Well-being Within

26/12/2024

I am loving this idea - plus it raises funds too for Mind which is a great organisation.

Pause for Mind

14/12/2024

This is me now. 🥰

It is tricky to travel with furries, however with wheels you can change your environment even for a few hours, so I count my blessings there.

I haven't posted on here for a while as still navigating life on a daily basis. I am enjoying a relationship with myself as it has been a long time coming.

A lifetime in fact.

It is never too late to reset. 🥰🙏

10/11/2024

SELF CARE SUNDAY. ❤️🙏

Without wanting to sound too dramatic, I realised again this week that if I don't practice extreme self care going forward, I may have another big meltdown that I don't come back from. The lessons in life come back bigger each time if you don't pay attention. And every bit of my soul is begging me to listen this time. So this time I won't ignore it.

I am doing my best to stick to a self care plan, that I started to create on Friday evening. When one lives alone, as so many of us do these days, the buck stops with yourself. If I don't help myself nobody else will.

I thought you may like to come with me for my Sea Therapy. I took myself for a coffee and vegan sausage roll in Greggs where we did a 2 minutes silence for Remembrance Day. Luckily I had dark glasses to hand as I was in tears. 🥲 Then I had a brisk walk down to the front here.

The walk and fresh air definitely helped lift me.😊

I saw some calming sights, including 4 horses being ridden along the front which was really special. And I felt utterly grateful to live in such a peaceful and safe place, when there are wars and conflict around the world. I owe it to those suffering so badly to be strong and add value to this crazy planet, albeit in a tiny way.

Sending love and understanding to anyone living with health challenges today. Let's make that lemonade out of any lemons we can find my Darlings. ❤️🙏

19/10/2024

I haven't posted on here for a while as I have been so busy and distracted mentally. However, I have been doing alot of thinking lately. Which is no surprise as I am the epitome of an overthinker. I tend to analyse everything, which isn't always helpful. But so it is.

I spend so much time on fundraising for animals, however I know I need to look at what I want personally for myself, with regard to time out from that. It gets so intense and stressful. If I don't manage that I crash and burn. I need personal fulfillment, plus hobbies and interests away from that occasionally.

And then recently I had an epiphany.

I don't know what to do other than Rescue. I am not feeling drawn or inspired to anything else currently.

After a lifetime of serial relationships for over 40 years, I have been on my own now for one of the longest periods in my adult life. Which isn't that long in all honesty. There was a time in my early forties which was longer. Although knowing me I was probably dating and hoping to find someone fabulous. And then I started another relationship which got serious in a heartbeat. My early conditioning was similar to so many. Find the "one" and all will be right with your world.

But that never worked for me. As that is never how it is. You need to be at one with yourself over and above finding a mate. It has been studied, that apart from initial early stages of first getting together, people in a relationship are no happier than those living life single. I can personally concur with that.

The challenge I have is that in my relationships, my early conditioning meant I focused mainly on my partner's wellbeing. With a few exceptions, their wants, needs and desires were the focal point of our time together. I was a typical codependent. With one relationship years ago, I even dressed differently from my style to please him. I would unwittingly morph into who I thought they wanted. However the real me would eventually come out, and the relationship would break down. I was a strong woman who mainly attracted men who needed parenting after the initial courtship, where they showed so much promise. There was one exception, but he had other challenges.

I remember my Dear Mum, visiting me at my flat in my very early twenties. We were having a lovely time drinking tea and chatting. She said she had better go. When I pressed her to stay a while she insisted she needed to make my Dad's dinner on time. She rarely did anything for herself. That made me so sad, that she couldn't even give herself another 30 minutes. But this learned behaviour also added to my pattern of people pleasing in my relationships. I made pretty much everything about the man. Once they were happy I could relax.

Now away from that co-dependent environment I strangely feel a little lost. I don't know what I want for me as a woman alone. I have spent so many years, nay decades, falling in with someone else's agenda and interests, or supporting them with their challenges. Apart from rescue work, I am not sure what inspires me.

So it is time I feel, to discover what that is.

It will be interesting. 😘

07/09/2024

I have been involved in Animal Rescue since 2008.

I upped my game from around 2012 when I got involved in overseas Rescue.

That was a gamechanger. 😔

I saw things that are burnt into my heart and payche forever. 😪

I have pretty much worked full time since that year to do what I can to reduce suffering.

I am 59 now. I think I have a good 20 years left. Hopefully more. I live a vegan lifestyle and I have good genetics.

(I do like a glass of wine etc but I am not giving that up. 😂)

I have very little financially now. But my vow is whatever I have, I will continue to share with the greater good of the loves of my life.

My animals. ❤️

Some peeps around me don't understand this mission. And the romantic relationships I had in this time also never really "got it." That's OK. They have their journey. This is mine. 🙏

I do need the occasional day out, beer, wine, coffee, chocolate, charity shop buy. Ohh - and vegan cake! 😆 A girl needs her drugs of choice.

But I pledge to share any resources I have to help my Darlings.

And so it is. 🙏❤️

29/08/2024

This is me now.

Simple.

Peaceful.

No Drama.

No desperately searching for a thrill, or high that is usually followed by a low.

I don't have the budget to travel far these days, so moving close to a beautiful beach wasn't the worst idea I have had. 😉

Oh and animals. Do I ever mention they are my passion? 🤔 😆😘

29/08/2024

I am posting this for a friend of a friend. I haven't used her so I cannot give a testimonial.

I do believe that even just to talk to someone can be so helpful in moving one forward.

We all need support in one way or another. 🙏

23/08/2024

This feels so apt today. I love Tara Shannon 's work. ❤️🙏

"You did it," Bear said gently. "You made it through."
"I did, didn't I," replied Rabbit, their thoughts balancing
on the edge of "what ifs" and "could have beens."
"But you're here now," Bear said gently, pulling rabbit back into the present.
"Yes," Rabbit smiled.
The two sat together in silence for a while, breathing deeply,
taking in the beauty of the world around them.
Finally, rabbit looked ahead.
"I'm ready. Let's keep going."

©️Tara Shannon, 2024

15/08/2024

When I go out I usually come across as so confident and gregarious.

The truth is, I have become the master of covering up the ongoing anxiety which I have lived with for around 13 years or so now.

I wanted to share as I know many of my community have this challenge too.

And ask how are you doing? 🙏

I am struggling currently, and trying to distract. As my Doc once said, everyone has a cross to bear.

An unusual pic of me smiling with teeth, as I don't like my gnashers and keep them hidden usually. But what the hell - it was nice to see a happy pic.

09/08/2024

Following on from my earlier post about socialising - here we have an Introvert Pet Peeves List borrowed from Carol Beattie. 🥰

How many do you agree with?

I agree with all of them. 😘

However - I am actually really good at Networking - but do I enjoy it? 🤔 With a glass of something alcoholic it is much better. 😆

Maybe I have just become a miserable moo! 😂

09/08/2024

I am curious! 🤔

I have definitely become an introvert in the last decade or so. Probably since I got into animal rescue - so actually longer than a decade.

People don't believe me as I am very gregarious and sociable when I do go out. 😁

How often do you socialise, and what do you like to do when you go out?

I sometimes have FOMO and think, ohhh everyone is having a hooley, while I am having necessary space and quiet times. 😆 But after speaking with a few folks it seems many are choosing a similar setup to me.

Plus - I don't have the budget to go partying as furries are a moneypit as we know.

I am not complaining. I have chosen where I am at. So I am grateful for my sanctuary. 😘

I just like to know what is going on out there. 😆🤔😘