Quick note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links; if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.
A family holiday is an ideal experience that allows you to get away together, and build some amazing memories. There are so many great ways to have an exciting family holiday, and this is one of the most important steps you can take when your children are growing up and you’re looking to spend more time with them. Getting the most out of this process is really important, and there is a lot to consider here.
Trying to plan out the best possible family holiday is something that you need to make the most of as much as you can. There are loads of great options that you need to think about when you are trying to improve your family holiday, and this is something that will make a big difference to your enjoyment. Here are some of the best things you can do to make sure your family holiday is unforgettable.
Picture
Plan things, but not too much…
Planning a family holiday is always important because this is a process that involves a lot more work and effort than if you’re going away on your own. So you do need to do a degree of planning, and make sure you understand what you’re going to be doing as a family and where you’re going to be staying, etc. But, it is also important to try to make sure that you aren’t over-planning things to the point where it ceases to become an enjoyable experience. You need to try to get that happy medium between planning effectively and making sure there is a bit of spontaneity involved as well.
Reduce stress
There are a lot of things that you can do when you are trying to have the best possible family holiday experience. And one of the best things to focus on is doing as much as possible to help reduce stress. There are a lot of ways in which you can do this, and considering things like renting a car instead of driving can help with this. You should check out Burswood Car Rentals if you’re staying for a while, as this gives you a great way of getting around and you don’t have to take your own car with you. Another great way to reduce stress is to plan out your packing well in advance so that you don’t forget things, and you can be sure that you do as much as possible to get this right.
Document the trip
There are a lot of things that you need to think about when it comes to trying to improve your family holiday, and one of the key ways of being able to do this is to make sure you document the trip. Taking photos and videos of your adventures whilst you’re away as a family is one of the best ways to ensure that you build amazing memories, and have something tangible to look back on together as a family.
These are just a few of the critical things that you can do that will help you to have an enjoyable and unforgettable holiday experience as a family. The more you can do to make the most of this, the better it will be, and the more fun and enjoy your trip will end up being.
If you are a parent, there’s a good chance you have dreams of creating the perfect garden for your child. A place where they can explore, learn, and have fun! It can be a lot of work to create such a space, but it’s definitely worth it. This post will walk you through the process of creating the perfect garden for your child.
Via Pexels
Make sure your garden is safe:
This is probably the most important step in creating a perfect garden for your child. You’ll want to make sure there are no poisonous plants such as rhododendrons or azaleas. Old trees can also be a safety hazard. If they are close to your house, they could fall and damage your property or hurt someone. Dead trees should be removed by a tree removal company, and live trees should be regularly checked for signs of disease or instability.
You’ll also want to fence off the garden to keep out any potential predators, such as dogs or coyotes. If you live in an area with deer, you’ll need to take extra precautions to keep them out as well.
Other potential hazards may include water features such as ponds or fountains. These can be dangerous for small children if they fall in. Make sure any water features are properly fenced off or covered.
Choose plants that are interesting and fun:
Your child is going to be spending a lot of time in the garden, so you’ll want to choose plants that are interesting and fun for them. Look for plant varieties with bright colours, interesting textures, and fun shapes. The plants you choose should also be easy to care for. You don’t want to spend all your time in the garden just taking care of the plants!
You can consider some of these plants for your garden:
Sunflowers
Zinnias
Coneflowers
Marigolds
Cosmos
You can also include some edible plants, such as strawberries or tomatoes. After all, what’s more fun than eating something you’ve grown yourself?
Sign up for my monthly newsletter, to gain access to exclusive offers & updates
Sign up for my freebie library. Each week there will be a new freebie added to help organise your life and take away some stress!
Add some playful elements:
In addition to plants, you’ll also want to add some playful elements to the garden. This could include a sandbox, a swingset, or a climbing structure. You can also add some toys or games such as balls or badminton.
Create a comfortable seating area:
Your child is going to need a place to rest and relax in the garden. This could be a bench, a picnic table, or just some chairs. You’ll want to make sure the seating area is in a shady spot, so it’s comfortable on hot days.
Add some lighting:
If you want your child to be able to use the garden at night, you’ll need to add some lighting. Solar lights are a great option because they’re environmentally friendly and cost-effective. You can also use lanterns or string lights.
