Sep 5 2022

Nothing Matters

I ran out of room in my inbox yesterday, and my clients’ emails were bouncing. So I began the mammoth task of deleting some of the eight thousand unread emails.

Several hundred deletes later, and I’d only freed up 2%. So I thought I’d tackle my sent box. I started from the oldest emails, which went back to 2008. But of course, curiosity got the better of me when I spotted one I sent to a friend titled ‘My Life’s Purpose’ so of course I had to open it! And I found the text below:

“I had been writing in my journal that I needed to know why I am here, in this time in this life. And I have to admit, I always assumed that I would find out my life’s purpose through someone else, I don’t know why. I also assumed it was something that was already set, not something we had much say in. Anyway, I read this book, Bringers of Light by Neale donald walsh (convo with god guy) and one of the things he says is: “Life in pointless, and that is Gods greatest gift” AT first the idea depressed me, if there’s no point to life, why bother with anything? But he goes on to explain that we are not assigned a purpose, we may choose one before we get here, that we’ve forgotten about, but ultimately, we CHOOSE. Which means that the only purpose we have in life is the one we choose. So it wasn’t a matter of me finding my life’s purpose, it was a matter of me CHOOSING my life’s purpose. Then of course I was thinking, oh crap, I’m useless at making big decisions! Then the other day, I was sitting outside, crocheting, and I was having conversations in my head as per usual, and in answer to the imaginary questions of what are you going to do in the future, the reply that came to me was: I am not here to drink and party, I am not here to settle down, have kids and a career, I am not here to do what would seem to be the normal thing to do. I am here for you. You are my life’s purpose, you and every other person I encounter along the way. Something i do or say to you might mean something to you, or trigger something in you that changes your life in some way. That is why I am here. And so I figure that if my life’s purpose is in every person that I meet on a daily basis, I am fulfilling my life’s purpose every single day. No matter what I do. And this, I think, is the most amazing part to me. It doesn’t matter what I do in the future, what matters is every person that I come across. I was halfway there in my thinking that I would be happy to live the rest of my life traveling from place to place, meeting new people, bringing people together and imparting whatever thoughts or wisdom I can. This is my life’s purpose. If I do all the ‘normal’ things people do, and settle down and get sucked into the illusion of every day life – work, sleep, tv, eat etc, then I wont be fulfilling my life’s purpose.”

My 24 year old self had some interesting revelations! I shared this on instagram with the photo I found in another 2008 email, this time to my mum, a selfie to show her my new haircut. I was living in New York at the time, so we emailed a lot!

I got a few comments on the post, mostly that people resonated with the message. I guess the reason I’m sharing it here, is because this evening I watched perhaps the strangest movie I’ve ever seen – Everything Everywhere All At Once. And the message in that? Nothing Matters. Do what you want to do. Which is what Neale was saying in his book that I read in 2008.

Nothing matters. In the best way possible. The only meaning things have are the meanings we give them. You make things matter. So what matters to you? What do you choose to give meaning?

It really is up to you.

Sep 4 2022

h.Art aka Herefordshire Art Week changed my life!

So I’m taking part in an open studio event again this year (did it for the first time last year) and so far it has been busy!

The first time I visited studios during h.Art week was in Sept 2019, when my friend Lu and I decided it was high time we follow some bright pink signs and have a nosey around artists’ studios.

One of the venues I visited was Berrington Press, where I met Sarah and Francesca. It was there I tried letterpress printing for the first time, and I can honestly say it was love at first clunk.

The first poster I saw printed at Berrington Press

I immediately commandeered an Adana from my dad’s antique collection, and got myself kitted out with ink and type, and it has been an obsession ever since.

I’ve now had my studio in Hereford for nearly 18 months, and have sold my printed work at fairs and in shops, as well as in my studio in The Apple Store Gallery (venue 3), and at Sacred Tree Spirit (venue 73).

Such was the obsession that my last novel for adults, The Girl Who Loved Much, had a letterpress theme, and the cover was a photograph I took of my own printing blocks in my studio. I also did a limited edition print run of extras to go with the book.

