Not Quite as Planned:
New Beginnings
So here we are — yet another platform, a quiet room, a keyboard, with a lot of thoughts (and finally, the space and confidence to share from my heart).
I’ve been writing for decades, not very well as a dyslexic — sometimes in my head, sometimes in notebooks, sometimes in my published books (heavily edited) sometimes out loud, sometimes in google docs which will never be viewed by another human. But this… this space? This feels different. And maybe a little overdue.
Why this, why now
Because I’m turning 50.
Because life doesn’t always go quite as planned —
(Understatement of the century, really — someone could’ve warned me about that plot twist in Chapter 36.)
And somehow, that’s turned out to be the best part. I am exactly where I need to be. Be that in my brothers spare room, house sitting, traveling or anything and everything in between.
I write about what it means to evolve — as a woman, a mother, a coach, a creator, and entrepreneur, a daughter, a big picture thinker, and a human with several past lives (and probably more incoming). who believes there is not even a box to think outside of.
I was 15 - yes 15 before I read my first book all the way through, Georges Marvellous Medicine! A glorious book with big letters and pictures.
My smelling is shocking … sorry spelling, which I have learnt to adore, so if gramatically correct and perfect spelling is your thing, then this might not be your gulp of gin.
This is a space for reflections, reclamation, reinvention… personal stories, life learnings and the occasional midlife mic drop.
Every post here is unpolished on purpose.
I’m not here to teach from the mountaintop — I’m here to write from the middle of it. In comfy socks. With strong coffee. Lived, learned, scientific and qualified. And always real.
Who This Is For?
This isn’t a place for polished perfection or five-step glow-up routines. it’s for those who really value an honest voice, opinion, a touch of real and expert, well thought out support.
It’s for those who’ve done the doing, worn the titles, ticked the boxes —
and are still quietly wondering:
"Is this it? Or is there something else? Can I really trust anything on social media? And where are my tribe?”
There is something else. It’s you — just… slightly rebranded. And here is your tribe, a tribe for those who might be a little squeaky bum about the concept of being in a tribe.
Here, you’ll find:
Soulful reflections on life, womanhood, work life things, healing, purpose and finding humour in the most inappropriate situations.
Stories from my own journey — joy, grief, mistakes, magic and resilience.
Lessons I wish I’d known sooner (starting with the “49 Life Lessons I Wish I Knew at 29” series)
The occasional deep thoughts, poem, behind-the-scenes musing, or “Miss James” voice note in written form. Things I love, things I don’t love so much and a whole bunch of honesty reflection…. and laughter… I know for a fact the world needs more laughter.
It’s part journal, part guide, part gentle rebellion — with a splash of a very British refusal to pretend it’s all fine when it’s not.
💌 Free Subscribers Receive:
Monthly-ish newsletters and occasional posts.
Stories to amuse, boost your confidence, ignite fresh thinking, and the general entertain and inspire. Unfiltered insights on life beyond the to-do list
✨ Paid Subscribers Receive:
Everything above, plus:
Knowing you are supporting a writing project from scratch: ❤️
Behind-the-scenes videos: unfiltered thoughts on what I’m building, navigating and doing. Possibly a few tears. Definitely a few laughs. And always a warm brew of British honesty.
Miss James Recommends: books, tools, skincare, beauty bits, therapy tricks, travel, fashion — the things that actually work (and I don’t get paid to say so)
I don’t know where this is headed
— but I know it matters. I matter. YOU matter.
Thank you for being here. For reading. For believing in a voice that's still becoming.
Let's build something brave, beautiful, and a little bit unplanned.
With love,
Miss James