Creating the perfect garden for your child is a process, but it’s definitely worth it. With a little planning and effort, you can create a space your child will love. And who knows, maybe they’ll even fall in love with gardening too!
Have you ever wondered what to write on your family Christmas card? If so, you’re not alone. Every year, millions of people struggle with what to say in their holiday greetings. Whether you want to be funny, sentimental, or somewhere in between, coming up with the perfect Christmas message can be challenging.
Via Pixabay
But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. This blog post will share some of our favourite ideas for what to write on your family Christmas card. So grab a cup of eggnog and settle in—it’s time to get inspired!
A Funny Family Story
One great way to make your Christmas card stand out is to include a funny story about your family. Whether it’s a tale about last year’s holiday shenanigans or a hilarious memory from your childhood, a good story will surely get a laugh (and maybe even a few tears). Keep it appropriate for all audiences—you don’t want to offend your relatives!
A Sentimental Quote
If you’re looking for something a little more heartwarming, try including a sentimental quote in your family Christmas card. There are many great options, from classic poems to modern songs. Just choose something that resonates with you and your loved ones and add it to your holiday greeting.
A Holiday Joke
Another great way to spread cheer is by adding a festive joke to your family Christmas card. Everyone loves a good laugh, especially during the holiday season, whether it’s a silly pun or an off-colour joke. Just make sure you keep it clean!
A Meaningful Scripture Verse
For many families, faith is an integral part of the holiday season. If that’s true for you, consider adding a meaningful scripture verse to your family Christmas card. There are plenty of great options, so take some time to find one that perfectly captures the season’s spirit for you and your loved ones.
An Update on Your Year
One final idea is to use your family Christmas card as an opportunity to update your loved ones on what’s been going on in your life over the past year. Whether you’ve had a baby, gotten married, or bought a new house, this is a great way to let everyone know what’s been going on with you—and maybe even include some photos!
Fun Christmas Portrait
If you want to make your family Christmas card stand out, try adding a fun and festive portrait. You can either have a professional photographer take your picture or get creative and do it yourself! Make sure everyone is smiling and having a good time—that’s what the holidays are all about. Ensure all the kids are dressed in a fun and festive Christmas outfit. You can even get a Baby Christmas outfit for your little one.
We hope these ideas inspire you as you start working on your family Christmas cards! No matter what you decide to write, remember that the most important thing is that your holiday greetings come from the heart. Merry Christmas! And all the best for the new year.
Discover the secret to smoother skin with Edelweiss skincare. Just like Drops of Youth™, but even better, now enriched with double the concentration of edelweiss. Our formulas help to gently clear pollutants and help protect skin against pollution. Made with 99% natural-origin ingredients, it helps to smooth and protect the skin, delivering 24hr hydration.
A master of resilience, edelweiss is a tiny flower with all the power to survive and thrive on the mountainside. This magic marvel protects itself against harsh environmental conditions by producing its own antioxidant, leontopodic acid. That’s why we made this mighty little plant the star ingredient of our Edelweiss skincare. Enriched with edelweiss extract, our clever formulas help maintain skin’s natural moisture barrier and smooth the way to glorious, fresher-looking skin.
Why do I need to look after my skin?
No human being is getting any younger, sorry. And I’m personally showing signs of ageing. Including pulled muscles from sleeping, fatigue and sometimes problematic skin.
At this time of year, it’s even more important for us to look after our skin. And I’m so happy I now have a daily routine to complete with these products.
The packaging is great and seeing the items in my fancy little bathroom basket, encourages me to look after my skin. As a busy mum, it’s important to have a routine you want to do each day. Because let’s face it, some days I barely get time to go to the toilet alone. Skincare seems to come much further down the list of priorities. And from now on, I plan to bump it up the list!
Let’s dive into these amazing products from The Edelweiss Range
This cleanser from the Edelweiss Range is lovely to use. I sometimes don’t like using them, because washing the cleanser off with water can make my skin dry. But the consistency of this product is perfect. Just the right amount of foam when mixed with water. And it starts as a gel – something I have never seen before.
It leaves my skin feeling fresh, without feeling dry!
