Meet the Team

Ally McLaren
Founder and Editor

Hi, I’m Ally.

You may have seen my writing in Mouthy Magazine or Darling Magazine. I currently work in Marketing and PR and do freelance copywriting on the side. I also have experience in journalism and feature writing for women’s magazines and national press.

When I’m not writing you can find me eating pizza, stroking my cat and watching true crime documentaries.

I started this magazine for all the fellow strugglers who feel the same way that I do; like everyone else has it all figured out and you just don’t know what you’re doing in life.

Molly Clair
Designer

Hi, I’m Molly and I created the website, branding, logo and design for This Modern Struggle Magazine. I specialise in a range of design and marketing services, particularly in branding and website design.

With nearly 10 years of experience, I've worked with large corporate clients like Warner Entertainment, as well as smaller independent businesses. I love collaborating with fellow female business owners making their brand truly stand out.

You can discover more about my design services here.

Contributors

Susan Moore
Writer

Hi, I’m Susan. You may have seen my work before in Darling Magazine’s fashion section and Tonitruale’s music column.

When I’m not writing, I can be found watching documentaries with my roommates, listening to audiobooks and drinking drinks that turn my mouth blue.

Photo credit: @bluerosetori

Chloe Jackson
Writer

Hi I’m Chloe. I have no professional experience in writing, it is simply a hobby of mine, a liberating escape from at times a chaotic claustrophobic existence. It is a way to disentangle a messy web of thoughts and feelings whilst navigating this complicated thing called life. 

When I’m not writing, which is most of the time (I need some more of that time stuff) I am a Speech and Language Therapist, I am a Mum loving my daughter from the depths of my soul whilst simultaneously hiding from her in the bathroom to devour a cake in silence. I am a 30 year old whose life, well, didn’t go to plan. My 5 year plan is now a “let’s get through today plan” and I’m okay with that. My struggles have resulted in my successes.  I now realise you cannot control the cards you are dealt, just the way you play the hand and writing has helped me to figure that out.

Ally Loyns
Writer

Ally Loyns is a Canadian poet, musician, and BPD advocate who has called Winnipeg, Manitoba home since birth. Through raw and real poetic storytelling, she has a vision to embolden the healing journeys of people with Borderline everywhere by sharing her lived experience.

To Ally, nothing holds more power than the solidarity of like-minded souls with one mutual goal: overcoming hardship via self-compassion. She strives to break stigma in hopes that sharing her story can provide comfort and/or validation to the individual reading.

Urmi Hossain
Writer

Urmi Hossain is Bengali by blood and Italian by birth. She works in the financial services industry in Canada, where she is currently residing. She is a self-published author, blogger, speaker, polyglot, and mentor.

Her first book is: Discovering your identity, a rebirth from interracial struggle.

She is an advocate of women's empowerment and very passionate about teaching and mentoring other girls and women.

She is part of the organization called Women In Leadership for the Victoria Chapter in Canada as the social media lead
She enjoys being a promoter of self-investing and personal development.
In her free time, she enjoys reading books and boxing.

Discover Urmi’s book here, connect with her on LinkedIn, visit her YouTube channel, and read her blog.

Shelby
Writer

Hi, my name is Shelby, I'm 29 and I suffer from a few chronic illnesses. As well as physical ailments, I suffer from BPD, depression and anxiety which is the thing I struggle with the most at the moment.

I love to write about my struggles and I've been doing so for years but I'm now ready to share some of my stuff. Raising awareness is what's most important to me, I don't want anyone to ever feel like they should be ashamed or alone in their struggles and that's what my Instagram mainly focuses on.

I have a degree from the University of Sheffield in English literature which also comes in handy with my writing. As well as writing, I love film and TV and I've just began to write reviews and recommended some of my favourite finds.

@sickofselfloathing

Becky Maybury
Writer

Hi, my name is Becky! 

I’m new to writing and am still not convinced it’s the greatest, however I’d like to think that my writing will be extremely down to earth and relatable so I hope to bring some weird and wonderful content to make us all feel a little more normal in this crazy world. Everyone’s situation is different and that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing, just means we can learn and grow! 

