Sophie Hinchliffe, better known as Mrs Hinch, has shared a deeply personal reflection on how the sudden loss of her father has left her grappling with a profound “fear of time.” The 36-year-old cleaning influencer revealed on Instagram that since her dad Alan passed away in his sleep on April 25, 2024, she has struggled to even enter the woodwork workshop they had lovingly converted together at their £1.1 million Essex farmhouse.
Speaking candidly, Sophie wrote: “I have developed a fear of time. Ever since losing my dad two years ago, I’m convinced my whole nervous system has changed. I constantly think about how long we all have left. I look at strangers and wonder how they seem so calm when none of us know what’s around the corner. Grief has taught me that life is short, but I never knew the fear of time could consume me the way it does. Every morning I wake up hoping it’s gone, but it’s still there.”
The grief has left Sophie “filled with guilt” for not stepping foot in the workshop, where Alan’s tools, pen, and fleece remain untouched. “Our project still sits unfinished. I don’t even want the sawdust on the floor to be disturbed. I don’t know how to walk back in and make him proud. And that’s something I carry every single day,” she admitted.
Fans flooded her post with messages of love and support. One wrote: “Aww Soph, you are such an inspiration. Your Dad will be so proud of you! Sending love to you and your beautiful family. Keep being amazing.”
Beyond her loss, Sophie also opened up about other personal struggles. She reflected on her decision to have a gastric band at 21, describing how it has left her with “lifelong complications” and a complicated relationship with food. “I pick apart my appearance daily. Regardless of my weight, I’ve never felt comfortable in my own skin,” she revealed.
Sophie also shared a glimpse into her family life as a mum of three. Her eldest son Ronnie, six, was diagnosed with autism in 2023. Sophie emphasized that while she shares the happy moments of her boys online, she keeps the challenging times private, saying: “So yes, you’ll mostly see the highs of my boys—and that’s how it will stay.” She is also mum to Lennie, five, and Vinnie, 15 months.
Through heartbreak, guilt, and everyday struggles, Mrs Hinch’s openness has resonated with fans, offering a reminder of life’s fragility—and the love that keeps us moving forward.