I have had many, many hobbies in my life, but I can honestly say that I feel that printing was what I was looking for all along. It helps that the printing community on Instagram and in the British Printing Society are the loveliest people I have ever known!

So if you’re local, do check out h.Art, and if you’re a reader wondering why I haven’t written so many books lately, this is one of the reasons why!

Sep 3 2022

A Long Pause

I’ve had quite a long break from blogging regularly. There have been a myriad of reasons, work, relationships, moving home, etc.

At first it was nice to have a break, then after a while, I missed it. But it seemed too difficult to get back into the habit, as so many other things had taken its place.

It also felt impossible to try and catch you up on the many happenings of the last 4 years, I just didn’t know where to start.

So I’ve decided not to try to. I will just start again from where I am.

I’ve been reading a book called Do/Pause – You are not a to-do list by Robert Poynton. It seems perhaps I needed this long pause from blogging. For what reason, I may never know. But from now on I hope to write more regularly, though I’m warning you now, my posts will likely be riddled with typos, as I am now blogging through the app on my phone and my autocorrect hates me quite passionately.

So hello there, thank you for reading this, I hope to see you again very soon.

May 10 2022

The Magical Mermaid Portal

So happy and excited to reveal the cover for my newest book, The Magical Mermaid Portal! Here it is! It will be available in paperback, hardback and Kindle on the 20th July, 2022. I will get the pre-order online as soon as possible, and am planning a special pre-order of signed copies (signed by me and illustrator Lucja Fratczak-Kay) with a little gift, so do keep an eye out for that announcement!

Here is the full cover!

I really can’t wait to get this book out! I will be releasing some excerpts on videos on Instagram over the next couple of weeks, will reveal a few more details about it. Though the reading age is aimed at 8-12, this story really is perfect for all ages. Fans of The Magical Faerie Door range from age 6 to 66!

What do you think of the cover? Are you excited? Let me know!

You can also now get The Magical Faerie Door in paperback as well as in hardback and on kindle.

The Magical Doorway Series is published by Amber Beetle Press, an imprint of Not From This Planet

May 3 2022

The Magical Doorway Series

The series is expanding! Finally! The Magical Faerie Door was released in 2018, and now, finally, book 2 is underway. The cover and release date for The Magical Mermaid Portal will be revealed on the 10th May 2022!

You can also now get The Magical Faerie Door in paperback as well as in hardback and on kindle. The audiobook is still on the list, but I promise it will happen!

We are even talking about book 3 in the series, so watch this space!

The Magical Doorway Series is published by Amber Beetle Press, an imprint of Not From This Planet

May 2 2022

Magic Michelle Musings!

Yes, it’s true. I started a podcast. In true Michelle style, it is not a regular thing, I create episodes when I am out walking the dog, it’s pretty rough (slightly edited to remove excessive barking etc.) and there’s no rhyme or reason to my ramblings, but actually, there’s some good stuff!

You can listen on pretty much any podcast platform, including Spotify and Apple, or on Anchor, which is where I record it.

Check out an episode or two, and I promise to keep randomly creating them!

Nov 16 2021

Book Feature: Tongue Cancer and I

As well as being an author, I am a publisher, editor and publishing mentor. I’ve been honoured to work with some really incredible authors over the last few years, bringing their books to life, so in order to revive my blog and share these awesome books with others, I’ve decided to start this book feature.

I met Dev in 2013, at an event in London called the Millionaire Mind. We later met up again, at another event called Unleash the Power Within, with Tony Robbins. We spent several days dancing, screaming, jumping up and down, walking on fire and changing our mindset, it’s the kind of place where you make friends for life!

In 2016, Dev was diagnosed with tongue cancer, and went through an incredible journey of discovery and healing. We kept in touch through social media, but it wasn’t until Dev reached out to ask if I could help him to publish his book, that I got to know what he had been through.

Wow. All I can say is, that Dev is the real thing. Genuine, positive, strong, resilient. He faced each challenge that cancer presented, not only with determination, but also with the selfless idea of recording it all, in detail, so that he could produce a book that would help others in the same position.

