I can’t put into words how sh*t the last few months have been. (Pun intended). I’ve been through the worst flare up of ulcerative colitis I’ve ever experienced. From blood to mucus, and spasms to steroids, it’s been hell. And extremely isolating. I wanted to make a video though to say you’re not alone if you’re going through something similar.

I was inspired to make this following a post I saw from George Hodgson on Instagram. He’s an amazing young man who we are lucky to work with at my charity Beyond:

https://www.instagram.com/georgedavid...

Below is the playlist I mentioned. I really hope it helps someone x

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1OO...

Ps I’d also recommend, as always, talking to someone. I’ve been talking to Trevor Noah. Yes you read that right. Not the real Trevor Noah obv but a fictional one I’ve created. I always speak to people I look up to when I’m going through a rough spot. Princess Diana and Amy Winehouse are a couple of other examples. I know some people will call it crazy but whatever gets you through, right?! Take care and best wishes for 2023 xx

Playlist:
Aaliyah – Try Again
Adele – Hold On
Alanis Morissette – You Learn
Amy Winehouse – Tears Dry On Their Own
Annie Lennox – Why
Aretha Franklin – That’s Life
Ariana Grande – no tears left to cry
Arlo Parks – Hurt
Barbra Streisand – Don’t Rain On My Parade
The Beatles – Help!
Bee Gees – Stayin Alive
Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is A Place On Earth
Ben Howard – Keep Your Head Up
Beth Rowley – Oh My Life
Bette Midler – The Rose
Beyonce – Break My Soul
Billie Eilish – my future
Blur – Tender
Bob Marley – Three Little Birds
Bonnie Tyler – Holding Out For A Hero
Britney Spears – Stronger
Bruce Springsteen – Dancing In The Dark
The Byrds – Turn, Turn, Turn
Candi Staton – Young Hearts Run Free
Carole King – You’ve Got A Friend
Carpenters – Rainy Days And Mondays
Cass Elliot – It’s Getting Better
Christina Aguilera – The Voice Within
Crowded House – Don’t Dream It’s Over
Cyndi Lauper – True Colours
David Bowie – Let’s Dance
David Guetta & Sia – Titanium
Destiny’s Child - Survivor
Diana Ross – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Dido – White Flag
Duffy – Rockferry
Duran Duran – Ordinary World
Dusty Springfield – Goin’ Back
Edith Piaf – Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien
ELO – Mr Blue Sky
Elkie Brooks – Sunshine After The Rain
Ellie Goulding – Lights
Elton John – I’m Still Standing
Esme Patterson – No River
Etta James – Stormy Weather
Eva Cassidy – Over The Rainbow
Fleetwood Mac – Don’t Stop
Florence + The Machine – My Love
Florence + The Machine – Shake It Out
Four Tops – Reach Out I’ll Be There
Gabrielle – Rise
George Harrison – My Sweet Lord
George Michael – Faith
Idina Menzel – Let It Go
Irene Cara – Flashdance
Joni Mitchell – Both Sides Now
Judy Garland – Get Happy
Kate Bush – Rubberband Girl
Kelly Clarkson – Stronger
Kiki Dee – I’ve Got The Music In Me
The Killers – All These Things That I’ve Done
The Kinks – Waterloo Sunset
KT Tunstall – Suddenly I See
Kylie Mingoue – I Believe In You
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper – Shallow
Laura Marling – Rambling Man
Lighthouse Family – Lifted
Lizzo – Good As Hell
Love Affair – Rainbow Valley
Lighthouse Family - Lifted
Lucie Silvas – The Game Is Won
M People – Search For The Hero
Madonna – Like A Prayer
Madonna – Ray Of Light
Madonna – Vogue
Madonna – You’ll See
Mahalia Jackson – Down By The Riverside
Mariah Carey – Through The Rain
Maureen McGovern – The Morning After
Miley Cyrus – Inspired
Natasha Bedingfield – Unwritten
Neil Diamond – I Am…I Said
Nelly Furtado - Try
Nina Simone – Ain’t Got No/I Got Life
Nina Simone – Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood
Nina Simone – I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
Odyssey – Use It Up And Wear It Out
Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu
Pepe Deluxe – Lying Peacefully
Petula Clark – Downtown
P!nk – Don’t Let Me Get Me
Pretenders – I’ll Stand By You
Prince – The Cross
Queen, David Bowie – Under Pressure
Queenadreena - Weeds
Radiohead – High and Dry
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Under The Bridge
REM – Shiny Happy People
Rent – Seasons Of Love
Rolling Stones – Paint It, Black
Sabrina Johnston – Peace (In The Valley)
Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come
Sam Fender – Getting Started
Sara Bareillies - Brave
Sheryl Crow – Everyday Is A Winding Road
Shirley Bassey – This Is My Life
Simon & Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water
Sister Sledge – We Are Family
Soul II Soul – Keep On Movin’
Spandau Ballet – Gold
Sugababes - Stronger
Sybil – When I’m Good And Ready
Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero
Timi Yuro – Make The World Go Away
Tina Turner – Drift Away
T Rex – Ride A White Swan
Vashti Bunyan – Diamond Day
Whitney Houston – One Moment In Time
Yazz – The Only Way Is Up
Yeah Yeah Yeah – Zero
4 Non Blondes – What’s Up?
5th Dimension – Let The Sunshine In

(AND ANYTHING BY ABBA!!!)