Book Reviews

Stand-up Paddleboarding in the Lake District – Jo Moseley – MCA review

Welcome to my post about Paddleboarding in the Lake District. My review of Jo Moseley’s second book, with stunning images and helpful information to get started.

I previously reviewed Jo’s last book Stand-up Paddleboarding in Great Britain: Beautiful Places to Paddleboard in England, Scotland & Wales – you can read the full review and buy the book in the post below:

12 BOOKS & COURSES FOR MANAGING ANXIETY

Paddleboarding in the Lake District

Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and 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.

Jo’s background and why it matters

If you’ve read any previous posts on this blog or viewed my social media accounts, you will know I am a huge fan of rising from the ashes after facing adversity. It’s how this blog was born! And I encourage everyone else to change their situation for the better – when they can.

Jo’s backstory is one of adversity, followed by a growing passion for exercise, which became some of the most amazing achievements.

In May 2013, I found myself sobbing in the biscuit aisle of Tesco’s, looking at the chocolate Hob Nobs and wondering how my life had come to this. I was 48, a busy working Mum, flying solo with my boys.
 
Both my parents were undergoing chemotherapy at the time and I was overwhelmed, anxious and desperate for a good night’s sleep. What I didn’t realise was that I was going through the early stages of the perimenopause at the time. 

Jomoseley.com

Quote from Jo Moseley

How I can relate to this

“You’re never too old to do something wild and it’s never too late to make a difference.”

Jomoseley.com

I can relate to this quote. At nearly 40 years old, I finally feel the most confident and free I ever have. But it’s been many years of adversity in the making.

Paddleboarding in the Lake District

My review of the book – Stand-up Paddleboarding in the Lake District – Jo Moseley

I pride myself on being organised, and what I love about Jo’s book is the detail. You will find coordinates on specific places you can set off on your paddleboard. When reading, you can be safe knowing Jo has already done it and therefore, you are safe.

You can easily use the book as a guide. Like a map. If you’re visiting a specific part of the Lake District and you are taking your paddleboard along, you can be sure there will be instructions on how you set off on your paddleboard and experience the freeing feeling of nature.

PLEASE SEE A SUMMARY OF MY RECENT BLOG POSTS

How to get started

I love this section of the book because it is filled with honesty about how to get started. When we start a new hobby, we often default to buying things, but Jo suggests starting with paddleboarding lessons to see how you like the activity.

From a confidence perspective, I love that this section exists. Often when you start a new physical activity, confidence and knowing how to start are the two most important things. The things that would literally stop you from completing the first step. This section of the book reduces the fear and anxiety you can experience when deciding to try something new.

You can check out my other blogs here. And I write about my love of running on the Roaring Pumpkin blog.

Where to park, eat and drink

Aren’t these the most important aspects of any trip? Where to get your snacks – much-needed fuel for any exercise and parking or where to stay in a hotel, is the most vital information. And it’s the first thing I look at when planning my trip. It’s great that Jo includes these all important details in the book.

The photos

For anyone who has visited The Lakes before, you will know the images are simply stunning. And the photos included in Jo’s book are a joy to look at.

In the images, she looks so happy and free and these images inspire anyone wanting to try paddleboarding.

Paddleboarding in the Lake District

You can read a great interview with Jo here.

Buy the books – Bookshop.org

  

Buy the books – Waterstones

Other pages to check out on my blog & information you need to know about

My Vinted article for Thrift Plan Enjoy blog is featured in The Sun newspaper

TikTok video here.

I am accepting guest posts on my blog. All the details you need are here.

A summary of the guest posts I wrote for other people

Why I Hid My Anxiety From Everyone For Years

5 autumnal themed accessories I will be purchasing this year and why they add value to my home

Why There Is No Time Limit For Recovery From Mental Illness

Together In Mamahood interview: Sam, Mummy Conquering Anxiety

The Reality of Severe Anxiety – Guest Post by Sam

Head over and check them out. It’s great to have my writing on other people’s sites. Follow me on Twitter for updates on my guest posts.

Read all about why I started a TikTok account here.

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!

A summary of my recent writing on other platforms

In recent months I’ve also expanded where I publish my writing. Some of what I want to say doesn’t fit with the topics on this blog and it’s refreshing to publish on another platform.

