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A Candid Conversation with Clemmie Telford

Clemmie Telford (@clemmie_telford) is a mum of three and so much more. With a strong creative background (she was a Creative Director of an advertising agency for 10 years) her blog, Mother of All Lists, covers a huge range of topics on all things motherhood — from marriage to mental health. Clemmie’s raw, honest insight has earned her a huge online following.

For Christmas, we collaborated with Clemmie to design some festive TouchNote cards, and the “Honest Xmas” card range was born. True to style, her cards presented Christmas with a twist — a fun and refreshing alternative to the dull, generic cards you’ll find in the shops.

“An unexpected note from someone saying I am thinking of you is always lovely.”

Now we’re on the flipside — Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Whatever you do, don’t forget the card! You can head to the TouchNote app to send a thoughtful card to someone special in seconds.

We caught up with Clemmie to find out what makes her tick, and what inspired her Honest Xmas cards.

What was your motivation for starting Mother of All Lists?

For myself! I was struggling with early motherhood and writing lists about my experiences was my way of getting my head round it all.

It’s easy to present a perfect life online — what made you decide to be so candid?

I struggle to find anyone talking about the reality of parenting. The amazing highs and feeling of love, but also the chaos and the hormones and the loss of identity. At first I dipped my toe into being candid; but in time I learned that the more honest I was about parenting, the more honest people were with me, which I found hugely reassuring.

Have you ever had second thoughts about sharing something?

Rarely. I try and be considered before I post. In fact I drive my husband mad using him as a sounding board. When I do post about more sensitive subjects, the reaction I get from people saying that they relate makes it worthwhile.

What are your life hacks for juggling motherhood with everything else?

It’s a cliche but ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup’ is spot on. The only way to try and do the juggle is to look after yourself. Eating well, an early night, even alone time going to the corner shop. Space for ‘you’ is so important.

Your blog contains stories on a huge range of topics — which ones do you think need to be talked about more?

All of it!! I really think that women sharing their stories is our super power. We can learn so much from one another.

How do you use creativity to de-stress?

Writing, particularly in list form, is my way of processing thoughts. Getting it out of my head and on to paper (or computer screen) is so cathartic.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from your blog and/or Instagram?

To be authentic but also not to take it too seriously. Or you start trying to second guess what people may or may not think about you content then you quite quickly lose your head.

What’s your favourite kind of surprise to receive in the post?

Food! Can’t beat a delicious treat, the friends who drop round a lasagne when you’ve had a baby are the BEST. Also just an unexpected note from someone saying I am thinking of you is always lovely.

What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever received?

That lasagne or the friend who did a whole online food shop for us after our last baby was born. It had snacks for the bigger kids, nappies, chocolate, gin — I cried when that arrived.

What was the last gift you were given?

My eldest boy is always drawing pictures for me. So gorgeous. His current drawing of choice is a Ninja — I have many pictures of me as Mummy Ninja and I love it.

Why do you think you’ve been so successful?

It’s difficult to think of yourself as successful. But I think the answer to how to achieve it comes down to hard work. Put the hours in. Try and learn and get better at what you do. Oh and be nice — that’s very important too.

What’s next for you?

Good question! I am currently working on a Podcast called ‘Honestly’ (see a theme with what I do?!) which will be a series of intimate conversations about difficult subjects. I am nervous because it’s a whole new area for me.

Follow Clemmie on Instagram

TouchNote / February 2019
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