Laura Johnstone

What could I do more of? Writing!

Juggling Work, Childcare, and Summer Holidays Life has felt like a bit of a balancing act lately. I’ve had to take a breather from my usual writing pace, and I wanted to share why. Recently, I started a new job, which has been exciting but also a huge adjustment. At the same time, my husbandContinue reading “What could I do more of? Writing! ”

Rainbow Baby Day: A Celebration of Joy, Love, Loss, and Hope

Today is Rainbow Baby Day. For those who may not know, a rainbow baby is a baby born after the loss of another baby. The rainbow comes after the storm, symbolising hope, love, and light following heartbreak. But if you are a parent of a rainbow baby, you’ll know the day can stir so manyContinue reading “Rainbow Baby Day: A Celebration of Joy, Love, Loss, and Hope”

The Professions I Admire the Most

When I think about the professions I truly admire, my mind doesn’t go to the usual high-status roles that society often praises — the lawyers, the bankers, or the big-name executives. My admiration lies with the people whose work often goes unnoticed, undervalued, and underpaid, yet is vital to the very fabric of our communities.Continue reading “The Professions I Admire the Most”

Creating My Dream Shop: A Safe and Welcoming Space for Families

If I ever opened a shop, I wouldn’t just want it to be a shop. I’d want it to be a community hub—a place where families could come together, feel at ease, and know they are somewhere truly inclusive. In my vision, this space would start with a gluten-free café, serving delicious cakes and treatsContinue reading “Creating My Dream Shop: A Safe and Welcoming Space for Families”

Leaving the House as a Disabled Mum: Why My Checklist Is So Much Longer

If you class yourself as what most people would call “average” when it comes to leaving the house, your mental checklist probably looks something like this: keys, purse, phone. These days, a lot of people don’t even bother with a purse if they have Google Pay or Apple Pay. Maybe you’ll throw in a phoneContinue reading “Leaving the House as a Disabled Mum: Why My Checklist Is So Much Longer”

13 Days Fighting: Honouring Leo and Raising Awareness for Baby Loss

If you’re based in the UK and love a bit of nostalgia, chances are you’ve been watching the new series of Gladiators. But behind the big screen and athletic personas, some of these Gladiators are facing the kind of battles no one ever signs up for. Zack George, known on screen as Steel, recently sharedContinue reading “13 Days Fighting: Honouring Leo and Raising Awareness for Baby Loss”

When It All Hits at Once: Mum Guilt, Meltdowns, and the Power of Letting It Out

Today was one of those days. The kind of day where everything bubbles to the surface and spills over. I was at home with Amelia. From the outside, nothing looked particularly unusual — just a tired mum and a toddler doing the usual dance of cuddles, chaos, and clinginess. But inside? I was unravelling aContinue reading “When It All Hits at Once: Mum Guilt, Meltdowns, and the Power of Letting It Out”

First Week Back at Work Since Pregnancy: A Rollercoaster of Emotions

This week has been big. No, huge. I’ve just finished my first proper week in employment since I was 16 weeks pregnant — the same time I was made redundant. In hindsight, the redundancy came at the right time. I now realise I would have been signed off sick from about a week later anyway,Continue reading “First Week Back at Work Since Pregnancy: A Rollercoaster of Emotions”

Baking Memories into Our Wedding Day: Why I Made My Own Wedding Cake

When I got married, there was one thing I was absolutely certain about—I wanted to make my own wedding cake. Some people thought I was mad. With everything else going on in the lead-up to a wedding, why would I add the pressure of baking and decorating a cake? But for me, it wasn’t justContinue reading “Baking Memories into Our Wedding Day: Why I Made My Own Wedding Cake”