What does it do for you?
Made with 95% ingredients of natural origin, our new Edelweiss Cleansing Concentrate washes away impurities and pollution, leaving skin feeling smoother, fresh and luminous – just ask the 119 women who tried (and loved!) our new cleanser in an independent user trial*.
This skin-loving facial wash works its magic, leaving skin feeling awakened and purified, yet soft and comfortable – no tight feeling here!
Ready for the best bit? We’ve enriched it with edelweiss, which is naturally (and rather uniquely) strengthened with leontopodic acid known for its antioxidant properties. The tiny edelweiss plant is so resilient and powerful that its extract has 43% more antioxidant power than retinol. Pretty extraordinary, right?
This lightweight gel-to-water cleanser transforms from a translucent formula to a gentle bubbly foam suitable for all skin types. Our packaging is also 100% recyclable too. What’s not to love?
How to use this product
Massage a small dollop onto wet skin, lather and rinse.
Daily cleanser
Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
I love a good serum. You just know it’s doing your skin the world of good and this one is lovely. The bottle and pipet just make me feel great like I am investing in my skincare routine (made with recycled glass too).
The actual consistency of the serum is lovely on your face. Probably the best face serum I’ve ever used.
What does it do for you?
Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
Leaves skin feeling fresher and smoother
Helps protect the skin from pollution
Made with 99% ingredients of natural origin
Now enriched with double the concentration of edelweiss
Certified by The Vegan Society
Non-comedogenic (doesn’t block pores)
Dermatologically tested
Our bestselling Drops of Youth™ Concentrate just got even better.
Made with 99% ingredients of natural origin, it only takes a few drops of our new Edelweiss Daily Serum Concentrate to leave skin looking smoother, fresher, stronger* and plumped with 24hr moisture.
But what makes our new concoction so exceptional? We’ve now enriched every bottle with double the concentration of edelweiss, which is naturally (and rather uniquely) strengthened with leontopodic acid known for its antioxidant properties.
We’ve enriched our vegan serum with natural-origin peptides too, just for good measure. Derived from rice, peptides are known to help maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
This light, non-sticky, fast-absorbing formula also forms an invisible layer over your skin to help protect it from indoor and outdoor pollution (perfect for all you city types), which can lead to dehydration, dullness and premature skin ageing.
How to use this product
First up, have a good cleanse with our Edelweiss Cleansing Concentrate. This will help wash away all that grime, pollution and makeup, so your serum works even more effectively.
Squeeze 2-3 drops of our serum into your hand and gently massage it into cleansed skin every morning and night.
Give it a few seconds to sink in before slathering on our Edelweiss Smoothing Day Cream or Edelweiss Intense Smoothing Day Cream.
This product from the Edelweiss Range, is a light cream when it’s applied to your face and has a very subtle scent. Totally refreshing after a hard day at work, or in the harsh cold of the autumn months.
What does it do for you?
Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
Leaves skin looking smoother and stronger
Leaves skin feeling ultra-soft
Helps maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier
Helps protect against indoor and outdoor pollution
Made with 97% ingredients of natural origin
Enriched with edelweiss
Certified by The Vegan Society
Dermatologically tested
Give your complexion a deeply nourishing treat with our new Edelweiss Intense Smoothing Day Cream – it’s the ultimate hydration boost.
Made with 97% ingredients of natural origin, it only takes a tiny dollop of our new Edelweiss Intense Smoothing Day Cream to leave skin looking smoother, fresher, stronger and plumped with 48hr moisture.
An intensely rich and nourishing cream, this non-greasy formula has a silky texture and melts into the skin effortlessly, helping protect against indoor and outdoor pollution and leaving skin feeling deeply nourished, firmer and ultra-soft.
It helps retain moisture and maintains the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Scoop out a pea-sized amount and smooth it all over your complexion day and night. Enjoy that feeling of supple, silky-smooth skin.
How to use this product
First up, have a good cleanse with our Edelweiss Cleansing Concentrate. This will help wash away all that grime, pollution and makeup, so your serum works even more effectively.
Scoop out a pea-sized dollop and massage into cleansed skin every morning and night.
Give it a few seconds to sink.
