https://artsandculture.google.com/project/frida-kahlo

Vogue Italia https://hypebae.com/2020/3/vogue-italia-online-archive-free-access-public-announcement-coronavirus-covid-19 

----

Have some feedback, a question you would like us to answer or a topic suggestion?

Drop us an email at [email protected]

Follow us https://www.instagram.com/freeandfiguringitout/ 

Your hosts are...

Charelle Griffith, 31, is a marketing strategist for solopreneurs and founder of PropelHer, a personal development blog and book club. She lives in London, dates men and has been single for 4 years (except for a summer romance in 2018). Connect with Charelle https://www.instagram.com/charellegriffith/ 

Verity Brown, 33, is a marketing consultant and manifestation coach, currently living in the Lake District, UK. She is bisexual, was single for 3.5 years and is in a relationship with a woman. Connect with Verity https://www.instagram.com/theseasaltplan/

After the recent release of the Netflix series “Love is blind” Charelle and Verity decide to discuss whether they actually believe this. A social experiment - set in the US - where a group of women live in one apartment, a group of men in another and then they date via a network of pods; where they can’t see each other. The end goal of the show is to get married to the person you propose to in the pod - sight unseen! #drama

Do you have a type? Are looks the most important thing to you? Or do you fall for souls rather than the physical aspect?

Charelle says she would totally be up for an experiment like this as she believes that discovering someone’s personality before looks can be an important aspect to successful dating. Verity talks about her hate of phone calls (hi introvert!) and how it used to freak her out if someone called her before meeting IRL.

Verity puts her trust in the Universe when it comes to falling in love; then pimps out Charelle (sorry Charelle!) and we chat about the option of speed dating -  perfect for those who are on a screen detox! Verity discusses how love was certainly not blind when she did a free trial with Match.com and they didn’t give her any photos!

Have you been on a blind date? Have you fallen for someone you have never seen before? Have you been catfished like Verity thinks she was?

We wonder if people catfish because they do not have self-confidence or belief that someone will fall for them for the true way they are. We finish off discussing if in a world of profile photos and swiping right, if this is the way forward?

Resources mentioned in this episode

Love is blind show https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Is_Blind_(TV_series)

About Time https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2194499/

Catfish http://www.mtv.com/shows/catfish-the-tv-show

Mailchimp podcast https://mailchimp.com/presents/podcast/partners/

----

Have some feedback, a question you would like us to answer or a topic suggestion?

Drop us an email at [email protected]

Follow us https://www.instagram.com/freeandfiguringitout/ 

Your hosts are...

Charelle Griffith, 31, is a marketing strategist for solopreneurs and founder of PropelHer, a personal development blog and book club. She lives in London, dates men and has been single for 4 years (except for a summer romance in 2018). Connect with Charelle https://www.instagram.com/charellegriffith/ 

Verity Brown, 33, is a marketing consultant and manifestation coach, currently living in the Lake District, UK. She is bisexual, was single for 3.5 years and is in a relationship with a woman. Connect with Verity https://www.instagram.com/theseasaltplan/

An equal world is an enabled world. 

Charelle and Verity have recorded a special episode to mark #IWD2020 and discuss this year’s theme which is all around how will you help forge a gender equal world?

Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.

We cover the key topics including championing women forging tech innovation, applauding equality for women athletes, forging inclusive workplaces, support women to earn on her own terms and in her own way, empower women through health education and increased visibility for women creatives.

Do you think the tech industry is feeling more equal now then 10 years ago? Should female athletes get paid the same as male athletes? Is it important to nurture within the workplace? Did you learn about sex from teen magazines?

We discuss the male heavy investors, the pay - and respect - gap in sport, women at every stage of the ladder, where all the female graduates go, imposter syndrome, the poor dialogue around the female anatomy and sex and how festivals are failing to balance the genders in their line-ups.

Come join us for this empowering discussion and take a step today towards #each for equal.

Resources mentioned in this episode

IWD 2020 https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Verity’s social enterprise crowdfunding campaign http://bit.ly/tadarorg 

Robyn Exton seminar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHz7g0sYg8g 

This Girl Can https://www.thisgirlcan.co.uk/

Serena Williams https://www.thecut.com/2019/07/serena-williams-fighting-for-equality.html

Lean Out https://amzn.to/2xhrpIh

Thrive https://amzn.to/2IjT90W

Goop self-pleasure episode https://goop.com/sex-and-female-pleasure/

HPV https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/human-papilloma-virus-hpv/

----

Have some feedback, a question you would like us to answer or a topic suggestion?

Drop us an email at [email protected]

Follow us https://www.instagram.com/freeandfiguringitout/ 

Your hosts are...