When I’m not writing you will find me running around after my 2 gorgeous children, spending time with my friends or creating some form of arty project. Fun fact, I have a masters in Fine Art and work freelance at The New Art Gallery Walsall!

Emma-Jane Barlow
Writer

Emma-Jane Barlow (known as EJ) is a bestselling northern poet, author, content creator, songwriter, singer and creative. She has been writing poetry since the age of seven and finds comfort in writing about her life experiences. From living life through an autistic lens to the highs and lows of love, loss and everything in between, EJ's words are vulnerable, honest and rich with emotion. ​

She has performed her poetry live at several events including the C Arts Festival, Mic at the Mill, Natter, Salford Arts Theatre and Switchblade. She has also been featured in multiple anthologies including Chapters of Venus and Ink Gladiator Press. She has been quoted in Salford Now newspaper and featured live three times on BBC Radio Manchester with David Scott. 

EJ shares her artistic journey on her Instagram page @emmajanepoetry and is also the founder of the successful collaborative poetry project First Line Poets @firstlinepoets. ​In 2020, she self-published her debut book Darkness & Light, which became multiple bestsellers on Amazon, including the top 20 bestselling books for British poetry. She released her highly-anticipated second collection of poetry, Sins & Sunflowers in 2022 and was the editor of The First Line Poets Anthology. She has just released Sins & Sunflowers: Second Edition and she is exploring other creative projects to find new ways to express her love of storytelling.

Stephanie
Writer

Hi, I am Stephanie from @Poemsbystephanie1.

I have been writing poems since I was sixteen to help me with my mental health. My favourite poems to write are cinquain & soliloquies.

My moods affect my poetry but it also helps me to handle things that are going on around me. I believe poetry belongs to everyone and all voices should be heard.

NelliKong
Writer

My name is NelliKong (pen name) and I’m getting back into my love of writing. I’m from the United States and I hope to have my words touch the hearts from individuals from all the world. I hope I can bring my love of writing to life and not only jump off the page but jump into your hearts as well.

You can discover my writing on Instagram @nellikongpslams, Writers Cafe and Wordpress.

Sasi Kondru
Writer

Hi, my name’s Sasi and I’ve recently started to write quite a bit. I especially like to write poetry and short stories! In my free time, I like to read and take (very, very) long walks.

Aleena Sharif
Artist

Aleena was born in Pakistan and went to school at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She graduated with a BFA and a minor in Art History.

After graduating, she exhibited her art in New York, Los Angeles, London, Italy, and Pakistan, as well as many virtual galleries.

She currently continues her practice between California and Pakistan, where she holds open studies in hope to create a safe space for nude paintings to be shown.

@aleenasharif_art

Libby Jenner
Writer

Libby actively began writing poetry during secondary school as a therapeutic outlet. Years later, her painful retellings blossomed into self-love prose, so she created an Instagram account (libbyjenner.poetry) with an intent to create an online space where poetry lovers could feel an abundance of empowerment.

In her final year of university, Libby self-published her debut poetry and prose collection called ‘don’t be shy, dearest butterfly’ and has since graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing.

In 2023, she released the second book in this poetry series called ‘Wings Unfurled’. Now living in Brighton, she has unfurled her own wings in a city that she has made her home.

You can follow Libby and find where to buy her books here.

Lungmying Lepcha
Writer

Lungmying Lepcha is a 17th year old 12 grader hailing from the Himalayan state Sikkim. A poet in progress, she loves listening to Indie music and reading books which she reviews an eternity later.

She bets that she can occupy you the whole day with her poems and stories!

J.M. Ó Faoláin
Writer

J.M. Ó Faoláin is a 26-year-old with a bachelor of arts in philosophy from the University of Western Ontario. He served in the Canadian Armed Forces as both a cavalry officer and then an infantry officer for six years. He bounced at several prominent bars in the Toronto area. He has several poems published in High Horse Magazine and was shortlisted by Palette Poetry Magazine for the Resistance and Resilience prize.

