Blogging Goodbye to Butterflies

Tag: spring

  • Windswept, tired, but happy ðŸ«–

    Windswept, tired, but happy ðŸ«–

    Adventures in Hertfordshire and Essex: How Two Days Out in the Fresh Air have Rejuvenated Me

    I’m curled up on the sofa in comfy pants and a jumper, watching the trees outside the window wave in the wind. I can’t help smiling when I notice they’re getting greener by the minute. The air has definitely smelt more spring-like the last couple of days and I’ve really enjoyed getting out and about – even if it has meant returning home windswept and tired two days in a row…

    Yesterday was spent catching up with a friend in a lovely little town called Burnham-on-Crouch. We went for a windy walk along the river front, had the scrummist chicken balti pies and then after nearly blowing away, retreated back to hers for tea and cake.

    Today I explored the National Trust’s Wimpole Estate with my Auntie. We also nearly blew away, but my Auntie had a spare hair scrunchie for me, we had a great day exploring and the sun did come out just long enough for us to enjoy a late lunch in the gardens.

    It’s been a good week. I’ve felt motivated at work and got cracking on some important bits and pieces. I’ve found time to read and even to sit at my piano… I know I’m feeling happy when I feel like being creative.

    This coming week it feels like it’ll be important to factor in rest. Our bank holiday weekend last week was a busy one and this one’s also been packed full and whilst I’m so grateful for family and friends and longer days and lovely plans, I’m very wary of burning out. I’m well aware that I’m guilty of pushing through and forgetting to take a moment. A lot of the time I’ll blindly go about life without even realising I’m tiring and then out of nowhere I’ll collapse in an overwhelmed heap. Rest is key. And with that in mind, I’m going to hit post, refill my water and pop something comforting on the TV – perhaps Stacey Solomon ‘Sort Your Life Out’ because it comes highly recommended by a friend who knows me very well.

  • You May Never Really Find Yourself ðŸŒ¸

    You May Never Really Find Yourself ðŸŒ¸

    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.

    Chapter Seven has been on the horizon for a while. Not only have I felt more like eating healthy, getting active and smiling since March came around, it’s also felt like time to get writing again.

    The title of this post might seem a little gloomy. For me, it’s hopeful; it’s about letting go of the need to perfect yourself.

    This blog was started by a Bronwen on a mission to find herself. Growing up we’re sold this lie that some day we’ll find ourselves and all will be right in the world. Especially as you reach adulthood, there’s so much talk of finding yourself, i.e. figuring out who you are and what you want in life. We’re told that until you truly find yourself, your relationships won’t be as meaningful and you’ll find it harder to make life’s biggest decisions.

    A load of rubbish.

    I come to you now as a 29 year old Bronwen, still learning new things about myself every day, always changing, growing and evolving and realising I may never really find myself.

    And that’s okay.

    We evolve because life is constantly changing and we change with it. Sometimes the scariest thing about change, is how much it threatens to change you as the person you’ve come to know. Change is hard for a huge number of reasons. Among those, there can be a huge pressure to align the new you, in new circumstances with the old versions of yourself. It can feel like you’re losing your identity.

    And it can feel like if you lose your identity, you’re going to lose the people around you too, because you feel like the people who love you, loved a specific version of you. And that can be suuuuper scary.

    But lately I’m learning there’s nothing wrong with adapting. Some days I love tea and books. Some days I want to drink coffee and binge Gossip Girl. Some days I am sunshiney, but some days I am the opposite.

    Being multiple things can be hardest of all in a social media world where we’re told to pick a box in order to find an online community, gain a following or to simply fill out our bio.

    Most of all, I think I finally get that we need to know that we can count on the people in our life to enjoy watching us change and grow. Maybe this just comes with age and experience? Maybe eventually we all find freedom to evolve and learn that the people who stick around are the people who count?

    Introducing Chapter Seven – the chapter in which I’ll be turning 30! (Eeeek!) In this chapter I may well contradict myself, I may change, I might not seem to have everything figured out, but I’ll ramble freely and share what wisdom I can as always.

    And I’ll carry on celebrating the little things, because that’s one thing about me I hope will never change. Although of course it may.