Why it’s important to look after your mental health, especially when outside factors are so out of control

Summary

Paddleboarding in the Lake District

12 Books & Courses For Managing Anxiety

I wanted to write a list of great books by people who’ve found creative ways to manage their anxiety levels. In addition to this, I will also be letting you know about some courses which are geared towards wellness.

managing anxiety

Quick note: AD-AFF-GIFTED Some of the links contained on this page are sponsored and affiliate links. If you go through an affiliate link to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be helpful for other people.

Shall we dive into the list of great resources to help you with managing anxiety?

Education – courses for managing anxiety

Charlotte Lewington

Charlotte is a bestselling co-author, educator and consultant helping children and young people to
find their voice, be seen and feel validated. There is nothing she is more passionate about than
making sure children know that they are loved and love themselves from the inside out. During her
own childhood, Charlotte faced many struggles that only made her stronger. Through these
experiences, she learnt that you can either sit down and cry about things or you get up and you move
on. Learning the lesson being shown to you.

After 16 years of experience within different health and childcare settings, Charlotte gained a degree
in psychology and is currently working towards a master’s degree in children and young people. Charlotte spends most of her time delivering training to nurseries, schools and organisations offering
workshops and retreats relating to emotional well-being.

Her mission is to provide support in order to bridge the gap with the mental health crisis that we are
currently experiencing.
In between all this, you will often find charlotte travelling the world and making the most out of life.

Details you need to check out

Please head over and check out her Facebook group – Children’s Mental Health Support for Parents & Educators | Facebook

She also offers

1-2-1 support sessions if anyone is feeling lost or finding the queen’s death a trigger. For anyone finding it challenging with children going back to school or children managing anxiety about anything, parents or carers can book a call. She is also currently looking for people to be involved in a book collaboration.

Miss M Online courses

I recently wrote about how important it is to nurture a business-minded child. And more importantly, teach essential life skills that are usually lacking in the mainstream school system. You can check out the full blog post here.

Well, it’s time to bring you the latest from this amazing platform. Check out some of the courses available below.

What’s the latest?

Why not check out the new business board game? What an amazing gift for a young person this Christmas!

Business Board Game
managing anxiety
Ready to help your child?
managing anxiety
Other Courses

Discount code…

Click here & apply discount

Centre Of Excellence

Centre Of Excellence has a range of courses related to managing anxiety, wellness and alternative therapies.

Here are just some of the courses on offer…

Anxiety Management Diploma Course

Dealing With Depression Diploma Course

Mindful Mental Health Diploma Course

Yoga Diploma Course

Head over and check out all of their amazing learning resources. Maybe you want to buy the gift of learning for a loved one or friend this holiday season. You know someone who is currently managing anxiety and needs some assistance.

Books for managing anxiety

You can check out my page, dedicated to all things books! Feel free to browse the other book-related posts on my blog

Look No Further Than Elfland UK for Your Christmas Eve Box

12 Books & Courses For Managing Anxiety

Why Attending A Literature Festival Is An Amazing Experience

I also have a page dedicated to managing anxiety

Rachel Ann Cullen’s book, Running for Our Lives

My thoughts

Running For Our Lives is about how running helps people overcome life challenges and mental health struggles. It touches upon how it helped Rachel reclaim her identity after she became a mum. In addition, it contains human stories and experiences from ordinary people.

I knew this title would resonate with time on some level. But I was unprepared for how much I would feel an emotional connection to the stories. A literal pang in my heart because this journey of sharing our mental health struggles is also one I’ve been on myself. I couldn’t put this book down, thanks to honest writing. Not to mention, the sheer power of connection between human beings who have one shared cause. 

“It enables us to silence the chimp and write another story for ourselves – one where things become possible.”

Running For Our Lives

“These are people who have chosen to live fiercely and to be fully alive. They are no longer content with the alternative.”

Running For Our Lives

“mental illness is not concerned with rational thought. It will eat you up regardless.”

Running For Our Lives

“Perhaps it is you seeing the tiniest chink of light in a very dark place, discovering that you have a new friend in the world – one whom you have never met.”

Running For Our Lives

Buy the book

Sara Barnes’ book, The Cold Fix

The Cold Fix is about the healing power of cold water immersion in overcoming physical and mental pain. Or anguish including osteoarthritis, seasonal sadness, migraines, alcoholism and overthinking. It’s about growing older and exploring new opportunities; menopause, body image and confidence.

