The Mindful Gingernut, Author at The Mindful Gingernut

The Mindful Gingernut’s 1st Anniversary

Just over a week ago I celebrated an entire year of blogging! I had hoped for a pretty spectacular relaunch of my website (I hope you’re enjoying the new layout by the way😀), but with life playing its usual games and throwing bumps and curves galore into the road ahead, The Mindful Gingernut has taken…

My Top 5 Most Viewed Blog Posts

With the one year anniversary of my first Mindful Musings of a Gingernut blog post less than one week away, I have spent the last few weeks reviewing, refreshing and re-sharing with you my top 5 most visited posts from the past year. In order of most viewed, my top 5 blog posts are: Sparkle…

Honesty

This post was originally published on 29th June 2019 and updated on 24th August 2019. Earlier this year, I wrote a blog post called Love or Loyalty? For me, without love, there is no purpose. However, since writing the original post, I have found myself asking if love and loyalty are the most important things…

Sparkle

Sometimes in life, we come across people who have a very particular kind of impact on us. It’s like they make us sparkle. They’re not necessarily the loudest people in the room, or the ones who demand attention. But somehow, being around them changes the way we feel about ourselves. Their presence brings warmth, reassurance, and a quiet kind of confidence that’s hard to explain but impossible to ignore.

Virginia Water

What better way to start a week off in August than a day out in the rain! Not deterred by the weather, I loaded my rucksack and headed to Virginia Water. Virginia Water itself is a small town just outside London, nestled in the Surrey countryside. It’s one of the most expensive places to live in the UK.

Solo Adventures

The first time I announced I was heading off on a solo adventure, I received a mixed reaction from family and friends. Some said good on you. Others were concerned. Won’t you be lonely? They asked. Aren’t you scared going alone? Why don’t you find someone to go with?

Patience, Fate and Saying Things Out Loud

One of the reasons I created my blog was to offload some of the things running around my mind. I hoped it would free up some mental space, whilst helping me to process my thoughts in a more productive way.

Since creating my blog, writing things down has helped me to reflect and to start to understand some of the jumbled chaos in my head.

Milestones, Republishing and Rebranding

Milestones With the first anniversary of The Mindful Musings of a Gingernut approaching, I’ve been taking some time to reflect on my blog, to read through old posts, and to think about where I’d like to take my musings over the next 12 months. Republishing Over the course of the next few weeks, as we…

Mindful Gardening

I first fell in love with gardening when I moved into my first house. I was in my mid-20s, with my first mortgage, and my very own back garden. And it was awful. With the neighbours’ conifers blocking out the sun, and the stickiest clay soil, it left a lot to be desired.

Religion, Relationships and Reality

This post was originally published on 5th November 2018 and updated on 19th July 2019. I’ve never been one to take the easy route in life. God only knows why! Sometimes I long for less drama. But in reality, I would probably be bored without it. Throughout my late teenage years, into my twenties, I…

Mental Health Awareness Week

I’ve been thinking about mental health a lot this week. Particularly apt with it being Mental Health Awareness Week. Everywhere I’ve turned there have been reminders about mental health awareness. Social media has been full of quotes and articles. And celebrities as well as us ‘normal’ folk have been talking about our experiences with mental health.

Cumin

Isn’t it funny how certain tastes and smells stay with us throughout our lives? Whilst making lunch recently, I was transported back to Marrakech. After frying a couple of eggs, I opened a pot of cumin to sprinkle on top. Although I haven’t been since December 2015, I was instantly transported back to the Moroccan city.

Is self care easier if you’re single?

A few weeks ago, I attended a friends hen party. The hen party was fun. But something was troubling me. I was staying in a hotel that night with another friend. While we were busy getting ready for the hen party, she started pouring her heart out to me. It appeared that her marriage was…

Wedding Season

It’s been a good few years since I last went to a wedding. They can be a bit like buses. You wait ages for one and then two come along at once! This spring, two of my closest friends are marrying their respective partners. I’ve very much been looking forward to their weddings.

Time to Reprioritise

Do you ever find yourself caught up in life and realise that you’ve not quite got your priorities right? Life has been busy lately. Finding time to relax in the evenings and at weekends has been nigh impossible, especially since my trip to Portugal in February. I’m not complaining.

Positivity

Have you ever wondered why you attract certain types of people into your life? I try really hard to embrace positivity. But allowing negative people into my life seems to be something I have made quite a habit of. Not deliberately, of course. But time and time again, I have found myself attracting friends and partners who are negative.

Knife crime, dirty laundry, and self care

The last couple of weeks have made me realise just how important it is to have a self care bank. If I hadn’t been able to cash in on some of my self care reserves, I definitely wouldn’t have got through it as well as I have. Most of the drama that has unfolded, has…

Dreams

I’d be lying if I said I was looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. I’m not. But, I’m not sitting around dreading it either. This was never the job of my dreams. Although it hasn’t all been bad. I’ve never really seen a dream job as something that could be obtained by ‘ordinary’ people.

Praia Santa Eulália and Praia da Oura

Thursday was my last full day in Portugal. I had intended to have a rest day. But I also wanted to see what else was around. This time, closer to where I was staying.I had been staying at the beautiful Alfagar II Aparthotel, which has private access to Praia Santa Eulália.

Balancing Relaxation and Adventure in Portugal

In Portugal, I try to balance exploration and relaxation during my holiday. Recognising the need for self-care, I alternate days of adventure with rest. Enjoying hotel amenities, I incorporate gym sessions and spa treatments into my routine. I learn the importance of downtime, aiming to return home rejuvenated, not exhausted.

How a Shower Can Improve Your Mood and Sleep

It’s funny how the smallest new habits can change how we feel and deal with situations. Being quite new to self-care and wellbeing, I’m constantly learning new tools to experiment with. Some stick, others don’t. But I know my self-care journey is all about working out what works best for me.

Breaking Free from Toxic Relationships

I reflect on past relationships that crushed my self-esteem and emphasises a commitment to breaking this pattern. By prioritising self-discovery and happiness, I’m learning to be content alone, hoping future partnerships will foster mutual growth without control or jealousy. Excited about the ongoing journey of self-improvement, I embrace my newfound identity.

Self-Care Sunday

After a tumultuous week, the weekend was a much-needed break. With reduced work pressure, self-care became a priority. A haircut, housework, jogging, and weightlifting filled the days. Pampering with beauty products and holiday shopping brought relaxation. Tending to the plants capped off a rejuvenating weekend, gearing up for the upcoming challenges.

Overwhelm and Self-Care

I’ve been feeling overwhelmed with work and living alone for the first time. Talking to my boss helped, and having my cat around is comforting. Despite feeling exhausted, I’m looking forward to my upcoming holiday in Portugal for some much-needed rest and relaxation.