Can you live without the applause?

For this issue I had a chat with my new bestie, relationship podcaster Diane Tuffuoh, who, though she first became a parent at 16, was able to continue her education and pursue her dreams with the faith and support of her family. I was convicted by her strong reminder to obedience for the things God calls you to do – without delay! Read her story on page 8. 

I was also intrigued by the words of our new Health Wise columnist Monique Thomas, who argues against the pressure to “bloom all year”. Seasons, she writes, “offer us a wisdom that is not found in a perpetual state of summer”. Turn to page 38 to find out what she has to say on navigating your hormonal rhythms and how to build healthy relationships with your body.

Personally, I’ve been reflecting on the intersections of culture, faith and self-worth. I write on Substack under the handle Christ Couture, and in one post I pondered: Can you live without the applause? Having recently won a Wise Women Award (my first ever!) for my work in Christian media, I revisited the path that brought me into journalism and leadership – but also the dust-ups of ego, expectation and belonging that sometimes come with visibility. 

In that piece I reminded myself that being off social media has been one of the most spiritually clarifying decisions of my adult life – not because I want smaller audiences, but because I want to live honestly, without measuring my worth by impressions or likes.

So, when you do see me on our social media, know that it is because Woman Alive is rooted in connectedness and that’s something I’m keen to keep going. However, we are praying for more in-person events and more ways to be in community that don’t involve a button for affirmation. 

Editor + Creative Director

@WomanAliveUK