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24/08/2026

HealedDating

MODERN DATING HAS BECOME AN ONLINE AMAZON APP FOR PEOPLE… everyone’s browsing, everyone’s comparing, and half the time nobody wants to commit to what’s already in their cart.

Dating in 2026 has gotten absolutely wild.

I remember when you actually had to meet somebody in person before deciding whether you liked them. A bar, the gym, work, through friends, church, or even standing in line somewhere. You knew their name, thought they were hott, had a conversation and decided you wanted another one. That was pretty much the entire background check. Not anymore…..

Before the first cup of coffee, we apparently need height, career, kids, politics, drinking habits, workout schedule, pets, love language, attachment style, hobbies and twelve strategically selected pictures proving we occasionally leave the house. We’ve somehow turned attraction into a damn search engine. And the profiles are just ridiculous. So my standards have changed too.

After going through divorce, learning some hard lessons in relationships, spending real time alone, and doing a hell of a lot of work on myself, I’ve completely changed the way I look at love. I used to think finding somebody was part of what made life complete. I don’t anymore. I’ve swiped left on that.

I actually like my life. I like my peace. I like my own company. So I’m not looking for someone to fill a hole or become emotional scaffolding holding my life together. If somebody comes into my life, she needs to add to something I’ve already built. And that changes everything.

Because once you become comfortable being alone, you stop tolerating complete bu****it simply because you’re scared of the empty chair next to you.

You stop confusing attention with effort.

Chemistry with compatibility.

Potential with character.

And words with actual loyalty.

That might be one of the best things about dating later in life. You’ve hopefully screwed up enough times to finally know what actually matters. And despite all these filters and algorithms, there’s still one thing technology can’t figure out:

Chemistry.

Someone can check every damn box on paper and ten minutes into dinner you’re already checked out.

Then someone completely outside your “type” walks into your life and three hours later you’re still talking because something just… clicked.

There’s no filter for that, not even on SnapChat.

I’ve learned something else too: endless options haven’t improved dating. They’ve just made commitment harder and people feel more disposable. When everyone believes something better might be one swipe away, it becomes way too easy to replace someone instead of actually building something with them.

One disagreement? SWIPE.

One flaw? SWIPE.

Someone more attractive pops up? SWIPE.

Instead of learning how to build something with another imperfect human being, we’ve created the illusion that somebody better is always one thumb nudge away. And maybe that’s the biggest problem with modern dating.

We have more access to people than any generation before us… and somehow genuine connection feels harder to find.
You can filter damn near everything now.

But you still can’t filter for character when nobody’s watching.

You can’t select “loyal when tempted.”

You can’t click “communicates when things get uncomfortable.”

And there sure as hell isn’t a button for “actually means what they say.”

Eventually, people still have to put the damn phones down, sit across from each other and figure out whether something real exists.

Crazy concept, I know.

So I’m curious, especially from those actually dating right now: Have dating apps made finding someone easier… or have we taken one of the oldest human experiences on earth and given it algorithms, subscription plans and customer service issues?

~Jason Devin

04/08/2026

Anyone else feel like the six-week holidays deserve an Olympic event? 🥇

For some families they're full of sunshine and memories. For others, they're physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting.

As a single parent to a neurodivergent child, every day takes planning, patience, energy and resilience. Add perimenopause, struggling with your mental health, running on little sleep, and living on an estate where the lawnmowers and DIY seem to start at the crack of dawn... and even a lie-in or a daytime nap becomes a luxury.

People often only see the photos. They don't see the mental load. The constant responsibility. The emotional exhaustion. The overstimulation. The guilt for feeling tired while still trying to make the holidays magical.

If you're feeling worn out, you're not the only one. You're doing better than you think, even on the days it doesn't feel like it.

Here's to every parent who's simply doing their best. You've got this. ❤️

26/07/2026

Turn off the noise for a moment.📵

20/07/2026

If schools receive additional funding to support children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) or other identified additional needs...
..why doesn't that funding follow the child if their parents choose to homeschool?

If a parent takes on the full responsibility of providing their child's education, support, resources, and often specialist interventions, should they have access to the funding that was intended to meet that child's needs?

Is the funding for the child... or for the school?

What do you think? Should the money follow the child, regardless of where they're educated?

