Pure Virtual Assistants

01/05/2025

Oh hey there, May, you gorgeous goddess! 😎

Lighter evenings, glorious sunshine (fingers crossed it continues), and the official start of BBQ and prosecco-in-the-garden season... except I’m currently replacing prosecco with alcohol-free gin. Who even am I? 😅

This month is Mental Health Awareness Month, and to be honest, it’s hit a bit differently this year. My little wobbly head has been wobbling a bit more these past 6 months – but I’ve learned to accept it, ride the wave, and remember that it won’t last forever. 🧠💛

I’ve actually spent the past 4 months properly working on me! (I know, groundbreaking stuff).

💪 Consistently working out 3 times a week
🥙 Eating better (Legit obsessed with Nutrition and Fitness Center)
📖 Reading more (actual books, not Instagram captions)
🥛 Less prosecco (shock)
👟 Making a conscious effort to get out and walk more
👀 Less scrolling and doom-spiralling on social media

And honestly? It has helped. It hasn't fixed everything, not magically made life perfect – but I feel clearer, calmer, and more excited about the future.

Also, WE’VE BOOKED OUR FAMILY HOLIDAY! ✈️🏖️

Evie, Mikey and I will be jetting off to Rhodes in August, and in typical Stacey fashion, I've already started writing my first-aid kit list and am mentally packing the SPF, sandals, and what books to take. BRING.IT.ON. 💃

So here’s to May — to small wins, shaky days, and choosing progress over perfection. 🥂

Here’s to a marvellous month, you lovely lot! 💚

29/04/2025

How was this 5 years ago? Evie and I mid-lockdown!☀️

The sun was shining, and we were out for our big daily outing — a walk... no big plans, no pressure, just sunshine, fresh air, and a bit of normal in a world that felt anything but.

I was furloughed from a job that took a lockdown to figure out I hated, and Mikey and I were convinced my anxiety would skyrocket with everything going on. But weirdly, it eased. Because for the first time in ages, I wasn’t dragging myself into a toxic environment every day. 🙌

That time gave me space — to think, to breathe, to perfect my Strawberry Daiquiri recipe and sip it in the garden at 11 am, and to realise that life’s too bloody short to stay stuck in something that makes you miserable. 🍹👊

Fast forward to now:

💻 I’m still running my own business
💖 It's hard work and not always easy, but I’ve built something I’m actually really proud of.
🏠 I work from home, and I'm here when Evie gets home from school.
🙃 I still have 'wobbly head' moments, but I've learned that actually, to accept it and know it will pass

And for the record, to the certain individual who told me that going self-employed was “stupid” and I’d never earn any money from it—I’m doing just fine, thanks, hun. 💁‍♀️ 🤫🖕

I know everyone had their own experiences of lockdown, some good, some bad, and some traumatising. But this photo reminds me that sometimes, the worst situations lead to the best decisions, and I’ll never stop being grateful that I took a chance to back myself while having the support of my family and friends. 🙌

So, here’s to the moments that change everything.🪴

19/03/2025

This team of mortgage legends are finalists at the What Mortgage Awards.🥳🏠

Please drop them a vote in the Best Mortgage Broker (under 10 advisers) category; it literally takes about 10 seconds to do and would mean the world to them.🙌

Cast your votes for 2025’s what MORTGAGE Awards There are 45 categories calling for your votes which cover all aspects of the mortgage and home-buying industry. We invite you to vote for one of the companies shortlisted in each category that has provided a positive experience and which you feel is...

