Tag Archives: life

Being busy is not a badge of honour

06 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by in Opinion, Work

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Life lessons

A couple of days ago I saw a tweet. It came at just the right moment, speaking to me through my haze of tired eyes and puffy feet: “The idea that we always have to be tired to be successful is wrong. We need new role models.”

It seems SO simple. But in a society where so many of us are rushing around all the time, proudly declaring how busy we are, it seems almost controversial to suggest that being busy and, ultimately, being tired is not always a good thing. There is such a thing as being too busy.

This week has been a bit of a strange one for me. After my pregnancy health scare last weekend I’ve been more aware than ever of the need to slow down a bit. And when I say “slow down” I don’t mean sitting on the sofa all day. I mean reverting back to a normal pace of being, that doesn’t involve running up and down the stairs, rushing everywhere and constantly fretting – to the point of waking in the night – that I’ve forgotten to do something.  Continue reading »

Summer’s over, but that’s OK

10 Tuesday Sep 2013

Posted by in Family, Home, Motherhood, Work

≈ 20 Comments

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September

When we moved to this little corner of Devon at the beginning of the school holidays it all felt very exciting. The sun was shining hot heat over the pretty hills and the sandals and strappy tops on the high street made it feel like a holiday.

Two weeks passed and the holiday vibe was replaced with something else.

My (teacher) husband was off work and my three year old’s pre-school was closed for the holidays. We had days out and trips away, but I still had to work, albeit from home. Life was still exciting, but I craved a bit of stability and routine. I think that craving was partly due to the fact we are only temporarily renting our house, so it felt even more like a holiday home.  Continue reading »

On not having a plan

10 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by in Family

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Newborn toesJust over three years ago, when I became pregnant with my little girl, I had a plan. It was so refined that it even had capital letters: The Plan.

I became a mum at 26. We didn’t own our own home and we weren’t married. But that was all OK, because that was part of The Plan. We moved from our town centre flat to a little cottage in a village, with the intention of saving and enjoying life as new parents. We had always discussed having two or three children, about four years apart.

The Plan involved buying a house before another child came along, getting married at some point and continuing with my career as a journalist. That evolved along the way, as we realised that childcare is blooming expensive and my meagre salary would barely cover the cost of a morning at nursery. So we made some adjustments and Ta Da! The Refined Plan was born. Continue reading »

Little things that make me happy

05 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by in Home, Motherhood

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Sometimes, the week drags on. When the sun isn’t shining and the toddler isn’t happy, the day can feel like it stretches on forever. When I’m slumping in a heap of exhaustion, so tired it feels like I’m wading through treacle, the little things are all I need to keep going.

I’m not talking about a snotty kiss from my two year old, or a loving message from my husband (although they’re nice too), I’m talking about the other things. The tiny things that I won’t remember when I’m old. The inconsequential things that make my days a bit brighter if I’m struggling.

Spring shoots, bringing the promise of summer…

Continue reading »

Celebrating the ordinary

18 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in Family, Social media, Work

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Celebrating the ordinary: managing to persuade a toddler to have an afternoon nap = win.

Celebrating the ordinary: managing to persuade a toddler to have an afternoon nap = win.

Last week I wrote a post admitting I often struggle with feeling “not good enough“. It was one of those posts that sees you hesitate before hitting publish. I worried that I’d been too vulnerable, admitted too much, been a bit needy. No one likes needy.

But I’m glad I wrote that post. The huge range of comments it provoked, both on the blog, Twitter, Facebook and Google+, all made me realise it’s not just me. It would seem every single one of us has the odd nagging doubt from time to time.

I admitted I sometimes didn’t feel like I was doing “enough” in my working life (despite often working around 70 hours a week). I held my hands up to the fact I very rarely felt like I was doing “enough” in my role as a mum and wife. I openly shouted that I’m RUBBISH at keeping on top of the housework and the washing. Continue reading »

Why change is a good thing

03 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by in Family, Home, Motherhood

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I spent a bit of time with my old wise parents over the New Year period. My Dad opened my eyes to something really important.

Change is not a bad thing. In fact, accepting that life is full of change – much that you can’t control – will make you an ultimately happy and contented person. Or, a person who can’t accept that life is full of change will never be happy. It’s like standing in front of the rising tide on a beach and trying to push it back. You’ll never win.

This is a good concept to keep in my mind this year. Continue reading »

When the hope is gone, kissing it better

09 Sunday Dec 2012

Posted by in Family

≈ 31 Comments

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It’s not my story to tell.

My story is one of waiting and hope and a strange week of limbo. It’s one of trying to stay positive and wanting to wrap up the people I love, taking the hurt away.

As I put my daughter to bed tonight, I was reminded of the endless ways children can surprise us. A bleak phone call had just confirmed the week of waiting was apparently at an end. There is no hope left. Continue reading »

Making the most of the people I love

01 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by in Family

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I had an upsetting phone call on Friday afternoon. It brought the important things in life sharply into focus, reminding me to make the most of Every. Last. Second of them.

So rather than be sad, I pushed the anxious thoughts to the back of my mind and spent four hours with my beautiful girl, appreciating life. When things go wrong, I think that’s all you can do. Appreciate life and grab every second of happiness you can. It’s a gift, not something to be taken for granted.

We joined the OAP’s at the local garden centre cafe. I ate a cheese scone with a cup of tea while my toddler tucked into a crispy chocolatey cakey thing. Continue reading »

Being a working mum. Or, “Attempts at staying afloat”.

19 Monday Mar 2012

Posted by in Uncategorized

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For the past couple of months I have been asked one question time and time again,  in various different forms.

It goes something like this, “I just don’t know how you do it”. Or, “I couldn’t do it, I don’t know how you do”. Or, “You should really take care – I mean, I just don’t know how you manage it”.

In each situation, the person is talking about my work. Continue reading »