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In this week's minisode, I'm talking about why we should learn to listen to ourselves, rather than the 'noise' from those around us.

Whenever we want to make a change in our lives or do something different, be it big or small, there will always be people weighing in with their opinions on the subject. As women in particular, we can often be people pleasers meaning we may take (or not take) action based on the approval or disapproval of someone we would rather not upset, offend, or hurt.  

But why is it that we have a tendency to disregard our own wants and needs, in favour of someone else's thoughts on those wants and needs? After all, nobody else can see inside our minds or our hearts; and nobody else can or is experiencing our life first hand in the way that we are. 

Perhaps we need to learn to trust ourselves a little bit more - and listen to the sometimes faint voice of our intuition which - after all - is usually telling us exactly what we need to hear. 

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• 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

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• Email me: [email protected] 

And thank you so much for listening!

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This week, it's a solo episode. It also happens to be Valentine's Day so I wanted to talk about L.O.V.E. love! But, not the romantic kind...I'm talking about SELF love.

In my humble opinion, self love is the most important kind of love, and it trumps every other kind. Why? Because not only are we the one person who we literally spend every waking (and sleeping) hour with, but how we feel about ourselves affects absolutely every aspect of our lives. 

But what does 'loving ourself' actually look like? Well, it can look like saying no to the things we don't want to do; it can look like accepting the good, the bad and the ugly that makes us the human we see in the mirror; and most importantly it can look like living in alignment with who we really, truly are.  

When we love ourselves, and when we believe in ourselves, we are more likely to experience the kind of inner confidence that has us reaching for the things we truly desire in life. Whereas when we're lacking self love, we're more likely to live a life that is less than we deserve and are capable of, not to mention less than we want.  

It is not arrogant to love ourselves - it is necessary in order to become the best version of us, the person we really aspire to be.  So go on...buy that bunch of red roses and give them to YOU. 

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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In this week's minisode, I'm talking about why it's ALWAYS better to be single than be in the wrong relationship. Period. The End.

The pressure that comes from societal narratives around avoiding singlehood at all costs should not be underestimated. And subsequently, when we're feeling motivated by a desperate desire to couple up, there's a danger that we may find ourselves in a relationship that is toxic, abusive or just...not right for us.   

Feelings of failure - whether conscious or unconscious - because we haven't followed the hallowed path of marriage and children, can cloud our judgement when it comes to choosing a partner; so it's important to be mindful about our reasons for dating someone.

Being with the wrong person comes with more problems than being single ever could, and will only make your life harder, not easier. So if you're aware that your primary focus in life is to un-single yourself, proceed with caution. Because none of us deserve to be with someone who isn't right for us, just for the sake of not being single. We're worth more than that. 

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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In this week's episode, I talk to sociologist, demographer and author, Dr. Kris Marsh. 

Dr. Kris Marsh received her PhD from the University of Southern California in 2005. She was a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina before joining the faculty of the University of Maryland where she has been tenured since 2014. She is the author of ‘The Love Jones Cohort: Single and Living Alone in the Black Middle Class.’ 

In this conversation, Kris and I talk about why she chose the title of her book, The Love Jones Cohort; the reasons behind the rise of singles in the black middle class and beyond; how gendered racism constrains personal choices; and how racial discrimination in the housing market can be the reason why some people remain single. 

We also discuss colourism, and the argument that the lighter skinned you are, the more choice you potentially have when it comes to finding a partner; how gendered racism feeds into why some people are single; and how black women may have an even harder time being single due to racism coupled with the stigma of being single.

Our conversation also includes how people always ask why people are single, but never why they’re married; how some people are willing to get into / remain in toxic or abusive relationships in order to avoid the label of ‘single’; and how it seems to be acceptable to ask single people about their sex lives in a way we wouldn’t ask married people.  

Kris also tells me how the research for her book found that single women tend to thrive as singles, whereas men tend to bide their time until finding a relationship; how the subjects in Kris’ book tended to suffer from situational loneliness rather than chronic loneliness; and how people tend to think of marriage and partnership as a panacea.     

Finally, we talk about how important it is to be confident and content in our singlehood before we consider a relationship; and the racial aspect of the recent and tragic death of Tyre Nichols.    