Ariel Kirton (she/they)
Writer

Ariel Kirton is a feminist non-binary writer from the UK. You can follow them on Instagram @Ariel.Kirton.

Leo & Tingley
Musicians

Leo & Tingley are a dynamic Pop-Folk duo comprised of Leo Tingley and Charlotte Tingley - formally known as Chasing Shadows.

Charlotte is a classically trained singer and pianist, bringing character, power and style in her vocals and song-writing.

Leo is a reformed-rocker who spends most of his time writing sad songs about the sea.

It's in their differences that they've found their strengths; with powerful contrasting-yet-complimentary sounds and a wide range of styles, Leo & Tingley have been praised for their quality and variety of performances.

Discover their music here: https://linktr.ee/leoandtingley

And follow them on Instagram - @leoandtingley

Serena Morrigan
Poet & Author

Serena Morrigan is a poet whose work addresses both gothic themes and mental health issues. Her poetry often explores the intersection of personal struggles with darker, atmospheric elements, offering a heartfelt and introspective look at the human experience. Her collections, ‘Tea for the Wicked’ and ‘A Song for Every Scar’ reflect her unique voice and her ability to weave together haunting imagery with profound emotional insight.

‘Tea for the Wicked’ and ‘A Song for Every Scar’ can be purchased online at all major retailers, such as Amazon, Waterstones, and Barnes & Noble. You can also purchase signed copies by sending Serena a DM on Instagram or e-mailing her at serena.morrigan@gmail.com

Megan Black
Writer

Hi, I’m Megan and I’m a tattoo artist from the West Midlands. I’ve been tattooing for three years now and love anything creative!

I read a lot in my own time and this has inspired me to start writing, too. Alongside tattooing, I also have a small pottery business with my mom. We create functional, homemade ceramics under the name ‘Two Peas in a Pottery’.

@meganbtattoos
@twopeasinapottery

Willow Martin
Poet & Author

Willow Martin is a poet and author based in Cornwall, UK. Her work explores themes of emotional healing and personal growth, offering a reflective and nurturing perspective on the journey of transformation.

@willowisobelwrites

Irina Tall
Artist and Writer

Irina Tall (Novikova) is an artist, graphic artist, illustrator. She graduated from the State Academy of Slavic Cultures with a degree in art, and also has a bachelor's degree in design.

Her first personal exhibition "My soul is like a wild hawk" (2002) was held in the museum of Maxim Bagdanovich. In her works, she raises themes of ecology, and in 2005 she devoted a series of works to the Chernobyl disaster, drawing on anti-war topics. The first big series she drew was The Red Book, dedicated to rare and endangered species of animals and birds. She also writes fairy tales and poems and illustrates short stories. She draws various fantastic creatures: unicorns, animals with human faces, she especially likes the image of a man - a bird - Siren.

In 2020, she took part in Poznań Art Week. Her work has been published in magazines: Gupsophila, Harpy Hybrid Review, Little Literary Living Room and others. In 2022, her short story was included in the collection "The 50 Best Short Stories", and her poem was published in the collection of poetry "The wonders of winter".

@irina.tall111
@irina.tall

Finola Allen
Writer

Heya! I’m Finola, aspiring writer, mental health advocate and hobby photographer— lovely to meet you!

In the past, I have worked at Equestrian stables as a volunteer but now I currently do Marketing work for a specialist FE college, which I really enjoy. Although, I’m set to go to Uni come September to study Creative Writing - eeek!

Claudia Wysocky
Writer

Claudia Wysocky, a Polish writer and poet based in New York, is known for her diverse literary creations, including fiction and poetry. Her poems, such as "Stargazing Love" and "Heaven and Hell," reflect her ability to capture the beauty of life through rich descriptions. Besides poetry, she authored "All Up in Smoke," published by "Anxiety Press." With over five years of writing experience, Claudia's work has been featured in local newspapers, magazines, and even literary journals like WordCityLit and Lothlorien Poetry Journal. Her writing is powered by her belief in art's potential to inspire positive change. Claudia also shares her personal journey and love for writing on her own blog, and she expresses her literary talent as an immigrant raised in post-communism Poland.