My thoughts

When reading the book, my initial thought was that I was intrigued as to why people do this and I find it fascinating that such an extreme activity can help someone mentally.

I particularly like the sensory and meditative experience which comes with this technique. It feels similar to how I probably feel when doing meditation.

“Coming here on my own had indeed added a risk factor, but it had also motivated and driven me to climb, literally, out of my comfort zone and rediscover a world that had been out of my reach for too long”

Sara Barnes’ book, The Cold Fix

“The cold water has given me the key to unlock myself within a place I didn’t know existed: the community of cold-water swimmers right around the world. What binds us all together is the cold and how it makes us feel: brave enough to tackle even the toughest of life’s issues.”

Sara Barnes’ book, The Cold Fix

Buy the book

Jo Moseley’s Stand-up Paddleboarding in Great Britain

Stand Up Paddleboarding is a guide to paddle boarding. However, Jo explains the sport has got her through grief, anxiety and empty nesting. It’s brought her identity back outside her roles as a mother, daughter, sister, and friend. And her commitment to the environment has strengthened. Back in 2019, she became the first woman aged 54 to stand up paddleboard coast to coast across northern England. Picking up litter and raising money for environmental charities.

My thoughts

The most striking thing about this book is the great images of places to visit. You feel transported there, and it’s wonderful. You are experiencing an adventure alongside reading about Jo’s story. There is a real variation in locations across the UK and I was glad to see some near where we live. It also makes me want to visit the places I haven’t visited and take in the scenery for myself.

The book also includes practical tips on how to get started, if you’re interested in starting your stand-up paddle-boarding journey

“A chance to walk on water, and I hope, appreciate that we all belong there too.”

Jo Moseley’s Stand-up Paddleboarding in Great Britain

Buy the book

Michael Waters

You may remember me including Michael Waters in a previous blog post.

Buy the book

Recent projects

He has recently been writing for some projects, aiming to help young people with their mental health. If you follow my blog, you will know I am totally on board with this. The current cost of living situation we are facing in the UK is only going to increase mental health problems among young people. Ultimately, it is up to us to raise awareness.

One is about how becoming guise-wise can really help reduce the mental health issues of young people (and not so young!)

Why? Because so many are the result of comparing ourselves to others, often obsessively,
and to a disproportionate emphasis on relatively minor or very specific but not all-defining
differences. Young people are especially prone to these practices.
Supposing I’m a teenager preoccupied with my gender identity. Maybe I suspect I’m
different in this respect from most of my friends. At one time, gender identity was not an
issue for all but a tiny number of kids. Now it’s an issue for a lot, but that’s not the main
point. The main point is that if I am a teenager with gender identity concerns then part of
that will involve placing myself on a spectrum of gender gradations. I’m defining myself by
what I am not and I’m probably defining my whole self primarily in terms of gender identity
markers. This means that I’m not foregrounding all the many things I share with my peers –
other aspects of identity, beliefs, preferences, interests and hosts of others that I share with
everybody on the planet. Rather, I’m over-focusing on one thing that’s distinctive about me,
one particular difference.

Becoming-Guise-Wise:
How to dissolve the mental health issues of the young – Dr Michael Waters

The other is about making commonality-first, not difference-first how we should best respond to others – this would be the best legacy for the Queen since this is what she did in her life

She experienced diversity, more than anyone who has ever lived. No one else has been up as close and personal to such a variety of individuals in such a variety of settings. No one else has had more first-hand experience of as many different social and cultural groups. Who else has made official visits to over 117 countries and carried out over 21,000 official engagements, to say nothing of walkabouts and other unscripted exchanges? It’s also clear that she cared deeply for many of those to whom the word “diversity” is usually applied – minorities and the marginalised.

The Queen’s Legacy: Commonality-First – Dr Michael Waters

Workbooks for managing anxiety

I had to share the workbooks that personally helped me with managing anxiety, during the down periods in my life. I still have these on the shelf by my workspace. They proved to be so beneficial in my time of need.

My Bookshelf at home

Final thoughts

I hope you found these tools for managing helpful anxiety. Maybe a book you want to purchase something for yourself or a loved one?

Let me know your favourite book or course – I would love to hear from you in the comments.

managing anxiety

Recent posts on the blog

Feel free to check out some of the other posts on my blog:

Too Many Moose by Kathy Sherman – MCA review

A rip-roaring moose family reunion songbook starring one extremely surprised host and exactly 256 moose (no more, no less).

