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In Week 2 of my mini series ‘10 Weeks To A Joyful Christmas’, I’m talking about embracing autumn — soaking up the light, the cosy routines and solo joys, and deliberately looking for beauty instead of letting your brain spiral towards negativity around the upcoming festive season.

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
•  Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson 

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• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected] 

And thank you so much for listening!

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On this week's Thursday Thoughts, Polly and I are talking all about the perils of social media…and screens in general.

The global average daily time spent on social media is approximately 2.5 hours - shocking when you really think about it. And as we doom scroll through our feeds, it’s worth noting that we aren’t actually living our lives during that time - we’re watching the lives of others.

The truth is that social media is highly addictive, and it’s up to us to bring awareness to our own consumption. So ask yourself: how much of your time and attention are you giving away to it? And how does a 60 minute scroll actually make you feel?

We hope you’ll find this conversation useful.

Love,
Polly & Lucy x

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
•  Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson 

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected] 

And thank you so much for listening!

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My guest on this week's episode of Thrive Solo is the wonderful Cindy Sheehan.

In 2016, Cindy was a married Mum of four when she took a leave of absence from her office job in Colorado and joined two friends to go backpacking on The Kerry Way in Ireland. Little did she know at the time that that trip would be the beginning of a brand new life. By the end of 2017, she had quit both her job and her marriage to become a full-time traveller, and she has since travelled to nearly 50 countries. Cindy has settled in Palermo, Sicily for now, although who knows where life might take her next. Now while she lives a largely solo life, Cindy has a French, paraglider boyfriend — otherwise known as The Frenchman — who lives in France, and although the two of them spend more time apart than they do together, they meet when they can for travelling adventures. 

I know that you will love hearing all about Cindy’s solo life and travels. In this conversation she shares her transformative experience of leaving a 30-year marriage to travel the world, settling temporarily in various countries, and eventually obtaining an EU passport through Italian ancestry. She talks about the unique relationship dynamics with her French partner, the challenges and rewards of solo travel, and the profound sense of freedom it brings. 

Tune in for inspirational stories, advice on overcoming fears, and a celebration of living a joyful, independent life.

04:54 Cindy's Life Transformation

11:47 The Decision to Leave a 30-Year Marriage

14:35 Support from Family and Solo Travels

17:03 Meeting the Frenchman: A Unique Relationship

23:49 The Joys and Challenges of Solo Travel

28:39 Making Connections While Traveling

31:13 Multi-Generational Friendships

32:11 The Joys of Solo Travel

34:44 Memorable Travel Destinations

36:40 Settling in Europe: Portugal and Sicily

37:29 Navigating EU Residency and Citizenship

44:39 Living in Palermo, Sicily

48:29 Overcoming Solo Travel Fears

54:07 Thriving Solo: Tips and Reflections

57:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Follow Cindy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postsfromaflashpacker/

Check out Cindy's website: https://postsfromaflashpacker.com/

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
•  Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson 

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected] 

And thank you so much for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

In Week 1 of my mini series ‘10 Weeks To A Joyful Christmas’, I’m talking about a Mindset Reset — reframing autumn-into-Christmas as a season you design (not a test), and choosing what you’ll notice so the next ten weeks don’t become a downhill slide.

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
•  Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson 

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected] 

And thank you so much for listening!

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On this week’s Thursday's Thoughts, Polly and I are talking about stillness.

We explore what really happens when you pause — how your nervous system softens, your clarity returns, and life begins to feel a little more spacious again.

But stillness isn’t just about sitting cross-legged in silence. Sometimes it’s a quiet walk without your headphones, where your mind finally gets a moment to be still.

We also chat about how meditation doesn’t just calm your mind — it’s scientifically proven to boost your health and spark moments of real inspiration.

The truth is, we only perceive a tiny slice of reality… and stillness helps us sense that there’s so much more available to us — beyond what we can see, do, or measure.

We hope you find something useful in here.

Love 

Polly & Lucy xx

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
•  Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson 

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected] 

And thank you so much for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

My guest on this week's episode is the absolutely fabulous Marianne Power.

Marianne was on the podcast back in the summer of 2024, so I encourage you to go and listen to those episodes if you haven’t already (I split them into 2 because we talked for so long!), and if you don’t know who she is, then you need to. 

She is the author of the phenomenal book 'Love Me! One Woman’s Search For A Different Kind Of Happy Ever After', which I urge you to read if you haven't already. She’s also the author of 'Help Me!', as well as being a journalist. 

This conversation came off the back of a phone call that Marianne and I had several weeks ago where we talked about everything from how vulnerable it feels to put a book out into the world, to our very different experiences of sex in the past and in the present, to the wonderful things about being single and not having kids; and at the end of that chat we decided she needed to come back on the podcast to try out best to recreate our conversation for you! 

