#RandomThoughts 1. Interesting first day back. 2. My voice was heard. 3. There are politics at play. 4. Going yo eat soup for days. 5. Hello Spring, you have arrived. #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. Sleepy Sunday. 2. Saw the most beautiful townhouse in Norwich, along the river. Oh why this couldn’t be for sake in 5 years time? 3. More reading today, this time non-fiction. 4. More decluttering. 5. Minor repairs on the bike, just need a lock! #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. I’m not ready to return to work. 2. More writing today. 3. More university applications to mull over. 4. This gym thing is not working out for me. 5. Saturday soup is calling. #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. First of the uni open days done. 2. I’ve walked almost 40,000 steps in two days exploring Nottingham City Centre. 3. Difficult to switch off from work when there’s so much politics at play. 4 ♥️ the Bagel Project 5 Reading a guilty pleasure. #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. I’m writing, drafting, editing…hopeful for the future. 2. My brained is fried from work over the past 3 days. 3. Valentine’s Day, no frills, purely practical. 4. Uni open days on the horizon. 5. Hello Nice, can’t wait to be with you! #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. VR offers are out, reality looks very different from April 2. Making a tangible difference makes volunteering worthwhile 3. Self love today 4. Coffee and kindness is all that matters 5. Using that trampoline to get that lymph moving. #MyLufeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. Practical and romantic gift received today via Amazon. 2. I’ve been cleaning all day - oven, fridge, kitchen, bathroom. What’s left? 3. Booked my second set of concert tickets. 4. Love a sharing cinnamon roll. 5. May James VDB rest in peace #DawdonsCreek #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. Writing of various kinds today 2. Hoping that coffee hits the spot 3. Self care in your 50s can become very expensive 4. Still navigating breakfast with mindful eating 5. Lots of change on the horizon, embracing it with optimism rather than be weary #MyLifeAsMarsha

In response to my post about the launch of the 'National Cancer Plan' on substack, someone responsed with: "Great. But how about ending homelessness, taxing the rich nationalising water and ending the cost of living crisis?" So I responsed with this... 1/9

#RandomThoughts 1. Bad Bunny, the response…priceless 2. Reform can’t even organise themselves, yet a strong contender for winning the next general election 3. We need more than mission statements 4. Yes, I’m political today 5. Watched the Kingsman, too much violence 🫣 #MyLifeAsMarsha

Bad Bunny delivered the most viewed halftime show ever! And gave a huge 🖕 to MAGA snowflakes. MAGA is seething. Good Bunny.

#RandomThoughts 1. Menopause…can’t wait to finish this phase in my life, and I’ve only just started. 2. Reading Zadie Smith’s Dead and Alive. 3. Slept 8 hrs! 4. I’ve got the headspace to do work reading and redrafting. 5. Open uni days on the horizon. #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. Doing passive exercise hasn’t been easy on the knees and ankles. 2. Jazz music can be so calming. 3. I’m done with writing over the next couple of days. 4. Can the rain please stop? 5. Cupid’s bow has been misfired. #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. The sun is making a guest appearance today. 2. Pottering is the new self care. 3. Changes are coming on less than two months. What will the future look like? 4. Greek yoghurt cheese is a con. 5. A meeting on my day off! 😣 #MyLifeAsMarsha

I think I’m better at developing health policy than making Greek yoghurt cheesecake. Back to the drawing board. #Baking #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. Hello February! 2. Reading up on NAD+. A hype? 3. More writing today. 4. Sardines are the in, just wished they didn’t smell so much. 5. Trying my hand at this Greek yoghurt cheesecake. #MyLifeAsMarsha

If we want healthcare to be more: Compassionate Collaborative Trauma informed Kind Holistic (the list goes on) The solution ISN'T getting everyone to sit through a training session. It just isn't. We need to invest in workplace conditions & infrastructure that routinely support how we want to be.

#RandomThoughts 1. End of January is almost here 2. All Staff Briefing that didn’t really say anything 3. Being on the receiving end of adolescence is like a gut punch 4. Refine, redraft, review feels like constant churn 5. Staff morale has hit the floor, lifting others up isn’t easy #MyLifeAsMarsha

Please please vaccinate your child against measles. This is from our @independentsage.bsky.social report from last year, led by @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social & @helensalisbury.bsky.social independentsage.org/wp-content/u...

#RandomThoughts 1. I’m like glue trying to piece together a fragmented system. 2. Flu meds are doing the trick. 3. Pragmatic versus romantic? Take your pick. 4. Refine, redesign, reframe…what’s the intention? 5. Trainers are the new 👠 #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. Words came so easily but I struggle now when my heart is no longer in it. 2. Parenting in your 50s calls for resilience. 3. Minor changes to my lifestyle this year to achieve my equilibrium. 4. There’s such a thing as “too much bread”. 5. Saxmundham calls. #MyLifeAsMarsha

Morning lovely people. Milder temperatures in London, but it’s very wet, so be careful if you’re running or cycling today. Just received that brown envelope from the HMRC. The gift that keeps on giving. Wishing you a great day and start your week. ☕️💕😊 #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. Passive movement is where I’m at. 2. Less is more where make us concerned. 3. Working in operations leaves very little headspace to be strategic. 4. Will my career pivot this year or remain at a standstill? 5. Not another strike please. #MyLifeAsMarsha