How many moose is too many moose? Two? Four? Eight? Sixteen? What happens when a herd of moose invites themselves over? In Too Many Moose, a herd of moose have a rip-roaring family reunion full of dancing, cartwheels, pillow fights and more!

This book will push your imagination to the ridiculous with energetic children’s music, oddball humour and endearing, lively animal characters that dive into comical antics.

Tiny Tree Books
Too Many Moose

Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and 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.

Buy the book

The review

I was so excited to read this book with my little one. Unfortunately, when we pulled out the book to read together, she was in a little bit of a grumpy mood. But I knew this was the perfect time to read the book and instil some laughter into our evening.

The book did not disappoint. The little one was laughing her head off and she loved the rhyming element of the story.

This book has been added to our little shelf next to her bed and we will enjoy reading it many times in the future.

Cart Wheels & Pillow Fights

In Too Many Moose, a herd of moose have a rip-roaring family reunion full of dancing, cartwheels, pillow fights and more! 

Every young child loves a fun tale of cartwheels and pillow fights. When we’re out and about playing in the grass and doing cartwheels, we are at our happiest. Our little one loves the day we change the bedsheets at home. She loves lying on the bed while we waft the sheets over her. Small simple pleasures in life and we could all learn a lot from the joy a child feels in these moments.

Want to read more about the joy of participating in childlike activities?

Recent post on the blog

You can check out all the recent posts on the blog here:

Summary

If you want to purchase a book for your family or maybe as a gift for someone, which is filled with joy, fun and laughter – this is the story for you!

Too Many Moose

Whispa and the Waves by Ffion Jones and Elena Mascolo – MCA Review

Whispa and the Waves

Welcome to my post about Whispa and the Waves by Ffion Jones and Elena Mascolo. I am so glad you stopped by!

Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and 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

Inspired by a desire to help her daughter in her struggle with anxiety, Whispa and the Waves is a book that hopes to help children explore other ways of responding to these feelings, empowering them to overcome the waves and giving them the strength to calm the storm.

Tinytreebooks.com

Important topics in the public eye right now

If you follow my blog, you will know that a mental breakdown is what prompted me to start this blog, to help other people feel less alone when they are experiencing mental health challenges.

The mental health crisis amongst young people in the UK at the moment is well documented and something we should all be eager to resolve. Books like this – serve to educate young people and make them feel less alone. In this respect, we must share this book’s message far and wide.

Children having access to books

Another well-documented fact is that some children living in the UK currently don’t have access to books at home. As a family, we have always purchased books, mostly from charity shops. But my little one loves reading and we must make time to read books with her. Even though, like most families, family time is limited.

Exploring big emotions with children

The character in the book sounds very much like me. I still use my hypnotherapy recordings when I feel life becoming too much. These days, I feel more resilient and able to deal with the pressures and unexpected events life can sometimes throw at us. BUT it’s taken a lot of work to get to where I am now.

Imagine being a child. Research tells us can’t regulate emotions in the way an adult does. And still feeling some big emotions you may not understand. Books like this are vital in helping children have a visual display and a story to tell about a similar way they are feeling.

I’ve written on my blog before about handling toddler emotions. You can check out the posts below:

HELPING LITTLE KIDS MANAGE BIG EMOTIONS

HOW TO EXPLORE EMOTIONS WITH YOUR TODDLER

20 RELATABLE BLUEY PARENTING MOMENTS WE LOVE

Please go out and buy this book, recommend it to your local library or community centre – and spread a message of hope amongst children who might be struggling.

Sam – Founder – Mummy Conquering Anxiety blog
Whispa and the Waves

Some of the previous reviews published in the book corner section:

THE GIANT AT NUMBER TWO – BOOK REVIEW – MUMMY CONQUERING ANXIETY

LIVELY LILA BLOG TOUR – A DANCE OF HAPPY DISCOVERY – MUMMY CONQUERING ANXIETY

THE ANNA’S GARDEN BLOG TOUR – MUMMY CONQUERING ANXIETY

THE LONELY TIGER BY TERENIA EDWARDS, SEVERUS LIAN (ILLUSTRATOR)

Buy the book

Summary

Please go out and buy this book, recommend it to your local library or community centre – and spread a message of hope amongst children who might be struggling.

The Craft House in Bingley