Hello and welcome! I’m Claire, founder of Woman on a Mission, a place designed to help women feel calm, confident and energised every day. Here on the Woman on a Mission blog, I share practical tips, inspiration and small, meaningful missions to support you in your home, lifestyle and wellbeing.
I’m so pleased you’re here. Grab a comfy seat, a cup of something lovely, and let’s dive in.
My Story.
I’ve always loved helping people feel their best. My first career was in Oncology Nursing, where I learned the true meaning of compassion, resilience and balance. After becoming a mum, I retrained as a Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach, creating Devon Fit Camp and later wellbeing retreats across the UK and Europe. Those years taught me that true wellness isn’t just about fitness, it’s about creating calm and confidence in every part of life.
My journey has also been shaped by my experiences with cancer, both personally and professionally. At the time of writing, I’ve completed the London Marathon four consecutive years, raising funds for Coppafeel! and Cancer Research UK and a couple more since for DKMS, the Blood Cancer Charity, of which I’m a proud ambassador. These causes are incredibly close to my heart, and you’ll find more about my fundraising and advocacy work here.
I love seeing my friends and family happy, being by the sea, interiors, candles, white flowers, a good Sauvignon (although I’ve been pretty tee-total over the last year or so) and sunny days, whatever the season.
Why Woman on a Mission Matters ?
Woman on a Mission began as a way to support the women I coached who wanted to feel more in control of their lives. It’s now a lifestyle brand that blends wellbeing, organisation, interiors and mindset. My mission is to help women feel calm, confident and energised, one small mission at a time.
Life is full of missions, big and small. Whether it’s creating healthier routines, tackling a home project, or simply taking a moment for yourself, each mission is a step toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. Your mission might be big or small, from tackling a renovation to simply leaving the house on time. Whatever it is, doing it well starts with looking after yourself first.
These mini missions are small but effective. One a week adds up to 52 in a year, 52 ways to bring positive, motivating habits into your life. Here on the blog and my Instagram, I share “mini missions” and Power Hours, small actions that can make a surprisingly big difference.
A Little About Me.
You’ll usually find me hiking along the Devon lanes (especially as the sun comes up) or out on the South West Coast Path, one of my favourite places to reset and refocus.
I can also be found at the gym or at the pilates studio, at my desk, pottering in the garden or decorating! I love being outside, feeling fit, and making our home a calm, happy space. With my children all grown up and at university, life has taken on a new rhythm, but I still love being an active and involved mum. they still swim competitively and we love to support them.
You’ll also hear me talk about my favourite “F words” — Fun, Food, Fitness, Faith (self-belief), Friendship, Family, Finance, and Focus, the foundations of a happy, fulfilled life. And of course, there are a few “f**k it” moments too, because we’re all human!
Your Mission, One Step at a Time
Whatever your mission in life, work, home, or garden, it’s good to know someone is there to support you. Our house is our home, our castle, the place we feel safe and special, and as we spend our downtime there, let’s focus on how to feel amazing while at home.
I live my life one mission at a time, hence the name, but my passion is to share my nuggets with as many people as I can. On this blog, I’ll be sharing insights on home and living, lifestyle, wellbeingandorganisation.
Join Me.
If you’re ready to create a calmer, more confident life you love, you’re in the right place. Join my Woman on a Mission community to get inspiration, practical tips and a sprinkle of motivation straight to your inbox.
I’m delighted to welcome you to the Woman on a Mission Blog. Let’s make this next chapter your happiest, most balanced one yet. This is a place where I hope to help you create boundaries around what matters most, so you feel in control and able to live guilt-free while accomplishing what’s important to you.
I’d also love to know more about you, how you found the blog, what brought you here and what you’d love to see more of. I always read the comments and truly enjoy getting to know this wonderful community, so please do say hello below. I can’t wait to hear from you.
Imagine relaxing here! Image credit: The Garden Company
A Little Mission – Refresh your Garden for spring so that you can enjoy your outdoor space as much as you would any room in your home.
Funny how we convince ourselves there isn’t much to do to get the garden ready for entertaining! I spent plenty of time in the garden last year, but revisiting it this week, my “to-do” list turned out longer than expected. Like in previous blogs in this mini series, I was seeing things with fresh eyes, and my creative brain started whirring.
Discovery consists not in seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes
Marcel Proust
I’m not an expert gardener by any stretch of the imagination, but I hope that by sharing what has worked for me from an organisational point of view, might help you too. I’m learning every day and enjoying that process. A good Mission never goes astray!
