Finding my sisterhood and pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

Sarah Allen • June 30, 2018

Since moving to Devon 16 years ago I have made lots of amazing friends. People I trust and can rely on, friends I can discuss anything with, who I can ask for help and support in return. Friends whose interactions are entwined in my everyday life and friends that I see less often. In addition to that I have my 'old' friends that I went to school with, who know my family and were an integral part of my childhood and my teenage years. I laugh with, cry with and get through the daily drudgery with these women, I am truly blessed.

So do I really need more? I'm starting to think 'Maybe!'. None of my friends are pursuing creative outlets as the main component of their lives or identity. They are contributing in so many diverse ways; I know teachers, mothers, police officers, NHS staff, business owners, carers and more. However, I do not know any fellow writers (though I do belong to some fabulous Facebook groups). I started writing nearly 2 years ago now and it has become something very important to me for so many different reasons. I am still a mother, a teacher, a friend, a wife, a daughter and a sister but sometimes (just sometimes) I am trying to identify myself as a writer (gulp, that's even hard to write!). So when a Mother's Who Make event appeared in my Facebook news feed recently I was intrigued. When the event information said it was for all mothers and makers including writers I dared to think it was for me!

So a month ago I decided to attend the first meeting. It was the half-term holiday so my children came along with me. We stayed for the start but then left part way through; we had plans to shop and eat lunch out so that was in the forefront of my children's minds! I said goodbye and missed the rest of the meeting, with the intention of attending next time.

The day of the next meeting came round and on waking the event quickly popped into the front of my mind. I was excited but scared, I wouldn't have my children to hide behind this time! I could think of numerous reasons not to go: it's sunny I should be outside appreciating the weather instead of inside in a stuffy room (the room wasn't stuffy by the way!), I'm tired; Is it worth the money? (train fare plus donation for the running of the group; it was worth this!); Can I bear to come home later to such a messy house? I tried not to listen very carefully to these thoughts and forced myself there.

I'm glad I did. I met a range of different makers all pulled together by their joint desire to create and their association with motherhood. I'm currently reading Moon Circle in which Lucy AitkenRead writes about the power of women sitting in sacred circles she says it doesn't really matter what you say, it's the shared experience that's important. She writes "Why circle in together? We sit to be heard. To speak without being judged. To share our stories without having to make an articulate point". The meeting had some similarities with the idea of moon circles and I held Lucy's words in my mind as we sat in a circle and it was my turn to introduce myself. I quickly said I write a blog, but have also written a magazine article and was relieved to stop talking and give the woman to my left chance to speak. I tried not to beat myself up for not sounding more clever or promoting myself more. I was in a room full of mothers but failed to mention I write about parenthood!!

After the introductions were complete we split into groups of three and spent 10 minutes each talking (scary!!). Again I tried to remember this is about supporting, not a polished presentation! Wow, what amazing women I got chance to speak to. One was a singer/songwriter the other a dancer. We had many common problems and dreams. We listened but we didn't necessarily have answers. It wasn't at all scary.

We ended the meeting by passing around a talking object and reflecting on what had been said. Everyone gained different things, all equally valuable. I felt inspired, wowed and supported by women I hadn't previously met. There's something pretty incredible about this experience that I'm struggling to find words to describe. "Call yourself a writer!?" comes to the front of my mind and I try to push it gently away and instead think I am a writer!

So have I found my sisterhood? In a way I already had one to support me, my children and my family but this event provided a sisterhood based on a shared experience of creating and mothering which is something new and exciting for me. In one short morning it felt like I belonged that I was part of a very special community.

Would you be interested in meetings like this?
Mothers Who Make is an national organisation, they have a Facebook group and run events like this in various venues throughout the country.

The E xeter Mothers Who Make Hub meets on the last Thursday morning of each month at Exeter Phoenix.

I'm passionate about writing and would like to carve out more time to write blog posts, if you have liked what you have read and would be interested in shouting me a coffee or get more involved in shaping my work you might want to consider becoming a Rhubarb and Runner Beans Patron.

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October Skies

By Sarah Allen • October 23, 2026

We're deep into October now and there has been a shift. Where we were teetering on autumn we are now inside it. The mornings are dark. The natural light no longer waking me as I drag myself out of bed into the cool air of the bedroom, quickly putting on woollen socks and my trusty old dressing gown before padding downstairs to fill the kettle and assemble packed lunches with slumberous eyes. Then, with steaming tea, I sneak back into bed, the darkness all around where just a few weeks before I would stare out the window at the morning sky. This is now not possible as the light is yet to return. Return it does, of course, but much later. I can get as far as the beach now before the sky finally changes and we have a new day once again.

