I was right when I said that the butterflies were gentling warning me to take care. I had a wonderful day at my grandparents with family, but on Monday morning, tiredness and anxiety hit me all over again like a brick. And I felt devastated because if you were paying attention you'll remember, Monday was… Continue reading On my way to OK again 👌
Tag: challenges
Swinging away the butterflies 🎶
Filling in my planner Monday morning, I popped 'inhale confidence, exhale doubt' on my list of priorities as I knew I'd need to believe in myself to tackle the week ahead. In moments of anxiety and nausea it was harder to remember that, but finding confidence did get me through two days at the office and some really important meetings...
Thirty and Thriving 🙌
It's Sunday, the sun is shining and we've a roast dinner cooking away - nothing makes me happier than a day like this one. We've got family staying, I'm one beer down and I'm feeling more chilled than I have in ages. (Besides the football nerves of course - it's been a nervy couple of… Continue reading Thirty and Thriving 🙌
Memories and DMCs 🥹
Last week was a tough one at work. Emotions were high and with a high workload in the mix too, it was hard to switch off. But a wise person told me not to underestimate the power of regular mini breaks. And of using those breaks to identify tension and do something about it -… Continue reading Memories and DMCs 🥹
You May Never Really Find Yourself 🌸
Spring is in the air and I can gradually feel my energy levels rising. I'm sure I'm not alone. There's something about living longer days, seeing growing buds on trees and smelling freshly cut grass that just boosts those happy hormones...
Los Angeles, Mexico City and Home Together Again
The sun is shining through our living room windows, Willow is sunbathing next to me and Dave is about to start cooking dinner. Just a week back home together and it feels as though he never went away. I hadn't imagined my previous blog post would be the last before I left for LA; I… Continue reading Los Angeles, Mexico City and Home Together Again
Rain, butterflies and a chocolate covered cappuccino
It's a gloomy, rainy Sunday here, but the clocks sprung forward in the UK last night and so warmer, sunnier days are definitely on the way - hooray! Any of you who have been reading along long enough/know me well enough will know, I secretly love a gloomy day anyway. Right now, I'm curled up… Continue reading Rain, butterflies and a chocolate covered cappuccino
I look like I’ve got this: Everyone has their own stuff going on
I hit rock bottom Wednesday morning. I felt extremely alone and I missed Dave terribly. I felt like I wasn't going to be able to go on without things going back to the way they were. I couldn't accept the change (even if temporary). And I didn't want to either. I wanted to be able… Continue reading I look like I’ve got this: Everyone has their own stuff going on
Facing a Whole New Year One Day at a Time
Just finished washing up and my fingers are all wrinkly, as if I've just got out of a lovely long bath. My hair's a total mess and I'm wearing an old jumper with pyjama bottoms, but I feel like writing for the first time in forever, so I'm smiling hugely (Hey there 2023 readers and… Continue reading Facing a Whole New Year One Day at a Time
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
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
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
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?
Week Zero
I'm curled up on the sofa at my parents' and I've spent the whole day in my PJs. The Christmas tree is twinkling and the living room is super cosy. It's odd isn't it? This week between Christmas and New Year. No-one knows which day of the week it is. Our New Year's resolutions don't… Continue reading Week Zero
Exploring London: Discovering Live Music in Whitechapel and the V&A Museum
Life's been busy, good busy and this weekend has been a good'un. I spent most of it in my favourite city in the world... Friday night I headed to the George Tavern in Whitechapel with some people from work. It's a live music venue and the musicians who played were all so talented! 'Friend of… Continue reading Exploring London: Discovering Live Music in Whitechapel and the V&A Museum
Mind over matter: The power of mindfulness meditation
Recently, my beautiful cousin spoke to me for a long time about mindfulness. And I mention it because even more recently I discovered just how practising mindfulness can help. In the spirit of being honest, when I first spoke to my cousin, I didn't think it was for me. I thought a mindfulness meditation was… Continue reading Mind over matter: The power of mindfulness meditation
To New Beginnings
This year was for being daring, right? I put an offer down on a flat with Dave, we got it, I handed in my notice at work, two weeks later we've got the keys and I'm moving to Watford! I'm moving into a new flat, in a new town and I'm going to be living… Continue reading To New Beginnings
Monday’s the new Sunday
Sun's shining. I slept in until 10. I'm still in my pyjamas. I've done my washing and tidied my room. Other than that, I spent the morning lounging in bed reading and I've spent the majority of this afternoon watching The Walking Dead. There's no roast dinner cooking. That's the only way I know it's… Continue reading Monday’s the new Sunday
New Job Nerves
"Today is a gift, that's why it's called the present." My mum's ironing and singing the Strictly Come Dancing theme tune. My dad's fixing a hole in one of the bedroom ceilings. I'm studying. Yep, that's right, I've finally made a start on the music therapy reading. I'm finding it SO interesting which is a… Continue reading New Job Nerves
Inhale confidence, exhale doubt
Hi Sunday crew! Dave and I are sat watching the football having had the yummiest and biggest of full Englishes this morning. The sun's shining, but it is really chilly so I'm curled up on the sofa under a blanket. It's October! Can you believe it? Time's flying. Not going to lie, I'm excited about… Continue reading Inhale confidence, exhale doubt