There’s something quite special about bringing flowers into the home straight from the garden.
Plan First, Enjoy Later
We have a little family joke that looking after the garden is like outdoor housework and in many ways it is!
Just like a spring refresh in your home, a plan is essential. Remember, you don’t need to do everything in one day. We often overwhelm ourselves by imagining jobs as big, time-consuming, or expensive, and then procrastinate.
With any project, home, garden, work or life; break it down into bite size chunks. Knowing the tasks ahead of you means you can plan a Power of an Hour or two to get started on your Spring Refresh – Garden Style!
Adding a seating area where you can enjoy a morning coffee or a glass of some chilled in the evening, need not break the bank.
First Things First!
Grab a notebook and take a wander around your garden, noting:
Paintwork: fences, garden furniture, sheds, gates
Repairs: loose paving, latches, or any small fixes
Pots and tubs: any cracks or surfaces needing a lick of paint before planting seedlings
Paving and walls: clean, repair, or paint as needed
Grass: that first cut makes an instant difference, as does redefining edges
Tools & equipment: give the lawnmower, strimmer, and garden tools some TLC
This list isn’t exhaustive — we’re talking a Spring Refresh, not a full redesign. But creating it helps you plan what needs doing and when to fit it into your diary.
Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’
Robin Williams
Mission Spring Clean!
I was introduced to a product a couple of years ago now which I love. Wet and Forget If you have delicate areas that can’t withstand a power washer, or don’t have one, this is perfect. Spray patios, driveways, walls — and forget it. Within days, areas start to brighten. Brush with a hard brush to loosen moss and weeds. Quick, simple, and cost-effective!
Before and After Shots Here:
Before: wall to the left vs the wall & the step 3 days laterWet and Forget, magical powers! This is the “before” and “after” just a couple of days.
Mission – Refresh Your Paintwork
“Paintwork, especially fences, decking, and garden furniture, will benefit from a little freshen-up. There are lots of paints and treatments available, many with preservative properties to help your furniture last longer.
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Top tips from Cuprinol:
Preparation: Clean and dry surfaces. Strip loose or flaking paint. Test a small area first.
Colour: Final shade varies with surface and number of coats. Sand lightly if adhesion is poor. Pre-treat with wood preservative if needed.
Apply: Dry conditions, above 5°C, 2+ coats. Brush along the grain or use a sprayer following instructions.
Dry: Touch dry in 1 hour; allow a few days before heavy use.
Even a small space can have a big inpact. The planters are from The Basket Company
Spring Refresh your Entertaining Space.
No matter the size of your garden, carve out a little spot for a morning coffee or evening wine. Even a small seating area can feel magical. Connection, relaxation and the simple joy of being outside are priceless.
There’s something quite special about enjoying a cuppa and conversation outside.
Inspiration And Ideas
Google, Pinterest and Instagram are a great place to start when looking for inspiration but be warned – it’s so easy to get sidetracked! There’s a variety depending on budget or you may be inspired to make your own! I hope they inspire you.
Our garden furniture was a gift when we moved into our first home together. It really is hanging on by a thread or maybe the many layers of paint we’ve used to get “just another year” from it, for both sentimental reasons and also financial. Anyone slowly but surely renovating their home will know, there is a list of priorities!
Some of my favourite finds for seating, planters and decor:
Garden Trading CompanyCox and CoxPinterestPinterestNeptune Cox and Cox
The Little Touches!
Even simple touches like plants, lighting, and soft furnishings can turn your garden into a sanctuary. Adding warmth and personality is the fun part. Think fairy lights, cosy cushions, scented blooms, or a small water feature. These small details make your garden feel like a true extension of your home.
Even small, thoughtful actions in your garden can transform your space and lift your mood. Start with one task, enjoy the process, and let your outdoor sanctuary take shape naturally.
I’d love to know: what garden projects are on your spring mission list? Share in the comments, and check out The Dartmoor Village Garden board on Instagram for inspiration from my White Garden ideas.
Now it’s your turn! Pick one small area of your garden to refresh this week ~ a pot, a patch of lawn, or a corner seating spot. Take a photo before and after and share your Spring Refresh with me in the comments or on Instagram. I can’t wait to see your garden transformations!
I’m the creator of Woman on a Mission, a lifestyle space dedicated to helping women bring more calm, confidence and balance into everyday life. Born from my own journey to slow down and live with greater intention, it offers inspiration around wellbeing, organisation, home and mindset, one meaningful mission at a time
