I was sweating away in a Zumba class when I first heard this Gloria Estefan banger ‘Let’s Get Loud’. A perfect Zumba number, the song is a light-hearted call to action for us to live unapologetically at full volume. Culturally, women often get the message that staying agreeably quiet is what’s expected of us.

So, on International Women’s Day 2026, I’m asking how we can instead crank up our communication and get louder in our lives?

When was the last time you truly lavished yourself with extravagant care and attention? Treated yourself to a romantic dinner or a beautiful bouquet just because you’re lovely? This Valentine’s Day, let’s really push the boat out for ourselves.

Whether it’s your co-worker in the corridor, a passing dog-walker on the street or your local supermarket cashier, I think it’s high time we abandoned our headphones and scrolling for a good old-fashioned ‘Hello’.

Turret plotting, secret alliances, roundtable plot twists- The Traitors has the nation hooked right now. But when it comes to the relationships in your life, what role are you playing?

‍ Although a latecomer (I’ve only seen Celebrity Traitors and Traitors UK Season 4), I’ve quickly become obsessed with the show. I’m not alone: apparently, over 14 million viewers tuned into the highly emotive Celebrity Traitors final in November (I’m still reeling from those last moments around the firepit 🔥!). ‍ ‍

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January has long felt to me like taking a freezing cold shower in the dark hours of the morning. The soft glow of tree lights tucked away and replaced by stark bare walls. Paper plates with the last of the festive cheese binned in favour of sensible Tupperware. I long to be back in my cuddly pyjamas, sipping an Earl Grey, lost in a cosy Christmas whodunnit.