Because those dreams can change lives.
Yesterday, I had a day off. But not just a day off from work – a true pause. A chance to rest, reflect, and reconnect. From 9:30 to 2:30, I wasn’t in mum-mode. Amelia was in the loving care of her grandma and grandad – and when she’s with them, I genuinely relax. There’s a deep peace in knowing your child is safe with people you trust.
And with that peace, I could truly switch off.
I met my best friend for lunch in Brighton – a halfway point between our homes. We don’t get to see each other often, so when we do, it’s special. We caught up, laughed, and shared stories over lunch like no time had passed. Then I told her about my newest project – the Pumping for Preemies campaign. I showed her the children’s book I’ve written, The Magic Milk Bike, and then I read her the poem I’d written for the campaign.
As she finished reading, she looked up at me with tears in her eyes. “This,” she said, voice trembling, “is the most impactful thing you’ve ever done.”
I wasn’t expecting her response to be quite so emotional. She explained that 13 years ago, she had a miscarriage – something I remember vividly. It was heartbreaking for her, her husband, and honestly, for me too. I had felt helpless at the time, unsure of what to say or how to support her. And here we were, over a decade later, with my words – born from my own experiences of premature birth, milk expression, and loss – touching a part of her heart that hadn’t fully healed.
It reminded me just how powerful our stories can be.
When someone outside your immediate circle – someone you admire and trust – gives you that kind of validation, it hits differently. It grounds you. It reminds you that your message is needed, that your work is seen, and that you are making a difference.
I didn’t realise how emotional this campaign could be for other people. I had been so focused on the mums in the NICU, the expressing, the trauma and the exhaustion. But it’s reaching further. It’s opening doors to conversations that we’ve kept locked for far too long.
And yesterday, I felt something I don’t always allow myself to feel: proud.
Proud of how far I’ve come.
Proud of turning pain into purpose.
Proud that the dream in my heart is helping other people feel seen and heard.
So if you’re reading this and you’ve got a dream that feels too big, too heavy, or too bold – know this:
That dream is in your heart for a reason.
It’s not just a goal – it’s a calling.
And when you write it down, take that first step, and believe in it fiercely – it becomes a goal.
And that goal? You can absolutely smash it.
Because dreams that come from love, from loss, from truth – those are the dreams that change lives.
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References:
The Magic Milk Bike – Laura Johnstone Pumping for Preemies Campaign – [Link to your site or info page] Miscarriage Association – https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk Sands – Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Charity – https://www.sands.org.uk
When is the last time you took a risk? How did it work out?
The bad and your parenting journey 