23/01/2025

Life is busy; work is hectic and who has time to waste faffing around updating website content or checking for typos when your to-do list is as long as your energy bill?!😩

Your website is like a shop window; it's your first impression and where your dream clients should be converting.👋🪟

So, if your website is looking a bit outdated, your blogs are collecting dust, or your SEO is crying out for help, a VA can step in and sort it all for you! 🙌

Want to know more? Slide into my DMs and let’s chat about how we could work together to give your website the TLC it deserves! 💖

10/11/2024

Our hearts are forever grateful as we remember those who gave their tomorrow for our today.🌹

Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.❤️

01/11/2024

Happy Red Wine, Candle, Blanket, and Book Season!🍷Cosy season has arrived, and I am here for it!🫶

There’s nothing quite like wrapping up with a good book, a blanket, a glass of red, and an autumnal candle flickering away (by obvs). Pure bliss. 🕯️📖✨

Can we mention how it’s just under 8 weeks until Christmas? Shiiittt, it's terrifying how time’s flying by!🎅

Talking of time flying...next Monday marks a big milestone for me—my 4-year ! 🎂🥳 4 bloody years! WTF? I honestly have no idea how that’s happened, but I couldn’t feel more grateful (and still slightly shocked) to be where I am now.🥹

This past year has had ALOT of ups and downs, and my health hasn’t been the best, but in positive news, it’s been 10 months since I came off my antidepressants, and despite the challenges, I’m feeling really f*cking proud of how far I’ve come.🤩

Through it all, my clients and my support network have continued to be absolute legends. Their trust, kindness and patience make this journey so worthwhile, and I couldn’t be more grateful for each and every one of them.❤️

On that note, I’ve got work to crack on with before I finish early for a cheese & wine afternoon/night with my girls! 🧀🍷

Have a beautiful November, everyone!😍

25/10/2024

Being self-employed has defo taught me being flexible is essential. But, setting boundaries is equally important to protect your time, energy, and mental health.⛔

Here’s what I’ve figured out so far:

🚫𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲
Saying ‘no’ doesn’t make you a bad business owner. In fact, it makes you better. Setting boundaries with clients is key to keeping things sustainable, and let's be honest, no one likes to receive client calls or texts at 9pm on a Friday evening...unless it's banter related, obvs!

💆𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲
Yes, being self-employed means flexibility, but I’ve learned the hard way that if I don’t carve out time for myself, burnout is inevitable. Yes, I still take my laptop on holiday with me, but I do make a conscious effort to not open it and enjoy that well-deserved time off.

💻𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗩𝗔 - 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿
It took me a while to realise this, but running Pure Virtual Assistants means I’m actually running a business, which still seems a bit mental! It’s not just about helping someone else’s business; it’s about growing my own too.

Without boundaries, it’s easy to feel like you’re on the clock 24/7, which isn’t sustainable or fair to yourself. Taking time to reflect on what works and what doesn’t will help keep your business, and your head more balanced.⚖️



🌐 https://vist.ly/3mjqtjq

18/10/2024

Not just the busy day-to-day stuff, but the bigger picture—the stuff that shows you what’s working and what might be dragging you down.😅

Running a business isn’t easy, and we can often get so caught up in the grind that we forget to check in with how things are actually going.👀

So here’s a little exercise I’ve found helpful: grab a pen and paper and take a moment to reflect...

💭What do you enjoy doing?
💭What are you really good at?
💭What does your business thrive at?
💭Is your business heading in the right direction?

Now, let’s flip it and think about the parts of your business that maybe need some TLC...

💭Are there parts of the business that don’t bring you joy?
💭Do certain tasks drain your energy?
💭Are there areas in your business you need to improve or dedicate more time to?
💭What does your business lack?

This is your chance to identify the areas that could use some improvement or some additional support. Because here’s the thing: you don’t have to do it all.

