Hannah Gaskell

It’s been a little while since I updated on Steps in September. Don’t worry — I have been moving, walking it out, stepping into my life and my power. Maybe I haven’t blogged every day like I planned, but here’s the truth: over the last 15 days, I’ve done over 30,000 steps. 

My goal was 1,500 steps a day — I would need 45,000 steps for the full month — and I’m already two-thirds of the way there, with half the month still to go. Not too shabby, right? 💪

And yet… I almost didn’t notice. Why? Because I’ve been distracted by something else entirely: the feminine power rising in me. 

The music, the energy, the joy, the sheer “girl, you’re about to take over the world” vibes. I’ve been walking it out in every sense — into my voice, my creativity, my presence — and that energy has been fueling me in ways I didn’t even realise.

Here’s the thing I’ve learned: feminism isn’t just anger. For so long, I resisted calling myself a feminist because I didn’t want to be angry all the time. I didn’t want that stereotype, that caricature of rage. But now I see it differently. My feminism can hold joy, softness, sensuality, love for my body, and celebration of my femininity — alongside the righteous anger at injustice. It’s not either/or. It’s all of it. And I’m walking it out, fully, unapologetically. 

And honestly? I’m done with patriarchy’s nonsense. Men have had their centuries of running the show, and look where that’s left us. It’s time for a matriarchal rise, time for women to step forward, take charge, and lead with a different kind of power — soft, strong, fierce, joyful… in heels if we want, or barefoot if we don’t. Whatever it is. The duality is ours: we can do both.

That’s right, boys. There’s more than one way to be at a time. You can do multiple things. Remember multitasking? Yeah… women are better at that. 😏

So yes, Steps in September is still happening. And here’s the kicker: even while I was distracted by my music and my rising girl power, I was still walking it out — literally and figuratively. One foot in front of the other, moving through the world, achieving the goals I didn’t even notice I was hitting. I’m doing the work, I’m showing up, and yes… I’m a bad ass woman who’s about to get some stuff done. 💥

This month, my steps aren’t just numbers on a tracker — they’re proof of momentum, of energy, of everything rising inside me. And that momentum? I’m walking it out, and this is just the beginning…

Watch this space! My debut gig is 4th October at 9pm — in concert with Hannah Gaskell @ Chorley Live.

Tickets available to purchase soon ✨️

Finding Strength in God

“Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”

Isaiah 33:2

When I opened my pink daily devotional book this morning—with butterflies decorating the page—this was the verse for the day. And it couldn’t have been more perfect.

As I reflect on almost five months of extreme stress and trauma, I can see so clearly that it was only through God’s strength and protection that I have survived.

Where It Began

It all started on the 29th of April 2025, when Pete’s dad, Geoff, was rushed into Royal Preston Hospital with heart failure.

Because of my own long journey with illness, I’ve learned how to navigate the medical system, how to ask the right questions, and how to fight for people when they need it most. I became Geoff’s advocate—his “feisty attack daughter”—determined to make sure he received the care he needed.

There were moments when things were touch and go—and deep down, we thought we might lose him.

By God’s grace, he pulled through. After a long stay in hospital, Geoff received a pacemaker. Even then, it wasn’t simple—he was readmitted not long after with fluid on his lungs. Now he’s learning how to live with this whole new reality, and he’s doing wonderfully.

Burning Out

In the middle of all this, I was caring not just for Geoff, but also for Fiona and for Pete. I kept going for ten days straight, even though I was already very unwell with severe iron deficiency anemia. Like many women do, I just pushed through—until I burned myself out completely.

I kept thinking of a line from Captain Picard:

“It’s possible to do everything right and still not win.”

That’s exactly how it felt.

But God Was With Me

Through it all, I never once felt abandoned by God. His hand was there in every situation. He carried me when I had no strength left of my own.

And not only did He help me survive, but He is teaching me what it means to live as His child: loved, known, seen, believed in, trusted, valued.

I find my strength in Him.

If you’d like to talk about finding strength in God for yourself, I’d love to share more. I can’t explain exactly what that relationship feels like, but I know this—it has been absolutely central to my survival.

God bless. See you tomorrow. 🩷

In May 2025 I experienced a period of extreme stress which, on an already struggling body, caused me to suffer from insomnia for over ten days. That lack of sleep pushed me into unbearable physical symptoms, one of which led me to seek medical attention in A&E. Because of how I presented there, I was held under a Section 2 as a danger to myself and others, and ended up being kept on the A&E ward for five days while I waited for a bed on a mental health ward to be reassessed.

This was the start of a three-month-long rollercoaster that I’m still recovering from. When I finally ended up on the ward in Chorley, it was actually quite lovely. But it still took another five days before I was deemed “fit” enough to be released back into society.

The very next day after being discharged, I woke up vomiting blood at 6am and was straight back into A&E. That set off yet another month of physical and mental health symptoms: PTSD, ADHD flare-ups, colorectal issues, cardiology worries, POTS, Ehlers-Danlos—you name it, there’s probably a specialist or doctor covering it. My list of symptoms and diagnoses is about as long as my arms. Add to that the paperwork, the social workers, PIP, and even my dog starting the process of becoming my assistance dog… it’s been a lot.

The last three months have been awful and amazing at the same time. Awful because of the sheer intensity of it all. Amazing because of the people who have supported me, the lessons I’ve learned, and the strength I’ve discovered.

So I thought: what better way to process all of this than to walk it out? To use Steps in September not only as a way to rebuild my physical fitness after everything, but also as a way to reflect and share my story. As I walk, I’ll be talking about what happened—the mistakes that were made, the challenges of being undiagnosed or misunderstood, the cracks in the system, and the reality of living with complex health needs. But I also want to highlight the good: the people who cared, the moments of kindness, and the things that made a difference.

I have a huge story to share with you this month. So come walk with me, as I step and talk.