I stare upon my nemesis, the mountainous pile of clothes So begins another day of the drudgery I loathe A never ending cycle of rinse, and dry and fold I try to approach it with optimism, but it very soon gets old The soundtrack to my life is water, spin and hum The ear grating … Continue reading Rinse and Repeat
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Van Life: I don’t have the hair for it
My obsession begins… Pre-pandemic our family holidays would often involve a long-haul flight and an Airbnb with a pool. If you mentioned camping, I’d likely break out in a cold sweat as I flashed back to sodden and midge-bitten childhood camping holidays. But like many people over the past year, the desire to get away … Continue reading Van Life: I don’t have the hair for it
The Comparison Trap
We’ve all been there haven’t we? You see a picture of a beautiful, smiling family on Instagram, then look around at your children, their wild screams exceeding the noise pollution level, as they catapult around the living room, exhaling a defeated sigh as you wonder where you’re going wrong. (Just me?) Comparisons are part of … Continue reading The Comparison Trap
Out With The Old Ways: What I’m Leaving Behind After Lockdown
The Pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have highlighted what truly matters to us most, as well as what really doesn’t. Here’s a list of a few things I’m determined to live without, as life begins to return to some sort of normality. 1). A regular hairdresser. I used to spend a small fortune every four to … Continue reading Out With The Old Ways: What I’m Leaving Behind After Lockdown
Happy Trails…
...take 2. It’s Sunday rhyme time, but I'm not going to share the poem I’ve written this week. My amazing Uncle died recently, on the day before his 91st birthday, and I’ve been writing a poem to read at his funeral. The poem tries to capture my Uncle in words: he was kind, generous, warm, … Continue reading Happy Trails…
Does staying in your comfort zone stifle growth and creativity?
More on getting comfortable with being uncomfortable... In our first lockdown here in the UK there was a surge of creativity. Hilarious memes and videos, new ways of working, new ways of schooling, new ways of living together. My household was no different. I’d never considered myself to be creative, it was a nice idea … Continue reading Does staying in your comfort zone stifle growth and creativity?
Kindred Spirits
A pair of geese flew low to the tall grass, circled, came in to land Away from their gaggle at last, they settled their feathers andSat still in quiet contemplation, of the lush green sceneryAlone at last, away from prying eyes, finally they were freeTo be themselves together, far from the din of the crowdThey … Continue reading Kindred Spirits
The Search for Valuable Values
Values are a big part of our identity, so getting clear on them is pretty important when it comes to living a fulfilled life, yet many of us (myself included) have only a vague sense of what they are. For a long time I thought I was value-less. Not that I was living some kind … Continue reading The Search for Valuable Values
Removing the Filter
I like to think I’ve been honest in my blog posts, albeit occasionally exaggerating anecdotes for humorous effect (what good story teller doesn’t?). But a recent conversation with a friend reminded me that despite my best intentions, I too can fall into the trap of only showing the good side of the story to others. … Continue reading Removing the Filter
Another Way
In shrouds of black, scythe held high, manner firm but kind and wise He goes about his business, collecting souls at their bodies demise For eternity he listens, to their anguish and regret Of all their dreams and hopes, and all their needs unmet Of words unsaid, or said too much, of never seizing the … Continue reading Another Way