She's Going Places

All the EOFY sales have reminded me that this time last year I was in the middle of one of the most excruciatingly stressful decisions of my life… couch shopping.

I was sweating about couches.

My husband and I had bought the couches 18 years before, when we moved into our house; brown because the other options were slim, but also that’s how decisions were made then. Together.

Through marriage, Graves disease, smaller illnesses, divorce, lockdown — I had those couches. I’m a prolific napper, and my big couch was my fave place to recover from life, with my babies. They were there for me. Replacing the couches meant saying goodbye to our spot, too. ☹

But those couches were killing me. During lockdown they’d basically aged in reverse Benjamin Button style — getting more tired while I got more tired too. My body was suffering.

When I properly started thinking about new couches, it was hard… but I pushed myself anyway. It was a big decision, and a brave one, and EOFY helped, too.

I went to dozens of shops, sat on 50+ couches and chairs. I was basically Goldilocks on a budget. All I had was my notebook, phone, and thankfully, my sister and friends whose opinions I sought throughout the process.

There were plenty I could have talked myself into if I’d tried, but they weren’t right for me. And I really wanted this decision — with my limited budget — to be right. I was making a huge, very adult decision, on my own.

I tried to picture what would actually work in my home. Fabric or leather? Two-seater or three? Chaise or no chaise… or did I even need one? Only my sister — who lives interstate and only visits once a year — ever used it, but of course I factored her in while shopping.

On the day I decided, the second last day of June, I took a book with me and sat on couches reading, to see how they’d feel while relaxing. When I’d decided on the style, I rang a friend and talked with her for about an hour. She really helped me work through the colour and number options — and if not for her being there that day, I might still be sitting on those old, brown couches.

These couches could be around for another 18 years, so I really wanted to get it right. And now, my opinion was the only one that mattered.

This sh*t's so much harder as a single. For me anyway.

But even when a decision is necessary, and you’re trying to make the best version of it you can for yourself, it can still feel really hard.
Maybe that’s the point.

Decisions like this can be harder on your own, but while they ask more of you, they’re also more rewarding.

Xx
Marie-Louise

Who knew a new dressing gown could bring me a life lesson? Not me, but here we are.

For over 20 years, I've had 2 dressing gowns, which I've loved, and worn to death! When I'm home, I'm in one of them, or a shorter, hooded one I got a few years back. They've all been great, and kept me warm and cosy through winters and life's challenges.

When I put the hood of the shorter one on recently, I realised how warm my head was, which got me thinking about buying a longer hooded one.

The Universe accepted that challenge and voila! A gorge pink gown appeared at Target while I was there working with a client.

I put it on and oh. my. god. It was like being hugged by a cloud.
Warm. Cosy. Soft. Lined hood. Perfection. I've barely taken it off.

While cooking pasta, I put my old gown on, to avoid getting pasta sauce on the new one. Instantly, I realised it's not warm, or cosy. It's actually pretty thin.

I only realised that, because I'd upgraded, tried something new.

And isn't life a bit like that sometimes?

A new friend shows you what genuine connection looks like. You meet a guy who highlights what you actually want when you're dating. A new hobby reminds you that you're still capable of learning and growing. A random or spontaneous experience you almost said no to ends up being a life highlight. And the friends you made on a night you nearly didn't go to, become your besties.

You don't always know you need something new until you try it.

And you can't always realise what's no longer serving you until you get a glimpse of something better.

Funny how that happens.

Xx
Marie-Louise

🎶 July dayclubbing is coming up 🎶

If you’ve been thinking about coming along… this is your reminder 💃

We had such a great time at the last one, and I know there were a few women afterwards saying they nearly came or wished they had gone.

So if that’s been you at all — don’t overthink it this time.

We’ll meet beforehand so you’re not arriving alone, head in together for a daytime dance, and if you want to stay on afterwards, we’ll go for a pub meal nearby. If not, you can still head home early and keep it easy ✨

If it's been a while, this is your chance to get out of the house, onto a dance floor, and back into doing something fun again 💛

Tickets are in the event, and don’t forget the discount code: SHESGOINGPLACES

Come dance the day away with us 👯‍♀️

Xx
Marie-Louise

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Today I’ve just realised I’ve reached 2,000 Instagram posts. 💗

That feels like a pretty big moment for me.

It’s years of showing up with one focus: helping single women respark their lives and build something brighter for themselves.

If you’re on Instagram too, you’ll find all of those posts there — a whole lot of encouragement, ideas, and reminders that life doesn’t stop here.

Thanks for being part of this space, in whatever way you are. ✨💗

Xx
Marie-Louise

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZ4EHd6Klyb/?igsh=bHlxZDByMGRjZzBy

Today I noticed I’ve reached 2,000 Instagram posts. 💗 That’s a huge number. It represents years of me showing up with one consistent focus: helping single women realise their lives aren’t over — they’re waiting to be resparked. With friends to make, places to explore, confidence to rebuild, and new chapters to step into. If even one of those 2,000 posts has helped a single woman take a step toward a fuller life, then it’s been worth every bit of effort. Thank you for being here, whether you’ve followed from the beginning or only recently found She’s Going Places. Here’s to what comes next. ✨💗 Xx Marie-Louise