Stacey Solomon on why 2024 is the year she says ‘no’ more often, takes better care of herself and lets go of people who don’t support her dreams
WORDS: MITYA UNDERWOOD AND GEORGIA TREVITT
SORTING HER LIFE OUT
Stacey Solomon kicked off her 2024 with a bang – and a vow to embrace what she called a “f**k-it year”.
The 34-year-old Loose Women panellist isn’t usually one to swear, but she’s clearly got the bit between her teeth. We appear to be witnessing the arrival of Stacey 2.0.
Reflecting on the past few years, The X Factor finalist, who is married to fellow TV personality Joe Swash, recently admitted she had “been a bit of a mug”, and wanted to “follow some dreams and ideas I haven’t been brave enough to go for in the past”.
But first and foremost, she said, she was going to “just do s**t”.
“I’m also not going to make myself small and dull my light to make other people feel better,” she announced, a few weeks into the new year. “I’d say over the last few years I’ve been a bit of a mug in some ways. I’ve turned down opportunities or taken certain paths because people who I thought mattered have wanted it. And it made them happy.
“But I’ve realised the only people who matter are the ones who want to lift you up, support every crazy idea you have, and fill you with confidence and love. Those are the people to keep close. Let the rest go.”
A few days after her candid admission, she announced she was lined up to film another series of her incredibly popular BBC One show, Sort Your Life Out.
It will be her fourth season at the helm and after admitting she has suffered from “imposter syndrome” in the past, the new contract will hopefully count as a win for that “f**k-it year” checklist.
One possible contributor to the more confident version of mum-of-five Stacey we’re seeing, and loving, is that she’s been taking care of her body – as well as Rex, four, Rose, two, and Belle, who turns one next week, who she shares with Joe, and Zachary, 15, and Leighton, 11, from previous relationships.
With the help of one of her sisters, she’s spent the last six months getting fit and healthy with regular workouts, runs and gym sessions.
While she said she’s always loved sports, especially competitive ones, Stacey’s passion took a back seat as she handled having “three children in four years”.
And, after deciding she was “definitely” not having any more (which her fans are
