Mental Health Awareness week runs from 10th -16th May 2021.
Mental health is so important, ao much so that I probably can’t really articulate in this blog post, the extent to which it is.
We’ve all been affected by mental health in some way, whether its ourselves, someone we know, or someone we don’t, like a celebrity we might admire.
It’s a part of all of our lives and yet there is still so much stigma surrounding it, its still not discussed enough in the same way we would a physical illness. Its affects can be just as devastating as something physical… if not even more so, especially to come to terms with.
You are not alone.
Your feelings are valid.
And it is ok not to be ok.
A smile can hide a multitude of feelings, but sometimes even doing that can be too much, and thats ok too. Talk, to anyone, someone.
Talking about mental health doesn’t have to been seen as negative, its just being honest.
& the world needs more of that. Just think, it could help you and do many others.
Talk. Take control. Keep going. Take it one day at a time. Do something you enjoy. If its bad now, it hasn’t always been. Focus on that. It will pass.
& this, for anyone who needs it, from the brilliant author Matt Haig.
Stay.
Don’t suffer alone. It won’t always be an easy conversation but it will be so worth it.
I hope that people would know, but incase you don’t ~ I’m always here if you need a chat, day or night.
Christmas, Spring/Summer are my favourite times of year to read and as I was enjoying my book this afternoon it got me thinking about this time last year…
April 2020 was a both a confusing and enlightening time for me (It sounds strange I know, stick with me)
Lockdown was fully in swing at this point, Pandemic – WHATTTT, very confusing! But, amongst the madness of Lockdown, for the first time in probably 11 years I had time… time to do the things I enjoyed, unapologetically, emphatically and with a new found appreciation for them.
And with this feeling and freedom in place I got such a heightened enjoyment from the novels I was reading. It of course helped that they were bloody brilliant books… so, lets take a walk down memory lane…
🌸
April. This seems to be a good month for me in terms of discovering new books, especially ones that turn into firm favourites, that I always recommend when someones asks me; ‘Do you know of any good books?’
🌸
In the midst of the OG Lockdown…
I read ‘The Silent Patient’ in a day I was so enraptured by it, gripped to the last page…
We also had another Heidi Swain release, which always makes a month amazing (& this sunny seaside stay is one of my faves of hers) ‘The Seaside Escape’
…and I found another firm fave and cosy number in ‘The Flat share’ which has lead me to many brilliant books by Beth O’Leary as a result.
Fast forward to today…. & I’m thoroughly enjoying ‘The Lido’ by Libby Page. Its a cosy, feel good book that restores your faith in community, friendships (unconventional & not) and yourself along the way.
I’m so invested in this story, its endearing characters and community that I know I’ll be sad when it ends and we aren’t spending our time together anymore (if you know, you know!)
I want to see how it all plays out but I don’t want to say goodbye.
You know you’ve got a good’un when thats the case.
I’m super looking forward to the end of the month as I have a few Preorders coming my way and I’m SO EXCITED!!
They are: ~A Taste of Home by Heidi Swain ~The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary ~Until Next Weekend by Rachel Marks
(& a new Sarah Morgan book at the end of May 🙌🏻🙌🏻)
All we need is for this sunshine to stay, Covid to be kept at bay and a nice cold drink to sip as we enjoy these brilliant books!
I used to share snap shots of my life on her, things we had done to celebrate different occasions, fun days out, holidays, however, obviously this last year has been quite an unpresidented one.
I feel like I haven’t really shared much of what I have been doing because really we’ve all been doing the same haven’t we! Staying home, Locked down, on and off since Summer, working and just trying to stay safe.
But I thought to myself, why not share the celebrations we are still having, as wierd as they may seem in comparison to how it used to be, because it’s all we’ve got at the moment and we should still be grateful for what we can do during such a mad time.
Today is Mothers day and I have shared on here, for several years, our tradition of our Mothers Day, homemade afternoon tea.
This year was a very 2020/21 affair, via Skype, but it still involved Afternoon Tea so no complaints here.
