I am doing my best to enjoy autumn in all its gloriousness. And it really is glorious. Especially in Welwyn Garden City, where every road is lined with trees now turning wonderful shades of yellow, orange and red. The ground is covered with fallen leaves, which I hope are providing shelter to plenty of hedgehogs.… Continue reading For the love of autumn
Every day’s a school day
I've learned three things this week. 1. Paddington Station is hands down the most confusing station in London and it's no wonder Paddington Bear ended up lost when he tried to navigate it alone. Friday night some super lovely friends and I had arranged to meet there, because we were kick-starting a night of celebrations… Continue reading Every day’s a school day
Sunday Night Butterflies: Dealing With Anxiety on a Sunday
Sipping peppermint tea and as ever, trying to keep the Sunday night butterflies at bay - work is manic at the minute and whilst I'm actually looking forward to this week, I can't help feeling a little nervous too. I've spent a little while deciding whether to write today. It's been an overwhelming, monumental and… Continue reading Sunday Night Butterflies: Dealing With Anxiety on a Sunday
All Storms Really Do Pass
Honestly? This week wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. On Tuesday, returning to work after the bank holiday, I had a really rubbish brain day. My head was full of fluff and anxiety and everything felt difficult. I stumbled through, but by the end of it, I had a mighty tension headache and tears in my… Continue reading All Storms Really Do Pass
Full of Pride
Curled up on the sofa with the cutest puppy ever, watching his favourite Disney+ TV show (yes, he has a favourite). Happy bank holiday to everyone in the UK! And all the love in the world to anyone who's having to work through it. You've got this and I hope you get some you-time soon!… Continue reading Full of Pride
Girls just wanna have fun
Happy Sunday! It actually is such a happy Sunday in my world today. I'm full of banana and blueberry waffles, which were good for the body and soul when enjoyed with a coffee this morning. The sun is shining, but it's nowhere near as hot and sticky in the flat as it has been the… Continue reading Girls just wanna have fun
A Fresh Perspective
The picture hasn't really changed since I wrote my last post about taking life one scorcher of a day at a time. I'm still plodding through, trying to remember to drink water, eat well and shave my legs. And trying not to let the news get me down. The last few days have been better,… Continue reading A Fresh Perspective
One scorcher of a day at a time
There's absolutely no doubt it's summer now: I've got an insect bite on my elbow which is so itchy I could scream, I have tan lines on my feet where my sandals should be and I'm running out of summery enough clothes to wear. As a winter girl, I'm trying to make the best of… Continue reading One scorcher of a day at a time
Remember when rock was young
Coming to you wearing joggers, with a massive mug of tea in hand. It has been an incredible weekend full of live music, good food and wonderful people. I'm feeling grateful but also, admittedly, a little worn out - thank goodness it's Sunday. Today's been everything I've needed. I'm thanking past Bronwen for leaving the… Continue reading Remember when rock was young
An overthinker’s guide to to-doing
I've said it many times and I'll say it again, I absolutely love Sundays. Especially, on a slow morning like this one, when I’m still feeling cosy at 10am, curled up on the sofa in my PJs. The life-admin to-do list keeps growing, but I had more time on my hands this week, with less… Continue reading An overthinker’s guide to to-doing
Travelling With Butterflies: Navigating Anxiety Whilst Abroad
Back on home turf and reflecting on an incredible weekend away in Italy spent sticking a middle finger up at all of the anxious thoughts that told me I couldn't enjoy it. Travelling feels daunting to most of us regardless of our mental wellness. I think it's natural. As someone who struggles with anxiety a… Continue reading Travelling With Butterflies: Navigating Anxiety Whilst Abroad
Post-birthday reflections: 28 years older and wiser-ish
Curled up on the sofa wondering how it's been a whole week since my birthday already. My anxiety didn't impact negatively on the day at all. In fact, it was absolutely lovely. And of course it was. I woke up to cat cuddles and then spent the day surrounded by family, including Dave's parents' new… Continue reading Post-birthday reflections: 28 years older and wiser-ish
Birthday Butterflies
I’m 28 tomorrow. I’d fully intended to draft an inspiring and upbeat birthday post to publish in celebration. I LOVE my birthday and I couldn’t wait to write about how far I’ve come since I was 18 and about my hopes and dreams for the years ahead. Instead, I’ve hit a mental health blip. And… Continue reading Birthday Butterflies
Overthinking is my superpower
A wise person recently told me that I need to learn to love and embrace my butterflies. To feel the butterflies and decide to gratefully accept the reminder that I'm feeling anxious and gently look after myself, instead of trying to bat them away at the first sign of trouble. And I'm getting there. This… Continue reading Overthinking is my superpower
Christmas during a global pandemic: This is not easy
Christmas in the UK is not going to be as planned and whether you're directly affected by the changes announced yesterday or not, the news we're now hearing is not easy to receive. At the end of a year when we're all feeling lonely, tired and mentally exhausted and many of us heartbroken after the… Continue reading Christmas during a global pandemic: This is not easy
COVID-19: The New Normal
When this all began, there was so much talk about the strain on all of us. Everyone was talking about how we had to accept that our mental health might take a dip and a dive and that it was okay to feel anxious or down. No-one expected too much and we all filled our… Continue reading COVID-19: The New Normal
The COVID-19 pandemic continues: Is it just me?
