To celebrate the release of Take A Look At Me Now – and Nell’s story of making changes in your life when life lets you down – I asked my lovely Twitter and Facebook followers to share with me how much their life has changed. The stories that they told me are amazing: funny, witty, touching, courageous and downright brave. Read these and feel good about life!
For me, six years ago I was being escorted out of my former workplace with twenty-six colleagues, after we had just lost our jobs. It was almost Christmas, I had no way of paying my rent and was panicking about my future. Today, I’m a five-times Sunday Times Bestseller, have sold over 500,000 books worldwide and am finally doing my dream job of writing full-time. Life has a funny way of turning out…
@shoefiend1984 4 years ago I’d just been dumped by my fiancé via text and forced to leave my job & move back home, now I’m sitting in Sicily with a successful career, my own flat, my own car and happy with my life!
(Catriona runs a wonderful book blog, Fabulous Book Fiend!)
@_shelovestoread 5 years ago I would do anything to please other people. Now, I live my life for me and do things that make me happy.
(Laura runs lovely book blog, She Loves To Read!)
@nealdoran Basically it’s been downhill since 2nd place in a Pontins Little Prince comp 35 years ago. Take a look at me now…
(Neal is now a brilliant author – check out his book!)
Loretta Livingstone 15 years ago I was almost housebound, and had to rest in bed morning and afternoon. I am still almost housebound, but no longer confined to bed in the afternoons. And I have written 4 books. No way would I have been well enough to do that, even 5 years ago. Life looks good!
(Check out Loretta’s books!)
@minionsofbooks 5 years ago I was unhappy, quiet & hugely overweight. Now I smile a lot more! Live life, love life Xx
(Kirsty now runs brilliant book blog, The Love Of A Good Book!)
@clareren 10 years ago I became the voice of my 2 year-old son to get him the support he needed. I’m still talking and won’t stop till he needs me to!
@alexalovesbooks I’m married! I’ve also got a stronger sense of what I’d like for my own future, and am building towards it. Take a look at me now!
@lizzie256 5 years ago I was 21 and looking forward to spending the first Christmas with my boyfriend. Today I am married to that boyfriend and we have two beautiful children!
@K8JohnsonAuthor 15 years ago I was a nerdy teenager who wanted to write books. Now I’m a nerdy grownup who does write books! Plus ca change…
(Kate is a brilliant author – check out her books!)
@welshhedgehog 15 years ago I had only just met my husband (to be). Now married 14 years and 3 children later.
@Feetpaintwords 20years ago I worked in accounts. Now I’m a qualified reflexologist, a water-colourist and a writer! Take a look at me now!
@Feetpaintwords Missy would like to say that, eight years ago, she was in Battersea Dogs & Cats Home waiting for a home. But Take A Look At Me Now!
(Could you make a dog or cat’s life better? Visit Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to find out!)
@onemorepage 5 years ago I wasn’t a blogger! Take A Look At Me Now! 🙂
(Visit Amanda’s brilliant book blog, One More Page!)
@InessaS This year I decided to do something that I love and I stopped to do in 1994: WRITING stories!
@karamina 5 years ago I was wondering if I’d ever be brave enough to write the novel I’d been carrying in my head.
(Note: Rachael Lucas is now a bestselling author!)
@Lynsey1991 5 years ago I was sat in a college class, no idea what I wanted to do. Now I’m working on what will hopefully be my first book xx
@RS78 20 years ago I was bullied for being a lesbian. Now I’m married to an amazing woman and we’re expecting twins in Feb!!! 🙂
@dazd 5, 10, 15+ yrs ago I was fat n unhealthy, now I’m over 6stone lighter, healthy, slim, no illness and SO happy. Take a look at me now!
@ChickLitChloe 10 years ago I was 17, getting ready for A-Levels and applying to Uni. Now I’m living somewhere else, got a 7 year old+ I’m a TA!
(Chloe also runs a fab book blog – check out Chloe’s Chick Lit Reviews!)
@sam_smith73 5 years ago I was flying as cabin crew, and single today I’m married, a qualified teacher and loving it!
@MrsKRufus31 5 years ago I was in my final year at uni, now I’m married, have 2 children and I’m a qualified nurse 🙂
@Rachel_Fusion now I do a job I love, own my own wellbeing centre am living with the man of my dreams + am writing a novel (although not to be too Pollyanna I do still struggle with CFS but just don’t let it get me down anymore!!)
@MeganInTheSun 5 years ago I had a job I didn’t get on with & no direction in life. Now I’m married, we have exciting plans together & I’m really looking forward to the future 🙂 xxx
(Check out Megan’s lovely book blog, Reading In The Sunshine!)
Jackie Gallacher 10 years ago I was looking for work within the theatre industry and nowadays it’s the sport industry – so many exciting opportunities xx
Rosemarie Sayer At 39 I’m now lucky enough to be fully congruent & self aware, comfortable in my own skin, yet more cynical!