Check out all my previous blog posts… for The Body Shop
Fancy a discount code on any purchases you make? Visit The Body Shop – 15% OFF CODE MCA15 until 9 am on 12th November
Maybe you’re looking to start Christmas shopping. I have bought a few bits for my family already, but lots more to buy. Don’t forget the discount code when you shop…
The Grumpy Olive blog is one of my long-standing gold advertisers. Therefore, this month I want to do something a little bit different with the post. In the same way they are bringing joy to their readers, I want you to experience some of the magic their blog has to offer!
From January 2023, I have simplified advertising packages. The grande package entitles you to several backlinks throughout the month. You get your own dedicated blog post, a custom link in my sidebar, and Instagram shares.
Sign up for my monthly newsletter, to gain access to exclusive offers & updates
Sign up for my freebie library. Each week there will be a new freebie added to help organise your life and take away some stress!
When I first came across The Grumpy Olive
Before I launched my first blog in July 2021, I joined Twitter. It was so much fun discovering new bloggers, making connections and finding my feet.
The name of the blog drew me in. The style of writing is so down to earth. You feel like you know each of the sisters, like a good friend you love to go have coffee with. This blog continues bringing joy to my life and I hope you feel the same.
That name though
What an amazing, quirky, attractive name for a blog. It’s so unique and I just loved it from the start.
A trusted blog
I know if I need a recipe, with all the instructions listed, I can visit this blog.
Book posts – another one of my fave topics.
Coffee – I love it so much as a busy mum.
This month’s blog posts – from The Grumpy Olive
Without further ado, let’s get into this month’s blog posts from The Grumpy Olive.
What a great and very comprehensive list of recent reads. I love how you can choose to look through the synopsis and there are useful links for where to purchase the book.
These pancakes look amazing. Our little one loves making pancakes with daddy on a weekend. Simply because they are so quick and easy to make. And it allows her to get involved.
The addition of pumpkin spice is a lovely touch and I’m intrigued to find out what they taste like.
I love a good casserole, especially at this time of year. And the images in this post look absolutely amazing. Adding it to my slow cooker recipes list.
We are The Grumpy Olive, a team of three sisters blogging from London. On our blog, we write about all the things we love and including food, coffee, beauty and books among many things. You can expect to find easy but tasty recipes, the latest in books and also some talk on beauty and travel because we may fancy that here and there. But most of all, The Grumpy Olive is a little corner of the internet where everything is just fun, new and upbeat – just what the doctor ordered!
I hope you enjoyed reading this post. Go & show my gold package advertisers some love, by commenting, sharing their posts, and interacting with one another. I regularly post on Twitter about the blogging community and how it is great to be part of such a supportive group.
It is a privilege to have this lovely trio of sisters advertising with me.
I will soon be coming to the end of my Hypnotherapy course. What a journey it’s been.
I feel totally transformed as a person, and I wanted to provide a further update on where I am. Both with my self hypnosis skills and my current life situation. Read on for more details about Perma Hypnotherapy and how to book your therapist!
I don’t recognise the person I am now. But I am so happy to meet this new version of myself. And my only intention now is to keep progressing in life. Dealing with stress when it arises and becoming resilient to the challenges life throws our way.
Hard work pays off
To clarify, this journey has been long, enjoyable, difficult at times and emotionally exhausting. You can’t expect to change your subconscious brain, or master self hypnosis, without an impact on your emotional energy. This is the nature of inner work. It takes time and effort to make significant changes.
However, regular breaks in between sessions and a whole heap of self-care have helped.
Booking a therapist
Should you decide now is the time to improve your life, I recommend having a therapist to guide you. It enables boundaries to be set, a slow, methodical approach to the work you are doing. Agreed sessions help me to remain focused and accountable.
Also, the wealth of knowledge I’ve been given by Kevin just isn’t something I could have picked up from Google or textbooks. I wouldn’t know where to look. I think it’s important to have a qualified guide who can adapt the work you do, to your individual needs.
Following this great course, I now have the tools I need to move forward with self-hypnosis.
Self hypnosis
Practice makes perfect, in any area of life. Now I’m at the end of the process, I’ve cut down my meditation time, from 40 minutes to just six. Which means I can still fit it in around a busy lifestyle. More importantly, I’ve taught myself a technique for reducing the stress life causes.
