Question 1

What exactly is The Self Depreciating Sofa?

Accepted Answer

A place to sit down, overthink your entire existence and occasionally laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.The Self Depreciating Sofa is a space for honest thoughts about life, midlife, family, relationships, change, finding yourself, losing yourself and wondering what the hell you're supposed to do next.There are no perfectly packaged answers here. Just real experiences, questionable decisions and the occasional moment of accidental wisdom.

Question 2

Why is it called The Self Depreciating Sofa?

Accepted Answer

Because apparently I needed somewhere comfortable to sit while taking the piss out of myself and contemplating what is actually going on.The sofa represents the comfortable bit. The self-depreciating bit represents... well, me.Life can be serious enough without us taking ourselves too seriously all the time.

Question 3

Is this a self-help website?

Accepted Answer

No.I'm not a therapist, life coach or someone who has figured everything out. I'm simply someone trying to make sense of life while living it.Sometimes I'll have an insight. Sometimes I'll have absolutely no idea what I'm doing.Usually it's the latter.I figured my life is a comfortable mess, and I didn't know what to do with that, so I decided to write about it.

Question 4

Who is this blog for?

Accepted Answer

Anyone who has ever thought:“Is this really it?”“Why am I unhappy when my life is actually pretty good?”“Was adulthood supposed to feel more organised than this?”“Why am I suddenly turning into my mother?”“Do other people know what they're doing, or are we all just pretending?”If any of that sounds familiar, pull up a seat.

Question 5

Is this just about being 40?

Accepted Answer

No.Although being 40 does appear to involve an alarming amount of overthinking, questionable bodily noises and wondering where the last twenty years went.The stories are about midlife, but really they're about being human. You might be 25, 40, 60 or somewhere in between and still have absolutely no idea what you're doing.

Question 6

Why do you write about difficult or uncomfortable things?

Accepted Answer

Because pretending everything is fine when it isn't can be exhausting.Life isn't always tragic. It isn't always wonderful either. Sometimes it's just weird, confusing, funny and slightly overwhelming.I want to talk about those bits too, plus if I write about it, it saves the other half's ears.

Question 7

Are the stories based on real life?

Accepted Answer

Yes.They're based on my experiences, thoughts, observations and the wonderfully chaotic people and situations that make up everyday life.Names, details or circumstances may sometimes be changed, but the feelings behind the stories are real.

Question 8

Are you trying to give people answers?

Accepted Answer

Not really.I'm more interested in asking the questions.What happens when you've achieved the things you thought would make you happy?Who are you when you're no longer constantly fighting for something?What happens when your children grow up?What do you actually want?And why does everyone else seem to have their life together?I'm figuring it out too.

Question 9

Can I relate to your stories if I'm not in midlife?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely.You don't need a mortgage, adult children, grey hairs or an existential crisis to recognise yourself in these stories.If you've ever felt lost, overwhelmed, stuck, excited, frustrated, hopeful or just generally confused by life, there's probably something here for you.

Question 10

Can I suggest a topic for the blog?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely.If there's something you've been thinking about, struggling with, laughing about or secretly wondering whether everyone else experiences too, I'd love to hear it.Some of the best conversations start with:“Is it just me...?”

Question 11

Can I share your articles?

Accepted Answer

Yes!Please share the original article or link back to The Self Depreciating Sofa rather than copying the whole thing elsewhere.The more people who find their way onto the sofa, the merrier.

Question 12

Do you accept guest posts?

Accepted Answer

Potentially.If you have something genuine, funny, thoughtful or slightly unhinged to say about life, get in touch.I'm much more interested in an honest voice than something that sounds like it was written by a committee.

Question 13

Do you work with brands?

Accepted Answer

Yes, where the collaboration feels right.I'm open to working with brands, businesses and people who fit the tone and values of The Self Depreciating Sofa.If it feels forced, I'll probably know. And so will you.

Question 14

Can I contact you?

Accepted Answer

Of course.Whether you want to say hello, share your own experience, suggest a topic or tell me that I've completely got something wrong, I'd love to hear from you.Just remember: I'm a blogger, not a qualified therapist, life coach or oracle.Sadly, I can't tell you what you're supposed to do with your life.I'm still waiting for someone to tell me what I'm supposed to do with mine.

Question 15

Is there a newsletter?

Accepted Answer

Yes.You can subscribe to receive new posts and updates from The Self Depreciating Sofa, along with the occasional promotional or marketing email.Think of it as me knocking on your digital door with a cup of tea and another thing I've been overthinking.

Question 16

What if I don't have my life figured out?

Accepted Answer

Then you're probably in exactly the right place.Pull up a seat.The sofa's big enough.

Where life's contradictions get comfortable

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