Sometimes, handing over those tasks that slow you down can make all the difference in taking your business to the next level and taking a weight off your shoulders.🙌

Take a step back, give yourself space to reflect, and see where you can focus your strengths— while letting go of the rest.💪

15/10/2024

Ever look at your to-do list and think, “How the hell am I going to get all this done?!🤯

You're not alone., sometimes it's difficult to find the time to even have a lunch break...and that's NOT OK guys!😬

That’s where a VA comes in handy—to help you get sh*t done, stress less, and free up your time.🤩

From managing your social media to sorting through your inbox, writing website copy, and even handling your advertising, a VA is like your own personal superhero, who has your back.💻✨

And the best thing is that there's a whole army of VAs out there with skills you never even knew existed, who are ready and waiting to help you grow your business!🥳🪴

So… what’s the first thing you’d love to delegate?🙌
🌐 https://pureva.co.uk/

11/10/2024

Have you ever worked in a ? ☣️ Because like many others, I have to and trust me, it’s not worth the damage it does to your mental health. 😤

Yesterday was , and this year’s theme was all about Workplace Mental Health—which got me thinking about my own journey. So, I’d like to take a moment to raise a big middle finger at toxic work environments and say F-You!🖕

For years, I worked in a job that left me mentally and emotionally drained, nothing I did was good enough, I was shouted at in front of everyone, a place where well-being took a back seat to deadlines, egos, and constant stress.😔

It wasn’t until I hit my breaking point that I had a moment of clarity and realised my mental health was worth so much more than any job. That’s when I made the scariest (and best) work decision of my life—I walked away and started my own business.🧠💪

Here’s the truth: if a company lacks empathy, doesn’t prioritise your well-being, and only cares about its bottom line—do you really want to work for them? It’s okay to put yourself first. It’s okay to walk away. And it’s okay to demand better for your mental health.🙌

To anyone out there feeling trapped in a toxic workplace, know this: your mental health matters. You are not stuck, and there is light on the other side. Keep going. 💕

Let’s keep breaking the stigma, supporting each other, and standing up for mental health—because no one deserves to be made to feel less than in the name of “work.”

And if you do need to speak to someone, check out these amazing organisations:👇

💚
💚Mental Health Foundation
💚Samaritans
💚
💚The Mix
💚

04/10/2024

Last week I finally got a few little tattoos that I've been wanting to get for years and I LOVE them!🫶

First, there's the lyrics from my favourite Killers song, "Read My Mind"—"I don't shine if you don't shine". Everyone knows I bloody LOVE The Killers, I cry every time I hear this song live and get a lump in my throat even when singing it in the car.🎶🎸

And then there is the hummingbird with a tiny semi-colon in it. The semi-colon is often a known symbol of mental health awareness, support or hope and for me, it represents that my story isn’t over. And the hummingbird? It’s about finding joy, happiness and love in the small things and remembering that even in dark times, there’s always light if you look for it. 😊

Fate was definitely telling me I should get them too, as when I was driving to the tattoo shop, “Read My Mind” was the first song that came on shuffle, followed by “Suicide” by Ren.🥹

These tattoos are my little way of celebrating resilience, hope, and my own personal and continuous battle with anxiety and depression...and accidently/on purpose come off of Sertraline in January I feel really f*cking proud of myself for how i've handled such a super stressful year, losing quite a few special people and moving house!😬

So to anyone struggling—remember, it’s okay to not be okay. This is just a chapter, not your whole story and you have alot more pages to turn. 💕

01/10/2024

October, you chilly minx you...autumn is here, and I am all over it!🥰

Is anyone else looking forward to getting wrapped up all warm and cosy, sipping on a Baileys hot chocolate and then slipping on those wellies to head out for a wander through the gorgeous changing colours of the trees and leaves? 🍂🧣🧥

Although saying that, I got a couple of new little tattoos last Friday so I'm reluctant to wear any long sleeves, just so that i can show them off! Ha!😂

October is also when I start to get proper serious about Christmas shopping...I love to be organised with s**t like this, so I tend to start in September but October is when I crank it up a notch!🎅🎄😂

I'm also looking ahead to next month when it's my 4-year !🍾🥳

Woooo 4 bloody years... never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d have my own business, but what a game-changer it's been for me, especially for my mental health.🙌

So, on that note, have a fabulous October everyone...let's smash it and reward ourselves with lots of Baileys hot chocolate! 🍁☕