Recent past VS future self
The Perma model is all about looking to the future and creating the version of ourselves which serves us best. One of the exercises we completed was looking at a recent past image and also a happy one I could envision for the future. During my sessions, I had the recent past image of too many things going around in my head and being overwhelmed. Then a really happy memory had been playing with a balloon with my little one at soft play.
I wanted to create a visual – and you can see the difference…
I am actively creating a happy image whenever I can fit in family time and memory-making. But I am under no illusions about the reality of anxiety. It will always be here. It’s a mechanism that can help people, with me it just needs a bit of control. Something I am now equipped to do moving forward.
Life update
From an anxious, nervous wreck, to a more confident person. I’ve applied for another job position I’ve wanted to do for a while. Really, it’s my dream job and means the career change I made back in May was the correct decision and has led me to this point.
From where I was mentally and career-wise, this is huge progress. I am proud of myself. Something I’ve probably never said before! Ever.
Final thoughts
Finally, my wants and desires are lined up with my priorities and goals. All because I am being open and honest, putting the work into myself and finally standing up and taking the opportunities I want.
I don’t recognise the person I am now. But I am so happy to meet this new version of myself. And my only intention now is to keep progressing in life. Dealing with stress when it arises and becoming resilient to the challenges life throws our way.
My mental breakdown happened in May 2021. A culmination of a difficult pregnancy, work stress, birth trauma, no self-care whatsoever, lack of sleep for a prolonged period and caring for a small child. I found the whole period overwhelming and there were not enough hours in a day to juggle the unmanageable load. The breaking point seemed to come when my workplace started adding too much pressure on everyone. Up until this point I was keeping my head above water, even though hindsight tells me it wasn’t a healthy way of living.
You have some pretty random thoughts when you’re in the midst of a mental breakdown and you cannot decipher fiction from reality. All the thoughts passing through your mind become your reality and you rely on the people closest to you to tell you which ones you should listen to.
Freebie alert! Download the new checklist bundle – bright colours for making organising more fun…
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I know some people are dubious about awareness days. I totally agree with the point that mental health should be spoken about every. single. day. However, I will use awareness days to talk about my own personal experience. If one person who wasn’t aware of my situation, learns something new, I am happy. For me, it is all about raising awareness. In the hope that one day in the future, these small actions will amount to huge systematic changes.
Today I want to talk to you about where I am with my mental health journey and how long it took to be well again
Full system reboot
In previous blog posts, I discussed the feeling of my brain switching off and it couldn’t be restarted again. Throughout the aftermath of my mental breakdown, I spent my days pretty much switched off completely. Sitting on the sofa for hours on end, watching TV, but not really paying attention to anything. There was no sense of time. Depression made my cheeks hurt. I never thought you could get a cheek ache from a sad face, but you can.
My friends and family were very adamant about the fact I should continue a “normal” routine. I hate that word, because what is normal? It has a different meaning for each individual and I think the word acts as an unattainable standard. This is true in my life, anyway, so I avoid using the word.
Battling with your own mind is a daily challenge
During this period of recovery, every action, movement, and the daily task was a challenge. I had to work myself up to get a bath. My hubby pretty much forced me to go on a long walk one day and it took every ounce of energy I had to get out of the house. I still look at these pictures and remember the pain and general numbness I felt.
During this period, I absolutely focused my energy on looking after my little one, on the days she didn’t attend nursery. But, sometimes I just didn’t have the resources and therefore a lot of it fell to my hubby and parents to help out.
She also knew something was wrong and would come and “look after” me. Young children have a sixth sense and they can pick up on emotions, even if you think you’re hiding them well. I still feel mum-guilt for taking time out for self-care, sometimes. Especially napping in the afternoon if I need to. I’ve come to realise there are precautions I need to take in order to maintain a good standard of mental well-being. And I will always be honest with my little one, about emotions and why self-care is needed. Parents cannot parent well if we don’t look after ourselves. It’s a constant battle.
