The Shed Diaries

My Glow-Up Journey as a Mum, Woman & Work in Progress

Let me set the scene…

It’s 6:15 AM. My house is quiet, the kettle’s on, and I’m sat at my dressing table and my daughter, Sophia, is sat up on my lap—exactly where she always ends up as I get ready. She reaches for my face cream with the most serious little expression and says, “Mummy, I want to be just like you.”

That moment stopped me in my tracks.

Because lately, I haven’t exactly felt like the woman I’d want her to become.

Perimenopause: The Unspoken Struggle

Over the past year, I’ve been navigating the messy, unfiltered waves of perimenopause—low moods, heavy brain fog, fatigue that felt like cement in my bones, and weight gain that crept in with every convenience meal and skipped workout. I didn’t feel like me, and for a long time, I didn’t talk about it.

I went back to the GP (again) and finally got on a new HRT path that feels promising. But here’s the thing I had to face: no medication can replace self-responsibility. I needed to reclaim my health—not just treat it.

Glow-Up Prep Week: The Reboot I Needed

This past week, I kicked off what I’m calling Glow-Up Prep Week. It’s not about aesthetics or unrealistic expectations. It’s about rebuilding habits that make me feel strong, clear, calm, and present. It’s about doing this for me—and for the little girl who’s watching my every move.

Here’s what I’ve been doing:

Upping my water intake – I’m aiming for 2 litres daily

Writing down my why & goals in my Angie Bellemare Daily Grind Planner https://dailygrindplanner.com/pages/planner-builder

Stocking up on feel-good food with a weekly meal plan that works for coeliac, IBS, and nut-free needs ( we are an allergic family!)

Scheduling my Beachbody workouts (30 minutes max, realistic and doable!) https://www.bodi.com/gb/en

Skincare TLC – Currently loving my Eve Taylor range https://www.eve-taylor.com/

As my skin is currently extremely dry and dehydrated, I’m using the:

Energy audit – I’ve unfollowed accounts that drain me.

And I made a checklist that keeps me accountable and focused each day—you can download it below!

I’ve created a printable daily and weekly Glow-Up Checklist to help you build habits that support your own journey—whether you’re in perimenopause, postpartum, or just need a reset with a little more grace and a lot less guilt.

Why “Elevate”?

This season, I’m choosing to elevate—my health, my mindset, my purpose, my presence. I’m not doing it perfectly. But I’m doing it intentionally.

Because Sophia is watching.
And I want her to grow up knowing that even when life knocks you down, you can always choose to rise.

What’s your motivation for your own glow-up this season?

Leave a comment below or come find me over on Instagram to join the conversation—I’m cheering you on all the way.