The Leanne Weekly No. 15

Welcome Back To The Leanne Weekly…

The weeks are flying by, I can’t believe we’re already here with Issue 15… and it’s a good one! From your messages after last week’s issue, where we touched on the end of the year and the festive season, it’s clear those themes landed warmly with so many of you. A little pause. A quiet moment. A gentle reminder to slow the pace. I’m always trying to do better for myself at this time of year too, so diving into these topics feels like a way of getting ahead - for me, and hopefully for you as well.

This week has been a BIG one. I taught my last Peloton class (wild!), which means I’m now officially on maternity leave - surreal doesn’t even cover it. I’m also deeply behind on getting organised… and considering I’m now nine months pregnant, the hospital bag really needs to stop being a theoretical concept and start being an actual bag. Ben and I squeezed in our weekly date night at the cutest little Italian near us - 6pm seating, home by 8:30pm, straight into I’m A Celeb on ITV - Heaven! As for the renovations… I completely fell off the bandwagon updating you because honestly? It all became too much. Too many people in the house, for too long, doing too many things. I can finally confirm: we’re DONE AND DUSTED! The house is ours again and looks lovely. Obviously later than planned and significantly more stressful than anticipated, but worth it. If I ever even hint at doing renovations again next year, please all unite and send me a firm ‘absolutely not’. We also had a cheeky final scan to see the baby one last time, I had a dreamy prenatal lymphatic drainage massage, AND I got my hair cut and coloured, goodbye greys! I’m feeling slightly more human, a little less puffy, a little less stressed and marginally more prepared for this next chapter.

Today, we’re taking A Moment for Thankfulness - a small pause to notice the good, the grounding, and the things we often rush past. From there, we’re moving into Cold-Weather Energy Levels and how women’s bodies shift in winter (because biology is busy behind the scenes this season). To round things out, we’re talking about The Modern Village, what it looks like today, how to build one, and why we’re not meant to handle winter, womanhood, or life alone. As always, I’m sharing my List of Joy and LTK faves to bring a little extra light to your week.

So, grab a moment for yourself, and let’s dive in…

A Moment For Thankfulness…

“The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see.” - Mary Davis

Even if we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here, there’s something so lovely about a whole day built around pausing, gathering, appreciating, and acknowledging the good in life. I will certainly be borrowing the spirit of it all this year. November can feel like a rush (I am on fast forward this month) - the year-end sprint, the parties beginning, the to-do lists growing, BUT the idea of carving out space with loved ones and friends to simply be thankful, reconnect and pause, is something worth celebrating.

Thankfulness doesn’t have to be loud. It’s a text from someone who knows exactly what to say, a safe bed to come home to, your favourite jumper on a cold day, belly laughs with friends. You get it. Gratitude grounds us, especially in seasons that ask so much of us.

What I love about the Thanksgiving mindset is the reminder that joy is rarely found in ‘more.’ It’s found in noticing - in taking stock of what’s already here. The people who hold us. The routines that keep us steady. The lessons we learned the hard way. The version of ourselves we’re becoming.

So this week, whether you mark the day or not, maybe take a moment to ask yourself:

What am I grateful for right now, in the middle of the messiness?
What am I learning to let go of as the year wraps up?
Who has shown up for me in quiet ways?
What small wins am I overlooking because I’m too focused on the next thing?

Choose to soften. Choose to appreciate the bits of life that don’t shout for attention.

We all know this time of year can be noisy, and I spoke about it in depth last week, but gratitude has a way of bringing us home to ourselves. Focusing on our own lives, instead of others. Feeling content ‘AND MORE’ about what fills our hearts and homes. For the occasion of Thanksgiving, good food, and even better company make for a beautiful day. Indulge in these moments, they are more precious than we can ever give them credit for in the moment.

So, to my The Leanne Weekly readers - I am thankful for YOU. I’m thankful you subscribed when I was completely convinced nobody would join the newsletter - after all, this can be quite an oversaturated place. I’m thankful for the fact you have stayed loyal for over 15 issues so far, and that you are instrumental in helping to build a community of women that will keep growing together. It has been my 2025 goal to bring women together in some way that feels most natural to me, and this is the start of that. I’m thankful that although in a typical week, I often find myself constantly time poor, I have managed to carve out time to sit and write for you all, which is something I have promised myself I would do for years and never made it happen. It feels fulfilling. I am grateful for each and every one of you. We all connect more than we ever really know or assume. I am excited for what’s to come, and I feel seen in more ways than ever before, and that is so much to do with your support. Thank You.

As we reflect on what we’re grateful for this week, it’s also worth acknowledging how we’re actually feeling in our bodies as we move through this season. While gratitude fills us up, winter can quietly drain our energy in ways we don’t always notice…

Cold-Weather Energy Levels: Understanding Women’s Cycles In Winter…

“Your cycle in winter is not an inconvenience - it’s a compass.”

