Haha loved this throw down. Full disclosure I’m a Gwynnie fan. And I do think she gets targeted a bit on the pod disproportionately compared to other “wellness/lifestyle” female founders- eg Elle Macpherson, J Lo, Blake Lively, Jessica Alba to name a few. The photo shoot was edgy, arty , and certainly not the usual way GP presents herself. As a woman of the same age I want to see all the different visual/cutural/intellectual and creative facets that are available for me to observe and choose to aspire to or just admire- in which case I would argue that this doesn’t harm women in this current cultural moment. So I’m definitely team Holly and GP on this one. Thanks always for robust discussion, always interesting to hear those different viewpoints 🙌🏻❤️

I’m loving the Proust insights. We are going to include it in our friendship group. Thanks so much for sharing these insights into yourselves 🙌🏻✨💕

Beautifully expressed article. I agree it’s a mystery as to why these people feel the need/want to be such haters. Social media and the internet is fabulous in so many ways but there is no doubt this side of it is the worst. There’s a great podcast called Smartless (will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes) and the episode they do with Ricky Gervais back in 2020 is brilliant - Gervais sums up this phenomenon perfectly- give it a listen and have a laugh. And finally- love your writing- keep ignoring the haters 💖💖

This article could literally be turned into a book. At 52 I was asking myself the same questions- strong Gen x woman that had been busy and had done it all for so many years- medical specialist, wife, mother of 2, the go to organiser for the family and work/friend groups. Felt I’d sorted peri with HRT, so why was it all just so hard suddenly??I don’t have solid answers but reading this article is sweet relief to know that so many people are feeling it too. Thank you thank you 🙏 

What about which of these is best for a long body? Any thoughts or suggestions? Most one pieces ride up my backside, and zoom straight down from bustline to top of the legs creating a weird trampoline effect 🤦🏻‍♀️ 

Haha loved this. Your rules are waaay better! Hard agree about kids and dogs 🙌🏻. Though I do love a white linen shirt- there’s nothing napisan can’t get out 😂❤️

Great article Holly. Love your balanced over arching view. And you’re right, they’re either pretending or they’re being restrictive… like J Lo and the olive oil is the only thing I use/do to my face… 

I definitely felt supported by having my partner help with settling/nappy changes after feeding. It’s a good thing to start as you mean to continue- coparenting as best you can. I’m with Holly on this one 🙌🏻

Hmmmm I feel like this article has a slight “click bait pro inflammatory” vibe. I tried to read with an open mind and honestly ended up feeling irritated especially when discussing the work life balance concept- and of course I’m gen x…. The work issue is highly dependent on the type of work you’re in/socio economic circumstances etc. So making broad generalisations like these (we gen x’ers glorify being workaholics…) are ultimately divisive and unhelpful. Yep I’ve swallowed the bait @mamamia and commented. How about going back to being supportive of all parents. Just trying to do the best we can….. 

Fantastic piece Holly thank you! Eloquent and gritty and oh so relatable- the artful mess of working parents and young children… and even if you don’t believe it- ahem- you totally manifested that shift. It doesn’t have to be with crystals, incense, and moon phases- you were clear about what you wanted- and then you made it happen. Inspirational! 

Loved this piece- nuanced, cleverly expressed, and heartfelt- thank you for sharing 🙏

Ooh love the high neck- gorge! My mum didn’t come shopping at all- I bought straight off the rack - she was so late to my wedding that she didn’t get to watch my Dad walk medown the path (beach wedding) lol. The photographer got one photo of her dabbing her eyes but she said it was “allergies”. Definitely soooo matter of fact lol. Keep up the commentary- hilarious and for me… beyond relatable 🙌🏻🙌🏻🤣🤣🤣

This is very sad but true- female medicos (of which I am one- an anaesthetist) face an uphill battle to train, do their specialist exams, and dear god if you want a family- well that becomes another barrier to that feted term “work life balance”. The training in medicine is long and arduous, and definitely takes a toll. To then be faced with public perception that your time is worth what Medicare decrees is actually insulting. There is no way you can run a practice, pay your insurance, and actually make a reasonable wage if you are consistently bulk billing. As a specialist my GP and other medicos that see me often refuse to charge a gap. For me I can only either return the favour as much as I can or send a lovely gift. But ultimately the public need to realise that gaps are there to ensure not only the time and expertise they require for their consult, but also that their GP will be there for them the next time….

Brilliantly articulated Holly- and yes, I think our generation of feminist has pushed back hard against the idea that our hormones could affect our ability to function and perform as well as our male counterparts. I have a ticket to the summit and can’t wait to have a listen. So glad to have people like you and Mia sorting us! Many thanks 🙌🏻❤️❤️

Great little nugget of info thank you 🙏🏻How do we flip the narrative though re:women being at the mercy of their hormones their whole lives? It’s tricky isn’t it because obviously it is a roller coaster- but we want to be able to say we are in control, smart, capable etc. Especially in those jobs where we have been fighting a gender war forever (my own career in medicine comes to mind … so much gender bias omg… ) Interested to hear that be part of the discussion in the very peri summit- can’t wait! Thank you once again for drawing attention to this issue 🙌🏻💫

Absolutely love this Holly- it’s everything I’ve been feeling- at 51 I want to be able to keep loving fashion and dressing in whatever makes me feel great- having those role models (and Mia and Trinny 👌🏻) is glorious 🙌🏻👌🏻💫❤️

I’m so sorry to hear how unwell you’ve been- truly awful for you. My husband has had the headaches for two weeks now but they are finally easing. There’s a great podcast on Omicron/long COVID/what constitutes long COVID etc etc. The Whole View is the name of it- always the latest science discussed- it helped me have further insight into this virus and what to expect. Hope things improve asap 🙏🏻✨❤️

Eloquently put- I see you and all the nurses. I, like you, am infuriated by the short sighted perceptions of these people- but they won’t be reading this will they? As a doctor that has done their fair share of intensive care and acute care (and those long hours away from my kids)  I am devastated by the lonely deaths, the solo severe illness- this is not living as a community. Finding it increasingly hard to hear the war cry “my rights, my freedoms”. We are (or should be) in it together. Let’s hope there’s a light bulb moment coming for these people …. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

I’m 176 cm tall smaller waist and bigger hips- got to say when it comes to jeans the more spendy the better fit 😬Adriano Goldschmeid always great, never too short, denim soft and stretchy, Citizens of Humanity also good. And Country Road have some great options too (good returns policy also) Good luck!🤗

Perfect- saves me watching it. Hilarious recap 👌🏻👌🏻