You’re definitely going to want to listen the whole way through — trust me. We cover all manner of things from the vulnerability of writing personal stories, to the importance of connection, and the challenges and joys of navigating singlehood. This engaging conversation touches upon key themes like societal expectations, the need for self-validation, and the broader spectrum of relationships that can fill our lives with meaning and joy.

04:50 Marianne's Journey and Book Insights

10:36 Societal Expectations and Personal Validation

28:14 The Importance of Connection

36:22 Exploring Conscious Sexuality

43:47 Finding Joy in Being Single

43:56 The Importance of Touch and Connection

44:47 Breaking Relationship Norms

45:47 Discussing Our Books and Public Perception

46:44 Marianne's Mortifying Festival Talk (that turned to be a roaring success)

48:58 Overcoming Shame and Embracing Honesty

53:23 Audience Reactions and Validation

57:54 The Struggle of Public Vulnerability

01:12:01 The Importance of Self-Validation

01:13:50 Wrapping Up and Future Plans

Buy Marianne's book, Love Me!: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Me-womans-search-happy/dp/1529057884

Sign up to Marianne's Substack: https://helpmenewsletter.substack.com/

Follow Marianne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marianne_power_writer/?hl=en

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
•  Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson 

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected] 

And thank you so much for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

Today is Part Six of a new mini series, 6 Steps To Move Out Of Fear & Into A Life You Love, which is all about the steps I myself have taken to change my life over the last five years. 

In Part 6, I’m talking about aligned action. Mindset is the foundation – but action builds the life you want. This episode brings all six steps together so you can take intentional, values-led action towards the future you deserve.

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
•  Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson 

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected] 

And thank you so much for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

On today's Thursday Thoughts, Polly and I are talking about the importance of having fun.

Fun is essential for living a good life, especially with everything that's going on in the world at the moment. But fun can look very different for everyone (Polly and I have very different ideas of what fun is!), and that's ok.

Whether fun for you is a work 'away day' playing rounders in the park, or a quiet dinner with your bestie, it all matters. And we need to be intentional about incorporating more of it into our lives.

We hope you'll find something useful in here!

Love,

Polly & Lucy x 

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
•  Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson 

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected] 

And thank you so much for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

My guest on the podcast today is the fabulous Krista St-Germain, a Master Certified Life Coach, single mum, grief expert, widow, and host of The Widowed Mom Podcast. 

When her husband was killed by a drunk driver in 2016, Krista’s life was completely flipped upside down. And while it would have been easy to believe her best days were behind her, thankfully Krista discovered Life Coaching and Post Traumatic Growth and was able to move forward and create a future she could get excited about. Now she coaches and teaches other widows so they can love life again, too. Now although Krista works primarily with widowed mums, she is an expert in grief in general, and this conversation is no doubt interesting for anyone who has experienced grief, or is currently experiencing it, not to mention that we will all experience it at some point. Krista and I talk about the loss of her husband, Hugo, how she ended up getting into life coaching and subsequently grief coaching; we talk all about grief and how it is anything but linear, we also talk about post traumatic growth and how it is possible to take your experience of grief and use it to intentionally build a better life for yourself. You guys will all find something of value in this conversation.

03:23 Krista's Journey Through Grief

07:58 Understanding Grief: Beyond the Five Stages

11:31 The Dual Process Model of Grief

15:08 Grief in Childlessness and Secondary Losses

21:16 Redefining Happiness and Self-Love

29:58 Navigating Early Stages of Grief

30:44 Societal Reactions to Grief

32:32 The Loneliness of Grief

36:31 Understanding Post-Traumatic Growth

40:43 Personal Reflections on Grief and Healing

43:49 Current Relationship Status and Reflections

50:19 Final Thoughts and Advice for the Grieving

Check out Krista's website: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/

Listen to The Widowed Mom Podcast: https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/podcast/

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
•  Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson 

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected] 

And thank you so much for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

Today is Part Five of a new mini series, 6 Steps To Move Out Of Fear & Into A Life You Love, which is all about the steps I myself have taken to change my life over the last five years. 

In Part 5, I’m talking about fear, discomfort, and courage. Growth comes with a side of fear and discomfort – it’s unavoidable. But courage is the bridge between where you are and where you want to be. Here’s how to move forward with fear in the passenger seat.

Support the show

• JOIN MY ITALY TRIP IN APRIL 2027: https://www.explore.co.uk/thrivesolo-italy

• Buy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/book

• Join my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesolo

• Download my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the Most
  Annoying Questions Single Women Get Asked'
•  Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacks

• Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson 

• Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=share

• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/

• Email me: [email protected] 

And thank you so much for listening!