It’s challenging isn’t it?! The dark mornings, the mood, even the motivation to do the basics at this time of year. Now you may live somewhere that's glorious at this time of year, and this doesn’t ring true, but being a Londoner means the weather can give ‘grey’ a lot of the time here in Winter! While it’s tempting to blame it all on being ‘lazy’ or ‘off your game,’ winter actually interacts with women’s hormones in real ways. It’s not in your head. It’s in your biology.

As the days get darker, our bodies quietly shift into conservation mode. We produce more melatonin, which makes us sleepier and slower. We often produce less serotonin, which can soften our mood and reduce that natural spark we feel in lighter months. On top of that, many of us move through our hormonal cycle with less sunlight, less vitamin D, and a lot more stress (hello, end-of-year life that I keep banging on about). It’s a cocktail that nobody wants, and that’s because it affects energy more than most people realise.

Here’s the reframe that I find comforting: Winter isn’t asking you to be more. It’s asking you to be honest about what your body needs.

What actually affects our energy in winter is a mix of biology, hormones, and the sheer pace of the season. With less sunlight, our circadian rhythm shifts, which is why that groggy morning fog feels so much heavier this time of year. Lower serotonin levels don’t help either, as they soften our mood and make motivation harder to come by, which is why even simple workouts can feel like climbing a hill. The menstrual cycle can feel more intense too; cramps, fatigue, and emotional dips often land differently in the cold, darker months. Finally, layered on top of it all is the increase in cortisol that comes with holiday stress - the mental load tends to climb long before the Christmas chaos truly begins. So, it’s not weakness, it’s physiology… and it’s COMPLETELY NORMAL. Be kind to yourselves, your body is doing the best it can!

So how do we ground ourselves in winter? It often comes down to small, gentle shifts rather than any kind of overhaul. Getting daylight early - even just five or ten minutes within the first hour of waking, as this can do more for your hormones than any complicated morning routine. I’ve added one of my favourite devices in the LTK faves that mimics sunlight when there isn’t any. It’s a game changer. Matching movement to your energy helps too; some days will invite a ride, a lift, or a barre burn, and others will call for a walk, a stretch, or something softer. As always, both count. Both matter. Choosing warm, grounding foods like soups packed with goodness, oats, roasted veg, and cosy drinks including bone broth can support digestion and steady your energy, while micro-moments of calm, like a cup of tea, a three-minute stretch, a candle, a nap - all help your nervous system feel safe. If appropriate, supplements like vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3s can make a difference as well. I truly believe checking how you need to supplement YOUR body with regular blood work throughout the year, can help to optimise your health and is money well spent. Your body is your home, let's nurture it the best we can. Perhaps most importantly, try not to push through your premenstrual weeks for those readers who are having a menstrual cycle still; the combination of a luteal phase and winter can create double fatigue, so adjusting expectations and letting go of the guilt is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself.

Your body is not designed to live at the same pace in every season. Winter is a time to listen. A time to soften the edges. A time to give yourself permission to do less without feeling less-than.

If you’ve been tired and a little slower - nothing is wrong with you. You’re simply living in a body that’s responding exactly as it should to the season you’re in. There’s something quite beautiful about that if you’re willing to give yourself grace.

“Your hormones shift with the season. Let your expectations shift with them.”

The Modern Village - Building Community In A World That Glorifies Independence…

We live in a world that quietly worships independence. ‘I’ve got it.’ ‘I’ll manage.’ ‘I can handle it.’ My one - ‘No, no. I’m all good.’ I get annoyed every time it comes out of my mouth.

Women are especially fluent in these phrases, and we say them even when we’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or quietly falling apart. Independence is an amazing thing, but at some point, in some circumstances, it stopped being a strength and became an expectation.

Humans have never been designed to do life alone. This time of year makes that truth even louder. We’ve spoken about the darker days, but add to that the fuller schedules, family dynamics, emotional weight, and the pressure to hold everything together, and it can feel lonely.

The old saying ‘it takes a village’ used to refer to raising children, but honestly? It takes a village to stay grounded, supported, and well mentally. It takes a village to navigate winter. To move through big life changes. To finish a year that felt heavier than expected. To prepare for a new season of life, motherhood, or simply being human.

A modern village is not the traditional picture of neighbours popping in and out, or a big family living down the road (although how amazing that would be!?). A modern village is far more fluid and personal. It’s the people who hold you, in whatever way you need holding:

A friend who checks in ‘just because.’ I love those friends deeply.
A sibling who makes you laugh on your lowest day.
The neighbour who takes a parcel when you’re out. (For the record, don’t abuse this one. We unintentionally have with some of the baby orders, and not always being home to receive them, and our neighbours are letting us know with a little attitude….. Oh, oh!)
Your online community who sends you love when you open up. Shoutout to all of you!
The friend you voice notes at 11pm because she gets it.
The person who shows up for the mundane moments, not just the big ones. This dwindles down to such a small amount of people as you get older, and it’s OK. Those friendships are the ones to always, ALWAYS make the effort with.