Bringing me back to life
My family and friends surrounded me with love, but I was emotional, worn down, and temperamental. It would be months before I had my life back, my personality and gained a sense of identity again. Depression strips you of all these things. The system reboot is what it says on the tin. You are stripped back to factory settings. A blank canvas. And hitting rock bottom is a horrible experience. But there is hope. Things can get better. But I won’t lie and say it is easy. It is one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life.
The self-care routine that helped
During this period I was off work, and largely by myself, whilst everyone around me went about their daily lives. I spent my days having long baths, using all my trusted self-care products. My local park became my haven and I would sit on a particular bench, soaking up nature, thinking about life and watching the world go by. A world I wasn’t fully part of yet. In my mind, I was a bystander, invisible to everyone else.
My friends and family were very adamant about the fact I should continue a “normal” routine. I hate that word, because what is normal? It has a different meaning for each individual and I think the word acts as an unattainable standard. This is true in my life, anyway, so I avoid using the word.
I honestly never thought of the secondary impacts of being depressed. But there are so many. As the money organiser of the house, being switched off, reset, and rebooted isn’t exactly great for maintaining a household, or remembering to pay bills. I just didn’t care about organising life anymore. And it impacted our family.
I started baking to bring myself back to life and clinging onto anything I previously loved, to ignite a passion. To bring back a spark. But I still felt unhappy, and numb. I had affirmation cards and motivational quotes scattered around the house. These massively helped and I still use them to this day. I even visited the local spirit church, in the hope of finding some peace. It worked.
Toxic workplace culture
Reluctant to carry on as normal, when I was off work due to mental health problems, I was scared and filled with irrational fears. What if someone from work sees me? What would they think? Looking back, these thoughts were the negative anxiety voice in my head. And they were created from working in toxic workplace cultures for so long. Something I will never go back to!
Dichiperhing fiction and reality
My family were right. Normality, routine and self-care were all needed. A focus on my health, not the workplace which had basically sent me to this negative place in my mind. Why on earth did I still want to focus on them? But the mind does this. You have some pretty random thoughts when you’re in the midst of a mental breakdown and you cannot decipher fiction from reality. All the thoughts passing through your mind become your reality and you rely on the people closest to you to tell you which ones you should listen to.
What mental illness really looks like
I see a lot of debate on this. The answer – every single person will be impacted by mental illness differently. I hid my anxiety for years. therefore I looked fine. But I wasn’t. That said, I look back at the photos just after my mental breakdown and I remember how I felt. Going through them today actually makes me quite sad. I need to not dwell on them for too long.
The photos show bad skin, a blank look behind the eyes, and tiredness. Throughout my journey back to recovery, I sometimes compared these pictures with ones where I looked slightly happier. To me, it meant progress. When you’re in the midst of recovery, it is sometimes difficult to see any progress and look at the situation objectively.
There was an element of ‘putting on a brave face’ for my little one. But mostly, I accepted my situation and allowed myself to feel the pain and numbness. Something I had masked for so long was finally let out! In order to heal, you have to acknowledge your situation. And I had battled with anxiety for too long.
The journey back to life
I still have gripes about the NHS and the procedures in place to help someone who has suffered a mental breakdown. Looking back, the doctors didn’t really focus on support around me and my circumstances. I didn’t feel heard, or looked after. A doctor pretty much told me they cannot be responsible for me staying off work any longer and I would have to take it up with my workplace. A workplace they knew had put me in this situation and was not helping me during the period of time I was unwell. During telephone calls with the doctor, I was distressed, and emotional, asking for help. And I felt like a burden. They made me feel like I was being dishonest to get time off work.
Sign up for my monthly newsletter, to gain access to exclusive offers & updates
Sign up for my freebie library. Each week there will be a new freebie added to help organise your life and take away some stress!
Systematic change in mental health care
It is important to say, I know NHS staff are overworked, unpaid and bound by ridiculous policies. However, they are also human beings. For anyone who watched the recent Panorama documentary, when did we stop caring for other human beings, just because we have a certain job title?
I am writing this post today because there is clearly a lot of work to be done around mental health awareness. A systematic change must happen.
I’ve accepted I will never be fully healed. We are all a work in progress and life will continue to throw us challenges. Our job is to work on how we respond to adversity.
