Annie Ridout

Annie Ridout

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An extraordinary ordinary lunch
A tuna melt and a chai latte at the local garden centre that felt joyous and significant, because a year ago, I wasn't able to get my son to leave the…
 • Annie Ridout
It never rains on your birthday
A letter to my son, on his birthday.
 • Annie Ridout
Why am I scared of HRT?
I have three months’ worth of patches sat in my drawer, ready to be stuck onto my thigh, or wherever, but something is stopping me from getting started.
 • Annie Ridout
I'm writing a book.
Maybe for publication. Maybe not. But here's why and how I'm finding time to write it.
 • Annie Ridout
Is living in a small house better?
I've been working on manifesting a mansion but my sons made me reassess my dreams and identify a deep-rooted desire for something much more profound…
 • Annie Ridout
How to rebel on Instagram
Instagram doesn't like my drawings. But the poems aren't dropping in right now, so I decided to ignore the algorithm and continue sharing my drawing…
 • Annie Ridout
Work goals are out, life goals are in
I’ve been compiling a list of 2026 goals and it’s occurred to me that there is only one related to work. Here they all are, plus some prompts for you.
 • Annie Ridout
Closing notes.
A final essay, this side of Christmas, on the importance of feeling we belong. All of us. Children, adults, neurodivergent people.
 • Annie Ridout
Reflections on motherhood from 2025
This year has been one of my hardest and bravest, as a mother. But I've learnt some important lessons.
 • Annie Ridout
Was it a mistake leaving London?
I've been back in London for two years now, the same amount of time I spent trying life in Somerset with my young family. Was relocating actually an…
 • Annie Ridout
Apparently, I’m an intense person.
This is preferable to being boring, which is how I used to feel.
 • Annie Ridout
Should our art be free?
I'm struggling with the monetisation of my writing, which turns it from 'art' into a 'product'. If I'm not charging for my writing, does that give me…
 • Annie Ridout
The power of the personal essay
and why Substack has become a $1.1 billion platform.
 • Annie Ridout
I’m pausing my Substack for a month.
I’m pausing my Substack for one month.
 • Annie Ridout
Annie Ridout
Annie Ridout
A bestselling collection of work/life essays by Annie Ridout (non-fiction author, journalist for nationals, viral poet and Sunday Times bestselling ghostwriter)
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