Buy Kris’ book, (UK link) The Love Jones Cohort: Single and Living Alone in the Black Middle Class: 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Jones-Cohort-Cambridge-Stratification-ebook/dp/B0BSR25D47 

Buy Kris’ book, (US link): 
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Jones-Cohort-Cambridge-Stratification/dp/1316612910 


Follow Kris on Instagram: @drkrismarsh
On Twitter: @drkrismarsh

Find out more at Kriss website:
https://drkrismarsh.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!

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In this week's minisode, I'm talking about how, as single women, we should be thriving, not just surviving.

So many of us are weighed down by the societal narrative that appears to only celebrate couples; in addition, many of our negative thought patterns around being single and childless stem from beliefs that were chosen for us in childhood and beyond, rather than beliefs we chose for ourselves. 

The simple fact is that our happiness is not determined by our relationship status, and therefore we can experience the same amount of joy and contentment as any of our coupled counterparts.

With these things in mind, plus the fact that our inbuilt freedom is something to take advantage of and relish, let's strive to thrive, not just survive. (I'm a poet and I don't know it. )
 
Press 'Play' and let me know what you think!

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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In this week's episode, I talk to manifestation coach, Matt Cooke. 

In February 2019, Matt connected with his mother for the first time, following her passing in July 2017. This experience triggered an extraordinary spiritual awakening and realisation for Matt that there is so much more to life than we know. He subsequently made it his mission to understand what had happened, and how, and this kicked off months of research into all things energy and power of the mind, not least the laws that govern our universe, specifically The Law of Vibration and The Law of Attraction. Matt’s journey led him to become the highly successful manifestation coach that he is today, helping clients from all over the world manifest the lives that they truly desire. 

In this conversation, Matt and I talk about the first time he connected with his darling Mum; how absolutely everything is energy; how time is an illusion and a man-made concept; and how we can all learn how to tune into the frequency of the things we desire.

We also discuss how Matt discovered The Law of Attraction; how we are all pure consciousness; how manifestation means deciding to be a conscious creator in order to create the life you want; and how our subconscious minds control 95% of who we are and what we do.

Our conversation also includes how we are all creators who are either consciously, or unconsciously, manifesting our lives; how our state of being becomes our personality; how we need to become aware of what we’re thinking and how we’re feeling; and how the key is to become aware that we are not our thoughts.

Matt and I chat about how we are all magnets who draw into our realities what we’re vibrating out; how the key to manifestation is becoming the personality of your future by changing your core vibration; how, if we want a loving relationship, we need to start acting as though we already have love; and how we can reprogram our subconscious limiting beliefs using meditation.


Finally, we talk about how gratitude is one of the most powerful manifestation tools that we should all be incorporating into our days; and how alignment is largely about ‘being present’ throughout your day.   

Follow Matt on Instagram: @mattcookecoach

On Twitter: @mattcookecoach

On TikTok: mattcooke_

Find out more at Matt’s website:

https://www.mattcooke.me/ 

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 this week's minisode, I'm talking about how so many people seem to 'hate this time of year', and why I think we need to change our perspective around the post-New Year blues.

I hear so, so many people say that they hate January and February. It's too cold, too dark, too depressing, too boring, too [insert complaint here].

It seems as though the minute New Year's Day is over, we all slip into a default state of misery. But why? And is it really necessary?

I say let's look at it through a different lens; let's not waste a quarter of the year wishing it away. Instead, let's think about the possibility of everything that potentially awaits us as a new year begins. Because before we know it...they'll be putting up the Christmas lights again and we'll be welcoming in 2024. ;)

 

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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In this week's episode, I talk to Executive Director and Communications Manager at Population Balance, Nandita Bajaj and Kirsten Stade. 

The organisation’s mission is to offer education and solutions to address the impacts of human overpopulation and overconsumption on the planet, people, and animals. It is the first and only organisation globally that draws the connections between pronatalism, anthropocentrism, and overpopulation, and their combined devastating impacts on social, reproductive, ecological, and intergenerational justice. 

In this episode, we talk about how the planet is in ‘ecological overshoot’; the many manifestations of the climate and biodiversity crises; and how our growing population is essentially crowding out all of the other species on the planet.

