Wales crashed out of the World Cup last night. I’m really sorry for that, and even sorrier that it had to be England that crashed them out. Thanks to a Great Grandmother, I am one eighth Welsh, and immensely proud of a small little nation that has such a sense of self-worth and history that it can stand against the bigger nations of the world … Continue reading Christmas Hygge Through Christmas Hiraeth
Have I ever told you that I am one eighth Welsh? My maternal great-grandmother was Welsh, from near Buckley or Hawarden. Her name was Gertrude Thomas, and she seems to have been a bit of a dour woman, from my Mum’s accounts. I can’t exactly blame her: her husband was injured in World War I, her son was killed in World War II and by … Continue reading In Wales, it’s Eight Different Weathers in a Day: Part One
This year so far has been an absolute racing drive. Can you believe it’s nearly May? Or that this is my first post in April? That we’ve had Easter? That my daughter is nearly finished in her second year at University, that Second Son is nearly finished completely and that I am still alive??? Actually, today, that last one is a real surprise to me. … Continue reading Catching my Breath
How are your anxiety levels? Mine are quite high, with issue layered upon issue and no control over any of them. What power do I really have over Covid, Ukraine, familial choices, local or national politics and more besides? And I’m a news hound. I read a daily newspaper online (or sometimes two), we have a news channel on as the default background noise at … Continue reading Creating Sanctuary: Take a News Fast now and then.
I’m so pleased that February has been a lot brighter and less wintry than it could have been here in the UK. SAD, winter sadness, has been a real part of my life for the last 10 years and every winter I have to build in the actions that I know will help me to keep just off the bottom of the bottomless pit. Hygge … Continue reading An A to Z of Happiness Health Hacks.
From early childhood, reading has been my easiest and quickest way to find my hygge. There are very few pleasures as great as carving out an hour (or two… or three, very often) to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book. My reading during January was almost like a catch up session. I still have some of my Christmas presents waiting … Continue reading Creating Sanctuary: Lining Up My February Reads
2021 was a bit of a mixed year for me, physically, mentally and emotionally. I don’t mind admitting it took a toll, one I’ll be paying for a long time. No matter. 2021 is over now, I’ve worked through some of the many issues that beset me and I’m coming to terms with the ones I can’t do anything about. Change what I can, accept … Continue reading 2022: My Year of Sanctuary
December’s posts this year all share the theme of Mindful Christmas. There’ll be short posts each day encouraging us to pause and look at our celebrations in a more measured, mindful way. Every day has a concept heavily tied in to Christmas, and the plan is to look at them individually, examine what role they play in our own Christmas and, if we decide we … Continue reading Presence or Retreat: Mindful Christmas Day 21
How to Hygge the British Way 