Is it… or isn’t it?

Updated on February 26th, 2025

Last week I mentioned that I would be featured in the Mail on Sunday newspaper (only important if you are in the UK). It is a HUGE deal for me to be in another big publication and I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity. I was told by the journalist that it would be coming out on 16^th March. I broadcast it among my friends and family (and here last week) so they would be as excited as me and braced to dash to the newsagents first thing that Sunday 😉.

Mail on Sunday

^th

So, when I got an email from the journalist last Monday to say that it had been in the paper the day before, I was gutted. She was full of apologies and sent me a copy of what had been printed. It was lovely to see the words that she had written about my adventures and one of my favourite travel shots front and centre of the piece.

To get featured in a national newspaper is such a big deal that I also wanted a physical copy.

OK…two…or three…or more!

When I was in Woman’s Weekly magazine last year I went out and bought four copies, from two different shops (so they could see it was a popular issue 🤷‍♀️🤣).

Woman’s Weekly

But this time I had missed my chance. I wanted to see if any shops were waiting for their rubbish to be collected and may still have a copy, but I had a full diary and couldn’t get to any.

So, I sent out an SOS via Facebook, letting everyone know the article was out there and seeing if anyone may be able to get their hands on a copy for me.

I was overwhelmed by the response and the number of friends who came forward with offers to stick one in the post for me.

Thank you if this was you. It meant the world to me!

The journalist had even asked her boss if they had a spare, they could send me. That was a lovely gesture too.

Then one friend mentioned that she had looked from cover to cover and couldn’t see it anywhere.

What?!?

I was disappointed but reasoned that maybe with a national newspaper, they still have slightly different content and maybe she was in a different region.

But NO!

The next day I had an update. The journalist got back to me full of apologies again to say that there had been a production problem and although the article was planned to go out in print last Sunday, it hadn’t. Instead, it is due to be published on 24^th March.

^th

Fingers well and truly crossed this time!

So, from the high of getting featured in a national newspaper, to the frustration of missing it, to the desperation of trying to get my hands on a copy, to the confusion of it not being there, to the reset anticipation that it will be, it has been a bit of a rollercoaster week for my publicity journey!

What have I learned?

Obviously, that so much of what we rely on that we are told is out of our control. Often it might be out of the control for those who tell us too. Rather than lamenting on what didn’t go to plan, think of what you can control and take action to rectify the situation.

But mainly, never underestimate the power of your network. You may be surprised who responds to the call. There may be people who you haven’t spoken to for years but who leap to help you if they are able to.

It took me back a few years ago when I was on a solo road trip in Wales. I was planning to spend a few days hiking in the Brecon Beacons. Then I took an unceremonious tumble coming out of the bathroom in my guesthouse and sprained my ankle.

solo road trip

Wales

I was stuck.

Of course, I couldn’t hike as I couldn’t really walk. And because I couldn’t walk, there was no way I could drive! But most of all, I was alone with a car and a long way from home. I felt incredibly vulnerable and as someone who prides themselves on independence, this was a time when I had no choice but to reach out and ask for help.

I did the same thing. I put a post out on Facebook, and I was blown away by how many people were willing to go out of their way to come to my aid. I hadn’t realised how many I knew who were (almost) local, or how many were willing to give up their time to come to my rescue. To read all the gory details along with my other top tips for dealing with injury when solo travelling, then check out the link HERE.

HERE

So, {{ subscriber.first_name }}, can you relate? When was the last time you made a cry for help and were surprised by the response? Or when did you come to someone’s rescue? Hit reply to this email to let me know or connect via your social method of choice (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads or LinkedIn) to give me all the details.

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