We also talk about pronatalism as the driver of overpopulation, and why it is having such a huge and devastating impact; how Nandita herself did not think she had a choice to not have children because of her upbringing in India; and coercive pronatalism - the default pressure that is placed on women to have children.

We discuss how Kirsten never felt pressure from her family to have children, but how she noticed the pressure surrounding her; how getting pregnant isn’t always a positive development in a woman’s life; how the media has depicted families with children as somehow more ‘whole’ or ‘complete’, and how this makes it hard for people to know what they truly want; and how peeling away the layers of pronatalism is essential to afford women the clarity to choose whether or not they truly want children, and / or a potentially smaller family.     

The conversation also covers how pronatalism undermines reproductive responsibility; overpopulation denialism in academic circles due to sensitivity surrounding population control; how women in certain are still regarded as reproductive vessels who have absolutely no reproductive autonomy; and how the desire for procreation is not universal but rather falls on a spectrum.


Finally, we talk about awareness and how to translate that into action; and pushing the boundaries on what the term ‘family’ means.  

Follow Population Balance on Instagram: @populationbalance

On Twitter: @populationbalance

Find out more at the website:

https://www.populationbalance.org/ 

Listen to the podcast, The Overpopulation Podcast, on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/6cp86TNMOVEMzzWUODyCL2

And on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-overpopulation-podcast/id1038456636

Nandita’s Course:

https://www.populationbalance.org/pronatalism-and-overpopulation-course 

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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In this week's minisode, I'm talking about who and what is inspiring me, as well as some of the things I do on the daily to maintain a positive mindset and ensure I'm feeling good as much of the time as possible.

I mention some books that I'm loving, a couple of podcasts that inspire and motivate me, some people I'm enjoying following on Instagram, as well as a few of the practices that have become a part of my daily routine. 

Hope you enjoy it and find something of value to take away with you. :)

Press 'Play' and let me know what you think!

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

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In this week's episode of Spinsterhood Reimagined, I talk to journalist, author, editor, thought leader and podcaster, Ruby Warrington. 

Ruby latest book 'Women Without Kids' will be published in the spring but is available to pre-order now. She is the creator of the term ‘Sober Curious’, and the author of the 2018 book and million download podcast of the same name. Her work on the subject has spearheaded a global movement to reevaluate our relationship to alcohol. Her other books include ‘Material Girl, Mystical World’ and ‘The Sober Curious Reset’. With more than 20 years’ experience as a lifestyle journalist and editor, Ruby is known as an astute culture commentator and thought leader. She's also the founder of self-publishing imprint, Numinous Books. 

In this episode, Ruby and I talk about the three motivators that drove her to write Women Without Kids; the nuances of not having children and her theory of the 'motherhood spectrum’; and how the desire to be a parent is something that can be ever-changing over the course of someone’s life.    

We also talk about the importance of being supported when making the often complex decision of whether or not to have a baby; how women without kids are diminished in society; and how childfree women can often be seen as ‘selfish’, especially when they prioritise and spend time on their personal growth.    

Ruby and I also talk about Orna Donath’s studies on women who regret having kids, as well as our own feelings around being told we’ll regret not becoming mothers; the healing that Ruby has done with her own mother as a result of writing her book; and how she feels now that the book is about to be birthed into the world!

Finally, we talk about Ruby’s love of astrology; how the term ‘woowoo’ is being reclaimed; Ruby’s meditation and yoga practices; and her platform, The Numinous.  

Follow Ruby on Instagram: @rubywarrington

Find out more at Ruby’s website:
https://www.rubywarrington.com/

Pre-Order ‘Women Without Kids’ (UK Link):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Women-Without-Kids-Revolutionary-Sisterhood-ebook/dp/B0B19DQ3K3 

Pre-Order ‘Women Without Kids’ (US Link):
https://www.amazon.com/Women-Without-Kids-Revolutionary-Sisterhood/dp/1683649273 

Listen to Ruby’s podcast, Sober Curious, on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3GukloeJytjkvFoSLaUaay

And on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sober-curious/id1460377009

Listen to ‘Women Without Kids’ on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/27nkJLSZgjcv6zawomaaKm 

And on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-without-kids/id1642683714 

The Numinous:
https://www.the-numinous.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!