Minisode Ep.222 — 5 Quiet Gifts Of Being Single

In this week’s minisode, I’m celebrating one of the greatest loves of my life: my ridiculously naughty, outrageously handsome Bengal cat, Johnny. From the moment he came into my life and I wondered what the FUCK I’d done, to the extraordinary bond we share today, I’m talking about the sheer joy of having a pet, and why I’m more than happy to embrace my status as a crazy cat lady. I’m sharing some of Johnny’s hilarious antics, the things I absolutely adore about him, and the less glamorous realities of pet ownership, as well as exploring some fascinating research into the physical and emotional benefits of sharing our lives with animals. Because pets aren't consolation prizes for not having partners or children. They bring a whole different kind of love into our lives, and I wouldn't swap mine for the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this Thursday Thoughts episode, Polly and I are talking about feeling stuck, as well as ways to get unstuck by taking the smallest possible first step to build momentum. We talk about moving physically or changing scenery — getting outside, shaking the body, or taking a break — to shift stagnant energy and allow inspiration to return. Polly tells us how she's using the BBC/NHS Couch to 5K app after a knee injury because it breaks running into manageable intervals with a chosen audio coach. We're also talking about accountability as a game changer, including using both accountability buddies and self-accountability methods like paying in advance for a sauna/sea swim session. We also suggest using AI tools for practical ideas, revisiting your “why,” examining repeating thoughts and stories that keep you stuck, and being mindful of what you consume mentally. We really hope you'll find something helpful in here. Love, Polly & Lucy x See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week's episode of Thrive Solo, I'm talking to the truly wonderful marketer-turned-entrepreneur & content creator, Candice “Candilicious” Gallagher about her single life, dating, and community. Candice, 40, has been actively dating for over a decade, driven by “rom-com” hope but with a high bar set by strong friendships and family; she’s lived overseas most of her life (Singapore, Hong Kong, New York) and returned to England a couple of years ago for deeper connection with old friends. In our conversation, Candice talks about dating in New York, Singapore, and London; her Instagram dating content (including “10 dating apps in 10 weeks”), and why she prefers in-person dating events. She also talks about launching Fig Dating dinners in London, using a new approach to solve event gender imbalance by selling tickets as platonic male–female pairs, and using a values-based matching quiz for rotating-course seating - she also tells me about the online pushback she's received about this approach, as well as men’s reluctance to dating events in general. Candice and I also talk about her hopes for partnership and children, egg freezing, and her current living arrangement with her best friend’s family. I know that you're going to love listening to this conversation as much as I enjoyed having it. You can find out more about her London-based dating events via the link in her Instagram bio. Follow Candice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candilicious.insta/?hl=en Follow Candice on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@candilicious.tiktok See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week’s minisode, I’m talking about something I don’t think I’ve ever properly addressed on the podcast before: what it’s like being single and childless in the workplace. From being expected to work late or cover Christmas because apparently you’ve got nobody to get home for, to the endless collections for engagements, weddings and babies (where are OUR presents?!), there are so many ways single women can be made to feel that their time, achievements and lives matter less. I’m sharing some of my own experiences from my time as a detective in the Met Police, including being called Mrs Havisham by a colleague, as well as talking about the loneliness of feeling like the odd one out when everyone around you is discussing husbands and children. And, importantly, why it’s time we started challenging some of these assumptions. If you’ve ever felt overlooked, excluded or taken for granted at work because you’re single and don’t have children, this one’s for you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week’s Thursday Thoughts, Polly and I are talking about gratitude, and how taking the time to appreciate what we already have can make such a difference to how we feel. We share some of our own experiences of finding gratitude in everyday moments, and discuss how easy it is to take the little things for granted, particularly when life gets busy. We also talk about different ways to practise gratitude, from incorporating it into breathwork to reflecting on the positives before going to sleep, as well as some of the benefits gratitude can have on our physical and mental wellbeing. We hope you’ll find something interesting or helpful in here. Love, Polly & Lucy x See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.