These are the threads that stitch your life together. The gentle reminders that you’re not meant to carry everything alone. These people can come into your life at any moment, and change it for good. If I could add audio to this, I’d be saying ‘play Wicked part 2: ‘For Good’ and we could all have a good cry together.

If I was to focus on why this season invites us to think about and build our village, it’s because winter softens us. The connections feel warmer for some reason. The end of the year makes us reflective. The holidays highlight what (and who) really matters. For many of us, these months bring transitions - new babies, changing routines, evolving identities, a different way of doing the festive season, and a desire to feel held rather than stretched.

This is the perfect time to look around and ask:

Who feels like home? Who do I want in my village next year? And how can I let them in a little more? It doesn’t require huge effort, just small, intentional steps:

Reach out before you need to. A text. A voice note. A ‘thinking of you.’ Connection grows through consistency, not crisis.

Let people help you. Especially now. Accept the favour, the lift, the meal, the listening ear. It’s not weakness, it’s community. I am rubbish at this, but with the baby coming, I am determined to accept the help and really appreciate that the people who love me want to do this.

Create low-pressure traditions. A Sunday walk. A December movie night. A weekly check-in. Little anchors create big support.

Find your online village too. Our communities these days are typically hybrid. Might be your Peloton community, a facebook friend, or a neighbour. Both count. Both can keep you afloat.

Be someone’s safe space. Because the best way to build a village is to be part of someone else’s. I’ve always been taught ‘to have good friends, you have to be a good friend.’

The strongest women aren’t the ones doing everything alone as we’ve mentioned in previous issues. They’re the ones who know when to lean, when to ask, when to open the door a little wider. As the year winds down and a new chapter waits around the corner, this might be the perfect moment to allow yourself the luxury of support. Gather your people, deepen your connections, and build a village that feels like warmth in the winter and beyond.

Independence gets you far. But a village? A village gets you through.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the people who come into our lives and feel familiar right away. Not because of anything obvious, just something in your chest that says, I know you. I trust you.

Some people love us in a way that feels older than a lifetime. As if our hearts recognized each other long before we ever met. And when you find someone like that, a friend, a partner, or even a family bond, it changes you.

It reminds you that love isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it’s a small moment or a simple memory that stays with you for years. Those are the connections that stay with us.

And honestly, they’re the ones that make life

feel like it has meaning.

If you have someone like that… tell them.

/ Topher Kearby

List Of Joy…

🍽️ EATING: We managed to squeeze in a lovely lunch at Kettners with Ben's parents pre baby’s arrival, and I think this is a really sophisticated spot in Central London that always feels relaxed, but special too. Doubles up as a hotel, if you’re also looking for somewhere to stay!

🎧 LISTENING: With Wicked For Good finally in cinemas and everyone back in their Glinda and Elphaba bubbles, I’ve been loving the Wicked podcast. Give it a listen as it’s your all access pass to the land of Oz.

🛍️ SELLING: It’s that time of year where I do a big Vinted haul, and there’s some absolute beauties in there including some fabulous looks for the festive season. Gives me so much joy to see others enjoy the bits I’ve loved to! With life looking a little different for me over the next little while, it’s time to pass the sparkles on (for now, not forever!).

LTK Of The Week…

LUMIE SAD LIGHT THERAPY - The best of the best of the best! Great winter investment.

LULULEMON Cinch-Waist 600-Down-Fill Puffer in Olive Brown - The weather has dropped in London, and it’s time for the winter puffer that actually keeps you warm! Can’t knock a Lululemon puffer - snug as a bug!

RIVER ISLAND red velvet sleeveless sequin drape top and trousers set - Every week, you get a little festive look from me. Love the colour, love the fit. Love the sparkle.

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH Merry Sunday Hoodie - I mean, it’s the perfect mix of festive and comfy!

THE JOURNAL by Roxie Nafousi - really great for helping you to lean into wellness and self love this season.

DIRTEA Cacao with organic lion’s mane - functional, and doesn’t cacao just scream Christmas?! I haven’t been having mine as much whilst pregnant, BUT, it is on my list to enjoy again VERY soon!

BOBBLE REMOVER FOR CLOTHES - The knitwear comes out and the bobbles follow! Always handy to have one of these at home! Maybe I’m getting old, but it's a very enjoyable process too.

& OTHER STORIES sequin embellished alice band - This is the best quick fix to go from day to night, or to just step an outfit up this season. If a full glam look isn’t your thing, this is such a great accessory.

→ shop here on my LTK

And that’s Issue 15 wrapped… a little gratitude, a little winter-wisdom and hormone check in, and a reminder that none of us are meant to get through this season solo - consider it your weekly top-up.

P.S. If you share The Leanne Weekly (via the link in the email version of the newsletter) with two people who’d love our cosy corner of the internet, there’s a D.Louise treat waiting for you. Good vibes (and good jewellery) are better when shared (and only a couple more weeks left of this discount!) x