What will 2026 bring? 1. More focus as a Trustee for King George’s and Queen’s Hospital Charity. 2. Rethinking future plans for Young and Talented. 3. Redesign role and function of the National Operations Centre. 4. Produce a play by summer. 5. Make memories with M and S. #MyLifeAsMarsha

#2025Recap 13. Went on Bumble again, after 800 likes, 10 connections, 3 conversations, went on one date, still going strong. 14. Surprise trip to 🇹🇹 15. GCSE success and new school for A’levels. 16. A trip to Germany with views from the Rhine. 17. Took up running. 28. More strikes… #MyLifeAsMarsha

Final Monday of the year, also my last day working a 4 day stint and then I’m off for the rest of the back early Jan. Need the time away to reset and reflect thinking about the year ahead. #MyLifeAsMarsha

#2025Recap 8. Did a surprise trip to Trinidad 9. Olivia Rodrigo at Hyde Park was a blast 10. Animal Farm and Punch were the best plays for the year. 11. Discovered Vinted, made £1k selling dresses. 12. Celebrated losing almost 90 pounds from size 16-18 to a size 10. #MyLifeAsMarsha

#2025Recap 1. Rang out the new year with Central London fireworks. 🎉 2. Surgery in February. 3. We’re being abolished. 4. Strikes, strikes, strikes. 5. Bought that statement cherry coat 6. Party party party at 51! 💃🏽 7. Drama of mock exams and GCSE stress Only part 1. More to follow. #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. I’m being grown up and bought some matching table place mars, tea towel and oven mitts to go with the table runner. 2. Playing Never Enough by Loren Allred on a loop, which gives me goose bumps. 3. Eating nuts instead of chocolate. #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. Difficult to be festive when you’re due to work on the 26th. 2. Having Bailey’s in my ☕️. 3. All 🎁 have been wrapped, table to be set. 4. Wished I had a fireplace. 5. Candles burning and music in the background. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the season. 🎄 #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. Enjoying the Advent calendar, especially Day 19. 2. Going to attempt to bake again. 🤦🏽‍♀️ 3. Lost track of the mind pies eaten. 4. Christmas shopping almost done. 5. Looking forward to exploring the Christmas market tomorrow. #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. Much office cheer is needed especially what’s in store. 2. Second attempt at baking. 3. Juggling parenting, the other “job” that includes homework, and being a PA. 4. Stocking fillers are a nightmare. 5. Lots of bread in the house. #MyLifeAsMarsha

Often it's the finished article that's shared publicly. The 'outcome', 'measurable impact', 'tangible justification'. Yet maybe the real value is found in the working out loud, the messiness of what it feels like, how everyone *in* it found it to be (way beyond a tidy write-up).

#RandomThoughts 1. Fruits are being soaked for baking. 2. Ready to embrace the Christmas market of St Albans. 3. Still doing Christmas cards. 4. Christmas tree is up (part 1). 5. Christmas playlist in full swing. #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. Farewell November. 2. Black Friday, a thing of the past. 3. Wearing a fake fur coat sized 13-14 years, paid a fraction of the price. 4. Spice rum and fruits have been ordered. 5. 6 months already. Bumble a distant memory. #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. Farewell November. 2. It’s ballet today. 3. Trying out an Australian pie, but making it requires tonnes of patients. 4. Coffee calls. 5. A pottering kind of day. #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. It’s pay day! 2. It’s the season for wearing tweed and denim. 3. Went on a lunchtime webinar talking about “essentials” and logged off after 5 mins when I realised it was on make up. 4. Pret subscription renewed. 5. Rediscovering Barking. #MyLifeAsMarsha

I’ve been mansplained on social media. The arrogance, the patronising, the aggression felt all too much. But, I’ll continue to call it out.

#RandomThoughts 1. I’ve read my first script and excited to see this develop into a play next year. 2. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade with a shot of vodka to add punch. 3. Resilient and resourceful holds greater meaning than before. #MyLifeAsMarsha

The House of Commons Petitions Committee is the only place in Parliament where the public sets the agenda. Ten years on — is it actually the most powerful pressure valve in UK politics? 🎧 Four Chairs. One conversation. Their verdict ▶️ buff.ly/DtFCEsn

#RandomThoughts 1. Did my first African drumming session, it was fun! 2. I’m featured on the cover of Stylist, sharing the cover with 435 women. 3. Love modelling jewellery. 4. Germany along the Mosel and Rhine is peaceful. Will visit again. 5. In a Xmas mood. #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. It’s official “winter” and we’re already pressured, bursting at the seams. 2. All Staff Briefing made on Reddit…the comments! 3. Enjoying the views of the Rhine and Mosel. 4. Writing a sequel to Embankment Kiss. 5. Doing a creative concept called The Rum Diaries. #MyLifeAsMarsha

In addition to turning my essay into a play, also working on another creative concept called “The Rum Diaries”, so watch this space. Really. excited to take my writing in a different direction beyond writing briefing and policy papers. #IAmWriting #MyLifeAsMarsha

#RandomThoughts 1. Loving my Autumn look that I wore at Stylist Live. 2. A slow Sunday calls… 3. My heart is feeling heavy. 4. Supporting M with with essay writing. 5. Reading 10th anniversary edition of Year of Yes. #MyLifeAsMarsha