Stories
Welcome to Stories - the blogs, stories and reflections from The Not There Yet Project.
Here you’ll find honest, relatable unpolished stories from people navigating the messy middle of life - in Manchester, across the UK, and beyond.
Creatives. Founders. Professionals. People balancing work and wellbeing, questioning identity, chasing joy, and reshaping what success looks like.
These aren’t highlight reels or polished endings. They’re real stories from people figuring things out as they go.
Because most of us are not lost. Not arrived. Just not there yet.
Wherever you’re reading from - Manchester, London, or anywhere in the world - Notes is a place to pause, reflect, and recognise yourself in the stories of others.
Blog posts
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The Mirror in the Sky: Lou Desborough on Astrol...
What if your midlife crisis isn't a crisis, but a planetary reflection of your evolution? Lou Desborough shares her journey from 25 years in design to launching Cosmic Kinship.
The Mirror in the Sky: Lou Desborough on Astrol...
What if your midlife crisis isn't a crisis, but a planetary reflection of your evolution? Lou Desborough shares her journey from 25 years in design to launching Cosmic Kinship.
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The Art of Starting Again: Carla Bentele's jour...
What happens when the career you built your identity around disappears? Carla Bentele joins the podcast to discuss navigating redundancy, identity shifts, and redefining success in the middle of adulthood.
The Art of Starting Again: Carla Bentele's jour...
What happens when the career you built your identity around disappears? Carla Bentele joins the podcast to discuss navigating redundancy, identity shifts, and redefining success in the middle of adulthood.
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Emma Husband on Starting Again at 35, Motherhoo...
Emma Husband didn’t plan to start over in her mid-30s. But during maternity leave, faced with grief, motherhood and a growing sense that something wasn’t right, she began to question...
Emma Husband on Starting Again at 35, Motherhoo...
Emma Husband didn’t plan to start over in her mid-30s. But during maternity leave, faced with grief, motherhood and a growing sense that something wasn’t right, she began to question...
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Rewriting the Script: Kimberley Ford on Reinven...
From finance to drama school to founding a female-led film company, Kimberley Ford shares what it means to feel like the “wrong age,” start again in your 40s, and choose...
Rewriting the Script: Kimberley Ford on Reinven...
From finance to drama school to founding a female-led film company, Kimberley Ford shares what it means to feel like the “wrong age,” start again in your 40s, and choose...
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The courage to choose differently: Jordan Stach...
Jordan Stachini never planned to run a marketing agency. But when life forced a series of difficult decisions - about work, relationships and identity - she chose honesty over expectation....
The courage to choose differently: Jordan Stach...
Jordan Stachini never planned to run a marketing agency. But when life forced a series of difficult decisions - about work, relationships and identity - she chose honesty over expectation....
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Can Community Save Us? Leadership, Loneliness &...
Loneliness is rising. AI is accelerating. Institutions are wobbling. So the question is no longer whether community matters. It’s whether community might actually save us. In this episode, Jonny Quirk explores leadership, belonging,...
Can Community Save Us? Leadership, Loneliness &...
Loneliness is rising. AI is accelerating. Institutions are wobbling. So the question is no longer whether community matters. It’s whether community might actually save us. In this episode, Jonny Quirk explores leadership, belonging,...
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Navigating Two Careers. Choosing One Life: Roxy...
Roxy Heapy has built two careers, a running club, and a life rooted in resilience. From corporate sportswear to bridal makeup, from childhood grief to running her first half marathon...
Navigating Two Careers. Choosing One Life: Roxy...
Roxy Heapy has built two careers, a running club, and a life rooted in resilience. From corporate sportswear to bridal makeup, from childhood grief to running her first half marathon...
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From Imposter to Inspiration: Dr Katie Ford’s J...
How a vet turned imposter syndrome into a voice of empowerment - and built a movement by choosing honesty over perfection.
From Imposter to Inspiration: Dr Katie Ford’s J...
How a vet turned imposter syndrome into a voice of empowerment - and built a movement by choosing honesty over perfection.
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Millions of Plates and Counting: Sarah Healey’s...
Some experts chase headlines - Sarah Healey builds trust. Evidence-led, human, and grounded in real life, Sarah has spent over a decade quietly shaping how families eat. Her work proves that...
1 commentMillions of Plates and Counting: Sarah Healey’s...
Some experts chase headlines - Sarah Healey builds trust. Evidence-led, human, and grounded in real life, Sarah has spent over a decade quietly shaping how families eat. Her work proves that...
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Beats, Plates and Baby Bottles: Jamie Anne Brad...
Jamie Anne Bradbury is a Manchester-based DJ, personal trainer and founder of Fit Food Media whose story is powered by one mantra: say yes before you feel ready.
Beats, Plates and Baby Bottles: Jamie Anne Brad...
Jamie Anne Bradbury is a Manchester-based DJ, personal trainer and founder of Fit Food Media whose story is powered by one mantra: say yes before you feel ready.
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Beyond the Mirror: Donna Timlin’s Journey to Co...
Bullied for how she looked, Donna Timlin once believed she didn’t belong in beauty. At 28, she proved herself wrong - building a business rooted in confidence, compassion, and care....
2 commentsBeyond the Mirror: Donna Timlin’s Journey to Co...
Bullied for how she looked, Donna Timlin once believed she didn’t belong in beauty. At 28, she proved herself wrong - building a business rooted in confidence, compassion, and care....
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Charlotte Rose on Graft, Grace, and Building a ...
Charlotte isn’t chasing status. She’s building something that feels real. Some people build businesses.Charlotte Rose builds connection. She’s the kind of woman who wears more hats than most people can...
Charlotte Rose on Graft, Grace, and Building a ...
Charlotte isn’t chasing status. She’s building something that feels real. Some people build businesses.Charlotte Rose builds connection. She’s the kind of woman who wears more hats than most people can...
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Healing in Motion: What Running My First Half M...
A run, a release, and the unexpected healing that came with crossing the finish line.
Healing in Motion: What Running My First Half M...
A run, a release, and the unexpected healing that came with crossing the finish line.
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From Lockdown to Limitless: Danna Richard’s Jou...
Danna graduated into a pandemic, faced 200 job rejections, and stumbled into UGC by accident. What started as a lockdown TikTok page became paid content work, a rebuilt career, and...
From Lockdown to Limitless: Danna Richard’s Jou...
Danna graduated into a pandemic, faced 200 job rejections, and stumbled into UGC by accident. What started as a lockdown TikTok page became paid content work, a rebuilt career, and...
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Poetry for the People: The Story Behind The Chu...
From drama-school rejection to poetry on Manchester’s streets, The Chubby Northerner proves art belongs to everyone - no permission required.
Poetry for the People: The Story Behind The Chu...
From drama-school rejection to poetry on Manchester’s streets, The Chubby Northerner proves art belongs to everyone - no permission required.
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The Gap: Why The Not There Yet Project Exists
The First Note... On paper, I’ve done well. I own my home. I’m in a good relationship. I’ve worked (really) hard in my career to get to where I am...
The Gap: Why The Not There Yet Project Exists
The First Note... On paper, I’ve done well. I own my home. I’m in a good relationship. I’ve worked (really) hard in my career to get to where I am...
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Balancing It All: Emma’s Journey from Empowered...
This is Emma’s story. One of genuine passion, identity, and learning when to share the load. There’s a certain kind of resilience in women like Emma. A resilience built not...
Balancing It All: Emma’s Journey from Empowered...
This is Emma’s story. One of genuine passion, identity, and learning when to share the load. There’s a certain kind of resilience in women like Emma. A resilience built not...