Each post will be different, and perhaps unconventional, reflecting my values and those of my work. Let’s call it a pick ‘n’ mix without the calories. (Flashback to the Woolworths days anyone?)
😎☀️Are you READY for summer?🚤⛱️🌻
Whether you're going on holiday, taking part in a series of activities or simply doing something silly and fun at home, summer is over all too quickly. You might be taking time off for a well-deserved break or rest from work, some quality alone time or to spend with the kids. Either way, when people ask how your summer was, wouldn't it be lovely if you could truthfully answer 'amazing'?
The days are longer. Light is plentiful. Time outdoors is warm and dry (hopefully.) But many people often fall into one of two categories. We A. plan too much, struggle to do it all or do it all and make ourselves ill for the majority of the autumn, or B. plan nothing/very little and wish we had.
So to help you feel ready for, and find meaning in, the next few glorious months, here are some questions for self-reflection and journaling.
Recall
What have you enjoyed about previous summers?
Engage
Thinking about the above, what's going on in your area or in your chosen destination? What could you bring in/find out in your home? Who else is around in the next few months to catch up with?
Arrange
Three things you want to do. What are you most drawn to? What would have the most positive impact on your wellbeing?
Decide
How you'll make the most of the things you've planned. It might simply be about living more in the moment.
Yes!
You know you'll have a great summer now. Why are you ready to enjoy it?
Tuesday 13th June, 1:00pm
Rest and Fluids
If I've been a bit quiet recently, it's because I've been dealing with some physical health issues. The seemingly never-ending viral infection that plagued me, most years, in my teens and twenties has been paying another visit.
When the doctor says "you need to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids", they make it sound so easy. There might be overwhelm, panic, frustration. Who is going to do all the work I'm still catching up on? The pile gets bigger as I sit here and talk about this. But under the surface, there’s also a bit of relief. Someone has given us permission to look after ourselves. Sometimes we really need that.
For those of us caring for other people or things (children, businesses etc) we can't just dedicate ourselves to lying around until we feel better. Literally lying around all day can do damage to our bodies too. We need to move and use our muscles or they can start to cause us other issues. We might wonder 'if I'm supposed to drink plenty of fluids, then surely I'll need to get up and wee every five minutes too'. That doesn't sound very restful does it?’
The broad and vague phrase 'rest and fluids' is exactly that. So I think we have to interpret it to suit us. Rest - can simply mean downtime or gentle joy too i.e meditating, watching a film, reading, even drawing. Not stopping completely, just not over exerting ourselves. If you're anything like me, stopping completely will actually make you feel worse. There's only so much sitting in one position I can do before getting bored. What's becoming more commonplace (with me and those around me) is ‘do a bit, have a break, do a bit more, have another break.’ We need charging, like our technology.
It means putting aside the last element of a phrase we might hear ourselves say a lot. Something like 'I've got that to do, this to take care of, and the rest." I don't think anyone, anywhere would view rest in this context as actual rest!
What if fluids weren't just drinks, but anything that gives us a boost of energy, joy or both. Fluids, as in oil for our engine. Spending time with people we know well and love. Laughing a lot and being silly. Grabbing some time in the sunshine when it appears. It could also mean keeping plans fluid - in case they need to be changed nearer the time or even last minute. The important people will understand. We can hope that most decent companies re: event/ticket refunds understand too!
So I'll be continuing to pace myself and I highly recommend it. As human beings we listen to our brains a lot (all those negative thoughts) but don't always listen to our bodies. They really are looking out for us and we have to be kind to them, treating them like a good friend. It's a balancing act, yes, but we’re not walking on a tightrope.
Monday 3rd April, 4:17pm
Top 10 Everyday Loves 🥰
To me, February is the month that highlights all kinds of love. Not just what the shops and restaurants want us to buy into but the many ways in which we all experience love, on whatever level. Since doing a workshop on a 'mundane love poem' back in August last year at a writing retreat, I've thought more about the ways we can love, treasure and appreciate objects. They might be constantly swapped for something of the same breed, (cars, phones, toothbrushes etc.) And of course, we can clean them and protect them from damage but we can't ever return all that they do for us. So, this month I want to share with you my top 10 everyday loves and why I appreciate them. If it seems a bit silly then all the better! I invite you to take a look at the items in your life that you simply couldn't (or wouldn't want to) be without.
1.Lumie Lamp
This makes the darker mornings so much easier for getting up and going. Its gentle light gradually gets brighter. I actually wake up in a better mood because of this little beauty. It's absolutely vital for me between October and March.
2. Shower
The feeling of the rushing hot water wakes me up even more (and warms me up.) It's so cleansing (literally) and makes me feel good.
3. Toothpaste & all essential oil related products
All of my essential oils are important to me. I've tried to pick a favourite but it's too hard. I've chosen the toothpaste for the top 10 though, as it's another must-have item. The On Guard oil used in this product helps promote oral health. It also smells and tastes nice and makes what is a potentially boring ritual a little bit nicer.
4.Glasses
Being short sighted isn't fun. I quite simply wouldn't be able to see things as well without these. My two pairs support me with driving, screen work and seeing more detail in the world around me. Effectively, they are little friends for my eyes.
