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Virtual Assistant. Helping to empower your business efficiency and reclaim your time.

14/10/2026

Managing the Mental Load: Very, very, VERY occasionally my weekdays look like this...

Last week, for the first time in nearly 8 years, I went away with my husband.
No kids. Just us.
We celebrated all the belated milestones. The big birthdays we’ve accrued, anniversaries and work achievements.
All without two little humans asking for a snack, telling us they were tired or bored, or ordering margarita pizza or pasta on repeat.
I’ll be honest. It was a bit weird.
Good, but weird.
We spent the first day rushing, trying to cram absolutely everything in while we could.
Because that’s what so many of us do, isn’t it?
Whether you’ve got kids, a family, a job or a business, there’s always something that needs doing. Somewhere to be. Someone who needs something.
And I think you get so used to rushing that you forget how to stop.
By day two, we’d slowed right down, we realised it wasn’t a race and actually, sitting doing absolutely nothing, watching the world go by, was rather lovely.
It’s weird to think that’s what life used to look like. Lots of work, a career, yes, but lots of downtime too.
Did I enjoy it? Yup.
Did I miss the kids? ТВС!!!

Was it weird having absolutely nobody to look after but ourselves? Also yup.
And while I absolutely embraced having a few days away from the two little humans who basically run my life, it made me realise just how much life has changed.
Not in a bad way. It’s just very different now.
And perhaps, after nearly eight years of constantly being needed, I’m going to have to relearn how to enjoy doing absolutely nothing again...... or maybe just take a book!
I’m always good if I’ve got a book!

23/09/2026

Managing the Mental Load: Rip the sticky plaster off....

If you are wondering, what the heck is that? These were my thoughts exactly!

This was my beloved son’s school science project! The first thing he said to me was....
“Mummy, blow into this!”
I looked at it, I hesitated and yes - I did it anyway. 🤢

Now, a lot of my motivation was, of course, love, but I’ve always had a bit of a “just get on with it” attitude.
In fact, one of my favourite sayings when I managed a team was:
Rip the sticky plaster off.

So if you’ve got a job you’ve been putting off? Let’s get it done.
A project that’s been sitting on the list for months? Let’s sort it.
Something you keep moving to next week’s to-do list? Hand it over.

I’ve got some availability between now and Christmas for project work or a new client.

So, if you’ve got something you need to rip the sticky plaster off... you know where I am.

Although preferably nothing involving a questionable straw. 😂

11/09/2026

“What are you going to do without me tomorrow Mummy?”…..

This was whispered into my ear last night while having tea by my littlest.
Now I’ll be honest, my initial reaction was…errr, I’m childfree I’m going to cartwheel all the way home but as I sat there and it properly sank in, I got quite emotional.

And now, this morning the house is eerily quiet…..

For the last 7/8 weeks this would have put me into high alert. What are they doing? Who is leading who astray?
But today it signals a new season of life beginning, with my littlest starting school full time.

There’s been lots of days out, some adventures, cuddles, hair sniffs and more cuddles.
But as she skipped in with her little best friend without so much of a smile or a wave, I am confident she is going to have a ball.

Me on the other hand…..🥺

Parenthood is a wild ride for sure!!!

Now off to do some work!
Oh and a walk, I always feel better after a walk!

10/08/2026

10 of my 12 reads so far this summer.
This my Top 3 have been:
My Friends
7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Strange Sally Diamond

Loving getting back into reading again 📚❤️

01/07/2026

Managing the Mental Load: The things you do for love.....

I took my daughter to a Princess concert on Sunday.
It was called the Princess Proms.
I am still not over it.
And not in a good way.......

Did she like it?
I'm not sure.
Did I like it?
Well.....Thank goodness for loop earplugs, is all I can say.

What my daughter did love, like REALLY love, was all the princess costumes on and off the stage; she was enchanted.
It was magical to see her little face light up. And when she told me that this pink fluffy tiara was mine and she reached up to start it flashing, I won't ever forget the look of pure delight on her face.

And I suppose that's the thing about being a parent.

You don't always do the things you enjoy. Sometimes you do the things they enjoy.
Would I have chosen a Sunday afternoon with Steve Backshall or a bit of "Sir Dave", as my son calls David Attenborough? Absolutely.

But seeing her so happy in that moment made every second worth it.

Life didn't always turn out as you planned. My career changed because it had to. But one of the greatest gifts from that change has been the time to be there for moments like these.

And it turns out that's what love looks like sometimes.

A flashing pink tiara, a princess concert, and a memory I'll probably treasure far longer than she'd ever realise.

11/06/2026

Connections, I need your help again...

We have finally finished our house renovation, and it's now up for sale.

A few months ago, I asked for help after we regained possession of our property, which we had rented out.

Firstly, thank you. Many of you took the time to help.

Secondly... WOW. How people renovate houses whilst holding down a job, running a business and raising a family is beyond me. Fair play to you all.
And no, my maternity leave obsession with Homes Under The Hammer did NOT prepare me for this.

Anyway, I need your help one last time, please.

If you're looking for a three-bedroom family home in Halesowen, or know someone who is, I'd be hugely grateful if you could share this post.

The Rightmove https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/89561469 #/?channel=RES_BUY

20/05/2026

Managing the Mental Load: The 30 day move my body challenge…

30 days ago I set myself a challenge.

Move my body for at least 30 minutes. Every single day.

And yesterday I hit day 30. Boom!

Now if I’m honest, the first week was NOT easy.

The snooze button called my name on the regs and the sofa looked extra comfy most days, but eventually I stopped overthinking it and just got on with it.

Most days it was the Peloton.
Other days it was a fast-paced walk.
Sometimes it was a workout while being supervised by two small children offering absolutely no encouragement whatsoever.

But I did it.

And these days, I move my body more for my head than my ar$e.

And shhh… just between us… and despite what the photo might look like…..I’ve actually really enjoyed it.

My head feels clearer, lighter, maybe even less foggy IYKYK!

We’re off away for a few days over half term and I’ve already set myself another 45 day challenge for when we get back.

Turns out the hardest part was just getting started….

03/04/2026

Weekly Reveal: What a VA Actually Does

People often imagine a Virtual Assistant just manages emails and diaries.

Some weeks look more like this.

This week included:

• writing LinkedIn content for a client
• updating spreadsheets and reports
• researching suppliers
• planning content calendars
• helping keep projects moving behind the scenes

A lot of small tasks that help businesses keep moving forward.

31/03/2026

Today’s 5 Hour Fix

Today’s task was not the most glamorous.

Cleaning up a spreadsheet full of duplicate contacts.

But messy data creates messy decisions.

Once everything is organised properly, it becomes much easier for a business owner to actually use the information they already have.

Sometimes five focused hours make a bigger difference than another busy week.

31/03/2026

Week off with the kids….standard Tuesday coffee… yeah?
Normal service resumes next week.

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Birmingham

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Monday	9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	9:15am - 3pm
Friday	12pm - 2pm

Website

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiannemcmillen

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