  • A Fab Time in Dublin

    A Fab Time in Dublin

    May is one of the best months of the year and I’m very happy it’s here. The sun starts to shine a little warmer in May. The trees are leafy again and the flowers are all out and about. Summer is officially on the horizon and it feels closer every day. We’re all a little more cheery again come May time. And this year we’ve two bank holidays to enjoy! And whether we love our jobs or not, the weeks always feel long and hard and the odd Monday off here and there helps us power on through.

    Talking of work… I’ve officially been in my current position for more than a year. MORE THAN A YEAR I TELL YOU. I can hardly believe it. Time does fly, but I must admit that my first day feels like it was a very long time ago now. I still remember it very clearly and fondly. I feel as though I’ve come a long way in a year. And I’m pleased to report that staying put is doing me all of the good I hoped it would.

    Somehow, it’s been nearly a month since Naomi and I were at Rhossili beach in Wales. Since then, Manchester United lost to West Brom, Dave and I bought furniture for the balcony, Britain was hit by a mini heat wave (perfect timing dontcha think?) and I went to Dublin for a few days with one of my best friends.

    Dave, myself and his parents journeyed all the way up to Manchester to see United lose and we were not happy bunnies. However, that same weekend we bought the furniture for the balcony AND a shoe rack for the hall way and triumphantly put it all together. You lose some, you win some. SO excited to play host this summer and make use of the new set up.

    The mini heat wave was simply amazing. It came just as we all felt like we couldn’t take one more day of doomy gloomy skies and chilly temperatures. It was just what we all needed. Besides me, everyone seemed so prepared too! Summer clothes were out in storm and the smell of sun cream filled the tube I got in the mornings. There I was stood in black trousers and a black blazer because my summer clothes were still hidden away and my legs were not in any state to be shown off to the world.

    We had a fab time in Dublin and I’d recommend a visit. The people are simply lovely for one thing! I highly recommend the free walking tours, the Guinness Storehouse and the food, in general.

    Our walking tour guide was GREAT. He gave us heaps of insight into Ireland, it’s history and it’s people. Dublin Castle, St Patrick’s Cathedral, the infamous ‘Spire’, they all have amazing histories and they’re all excellent spots for photos too.

    I reckon the Guinness Storehouse had to be the highlight of our trip. (Although, one evening spent in a pub in Temple Bar listening to traditional Irish music was particularly magical too.) The storehouse experience was so great, because it was all new. I’d never tried Guinness before (believe it or not I actually quite liked it), never learned how to properly taste a stout before and never poured my own pint before either. You have to breathe in through your nose, then sip, then breathe out through your nose… that’s the secret to the tasting. Thank me later.

    I loved literally everything I ate while I was in Dublin, but I particularly recommend a little place called ‘Boxty‘ where potatoes are cooked to perfection. This place is proof that potatoes are truly the best of all the foods.

  • Snow Days

    Snow Days

    I’m a winter girl through and through, but my goodness am I ready for spring now.

    By Friday night the Beast from the East had been doing it’s thing for a few days in a row and somehow, it was still snowing. I had travelled to my parents’ house and I hated knowing I couldn’t go out even if I wanted to. I couldn’t stop thinking about that dinner and cinema trip that never happened, the shopping spree never had, the girl’s spa weekend that we’d had to call off! So, when two crazy friends of mine booked a cab and told me they were off out into town for drinks despite the weather, I couldn’t resist. SNOW, WHAT SNOW!? Yeah! Stuff you snow! The snow certainly didn’t stop us from having a truly FAB evening and I’m so glad we went.

    On Saturday, due to snow, the spa trip that me and some of my friends had planned was cancelled, but we weren’t letting that ruin our weekend either. We gathered together armed with face masks, olives, chips and dips, prosecco and comfy pants and we had a lovely time together anyway.

    Sunday morning, the snow was gone and I couldn’t help feeling happy about it.

    I have since watched the last episode of Friends. Yes, I’d never seen the last episode of Friends before. Yes, Dave and I did buy the box set when we moved into the flat and have just now finished watching it chronologically from start to finish. Yes, I did sob into my glass of red wine for the entirety of the episode which, by the way, couldn’t have been more perfect.

    I’ve also started reading George Saunders’ Lincoln in the Bardo’ and I’m a massive fan already. It won the Man Booker Prize in 2017 and yet, I’ve seen surprisingly varied reviews. Personally, I’m not surprised it won the award. I’m currently on team 5 star. I’m only half way through, so this may not be my final verdict but so far I find it to be imaginative, captivating and absolutely bonkers, in a great way.