5. Mobile phone & other tech
I'm certainly not addicted to my phone or laptop, but they support me with so many everyday activities. I can keep in touch with loved ones and communicate with the world at large. They also house my favourite apps like the Calendar, Headspace and Spotify. Of course, the TV for my daily dose of comedy too.
6. Headphones
Not only are they a great colour (to brighten a mood) but they are there when I want to listen to new music or hear the voice of one of my favourite people on the phone. They are also great for Zoom sessions with clients.
7. Blanket
This is fab at keeping me warm even when it's not plugged into the electricity. I wouldn't have been without it this winter. As it's so lightweight I can move it anywhere around the house and even take it other places!
8. Skechers trainers
I've never had comfier trainers than a pair of Skechers. So much room and memory foam... My feet are always supported and never sore when I wear these. It's quite hard not to buy several pairs in different colours though!
9. Journal
The one pictured is mainly for my evening list of things I'm grateful for. In general though, I love notebooks and paper. They help me to express myself without judgement. I admire their beauty on a regular basis.
10.Bed
So comfortable and cosy. There's nothing like getting in this at the end of a long day.
I'm not saying I think we should send cards to these objects, just that we notice how they enhance our lives simply by existing. What might you notice and fall in love with?
Friday 3rd February, 2:42pm
8 Ways To Enjoy January
Let's face it, unless you've got a significant event such as a birthday or anniversary in January, it's probably not your favourite month. If you're anything like me, you'd ideally like to curl up in a cosy blanket and hibernate, remerging when it's warmer and lighter. I'm here to remind you that it's possible to enjoy January. Here are some ways you can try.
Be proud of you
You can be proud of your achievements in 2022. Even if this was just surviving the year.
Give yourself permission
Permission to relax and do things for yourself that you enjoy. If you don't know, it's absolutely fine to figure out what those things are. The same goes for New Year's resolutions or intentions. If you start something and don't finish, don't berate yourself for it.
Be kinder to others
We all need reassurance in an uncertain world. A smile goes such a long way and can bring even just a bit of comfort. We can never know what is truly going on for others. Although, we can choose to listen more, to what they're saying (and not saying.)
Be more honest
How often do you say 'no', mean it and stick to it? You don't always have to have excuses or give explanations. If you really feel the need, a simple 'for the sake of my wellbeing' works.
Use playful curiosity
Imagine you'd never known a January before. You'd have no preconceptions, no choice but to simply live through it. What could January be like if it's unknown?
Laugh
Whenever, wherever you can, laugh. It really is the best medicine. It also tells our brain that we're OK and not in life-threatening danger.
Notice what makes your heart leap
With my 'Joy January' challenge, I'm inviting people to notice what they enjoy during their day, and if it can't be seen easily, actively seek it out. Go in search of joy.
Be creative
Instead of taking up a new gym membership or a daily activity that you know isn't sustainable for your lifestyle, what can you do with the things you already have? Leftovers from Christmas adding to general clutter or items sitting in a dusty box in the cupboard? It might be a photo frame you can upcycle or making gift tags out of Christmas cards. You might even find something in an email that you've been meaning to unsubscribe from. Ideas are everywhere if you look hard enough.
It's just four and a half weeks, 31 days long. It doesn't have to be wished away and 'survived' We can find ways to thrive at the beginning of the year. Let me know how you get on. I look forward to seeing and hearing.
(There's still time to sign up to Joy January!)
Tuesday 3rd January, 6:32pm
Advent Calendars of a very different kind
Last year I created a beautiful and fun digital advent calendar. Instead of chocolate there was a little activity for stress relief and/or self-care each day. While this was a joy to do and share with others, it was a lot of work. There is much going on at the moment, in the world and in my life and I always want to give my all to a project and not be half-hearted about it. I had to be honest with myself. Did I have the time to do it again for 2022? The answer was, sadly, no.
This year I've decided to practice what I preach and have made myself a self-care advent calendar, but in pieces. I believe it's the pieces of the whole that make it whole anyway. Each day is as important as the others. For the first time in my life, I don't have a shaped chocolate behind a cardboard door waiting for me. Is this because I've given up chocolate? Hell no! I simply wanted to give myself a gift everyday that meant more for my wellbeing. It isn't easy or natural for me to give myself gifts so I've made them small. I found the lovely little brown envelopes my Grandfather used to give us pocket money in (not the exact ones - they are long gone!) I then wrote twenty four things I could do to support my emotional health in the lead up to Christmas, on little white post it notes. I folded them, shuffled, closed my eyes and placed one inside each envelope. I can roughly remember what I'll be giving myself but I have no idea when I'll be giving it. It's actually very exciting and meets my need to be spontaneous and organised in equal measure.
Today's Box 1 was 'Walk'. I usually go for a walk for at least ten minutes a day. I did as I was told this afternoon and went for forty minutes while catching up on a podcast. It was made more atmospheric with all the fog!
If you want to try this at home, there's still time. Because we're not perfect and neither is life - you can start any day you choose and for any reason. In fact, wouldn't it be lovely to put one away for each week of next year?
This year's Unwind & Uplift Wellbeing Advent Calendar is much looser and in five weekly instalments. Watch this space for 5 Gold Wins.
Thursday 1st December, 4:53pm