Let's have a respectful discussion. 👇

20/07/2026

🚩 When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.

One of the hardest lessons in life is accepting people for who they truly are—not who we hope they'll become.

We ignore the red flags.
We make excuses.
We give second, third, and tenth chances.
Not because we're weak... but because we see the good in people.

But patterns don't lie.

Someone's actions will always tell you more than their words ever will.

Protecting your peace isn't being cold—it's having self-respect. The right people won't leave you questioning your worth, your sanity, or your value.

Sometimes the greatest act of self-love is walking away from people who have already shown you exactly who they are.

Believe actions. Trust your instincts. Choose peace. ❤️

18/07/2026

People often see the strong version of me. The organised one. The one who keeps going. The one who helps everyone else.

But strength doesn't mean I never struggle.

I'm neurodivergent, navigating perimenopause, and like anyone else, I have days where everything feels heavier than usual. Sharing those moments isn't attention-seeking. It isn't asking for validation. It's simply being honest.

Some people believe struggles should always stay behind closed doors. I don't.

If we only ever show the polished version of ourselves, we create impossible standards that leave everyone else feeling like they're failing. Real life isn't perfect. None of us are.

I've also learned something surprising. Sometimes the people you expect to understand you don't. And sometimes complete strangers show incredible kindness and compassion. That has reminded me that empathy can come from the most unexpected places.

Maybe instead of asking, "Why are they sharing this?" we should ask, "What might they be carrying?"

Being vulnerable doesn't make someone weak. It takes courage to be honest in a world that often rewards pretending everything is okay.

If sharing my difficult days helps even one person feel less alone, then it was worth it.

Let's stop judging vulnerability and start normalising compassion. You never know what someone is fighting behind the scenes. ❤️

16/07/2026

15/07/2026

🔥 It's prediction time! 🔥

Who's your pick? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England ❤️ 🇦🇷 Argentina 👍
Drop your prediction in the comments: ⚽ Final score? ⭐ First goalscorer? 🏆 Who will be the Player of the Match?
Let's see who gets bragging rights! 👇

14/07/2026

When we think of a heatwave, we often think about sunburn, dehydration, and sleepless nights. But extreme heat affects far more than our bodies—it can have a significant impact on our brains and mental wellbeing too.

For people already living with anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, or other mental health conditions, hot weather can make symptoms feel more intense. Increased irritability, anxiety, low mood, poor concentration, emotional overwhelm, and disrupted sleep are all common during periods of extreme heat.

For neurodivergent people, including those with autism and ADHD, heatwaves can be especially challenging. Many experience sensory sensitivities, making the heat, bright sunlight, noise, and changes to routine much harder to cope with. This can lead to increased stress, exhaustion, emotional dysregulation, or even meltdowns or shutdowns for some individuals.

Physically, extreme heat can cause dehydration, headaches, dizziness, heat exhaustion, and, in severe cases, heatstroke. Dehydration itself can also affect how clearly we think and how well we regulate our emotions.

If you're feeling more tired, overwhelmed, or unlike yourself during this heatwave, you're not imagining it. Your body and brain are working harder than usual.

Stay hydrated, keep your environment as cool as possible, avoid the hottest part of the day where you can, and check in on elderly neighbours, young children, disabled people, and anyone who may be struggling.

Looking after your mental health is just as important as protecting your physical health. Be kind to yourself and to others—everyone copes with extreme heat differently. 💛

11/07/2026

⚽🦁 Football is more than a game... it's medicine for the soul.

Today, England faces Norway in the quarter-finals, but for millions of people this is about so much more than football.

For a little while, the worries quieten. Anxiety takes a back seat. Loneliness feels a little less heavy. Families gather. Friends reconnect. Complete strangers celebrate together.

In a world that can often feel divided, football reminds us that we all belong somewhere.

For those 90 minutes, we stand behind one team, one badge and one dream.

Different backgrounds. Different cultures. Different stories. Yet united by hope, passion, pride and belief.

Football can't solve every problem, but it can lift spirits, create memories and remind us that together we are stronger than anything that tries to divide us.

Here's to unity.
Here's to kindness.
Here's to community.
Here's to looking after one another.

Come on England. Let's make the nation proud. 🏆🦁❤️🤍