And this book will do exactly that. It will help anyone who has been diagnosed with tongue cancer, or who is having treatments, or the friend or family member of someone who has. It is practical, thoughtful, and will take the fear of the unknown out of the journey, so that challenges can be faced with knowledge and from a place of empowerment.

It’s been a pleasure to work with Dev to get his book published, and I’m so proud of him and honoured to be his friend and fellow firewalker!

Dev’s book, Tongue Cancer and I is available now in paperback and ebook, from Amazon and other retailers, links below.

Mar 19 2021

Jon and Michelle’s Horse Cart

Last night on BBC2 Jon and I were on My Unique B&B with Jon’s horse cart! It was so much fun watching the episode, and we can’t wait to welcome guests to the little cabin on wheels!

It was a great experience, working with Simon Parfett and the Plimsoll Productions crew to film the episode and to turn the cabin into a boutique space for people to stay in.

The cabin is now available to book on Airbnb, and you can see all the details through Jon’s Sacred Tree Spirit Website. It is called Char Bareu and really is a wonderful little sanctuary, especially if you are in need of unplugging from your devices and plugging into nature.

The wonderful sign hand-painted by Jess Grimsdale

Even little Chouli starred in the show, so if you haven’t seen it yet, do check it out! The whole series is wonderful, and features lots of great B&Bs in the Forest of Dean area. If you have seen it, what did you think? Let me know!

Jan 19 2021

You Are Invited!

To celebrate my birthday with me tomorrow, at my Woodland Tea Party that is supporting the Secret World Wildlife Rescue.

Lockdown birthdays don’t have to be depressing! Which is why I have had far too much fun organising a woodland tea party. Fear not, the only ones who will be meeting face to face will be the woodland animals! But I would love for you to join me and them virtually through the FB event page, click here to check it out (it is totally public, you don’t need to be logged in)

I have decided to ask people to donate (if they feel called to, and they can afford it) to the Secret World Wildlife Rescue, because they do such wonderful work for the badgers, hedgehogs, deer, foxes and even mice! They rely on donations from visitors, and I imagine that those have been quite scarce over the last year. You don’t have to donate through me on FB, you can donate directly, or buy them something on their Amazon Wishlist.

I have been to the Healing Weekend which is hosted on the Secret World land, several times over the years, and it really is a wonderful place.

So head over to the FB event page on the 20th January (tomorrow!!) and check out the tea party! (Photos and videos will be posted throughout the day)

Jan 8 2021

What is Self Love?

Last year I was honoured to help a wonderful friend (and author of Not From This Planet’s upcoming release, Burglar to Buddha) to publish a book that he had compiled, called Self Love Now. Simon had asked the question – Why is Self-Love important at this time in humanity? and the book contains answers from 54 visionaries, and is beautifully illustrated.

Working on the book with Simon got me thinking. What is self love anyway?

Some would say it’s setting boundaries in relationships. Others might say it’s eating healthily. Or buying yourself treats. Or saying no to things that don’t serve you.

I think it may well be different for everyone. For me, self love is acceptance. Of my body, my flaws, my finances, my relationships and my current situation. And it’s not a one-off deal. It’s a daily occurrence. Every time my body changes, I need to accept it all over again. Love it completely again. Whenever my home changes, (which is way too often) I have to accept it again. When my relationships evolve, grow or die, I have to accept those new changes again. Self Love is not berating myself for making mistakes. Self Love is knowing that I am doing the best I can every day in every way. Self Love is never speaking an unkind word against myself, even in jest. (still working on this, self-deprecating jokes are deeply ingrained!) Self Love is a quiet joyfulness. It’s my trust in myself to cope with whatever transpires. Self Love is knowing that I am worthy and deserving of love, abundance and joy, regardless of my productivity or creative output. Self Love is knowing that I have my own back. That I am the sole creator of my own happiness. It’s taking responsibility for my emotions, and not blaming someone else for making me feel bad.

The thing about Self Love, is that it is limitless, it is abundant, and when it is felt in every fibre of your being, it spills out from every pore, and shines on others too. And it is effortless. To truly accept and love yourself is to release all resistance. And when resistance is gone, so is effort and struggle.

So tell me, what is Self Love to you?