#atinylife TermTime

 

Don’t get me wrong, I love the holidays. I do. Not having to drag everyone up and into clothes, persuade them that, yes, they do need to eat something before the school run. Days when the To Do list includes ‘go for a walk’ and very little else. And then, it’s tipping down rain so, oh dear, what a shame, we can’t do that either.

 

 

 

However, for me – and the cat – the peace and quiet today, on the first day of term, was awesome, in the truest sense of the word.  It was a bit of a kerfuffle this morning, and no one wanted clothes or breakfast, but from now until 3:15pm all I can hear is the sound of the extractor fan, the odd car passing in the lane, and the tip-tapping of my fingers on the keyboard again.

#atinylife exercise

I realised today that I got back on my bicycle six months ago.

I used to cycle twelve miles a day – commuting by bike. I’d never been so fit, before or since…

Last summer I finally did it: started dragging myself, my bike, and the kids out.

I was going to hold myself accountable (by putting it on Social Media) for exercising every day over the Christmas holidays. Thank goodness I didn’t –

There were two days when it was raining beyond the protection of any outdoor wear.

There was a day when my Mum was staying and feeling unwell.

There was a day when I was feeling unwell.

And of course there was Christmas Day!

But I did go for a walk, or a cycle, on the other days. I moved. I’ve started some yoga. I’m doing my tiny best.

#atinylife SeeMe

Years and years ago, an advert came on the TV that spoke to what I had been trying to do in a small way ever since I came back out of hospital after psychotic episode two. Piecing myself back together, explaining why it was taking so long, meant I had to talk about my mental health.

 

 

I’d never wanted to hide what happened – I’m an oversharer, in case you didn’t already know – but I didn’t realise this was a bold choice at the time.

Two weeks ago, I was invited to meet with See Me to talk about writing for them. The organisation has loads of active volunteers who are doing all sorts of cool stuff all over Scotland – but what’s missing is people to write up, share and champion this work.

 

I’m excited. It’s a perfect fit for me.

#atinylife gratitude

Gratitude: easy to remember

in the

first-world, privileged snowflake bubble

I float about in. If I

started counting my blessings

we’d be here all day.

 

Gratitude: easy to forget

on a day when

my brain fires negativity

at me, I’m tired,

the kids won’t co-operate,

there are no clean school shirts in the house.*

 

Gratitude: found in the

huge things.

Love and family,

home and identity,

food and fire

space to be, create, live.

 

Gratitude: found in the tiny of the tinylife.

I changed my screen wash

(blessing no. 458972, I have a car!)

put in less water,

more wash,

this time.

The result? A transformation!

A clean windscreen – not smeary, dusty,

or the dirty of

‘I hadn’t noticed it was always dirty until

it was clean…’

Like when you clean your glasses – and a whole new world appears.

 

 

*true story.