It’s amazing how much power there is in a photo. Some of them seem almost translucent in their insignificance, and you can flick through them like decks of cards. The subjects that they contain mean absolutely nothing – but then you’ll see one that for no apparent reason contains a spark, which makes your heart … More It’s slowly getting easier
Something that I (shamefully) used to say to close friends and relatives was that I fully expected to die in the very near future, and that I was resigned to never reaching a pensionable age. The odds related to my weight seemed to support my often bleak approach to life and I was in retrospect … More Falling pianos
I spoke too soon about the rain holding off yesterday. When I woke up this morning it was chucking it down – and the whole world looked damp and miserable. I know that this is a stark indicator of my potential mood for the day because on any other morning I’d look out of the … More Fifteen stone certificate
There are few better places to reflect on things than a graveyard. I started writing this post in the middle of an early morning walk, sitting in the shade of a nearby church with my flask of coffee and thinking about why I felt so down yesterday. Just in case my current setting may appear … More 99% are really really good
I’m beginning to think I’m the wrong shape. Actually – scratch that. I know I’m the wrong shape. I don’t for a minute think that I’m particularly unusual in this – but it’s not doing me any favours at all when it comes to finding outdoor clothing – which I need to buy relatively soon for … More Looking for the spark
If yesterday proved anything to me it was that just when I think I have a handle on life – and that I’m sorted and happy – a chance thought comes along, yanks the rug out from under me and leaves me feeling profoundly blue. Yesterday morning I felt like I was on top of the world and … More The thought
I’m currently revelling in two different kinds of little miracles – the first as old as time and the latter a far more recent thing. Firstly – sleep. Ohmyflippingwordhowmuchbetterdoestheworldlookwhenyou’vehadsomesleep???!!!! It’s fair to say that some (but not all) of my darker moments in the past week can be traced back to the doorstep of an … More Feeling lots better
I hate to say it but this week (and today in particular) I’m struggling a bit. This afternoon I’m looking around me and I’m feeling a muted sense of anger about almost everything. Feeding this even further is an irritation because I know it’s unreasonable and out of proportion. Nothing apart from the fact that … More Large chopper
It’s not rained for a while. Not properly anyway, meaning that dirt track walks have suddenly dried out and extra bits of the countryside have become accessible. I’ve continued my slightly ambitious walking schedule this week and maybe explored a little more than usual as a consequence. When muddy paths aren’t an issue I’m far … More Pity party
I think my mood is being affected by my cold as I’ve no other reason to wake up feeling glum. However for some reason I did. Oddly today everything seemed grey when I opened my eyes and my enthusiasm for anything and everything was at rock bottom. Although… now that I think about it – … More Spring
The 26th and 28th of January are a big days for me – but for very different reasons. Whilst one is cause for celebration the other is not, and both have been playing on my mind for weeks. I need to get my thoughts about these out of my head and onto the page, despite their anniversary still being a few … More Anniversaries
I imagine that the medical profession have a covert diagnosis for many that walk through their doors in January. IJFJ is the acronym that springs to my mind (I’ll leave it your imagination but three of the words are January, It’s and just) and the more I talk to people in my life the more … More It’s not a maze – it’s a choice
Perspective is often the only thing that separates us from feeling depressed and feeling elated. I’m sure that in 99% of cases it’s simply a choice in life to feel positive or to feel negative – and I continually TRY to choose the former. This morning the sun was shining and even though it was bitterly … More Frosty Jack
Ok – from the moment I woke up today I felt different. Lighter somehow – and not in a physical sense. The dark mood from yesterday was gone. I went to bed earlier than usual last night and slept for 13 hours, which really made up for me stressing at 3.30am yesterday. Yesterday I also … More Normal service has been resumed
I woke up unusually early this morning. I had quite a bit to do before this afternoon and I wanted to get a head start on the day. I was also quite excited. Today is a big day for me. At the moment it’s 8.55am and I’m waiting in my vehicle for the shop in … More No more ice cubes