Trish Tishylou Hills 15 years ago I was still living in Canada, working in a corner shop 20 hours week and had not yet discovered chick lit. 10 years ago I had only just met my partner and still lived at home with my Mum. 5 years ago, I was in a dark place that got even darker for a while but I pulled through it and am happy now. I run my own business and get to review the books I love!
(Check out Trish’s book blog, Tishylou’s World!)
Tara Hooper 15 years ago I left a really toxic marriage and moved back in with my patents. 10 years ago I went snowboarding for the first time discovered a passion. And 6 years ago I was about to marry my wonderful hubby on my 37th birthday!
Claire Fain 5 years ago I was about to start my new career with my current employer as an accountant, 10 years ago I was self employed with my own shop and internet site -craft shop, and 15 years ago I was 5 months pregnant, planning my maternity leave from my first career- bank clerk, and trying to start my own business, not knowing I was going to be giving birth to my beautiful daughter 3 months early(she will be 15 next month). Xx
Sophia Valentine I had attended college for 5 years studying Law, got my Diploma, worked in a Solicitors for 5 years, got a promotion, thinking it was all i ever wanted. Quit last year to work abroad, met someone and been in Ibiza ever since, learning Spanish and working toward getting published. I didn’t have a fro, but I had a dreadful perm at aged 16, which was apparently ‘in’ at the time! Lol!!
Sarah Mellor 15 years ago – 13 years old and 13 1/2 stones (Size 18/20 in clothes). Bullied to the point of needing counselling. Today – 28 years old and 10 1/2 stone (did get down to 9 stone at one point but was too skinny then!) Size 12/14 clothes wearer. Teacher so I can help other young people who may feel like they have no-one and nothing! The years really do make the difference – I may not have the promotion or relationship status I’d like, but I do have a job and family who I love dearly (especially my two Godchildren!) Sarah x
Abbey Ribena Liddle 5 years ago I had just completed my NVQ level 2 in hairdressing and was loving life and as you can imagine being a hairdresser you have all wacky hair colours..I was 16 and brunette hair but bright pink underneath..crazy but it’s what hairdressers do! 10 years ago I was 13 and was becoming a typical teenager who thought was hard done by as always the one having to go in early while everyone was still out.. I thank my mum and dad every day now that they were strict as it could have turned out worse xx
Gail Ellen Parnell 15 years ago, I was working as an assistant to two managers in Dudley and getting to grips with writing, ten years ago I was zipping round town in my little car after almost giving up learning to drive – it took me give attempts and five years ago, I was working as a CCTV operator which proved to be one of the most eye opening experiences ever.
Julia Rich Was Wright 15 years ago I was in the early stages of a new relationship but had already worked out he was “the one”. 10 years ago I was dealing with redundancies at work (and can feel the tension in my shoulders again just thinking about it). 5 years ago I was adapting to becoming a mummy for the second time (best job in the world).
Louise Louby Skelding 10 years ago I was terrified of dogs, all dogs, and I didn’t like animals, now my whole world is an 11 month old Cockapoo and four little hamsters. Also Animal rights are a passion of mine! I’m a better person for this change.
If you’ve been inspired by these Take A Look At Me Now stories, why not add your own below? xx
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mirandadickinsontheauthor 
What an amazing story your own life has turned out to be, Miranda. And your workplace’s loss was our gain. I have all of your books. Also, how kind of you to put all our websites down. Another brilliant read from a lovely lady.
PS, some lovely stories here too. Good to see so many people are in a happy place.
Such inspirational stories.
I’ve been stagnating for the last 20+ years following a very toxic relationship which left me with low self-esteem and confidence that anyone would want to be with me. I’m still single but now I’m happy to be by myself and am comfortable in my own skin.
Since setting up my review blog 2 years ago I’ve gotten to do something I love, reviewing books, and though I still have moments of self-doubt the positive comments I receive from readers, authors & publishers make me believe that I am doing something right. Maybe next year I’ll finally pluck up the confidence to attend one of the many fabulous book events that I see being promoted.
Like Miranda, I’m going to be facing redundancy next year and although initially daunted by the prospect I’m now looking forward to the future and trying something different after 24 years in the same job but first I’ve got to got myself back to full-health as currently have a few health issues. I will get there and hopefully win get my perfect job… maybe even something book related.
Such inspirational stories
Reblogged this on lorettalivingstone and commented:
Take a look at her now.
I was stuck in a horrible relationship that I’d never previously been able to walk away from. After reading your book, I booked flights to Australia and within 2 weeks I went travelling on my own and finally started to feel like my old happy self again. It was the best thing I’d ever done! My original 6 week trip turned into 12 weeks. 4 months later I’m now moving out there for a couple of years!
Oh wow, congratulations! You can make your life what you want it to be and making that move away from that relationship will always be proof for you that you don’t have to settle for less than what you want out of life. I wish you every happiness! xx
Hi Miranda,
You were kind enough to add my story on here back in 2013 and, since then, things have got even better. I thought you might be interested to see what happened next.
I wrote my first full-length novel (which I’d always said I couldn’t do, lol) and it has been short listed for the 2016 Historical Novel Society Indie Award. Never say you can’t do something, eh?