Or have things just got that little bit harder? Honestly? I caught myself thinking really negatively when looking at myself in the mirror this morning and it was that which turned my thoughts to the idea of blogging again. I have seen a few social media posts dedicated to positive body image, but the majority… Continue reading The COVID-19 pandemic continues: Is it just me?
Facing a global pandemic: I just don’t feel right
This will be my third try at a blog post. I've been trying and failing to write over the last few weeks: I had this grand idea that I'd start writing daily throughout this global pandemic. I was going to call the chapter 'A blog a day to keep the blues at bay'. But every… Continue reading Facing a global pandemic: I just don’t feel right
Week Fifty-Two: Reflections on a Chaotic Year and Lessons Learned for 2020
As after most Christmases, the arm of the chair that I am sat in is piled high with books: The new 2020 diary I got for Christmas, Fearne Cotton's 'Calm', Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch (I'm on chapter 8 and loving every second), and a very thick pad titled '642 things to write about'… Continue reading Week Fifty-Two: Reflections on a Chaotic Year and Lessons Learned for 2020
Week Forty-Five: A self-care Sunday
Wow. Week 45! I don't want to wish the rest of the year away, but I am itching to try and sum up this chapter: A jam packed year full of ups and downs, that was nothing I expected. I had a little look back through my diary the other day and could hardly believe… Continue reading Week Forty-Five: A self-care Sunday
Week Forty-One: Finding gratitude in the face of sadness
This one's for my Mum and her sisters, my aunties. I love you all so much. The theme of 2019 has definitely been ups and downs. I've had months full of happy memories and others that have been a huge struggle. Whether it's been my mental health getting me down or things going on at… Continue reading Week Forty-One: Finding gratitude in the face of sadness
Week Thirty-Six: Settling Into Our New Home
The house move has gone surprisingly smoothly for me. Especially considering my inability to accept change, close attachment to places and things and general emotional-ness. I was super emotional when we eventually said goodbye to the flat, but in my defence, it had been one of those weeks anyway and I was due a good… Continue reading Week Thirty-Six: Settling Into Our New Home
Week Thirty: Back from Kefalonia and Preparing to Move Home
In just a few weeks time now, we'll be moving out of this little flat and moving into a new home. This little place we've called home for two and a half years, will soon be someone else's home and we'll be settling ourselves into a new one. I'm a little emotional about it already,… Continue reading Week Thirty: Back from Kefalonia and Preparing to Move Home
Week Twenty-Eight: Overcoming Anxiety and Facing More Life Changes
WHERE IS THE YEAR GOING!? I knew 2019 was going to be a big'un. I never could have prepared myself for how much of an uphill climb the first half of it would be. People in my life are having a really hard time of it and without meaning to make this all about me,… Continue reading Week Twenty-Eight: Overcoming Anxiety and Facing More Life Changes
Week Twenty: Celebrating Friendship and Turning 25
It's late in the day for a blog post, I know. As the weekend comes to an end, I'm feeling particularly melancholy and blogging always makes me feel chirpier, so here we are. It feels like Sunday evening came around very quickly. It feels like only a few minutes ago, I was rolling out of… Continue reading Week Twenty: Celebrating Friendship and Turning 25
Blogging Goodbye to Butterflies 