Catherine Cheadle
Writer

Hi, I'm Catherine!

Whilst I wrote this piece, writing is not something that comes naturally to me, so I'd say I'm a newbie. I was 22 before I was diagnosed with dyslexia, which is about the only thing that made sense. However, with struggles also comes a positive creative outlet to tough experiences which I'm happy I found. 

I'm a 31-year -old mum of two beautiful little girls; battling the everyday chaos of sticky fingers, never drinking a hot cup of tea, and trying to talk myself out of becoming a recluse and moving to the middle of nowhere. We're lovers of camp outs, movie nights and giant cookies. 

When I'm not with my 'pickles', I work for the ambulance service alongside running my small business Lil Pickles Cakes, which is also my creative saviour. It's taken a long time to delve through my own need for perfection and I'm still striving to just accept the things I can't control.

I’m a firm advocate of talking about mental health and if there's one thing I’ve learned is it's okay to not fit the mould and have it all figured out. I'm far from where I thought I'd be, and if your happiness is having eggs in multiple baskets and not one concrete path, then that's fine too. Nobody's journeys are the same, but they all have beauty, so it's important to embrace it. 

Katie Cecilia
Poet & Author

Katie Cecilia is a poet and mental health advocate with a strong passion for helping others. Through her authentic and heartfelt writing, she explores themes of healing, self-care, reflection, and self-discovery. Katie Cecilia's upcoming book, "Growing," is a testament to her dedication to sharing her personal experiences and insights with the world. Her work resonates with readers, offering comfort, inspiration, and a sense of connection.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katiececiliapoetry
Website: https://www.katiececiliapoetry.com

Ally Hensley
Author

Ally Hensley is an author, speaker, stigma shaker and global ambassador for women’s health and happiness. Ally has written for leading publications on mental health, infertility and body positivity, and has become a regular media contributor on her experience of being born with MRKH, a medical condition resulting in the absence of a womb and vagina.

In 2020, Ally co-produced the first short film about MRKH, alongside a leading digital storytelling brand, featuring women from across the globe who bravely shared experiences with MRKH. This film premiered at the World Congress for Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology in 2019, exposing the experiences of seven women across the globe as they told their unique and complex stories of their MRKH diagnosis.

As an international spokesperson for MRKH on how to redefine womanhood on her own terms, Ally advocates to raise support and awareness of this life-altering diagnosis. She founded Australia’s first MRKH organisation, MRKH Australia, in 2013, co-founded Global MRKH in 2016 and is a board member of the UK’s flagship charity, MRKH Connect.

Her podcast Stigma Shakers recently launched, and just two seasons in, this stigma-focused show has been featured by the BBC, among many other national publications, and has reached over 150k views. Now, Stigma Shakers is recognised as not just a taboo-tackling platform, but a social movement, in questioning: ‘Is the only thing normal in this world difference?’

Ally works to reduce the stigma surrounding sexual (mental) health and prompts conversations that matter. She defines herself as a realistic but scrappy dreamer – where fact is essential, and originality is to be absolutely embraced.

Writer + Author of Vagina Uncensored: A Memoir of Missing Parts

Host of Stigma Shakers Podcast

Website : www.allyhensley.com

Saira Anwar
Poet & Author

Saira Anwar is an educator, poet, author, content creator, and spoken word artist.

She published her first collection The Death of a Beautiful Dream in January 2014, which was featured on Amazon’s Top 20 Bestsellers list.

Saira writes about the beauty of life with themes of marriage, divorce, healing, self-love and love to help others heal. She has her work published in twelve anthologies and performed at many events including MACFEST with Prof John McAuliffe, Poetry Bonanza with North-West Poets and Word Central. She has also been featured twice on BBC Upload on BBC Radio Manchester.

Her second book Rising From Despair: A Journey To Hope is her long-awaited sequel to her first collection which is due for release in June 2025 with Partnership Publishing.

Readers can visit her website: https://sairaanwar.co.uk/bio/

And follow her on socials: @sairathepoet