Allowing adequate time for recovery
At the time of writing this post, it has taken me a total of 18 months to consider myself fully recovered from my mental breakdown. Our financial circumstances took a hit as a result. I was expected to return to work, by both the workplace and the NHS when I wasn’t ready or well enough to. Why aren’t we looking after people who find themselves in this position? Both in the respect of health and finances. If you had a broken leg, your sick note would be issued for longer, without question and I am sure you would be entitled to some sort of financial help. Arguably, fighting a battle with your mind is worse than a physical ailment. So why as a society do we treat people with mental illness so unfairly?
Finances and mental health
I honestly never thought of the secondary impacts of being depressed. But there are so many. As the money organiser of the house, being switched off, reset, and rebooted isn’t exactly great for maintaining a household, or remembering to pay bills. I just didn’t care about organising life anymore. And it impacted our family. If you or your family are impacted by similar issues, Mind has a great section on how mental health can impact finances and vice versa.
Where am I in my life now?
At this point, I finally feel somewhat recovered. My hypnotherapy course has provided the tools I need to move forward with a weekly self-care routine. It’s a way I can look after my mind and keep myself healthy. I’ve accepted I will never be fully healed. We are all a work in progress and life will continue to throw us challenges. Our job is to work on how we respond to adversity.
I also finally feel able to take on more hours at work and look to the future. But also keep in mind that my family life is a priority as well. This being the case, I am taking steps to plan our next five years as a family. We need slightly more money to set in motion everything we want to achieve. But I still want us both to have one day per week with my little one. And of course, a family day together.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, hitting rock bottom allows you to create a blank canvas. You start afresh with brand-new building blocks. And you have the power to change things in your life that no longer serve you.
It’s strange to say this, but hitting rock bottom has transformed my life. Would I choose this experience if I could go back? No! But am I thankful for it? Yes.
I love reading books and writing about everything in my life, and I also love participating in the stories other people have to share. As someone who loved the literature part of my English degree and still has the quotations book given to me as a prize by my headteacher as a teenager, soaking up literature is something I have continued into adulthood.
Prior to setting up three blogs, I attended the local literature festival for as long as I can remember. On those days I arrange childcare and totally clear my schedule. Free to immerse myself in culture, and words. More importantly, to be in the company of other amazing creatives. I am now finding ways to travel further afield. It is time to share with you what I found when I searched for more opportunities to do something I love.
Borderlines is a not-for-profit event, now in its 7th year, run by volunteers who believe in community – and the joy of words. We deliver a Festival that balances bringing major national and international names to Carlisle with celebrating and showcasing fantastic local talent. We also run events and activities that encourage and inspire individual creativity.
Encounter incredible writers, actors, comedians, musicians, poets & change-makers. Fri 7 – Sun 23 October 2022. Featuring Edward Enninful, Rob Delaney, Ian Rankin & more!
This is another gem I found out about from contact with a publisher. What a mission this bookshop has –
We want to work with schools and the local community to promote new ideas and initiatives. Through book clubs, ‘walking’ book clubs, poetry slams, storytelling events, book launches and writers’ workshops – we seek to share knowledge, cause conversation and bring people together through the spoken and written word.
27 October – 6 November 2022 – BOX OFFICE OPEN FROM 28 SEPTEMBER 2022
The festival website states –
The Petworth Festival is a remarkable success story. Founded over 40 years ago by Lord Egremont and a group of like-minded local people, including the composer Robert Walker, an event which first straddled a weekend has now become a major fixture in the summer diary, not just locally but also throughout the region.
A very warm welcome as we return to live events in Berwick at this year’s Festival. We are delighted to offer a varied and attractive programme that has a focus on Berwick and north-east England, a strong Scottish element, and an international aspect. We hope to entertain, to inform, and to encourage everyone with an interest in words and their expression. Over four days the 9th Festival will include both Zoom and live events around the town, using several new locations for the first time too. Central to north Northumberland and the eastern Scottish Borders, our walled town provides a stunning backdrop to very varied events.
Since 2008 we’ve been bringing you an exciting mixture of debate, ideas, celebrity author events, workshops and humour in spring and winter. We’re also a charity promoting the benefits of reading and writing on education, literacy and well-being in schools, the community and prisons.