Charelle Griffith, 31, is a marketing strategist for solopreneurs and founder of PropelHer, a personal development blog and book club. She lives in London, dates men and has been single for 4 years (except for a summer romance in 2018). Connect with Charelle https://www.instagram.com/charellegriffith/ 

Verity Brown, 33, is a marketing consultant and manifestation coach, currently living in the Lake District, UK. She is bisexual, was single for 3.5 years and is in a relationship with a woman. Connect with Verity https://www.instagram.com/theseasaltplan/ 

Inspired by an article by Arianna Huffington, we discuss the stigma around #stylerepeat. Charelle discusses how her day job equals many red carpet events and how this can cause pressure to wear something new each time and Verity discusses how the media are to blame for creating this culture especially for women.

Do you just wear black to prevent this challenge? Do you have an entire gym wardrobe or just two pairs of leggings in rotation? Why is it more acceptable to repeat fashion in the accessories zone?

Charelle discusses her love of pockets and why it’s very practical to wear things that work with your lifestyle. We also look at the rise of the camera phone and social media and how this means not only the people at an event have seen what we wore, but technically the whole world!

Verity explores the positive side of a different dress for every occasion; the joy of new clothes, and having a rainbow of colours in your wardrobe. We then delve into the art of decision making and if repeat fashion - and having certain outfits for certain situations - can save your mental energy for the super important decisions in life

There are of course the environmental - and space - bonuses too but ultimately it’s about how you feel repeating fashion and your relationship with style. Plus, celebrities are not having to buy these one wear show dresses, they are simply loaned them, so it is a slightly different scenario to us mere mortals.

---

Resources mentioned in this week's episode

Articles

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/arianna-huffington-style-gap-expectations-costly-women/

https://www.inc.com/suzanne-lucas/why-arianna-huffington-is-wearing-same-dress-over-over-and-you-should-too.html 

#035 What not to wear - identity crisis, capsule wardrobes and ageing style https://freeandfiguringitout.com/episodes/what-not-to-wear-identity-crisis-capsule-wardrobes-ageing-style

#054 Sustainability, conscious living and vegan lifestyle with special guest Marta Canga https://freeandfiguringitout.com/episodes/sustainability-conscious-living-and-vegan-lifestyle-with-special-guest-marta-canga

----

Have some feedback, a question you would like us to answer or a topic suggestion?

Drop us an email at [email protected]

Follow us https://www.instagram.com/freeandfiguringitout/ 

Your hosts are...

Charelle Griffith, 31, is a marketing strategist for solopreneurs and founder of PropelHer, a personal development blog and book club. She lives in London, dates men and has been single for 4 years (except for a summer romance in 2018). Connect with Charelle https://www.instagram.com/charellegriffith/ 

Verity Brown, 33, is a marketing consultant and manifestation coach, currently living in the Lake District, UK. She is bisexual, was single for 3.5 years and is in a relationship with a woman. Connect with Verity https://www.instagram.com/theseasaltplan/ 

After reading an article by a commitment-phobe, Charelle and Verity decide to explore this side of being a millennial human. We start off by bringing out the key elements of the article including the different areas of life that commitment effects and why the writer, Sukh, decided to go on a year long journey to understand her own relationship with the c word.

Is your most used sentence “I am just not ready for commitment”? Do you dream of running away to a desert island? Does commitment come with age?

We cover dating, housing, jobs, friends, goals, relationships and everything in between. Verity is a little bit scared of commitment in a few areas whereas Charelle takes commitment very seriously no matter which part of her life. We go over what Sukh discovered during her year long journey and the conclusion she came to (it’s a good one!).

Do you really know what you want so you can commit to it? Do we lose freedom and choice when we commit? 

As the episode goes on we really explore what commitment looks for you and how you have permission for this to be different for different areas and Charelle gives some tough love and wants you to really check-in with your relationship with commitment to see if there are any excuses hiding in there. We look at the positives of commitment in terms of energy, planning ahead and being able to focus on other areas of your life whilst some beautifully simmer away.

We close on chatting about those day-to-day commitments, the commitment trick and making dentist appointments 9 months in advance!

Commitment-phobe article by Sukh Ojla https://www.stylist.co.uk/life/dating-advice-commitment-tips-sukh-ojla-match/337847

Episode 61 - Self love with Gina Swire  https://freeandfiguringitout.com/episodes/self-love-and-manifestation-with-gina-swire

Episode 58 - Changing careers, finding your purpose and owning failure with Lauretta Ihonor

https://freeandfiguringitout.com/episodes/changing-careers-finding-your-purpose-and-owning-failure-with-lauretta-ihonor-the-ambition-plan

----

Have some feedback, a question you would like us to answer or a topic suggestion?

Drop us an email at [email protected]

Follow us https://www.instagram.com/freeandfiguringitout/ 

Your hosts are...

