For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt things deeply. Whether it was sadness, worry, or a subtle tension in a room, I’d pick up on it. For a long time, I’ve put it down to being emotionally intelligent. But recently, I’ve realised it’s something deeper.
Category: Mental Health
Overcoming Loneliness Through the Being Freelance Community
Loneliness isn’t something you always see coming – it can creep up on you, especially during big life changes. During the pandemic, I was one of the millions of adults in the UK who felt its weight.
The 3 Peaks Challenge: My Story
Training for the 3 Peaks has certainly kept me busy over the last few months. And back at the beginning of September, the challenge finally arrived. After months of training, I finally found myself sitting in a hotel room in Fort William.
Why I Joined Borrow My Doggy
If you follow me on social media, you might’ve noticed a bit of dog-related content on my stories recently. As much as I would love a dog someday, none of the lovely dogs are actually mine. I have been borrowing them from dog owners who use the website Borrow My Doggy.
What is a Sound Bath?
Last weekend, I treated myself to my first-ever in-person sound bath. SInce then, I’ve had several people ask me: What is a sound bath and what are the benefits? The impacts of a sound bath will differ from person to person, but they can reduce stress and anxiety as well as increase energy levels.
My Bucket List Plans for Turning 40
This year, I’m setting out on one big bucket list adventure. Ahead of my 40th Birthday in December, I’ve set myself a little challenge. There’s some stuff that I’ve had on my bucket list for a while. So I thought, why not make it into a ‘thing’ in the lead-up to my BIG 40?
My Trip To Italy – Part 1
I’d been dreading June since the beginning of the year. The tenth anniversary of my best friend’s passing loomed like a big dark cloud on the horizon.
When my then boyfriend announced he would be away for the anniversary, I found myself in a quandary. I could stay in Kingston on my own burying my head in the sand or spending the day feeling sad.
Psychotherapy: Things I’ve Learnt So Far
Earlier this year, my Doctor referred me to a Psychotherapist after my anxiety skyrocketed. Whilst I knew I’d been suffering for a while, I’d never openly spoken about it. At the start of the year, it became impossible for me to manage myself, so I went to see my Doctor. I ended up on a waiting list for psychotherapy and on medication.
My First Therapy Session
On Thursday this week, I had my first therapy session. After finding myself in a vicious cycle of anxiety led thoughts at the beginning of the year, I found myself on a waiting list for psychotherapy. My appointment date came through a couple of weeks ago, and although I knew the session was looming, it didn’t stir too many emotions in me at the time.
5 Reasons Why I Stopped Watching The News
I’ve spent the last few days debating whether to write this post or not. The news coming out of Ukraine this week has been beyond heartbreaking. It’s been impossible to ignore.
Yet, here I am, about to tell you why I’ve stopped watching the news.
The devastating events unravelling in Eastern Europe have re-emphasised the importance of boundary setting.
Reflecting on Racism
This time last week, there was a feeling of excitement and anticipation in the air.
The England Senior Men’s football team were due to face Italy in the final of UEFA Euro 2020 that evening. It was to be the first final in a major competition the England men’s team had played in since their World Cup win in 1966.
Mental Health Awareness Week
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK this week.
Mental health is something we all have. Everyone has a different level of physical health, and it’s the same for our mental health, too.
I’ve had a front row seat watching family and friends who’ve suffered from poor mental health since my teens.
The Aftermath of Redundancy
Last August, a week before I was due to move house, my boss gathered the senior management team on a call and told us we were all at risk of redundancy. Or in official terms, our jobs were at risk. I had two choices: Stay and fight for a new role or leave an organisation I’d been with for just over five years, and an industry I had been in for almost fifteen.
Has City Life Made Me Lonely?
Recently, as a guest on Shoreditch Radio, I was asked whether I thought London was a lonely place to live. I’ve suffered from great waves of loneliness over the last few years. Lockdown certainly played a big part in my loneliness, but did living in London also contribute?
Chocolate Memories
Chocolate brownies fill me with all the emotions. Whether I’m baking them or eating them, they bring a mixture of happiness and an overwhelming sense of sadness. My best friend was the absolute queen of brownies. No one else’s could ever compare. They were perfectly gooey in the middle, with that slight crack on top, the kind you hope for every time you open the oven door.
Money Mindset
I’ve recently finished listening to a brilliant podcast called ‘Her Balanced Business’ by entrepreneur Kim Sprague. It’s really got me thinking about my finances and my money mindset. I’ve worried a lot about finances over the last 18 months, more so at times than I’ve let on. I have to admit, I’m not great at listening to podcasts.
Finding Respite for my Muddled Mind in Holland Park
This weekend, I found myself with some alone time. I needed some space and time to think, reflect and soak up the late October sunshine. I headed to the local market yesterday thinking I would stop by to look for some upcoming birthday presents. The market was celebrating its own birthday and was busier than normal.
Black Lives Matter
I’m not one for talking politics on my blog, but today I feel it’s important. I want to talk about George Floyd and the emotions his death has stirred up in so many of us. First of all, let’s move the politics to one side. This is about humanity, and our acceptance (or lack of it in so many cases) of the human race.
The Wombles of Wimbledon
With my neighbourhood starting to feel like it’s part of Eastenders, yesterday I visited Wimbledon Common for some peace. Recently, I’ve been questioning whether I should move further out of London, so I can live a quieter life. These are just a handful of things that have happened in my street recently…
Book Review: Kenya – A Mountain to Climb by Rod Wood
If you enjoy travel writing, adventure stories and books about Africa, Kenya: A Mountain to Climb by Rod Wood is a fascinating insight into one man’s journey to climb Mount Kenya and explore the country’s incredible wildlife. Five years after his first trip to Africa, Rod once again feels the pull of adventure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.