I’m having a day of ‘rest’ today. Well at least from walking – it’s not really a day of chilling – but time to tidy my house. It’s become a bit of a mess in my recent prolonged outdoor absences. It’s no excuse I know but I have been trying not to sit indoors at all … More Counting the pile
After my weekend wobble I have been slowly regaining my impetus and moving in the right direction. I’m not interested in dwelling in the past – only about moving forward. With this in mind I decided to face a really stupid fear that’s been bugging me for months (well several years actually) and that’s going to … More Grabbing the Bullring by the horns
It’s sunny outside and I’ve just returned from a morning out. I’ve walked around the park, said hello to lots of ‘regulars’ and watched the world go by while talking with a friend. I’ve also been shopping at Aldi and filled my fridge with virtuous food of every description. The bank holiday has now passed … More Feeling vulnerable
I’ve spent some time today emptying the odds and sods from my drawers at work, so that when we finally leave the office for the last time in two weeks I don’t have a huge pile of crap to lug home with me. I’ve learned over the years (particularly after clearing out my mom’s bungalow) that keeping … More Gifted by the Pope or signed by Elvis
Its 7pm. I’ve just awoken in a panic. I thought It was Saturday and that I was late for my weigh in. I have another 15 hours thankfully – but it’s more the sleeping in the afternoon and the panicking that’s on my mind at the moment. I used to need a snooze after work a … More Tilted
Breakfast today was a 600g punnet of cherry tomatoes, a pint of water and my pills. The tomatoes were nice. I was looking forward to them actually. I forgetfully left them on the work surface in the kitchen overnight instead of putting them in the fridge and when I came to eat them the morning … More 100
I can’t see any swanlings in the park so far. They seem to be absent and there are just a few ducks in their place. I like ducks though. They almost always move around in couples and I think that’s a lovely trait. I’m walking before my weigh in to start my day on a … More Hugs to the peoples
I try if at all possible to limit posts where I’m particularly down. It’s not that I want to edit my thoughts and hide who I am but more to do with not wanting to appear to be a moaner. I don’t like the idea that people may decide that’s who I am. Fifteen years ago … More Excellent mentor
As tends to be the way when I have worries in the back of my mind I woke up today obsessing about something entirely different. Not unusually for me I had been dreaming of colourful video games and they were still clear in my head when I opened my eyes at 7.30am. I think I’m … More Flushing it all away
This morning when I awoke the thinnest sliver of perspective stood between Thursday starting as a good day or a bad day. On the face of things it was a recipie for a bad mood. I’d had a warning on my car to get my brake discs checked for several days. It only flicked on … More Mood share
I wasn’t planning to post today as nothing much happened. Sunday has been chilled and mostly for cooking, washing up and the occasional video game. It’s been a day of relaxation. This would likely have been the only paragraph in my blog if I hadn’t been pointed toward something on television by a friend from work. ‘Are … More Watch it
The people who know me will probably be best placed to decide whether I suffer from stress or not. Previously I would have been 99.9% sure that I did not (outside of parental bereavement and funerals etc), but I’m beginning to question that now. I’m becoming VERY aware lately that my stress management (usually alcohol) in … More Moment of Zen
How would you describe your mind? For what amounts to little more than a collection of protein and electrical impulses we all give them very emotive descriptions depending on how we’re feeling. If he’s tired or ill my father often refers to his mind as being full of ‘mental chewing gum’. Similarly he imagines it packed … More Marbles and budgets
Well that’s the first week done. It’s not been easy and there has been a lot to think about and process. Again I’ve been amazed at how so many people can be so different but also so much alike in their feelings and resulting actions. Normally at this time I would be reflecting on the … More Labels and catalysts
Today nothing bad has happened. I need to be clear about that. I’ve had so far a relatively productive Wednesday, and have completed day three of my time on the program. I’ve been trying some mindfulness this afternoon, in an attempt to clear my head and just focus on whats important in life, but its … More They live among us