Charelle Griffith, 31, is a marketing strategist for solopreneurs and founder of PropelHer, a personal development blog and book club. She lives in London, dates men and has been single for 4 years (except for a summer romance in 2018). Connect with Charelle https://www.instagram.com/charellegriffith/ 

Verity Brown, 33, is a marketing consultant and manifestation coach, currently living in the Lake District, UK. She is bisexual, was single for 3.5 years and is in a relationship with a woman. Connect with Verity https://www.instagram.com/theseasaltplan/ 

Charelle and Verity decided to record this fun, cringeworthy and revealing episode all about their dating history. We briefly touch on how we both believe there are no rules when it comes to dating, just do what feels right for you!

Are you attracted to their job but not them? Have you turned up drunk on a date? Has someone turned up drunk on you?

Verity talks about how she only went on 2 dates before the age of 29 and her approach to dating as a bisexual woman with no type. She recalls her worst dates and questions why she put up with being treated less than her worth.

Charelle talks about being stood up and ending up dining for one while Verity discusses maggots, dodgy hotel rooms and crossed wires. How long would you wait for a late date? What is the most awkward situation you have been in? Have you had an encounter with a stalker type?

We then talk about those dates that were brief, or just the one, but were magical. Charelle tells her story about being surprised by a lovely experience on a date whilst Verity talks about how she thought she was punching with her first date after 10 years! She also loved dating abroad and tells all her funny stories to do with this.

There is a beauty of encounters that may not be forever but that teach you things and give you faith in people and love. We chat about how the most memorable dates are the one’s where an activity is involved and you feel like you fast track your way in getting to know people.

We conclude by chatting about our plans for V Day as a singleton and a loved up one!

Episode 19 | The rules of dating https://freeandfiguringitout.com/episodes/rules-of-dating-hayley-quinn-ten-dating-commandments

Opera podcast - Stop settling and start dating smarter https://omny.fm/shows/oprah-s-supersoul-conversations/olc-401-podcast

Hang the DJ - Black Mirror episode https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hang_the_DJ

----

Have some feedback, a question you would like us to answer or a topic suggestion?

Drop us an email at [email protected]

Follow us https://www.instagram.com/freeandfiguringitout/ 

Your hosts are...

Charelle Griffith, 31, is a marketing strategist for solopreneurs and founder of PropelHer, a personal development blog and book club. She lives in London, dates men and has been single for 4 years (except for a summer romance in 2018). Connect with Charelle https://www.instagram.com/charellegriffith/ 

Verity Brown, 33, is a marketing consultant and manifestation coach, currently living in the Lake District, UK. She is bisexual, was single for 3.5 years and is in a relationship with a woman. Connect with Verity https://www.instagram.com/theseasaltplan/ 

A subject close to Charelle’s heart, we decide to talk about the subject of home and what it means to each and every one of us.

We start by talking about our own journey’s with shelter - there is a lot of moving! - and how different it is to that of our mothers. We look at all the different combinations aka living with parents, living with a partner, living with friends, living with strangers, living with live-in landladys and everything in between! 

How much does money affect our living circumstances? Do we move in with partners quicker or stay with partners longer due to money? Have you ever moved back in with parents to save money for a deposit/ start your own business?

We discuss the big difference between living in a big city and in smaller towns and also the lack of control you have in your schedule when you are sharing bathrooms/ kitchens/ washing machines with others.

What is your experiences of living with randomers? Would you prefer to live alone if money was no object? What are your non-negotiables and what are you willing to sacrifice?

In the Western world it can be seen as a negative to live with your parents however in places like India it’s very normal. We discuss how you need to stop thinking about what other people say/ think re your living situation and do what is best for you. Verity raises the point that not everyone has the option of moving back in with parents. If you have a healthy relationship with a parent that is still on the earth plane, then you have to count yourself very lucky as it is not a given to all.

Then we step out of the four walls and discuss location and how that affects our wellbeing and mindset. What is the difference between a home and a house? Do we simply find home within ourselves? Do other people - the right ones - make a home?

Get in touch and let us know your own thoughts about home.

----

Have some feedback, a question you would like us to answer or a topic suggestion?

Drop us an email at [email protected]

Follow us https://www.instagram.com/freeandfiguringitout/ 

Your hosts are...

Charelle Griffith, 31, is a marketing strategist for solopreneurs and founder of PropelHer, a personal development blog and book club. She lives in London, dates men and has been single for 4 years (except for a summer romance in 2018). Connect with Charelle https://www.instagram.com/charellegriffith/ 

Verity Brown, 33, is a marketing consultant and manifestation coach, currently living in the Lake District, UK. She is bisexual, was single for 3.5 years and is in a relationship with a woman. Connect with Verity https://www.instagram.com/theseasaltplan/