We ordered the individual Afternoon Teas from a small local business (All Covid safe) and enjoyed them at our own homes via Skype.
They were delicious and it was nice to be able to continue the tradition, even if it was a little different to usual.
Most of our ‘Usuals’ seem a distant memory right now don’t they 😣 but, it’s also so important to embrace what we can do, communicate and spend time together however we can, whilst staying safe, because we can still stay in touch and stay connected, and we will all be back together properly one day.
It gets to everybody at some point, this wierd time we are a part of, but I’m so very conscious that there are people in such a worse situation than me, who have experienced some of the worst times during this pandemic.
If the worst part of this whole situation, for me is that I can only speak to people through a computer then I’ll be forever grateful. I know some people have it much worse.
It’s still ok to find it hard though and I hope you’ve had a little bit of light and joy come your way today!
I love documenting what we get up to in the Summer holidays.
Though thanks to Covid we didnt actually have a Summer ‘holiday’, I also didn’t have to work this Summer, so I had all six weeks to enjoy, have fun and relax ready for Sept!
So, without further ado, let’s have a look at what we got up to…
The first Harry Potter book would have to be my ultimate fave at Christmas too. Their Christmas in that book just sounds so darn magical, it’s one of my favourite parts, I just wanna jump right in and join them.
One of my favourite authors Heidi Swain has set a few of her books at Christmas time, they always make me feel so cosy and Christmassy.
What are your 5 Favourite Movies?
1.The Harry Potter films
2.Back to the future
3.LOTR
4. About Time
5. Goodnight Mr Tom
Christmas movies???
Deck the halls
The Snowman
The Grinch
4. Elf
Where’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been to?
Venice 😍
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Getting my degree! I worked bloody hard for that and I really enjoyed it. I loved learning more about a topic I find some interesting and it has really helped my career.
In 2019?
Completing a half marathon in my hometown. It was bloody hard!!
If you could ask your pet 3 questions, what would they be?
1.Do you like me? 2.What do your different squeaks mean? 3.Are you ok?
If your wondering, the pet we have is a guinea pig.
When you’re having a bad day, what do you do to make yourself feel better?
Have a hug with my husband & read a book.
Although at Christmas I’d probably wrap some presents, admire my tree or sit in cosy pjs, in my lounge surrounded by Christmas lights.
Using one word, how would you describe your family?
Cray-Cray
Who is the kindest person you know?
My husband ♡
Favourite Christmas tradition…
This is so hard!! I love a tradition.
Probably Christmas Stockings and going to look at Christmas lights on Christmas eve!
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Without a shadow of a doubt I would travel back to Florida & visit Universal Studios again ❤⚡🌍 & Disney 🌟🏰 SO MAGICAL.
I would 100% love to visit Disneyland Paris at Christmas, I bet its absolutely breathtaking and the ultimate magical Christmas experience. One day.
If you could shop for free at one store, which would you choose?
Primark!!
They have so many Christmas jumpers, T-Shirts, little bits and Bob’s and decorations atm! I would be in my element.
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Miranda Hart 🤣 & it would need to be set at Christmas.
Favourite Christmas TV?
I usually watch the TV Christmas films, whichever ones are on, and I like to watch the Christmas episodes of Doctor who, Eastenders etc.
But, Christmas specials or episodes of my favourite shows are the best. I love binging on them all at Christmas time… Gavin & Stacey (WHO ELSE IS FRIGGIN’ EXCITED FOR THE NEW CHRISTMAS SPECIAL AHHHHHH) Miranda, Glee.
What’s the one food you could never bring yourself to eat?
Oysters, cockles, mussels, that sort of seafood 🤢 & black pudding 🤢
At Christmas?
Giblets, yuk! And Christmas pud, also yuk!
Favourite Christmas food?
Apart from the Christmas dinner itself of course?!? Probably, all the yummy sweet stuff like chocolate oranges, shortbread, panattone…Mums trifle & Christmas bakes.
Roseanne Byford 