This month in trying: June edition

Overcoming mistakes, celebrating rejection and a 3am skunk attack

Jun 29, 2025

Welcome to This Month in Trying—a loose and honest check-in on my optimism project. Each month, I share what I’ve been up to: the wins, the works-in-progress, and what I’m learning (or unlearning) along the way.

It’s part journal, part reflection, and part invitation to consider your own month of trying—whatever that looks like for you!

What I’m proud of

At the start of May, I discovered I’d made a fairly calamitous mistake—so, naturally, most of June was spent trying to contain the fallout.

Fixing it required a last-minute three-week trip to England. The timing wasn’t ideal, but as far as consequences go, it was hardly a hardship.

In the days before I left, I was riddled with anxiety and shame. But once the initial shock of the bad news passed, I felt strangely compelled to keep attempting optimism, however imperfectly. Instead of spiralling into worst-case scenarios, I asked myself to delay the panic until something truly bad actually happened.

That reframe didn’t always come easily. I wasn’t aiming for forced positivity—I was far too stressed for that. Instead, I tried to keep my mind busy and focus on what I could control, instead of everything I couldn’t.

Although I’m still not able to share all the details here (I really wish I could!), I’m so relieved to say: everything turned out OK!

What I’m still attempting

This month, I heard back from an agent who’d read my memoir manuscript. He passed—but offered generous feedback, praising both my writing and my story. His reason for not signing me? My platform isn’t big enough.

It’s the direction the publishing industry is heading—especially for memoir—so I wasn’t shocked. Still, it stung.

For a few days, I felt low. My brain did its usual tricks: He was just being polite. Your writing is actually awful. When are you going to give up on this?

But despite my brain’s cries to call it quits, I don’t want to give up: on myself, or on this dream of becoming a published author. Besides, I never expected this to be easy.

So instead of gaslighting myself, here’s what I’m doing:

I’ve hired a brilliant book coach to help me pitch articles and grow my bylines
I’m showing up every week on Substack (aka the highlight of my life 🤣)
I’ve joined an online writing community to keep honing my craft

I’m playing with a new project idea and carving out time for a very messy draft zero

As I wrote last month:

I believe in my story. I believe in the years I’ve spent shaping this manuscript.

Now, I just have to give myself the best chance of success.

What I’ve learned this month

It’s hard to see your own progress when you’re still in the thick of it. You have to trust that six months from now, you’ll look back and barely recognise where you began.

That believing in yourself isn’t a one-time decision—you have to wake up every day and choose to. Especially when others don’t understand your mission. Especially when you want to give up on yourself.

That you can let in moments of joy, even when you’re anxious.

And that in times of deep stress, the best thing you can do is keep showing up—for the work that makes your soul sing, for the people you love, and for your slightly barmy dogs.

The month in numbers

3 blissful weeks in England (and 3 long weeks apart from the pups!)
2 ‘vintage’ point-and-shoot cameras acquired and proudly paraded around
6 reunions with old friends—proof that time and distance can’t touch a true bond
7 miles walked along the South West Coast Path, a long-held dream inspired by The Salt Path
8 rides conquered at Disneyland—our first visit in over 7 years!

The month in photos

The old Brighton pier, shot from my hotel window. I wrote more about my experience of returning to Brighton here.
A silent disco in the freezing English Channel!
Walking home from a pub in East Sussex
Setting off on the South West Coast Path
Hope Cove, Devon, taken from the Coast Path
My husband and parents on the Coast Path
A magical conservatory at Agatha Christie’s old holiday home in Devon.
My husband riding the ferry to Salcombe, Devon.
In the famous ‘white garden’ at Sissinghurst Castle in Kent (another item checked off my bucket list!)

Flynn and Suki update

Suki discovered what a skunk is. At 3am. While I was outside with her and Flynn, dealing with his upset stomach. We all got sprayed. It was… a memorable experience. Many, many hours of cleaning followed. (I was also extremely jet-lagged.)
Flynn, meanwhile, has reaffirmed his stance that holidays are deeply offensive. Suitcases = betrayal.