The Festival is one of the most significant literary festivals in the UK, attracting thousands of people who share one passion: a love of books, writing and reading.
I have only recently heard about this festival, through contact with a publisher about reviewing some amazing writers who find new and creative ways to cope with anxiety. The festival website states –
Our vision is, and always has been, “To inspire more people to explore, respect and represent mountains, wilderness and their cultures” and today this seems more relevant and timely as ever.
A seasonal weekend of wonder! Join us for a very special Hay Festival Winter Weekend 24-27 November in the newly renovated Hay Castle. Priority booking opens to Friends of Hay Festival Tuesday 27 September. General booking opens Friday 30 September.
Want to book an advertising spot? I am taking bookings for the rest of 2022; you can find more details here. There will be increased prices from 2023.
Welcome to my October 2022 advertisers
Please show my October 2022 advertisers some love, by commenting, sharing their posts, and interacting with one another. I regularly post on Twitter about the blogging community and how it is great to be part of such a supportive group.
Look out for updates on these Alarmingly Amazing bloggers and their amazing work, throughout the month on Twitter.
Time to check out the Alarmingly Amazing advertisers
I started Lifeofmorag after a life-changing accident as a way to fill my time and give me focus. That was back in 2018. Now four years on I write about a range of topics from travel (I have visited 39 countries) to books to social issues. I also write a lot about chronic illness and mental health, both from my own experiences and coping strategies.
Having owned a successful service-based bookkeeping business and started as a small business owner. I’m an intelligent savvy business owner with a creative edge. I can help you with your product creation through launch, list building and marketing your new products. If you’re service-based I can help you set up systems to attract the right clients.
Blog posts you should check out
Collaborations Can Make Hobby-Based Businesses Money!
We are The Grumpy Olive, a team of three sisters blogging from London. On our blog, we write about all the things we love and including food, coffee, beauty and books among many things. You can expect to find easy but tasty recipes, the latest in books and also some talk on beauty and travel because we may fancy that here and there. But most of all, The Grumpy Olive is a little corner of the internet where everything is just fun, new and upbeat – just what the doctor ordered!
AD / PR – please note – the sessions have been gifted in exchange for my honest thoughts about the process
At this point in my hypnotherapy course, I feel like I will always work on myself. The fact that our stress buckets constantly fill up with life’s challenges, means it’s ingrained in me that I have to empty it regularly. I simply cannot forget the techniques I am learning.
I will be honest and say that finding meditation time, as a busy mum, is difficult. It’s lovely to take part in the planned hypnotherapy sessions. This is time just for me. And I look forward to it.
So what’s changed since I last updated you?
The only way I can explain the confidence changes I am experiencing is by explaining the feeling that something is happening in the background. I know I’m different. A better version of me. I’ve progressed. But because I haven’t actively taken part in the change process, I sometimes wonder what is happening behind the scenes. This is the curious, controlling part of me. And I also need to work on that!
Processes working behind the scenes
Subconsciously certain things are happening. At work, we got the opportunity to apply for additional responsibilities for a role I would love to do. Without really thinking, I just sat and typed my application. I was present and open throughout the whole process and viewed it as a learning experience.
My previous reaction to stressful situations
I mean nobody likes job interviews, do they?
If you follow my blog, you will know that in the past I have completely crumbled in situations like this. Even having my interview for this current job, I took Kalms just beforehand and I was nervous. This time it’s different.
Broadening my horizons… finally
Because we are on a fixed-term contract at work, I am also taking the same attitude about other opportunities. And instead of not believing in myself, I am thinking about whether the company and the terms are right for me. I have literally never thought like that before in my life. All I can remember is suffering from low self-confidence. And believing I should attend all interviews, and take any opportunity offered because there wouldn’t be another one.
The work must continue
Because these recent changes are so positive, I know I must continue setting aside time for myself. And during these periods of time, I must look after myself. Whether that be something I love doing, or meditation to achieve these great results. I am happier for working on myself.
Final thoughts
I have another session coming up tomorrow and after a break of three weeks, I am so looking forward to it.
May the personal development continue, long after these wonderful sessions with Kevin have ended.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Manage consent
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
