Currently we're running through a Z-A of activities to try, in order to manage stress and anxiety and support self-care.
Changing 'if' to 'let' (a poetic response)
Below is my interpretation of six lines from the famous poem - Rudyard Kipling's 'If' (highlighted above) It's part Writing for Wellbeing exercise, part creative response translated into my own words. Do I feel slightly self conscious sharing this? Yes! It's not written with proper rhythm, metre etc but it's not meant to be. I believe there's no right or wrong way to respond to a poem. Especially when we're not at school and it's not being marked for coursework or an exam.
It can be really freeing and fun to play with words. Sometimes more fun when it's other people's! We will all have different interpretations and bits that resonate with us most, in any poem. I love this poem but I found it interesting as part of me resisted slightly when it mentions 'man' to mean humans. I have to remind myself just how old the language is.
What speaks most to you and how would you rewrite it? I'd love to hear your versions.
Wednesday 13th September, 10:41am
A lovely lie-in
What do you consider as a lie-in?
Feel free to add your own to the possibilities above. If you're an early riser, you might not even consider you ever have a lie-in.
Having a little extra sleep or simply remaining lying down in comfortable surroundings (i.e. our own bed,) can have such a positive impact on general wellbeing. Even if we can't do it very often, especially if we can't do it very often, we are giving ourselves a gift. An act of self-care, moments of precious calm before the day has started.
Lounging around, reading, listening to or watching something can also have an uplifting effect. Providing, of course, we don't suffer with getting to sleep in general. Who says a lie-in needs to be where we sleep if this is the case? Anywhere you feel cosy, free and relaxed works wonders.
My sister and I like to use the term 'drowsing' for that lovely phase between sleep and wakefulness. It's feeling drowsy but dozing, a peaceful place where it's hard to care about any current stresses. We can just put those off for a little while...
When we're in this state, our brains can whir in the background and come up with helpful solutions to our issues, obstacles or problems. All because we're resting. Isn't that wonderful? So go ahead, plan your next lie-in!
Sunday 13th August, 3:09pm
I've Ticked Whitby Off The Bucket List
I've wanted to go to Whitby for over a decade for so many reasons. There's the literary roots, breath-taking beauty and general eeriness, plus it's on the coast - so dramatic windy hilltops!
I'm a big fan of the mystical and fantastical, so went on a ghost walk with the strange and very silly Dr Crank. He signposted a tunnel where it's almost law to scream when you reach the middle. This is in order to ward off evil spirits. Dracula's bench was also pointed out - a favourite spot for Bram Stoker while he wrote. Can you spot the profound message in graffiti?
When planning the itinerary, another special place was added - Goathland. Some of you will know the sleepy little Yorkshire village as Aidensfield where Heartbeat (TV series) was set. The train station doubles up as Hogsmede in the Harry Potter films!
My holiday wasn't an extravagant, life changing experience on the other side of the world but, quite simply, it exceeded my high expectations. Yes, we can big things up in our minds and then feel disappointed when they are actually happening. We might also wonder if it was worth it when they're over. But the moment we decide a certain destination is worthy of 'absolutely must do that before I leave this world', I think we give it incredible power. I was lucky enough to have nothing but positive reviews of Whitby before going, but any negative ones wouldn't have stopped me. In the end we must make up our own minds because it's our mind that made the decision in the first place.
How many of you reading have completed a bucket list trip? Have you got one planned any time soon? Perhaps they are still a dream for now. Isn't that a lovely thought, of what is still to come...
Thursday 13th July, 4:30pm
😎☀️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