In My Solo Era – Claire Snoddy on Divorce, Dating & Doing Life Her Way

Claire Snoddy had built a life in Belfast - running a bridal boutique, raising her children, and juggling the familiar routines of work and home. But after separating from her husband of 16 years, things shifted. For the first time in a long time, she was on her own. 

She named this new chapter In My Solo Era - a title that now fronts her podcast. It’s her way of describing what it looks like to come back to yourself, to rebuild after everything changes, and to figure out who you are on your own.

Everything Burned Down And She Built It Back

Claire's story isn’t one of tidy transitions and softly lit self-care routines. It’s messy, brave, and gloriously relatable.

In the space of one year, she and her husband separated, she closed her successful bridal shop, began navigating co-parenting her three children and lost her best friend.

“We broke up at Christmas, and in one year I got divorced, my children moved out half the time, my best friend ghosted me, and I closed my business,” she told me. “That was all within the space of 12 months. Literally - the whole world burned down.”

She needed life to be simple - something steady to hold onto. “I needed life to be easy,” Claire said. “Like, I really needed it to just be as easy as possible.”

So she made bold decisions. She let go of what no longer fit. And then, between film jobs, honest TikToks, healing work, and cups of tea stronger than some of the men she came across on dating apps - she started again.

Quietly. Intentionally. Stepping into her solo era.

The Dating Pool (Or Puddle)

Dating again in her 40s wasn’t exactly the hot girl renaissance Claire had envisioned.

From misogynists in salsa class to dating profiles made for the male gaze (seriously, what is it with the dead fish and football pitches?), Claire's tales of modern dating are equal parts hilarious and horrifying.

And yet, she’s not bitter. She’s discerning. She knows what she wants now: 50/50 parenting if you’re a dad. A car, please. Actual accountability. And absolutely no “no drama” guys. Because if you're leading with "no drama," you're probably the drama.

From Catfished to Content Creator

One catfish, a viral TikTok and a million likes later, Claire realised there’s power in telling your story - even when it’s messy.

What started as content about healing became a connection point for thousands of women who’d also been knocked sideways by life but decided to keep showing up.

Now, Claire’s delving into UGC (user-generated content) creation and costume design, proving you can be creatively fulfilled while single, and very much in control of your own narrative.

Dancing Through It

Whether it’s salsa, Irish dancing, or solo holidays to Seville, Claire is all about joy in motion. And if you’re thinking, I could never travel alone - she’s got a message for you: try it.

“I think everybody, especially women, should travel alone,” Claire said. “It's so empowering… If you can travel on your own, there's nothing that can hold you back.”

Behind The Seams

Beyond podcasts and TikToks, Claire’s world is also full of call sheets, costume racks, and early mornings on set. She works as a costume supervisor in film and TV - an industry that, she tells me, is thriving in Belfast thanks to shows like Game of Thrones.

She's worked on some huge productions, but one of her favourites? The upcoming live-action How to Train Your Dragon, set to be released this summer.

Her kids are counting down the days until it’s out and so is she. Seeing something she’s worked on come to life on screen, especially one her children are excited to watch, feels extra special.

Her next goal? To step into the role of costume designer and she’s already secured her first short film. “It’s always been on my manifestation board,” she told me, her voice lighting up at the thought.

You can just tell she’s going to smash it.

Naturally, I told her I love dressing up too. Medieval festivals, themed parties - I’m there. Claire didn’t miss a beat. “Come be an extra on the next one,” she said. So one day you just might spot me in the background of her next production, fully costumed and absolutely thriving.

What Claire Wants You to Know

If there’s one message Claire wants you to take away from her story, it’s this:

"Don’t sit back and wait for a boyfriend to do all the things you want to do. If there’s a restaurant you want to go to, a trip you want to take -just go and do it anyway.”

Because singlehood isn’t a waiting room for real life. It is real life. And when you stop holding your breath for someone else to bring you joy, you realise - you’re actually pretty damn great company.

Listen to our full conversation in the episode below.

Claire’s Podcast: In My Solo Era
Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Find Claire on TikTok: @inmysoloera
Follow her on Instagram: @inmysoloerapodcast