Living, parenting & travelling with neurodiversity & chronic illness
Almost a year has passed since the death of my estranged parent, my absent father. Grief is a funny thing. It comes in waves when you least expect it. The most unexpected feelings emerge at the news of a loved-ones death. The news of the death of an estranged parent is something I found very …
I’m on the train on my way home from a birthday meal. I’m now a 41-year-old woman and a size 20/22. Please make yourself comfortable while I tell you the story of a 16-year-old girl who was a size 16 and convinced she was grotesque. I remember vividly wanting to look different. To be thinner. …
This is a collaborative post Regular readers will know that I was diagnosed with ADHD in December Yes, at the ripe old age of 44 I found out that all these years of depression, anxiety, self loathing and more could well be the result of one thing – ADHD. Getting the diagnosis was not easy, …
This is a collaborative post Looking after your mental health is very important but particularly so during the winter months The winter brings with it shorter days and so longer dark hours which can play havoc with your mental health. Many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder also known as SAD. A very effective way …
Post originally written in July 2016, updated September 2020 following the Guardian article Misogyny should become a hate crime in England and Wales There was an article in the local rag (Yes, Kent Online, I’m looking at you) about a woman who had complained to a train company about workmen who had wolf-whistled at her …
This post was originally written in May 2017 I’m back from another long day in A&E because of this bastard disease, Crohn’s. I’ve previously written here about my diagnosis and first operations (have a gander, it’s thrilling – intensive care and everything). Cutting a very long story short since August 2013 I’ve had 6 operations 5 …
How can we find happiness while self isolating during lockdown? Is it even possible? I love a good moan. I do. A good moan is very cathartic, it gets things off your chest (and mind) but sometimes a moan turns into a mindset and you’re stuck. Miserable. That isn’t to say we aren’t entitled to …
Originally posted in February 2018 Depression, the black dog, that gloomy cloud that envelops your being from morning to night. That feeling of dread. Doom. Waking in the night. Crying for seemingly no reason. Self harm. Spending money you don’t have. Not going out. Going out too much. Alcohol. Drugs. Poor body image. Feeling unloved, …
It’s world mental health day and I’m feeling very emotional. I organised a coffee morning, including a raffle, in aid of West Kent Mind. I’ve never done anything like this before. It’s been a bit overwhelming but, my god, it’s been worthwhile. I don’t know how much we raised, but that’s not really the point. …
I am not an inspiration – there, I said it I’ve just come home from a wonderful weekend away with my blogging buddies. I was on a total high. Everything was going so well. Then I got a message. One measly message has put me from cloud 9 to rock bottom in T -9 seconds. …