Autumn Beach Vibes

By Sarah Allen • October 2, 2026

Who loves the beach in autumn? Me!! As the days get cooler and the beach empties out, it becomes a very different place, compared to the long summer days of the previous season. I love the emptiness and, even, less light with the need to appreciate the fleeting moments. I've enjoyed picnics on the pebbles of Budleigh Salterton beach, carefully eating my lunch of leftover noodles so they didn't get snatched by a soaring seagull. As well as peaceful moments after busy shifts at Budleigh Unwrapped, a refill shop, just stones throw from the same beach where I've now got some regular work. Pop in to see me on a Wednesday if you're in the area. My local beach, Exmouth, has become the setting for early morning coffees (in my reusable cup) now that regular lifts to the train station have resumed with the start of term. Sitting, coffee in hand, listening to the crashing waves is the way to start a day feeling alive and in awe. I've walked on the sand, spotting oystercatchers feeding at the shore, cormorants on rocks, their wings outstretched drying on the morning breeze and one morning a seal hunting a few metres out. Fish jumped to get out of the way, alerting me to look and, with patience, I spotted a head briefly bob to the surface then later a tail and then seal eyes staring right at me. There's so much joy down on the shore coupled with misery of a pollution incident, followed some days later by a sewage discharge. As sad as it is, for me, I'm glad I'm not one of the many creatures who actually call the sea home. Its not happening just here in Exmouth, take a look at the Safer Seas and Rivers Service app and you'll see how widespread this problem is. The sea brings such joy and is home to so many of our animal kin, it deserves to be respected by humans and not, quite literally, be our dumping ground. If you've been impacted by pollution in the area please consider joining the legal claim against South West Waters, more information on the Leigh Day website . However, it's important to remember that, although these pollution incidents happen far too often, the majority of time the sea is safe to swim in (if you are brave enough to get into the cool waters). I'm a summer swimmer, fair weather and sunshine drawing me into the sea. So, I'm likely to be continuing my autumn beach vibes on the shore keeping cosy with a coffee and starting to layer on the clothing. With this in mind, I've designed an organic jumper with autumn vibes for beach walks, forest walks or just staying cosy as the nights draw in. My first ever jumper design. What do you think?

What can we Learn from the Autumn Equinox?

By Sarah Allen • September 23, 2026

What can we learn from the autumn equinox? Well, for me, it's all about a pause and some balance. As the Earth pauses in this moment of neither more or less light, I find it nourishing to take a moment too. Life will want to keep propelling you forward - or, I should say, the capitalist society. But there's a benefit in the pause, to stop the momentum, to stop the always doing and to reflect a little (or a lot). So, I took some moments today to sit in the early morning light, when the sun was not fully out but it wasn't dark, to do nothing other than sit (and drink coffee). Later on in the day, I dusted off my journal and took a moment to reflect on what I'd achieved, especially in relation to the intentions I set in motion in February, at Imbolc. Some I'd forgotten, others I'd chosen to let go, others I'd achieved. They weren't fully measurable, a life goal or something on a bucket list; just simple intentions like being creative and making decisions based on keeping my nervous system soothed. Writing this down, I found, to be positive. It's easy for me to think I've done nothing, life is still the same as it was but this isn't true. Once again, life has thrown big challenges my way. Things have not all been as I hoped but I'm not in the same place as I was. I wrote down what I am thankful for. Gratitude is often mentioned as a great well-being tool but I mention it with caution ⚠ as, for me, it has sometimes been a trigger to stress and anxiety around what high stakes things (and people) I could lose. Finally, I journaled around what I wanted to cut back. Then I literally went into the garden and cut back the dead wood thinking, to start with of what I wanted to metaphorically let go of, until it become a mindful task of just pruning and being with nature. It was not without it's difficulties, as I got caught in the brambles and also had to decide how much and how far to go. I left plenty of dead wood in the garden, the insects will need it to overwinter. There's only so much pruning you can, or maybe, should do. Some of the dead wood must remain to be composted later. I focused on what was most beneficial to cut back on, what would give the most room for new growth. Though, it now leaves bare patches, once spring comes round it provides room for growth. I also had to trim back some of the new growth that was damaging fences. We are led to believe that growth is the aim, at any cost, which of course is destabilising our planet both the climate and the delicate balance of the web of life . If the collective human species were to pause and focus on balance we could create a very different, regenerative way of being in the world. I invite you to try it and see how it changes things.

Could it be you?

By Sarah Allen • September 8, 2026

Can you help me get the message out about sustainable living?

Now I Know it's Spring

By Sarah Allen • April 28, 2026

The simple joys that are actually sheer magic

A Consciously Slow Start to the Year

By Sarah Allen • January 29, 2026

Snow, Wind, Rain, the Northern Lights, Some Comforting Food and Time To Create

Eco-Friendly Valentine's Day

By Sarah Allen • January 21, 2026

Showing someone you love them shouldn’t cost the Earth! If you want to give traditional cards and gifts, how about considering some of these more sustainable ideas? 1. Valentine’s Card Probably the easiest tip is to make sure the card you buy does not come packaged in plastic film. Shop around if you need to but think about the packaging as well as the sentiment when choosing your card. I have the perfect option to show love both to your special person and our precious planet with my new 'Love Me, Love Our Planet' card . Shipped in sustainable, eco-friendly paper packaging which is rip-proof and splash-proof and designed with the environment in mind. Alternatively, of course, you could make your own card. This is a great option for ensuring the card is more personal and especially good for the environment if you use materials you already have at home.