A FRESH START
Life changes and evolves and what I’ve come to realise is that you never really do get things 100% sorted. In fact it’s much easier to accept a situation and just move on, go with the flow. It feels like most things I do now are stripped back and made as simple as possible, exactly for this purpose. I eat better (huge thanks to the Hemsley sisters for this!), I spend better quality time with my girls and I’m more productive in the time that I have*. It just took a little get used to!
Although the blog has been neglected for a few months, it’s always been in my mind and niggling away at me. The thought of not doing it again just didn’t sit well or really make sense. It just had to work for me and my new life with Hero.
So I decided to wipe the slate clean and start afresh. And here it is – a new look blog. It’s feels much better to me, easier to breathe with much less going on. No adverts, no complicated menus and categories (or at least that’s the idea!) just simple blog posts that you can read without clicking through.
I’ll only be blogging once to twice a week but it means I get to share what’s going on at Hero and anything else that feels right at the time – which I think is what a blog is really about isn’t it?
I’m really pleased with the new look and I hope you like it too. Have a great week.
Laura
*it’s not as perfect as it sounds, but I can but try!
![Almost eight months to the day since I became a surrogate mother and this special little man was born . Despite the grey hair and no make-up, this is one of my all time favourite photos. I could say more but for me, this photo says everything ❤️. [ photo by @helencocker ] #surrogate #surrogacyrocks #surrogatemother](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/vp/d1c9801afc21fe0fdd1bc291d475ebac/5D4B0BC4/t51.2885-15/e35/p320x320/44741337_1290438874438370_4362262897815059951_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com "Almost eight months to the day since I became a surrogate mother and this special little man was born . Despite the grey hair and no make-up, this is one of my all time favourite photos. I could say more but for me, this photo says everything ❤️. [ photo by @helencocker ] #surrogate #surrogacyrocks #surrogatemother")
![Rigid structure or routine rebel? I’ve always resisted routine [ except when it came to babies. Then, I was military ] and really hated the idea of anything restricting my freedom. - What if I just wasn’t feeling it on the day?! - Last year felt so tumultuous and although there was a structure to my work, of sorts, I could never quite get a grasp on feeling in control. - The freedom that I was so precious about holding onto, was actually never there. I felt strangled by own lifestyle. - This year, I’ve restructured my working week + now get to spend every Monday with this little hooligan . - I’ve got really geeky about planning, productivity + routine and have found SO much more freedom. - If you love all things planning too, this week’s Little Chapters podcast by @simpleandseason + @jessicarosewilliams is all about routine and I would definitely recommend a listen. - You can also follow @josephinepbrooks ~ a Planning + Productivity Coach. - If you sign up to her newsletter you can download a four week mini course about ‘how to make time for your side hustle and do more of what you love’. - So, do you love structure or rebel again the routine?? ✨ #littlechapters #routine #creativelife #herostockbridge #beyourownhero #livemoremagic #podcast](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/vp/1fd41746e13aa0fefe65c59ef5136b08/5D296C57/t51.2885-15/e35/p320x320/52893375_2713903335316965_5826880143895897962_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com "Rigid structure or routine rebel? I’ve always resisted routine [ except when it came to babies. Then, I was military ] and really hated the idea of anything restricting my freedom. - What if I just wasn’t feeling it on the day?! - Last year felt so tumultuous and although there was a structure to my work, of sorts, I could never quite get a grasp on feeling in control. - The freedom that I was so precious about holding onto, was actually never there. I felt strangled by own lifestyle. - This year, I’ve restructured my working week + now get to spend every Monday with this little hooligan . - I’ve got really geeky about planning, productivity + routine and have found SO much more freedom. - If you love all things planning too, this week’s Little Chapters podcast by @simpleandseason + @jessicarosewilliams is all about routine and I would definitely recommend a listen. - You can also follow @josephinepbrooks ~ a Planning + Productivity Coach. - If you sign up to her newsletter you can download a four week mini course about ‘how to make time for your side hustle and do more of what you love’. - So, do you love structure or rebel again the routine?? ✨ #littlechapters #routine #creativelife #herostockbridge #beyourownhero #livemoremagic #podcast")
![I’ve been so caught up with @herostockbridge I almost forgot I had this account . • I’m currently 9 days into a thirteen day stint at the shop + I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t getting a little bit like Groundhog Day now... • This summer was always going to be different ~ all the changes in the business meant no holiday + an adjustment to how the summer holidays were going to look for us as a family. • Of-course I love what I’m doing but I’m really appreciating the value of rest + reset. A change of scenery would be nice too ☺️ • The girls left on their first unaccompanied flight to Alderney + I’m joining them on Sunday for a few days when I intend to fully unplug • Have you ever had to sacrifice a summer? [ by @sarahloufrancis ] . . . . . . #herostockbridge #summer #workingmum #creativebusiness #worklife #reset #timetorest #livemoremagic #motherhoodthroughinstagram](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/vp/c397006b0506210594405b9658e4f5c4/5D4EB2DD/t51.2885-15/e35/s320x320/38184074_2082310321793627_1720974643679985664_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com "I’ve been so caught up with @herostockbridge I almost forgot I had this account . • I’m currently 9 days into a thirteen day stint at the shop + I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t getting a little bit like Groundhog Day now... • This summer was always going to be different ~ all the changes in the business meant no holiday + an adjustment to how the summer holidays were going to look for us as a family. • Of-course I love what I’m doing but I’m really appreciating the value of rest + reset. A change of scenery would be nice too ☺️ • The girls left on their first unaccompanied flight to Alderney + I’m joining them on Sunday for a few days when I intend to fully unplug • Have you ever had to sacrifice a summer? [ by @sarahloufrancis ] . . . . . . #herostockbridge #summer #workingmum #creativebusiness #worklife #reset #timetorest #livemoremagic #motherhoodthroughinstagram")
What a fabulous new look for both the blog and you, that’s a beautiful profile photo of you! It’ll be lovely to read your blogs again! Jo xxx
Thank you Jo! I do love a little bit of reinvention…keeps things fresh and this feels just right. Looking forward to seeing you soon xx
So glad to see you “back” and with a fresh new look – minimal and gorgeous! I say ” back” as I catch up with on Instagram, Twitter and over at Hero but I always loved your posts on My Pollyanna so look forward to seeing more! Fabulous design L! xxx
Thank you A! It doesn’t really feel like I went away but some how definitely feels like a relaunch! So pleased you like the design, feels right xx
Welcome Back! x
Thank you! x
Welcome back to the world of blogging. I enjoyed your reading your old blog and taking a peek at your style (which I love) so Iam glad you have decided to return. I think we can be too hard on ourselves, to do everything perfect and we should just go with the flow….. hands up to you for starting a new business with 2 little ones. I love the simple style of the new My Pollyanna. Xx
Thank you Annmarie…trying to have everything perfect is just too too hard. My expectations were way too ambitious and I felt like I was failing all over the place but now it’s like it all feels more comfortable. I’m so pleased you like it, it’s great to back in such a lovely community. L x
Lovely to see you back Laura! Love the refreshed blog too! E. x
Brilliant, thank you! So pleased you like it. L x
It looks fab Laura, I really do love the clean, uncluttered design. And I don’t know how you manage to keep all the balls in the air. I’m in awe! x
Oh phew, thank you! It’s always nerve racking when you put something new out there isn’t it? It’s so nice to get lovely feedback though, it’s so much appreciated, thank you xx