Star chart

I'm now well over halfway in my fortnight alone whilst the children are away. I came up with the brilliant plan of a star chart covering a dozen areas of self care for each day. I have no expectations of achieving everything each day, it's more to encourage me to remember what else I could do when I'm struggling. It's working for me, alongside the support of several wonderful friends.

And stretch

I don't remember how long it is exactly since I stopped going to a yoga class. Maybe 10 years? One of my kids started something like beavers or rainbows on the same night and I couldn't be in 2 places at once. A decade later and one of the friends I used to go with, now lives a long way away and mentioned she has just resumed yoga by following a you tube session in her own home. Genius. So tonight I located my mat and discovered just how inflexible I've become over the years. But that can be reversed :-)
I'm about to have a fortnight on my own and it was stretching somewhat but I'm now filled with anticipation. Right now, whilst I'm still high on the endorphins, my plan is to really make the most of my own zone. Maybe I'll begin each day with some yoga. I'll certainly end each day with the beautifully relaxing session I just found, and hopefully make some progress. I've unearthed my essential oils barely used since Life Before Parenting. I've already made a start on trying to tidy tho that will take a lot longer than 14 days!! I'm intending to drink lots of water, and maybe even manage to nibble on fruit rather than chocolate. I guess we'll see. Yay for grabbing opportunities :-)

Gratitude walk

The place I'd most like to go on holiday to in the whole world is Dufton.  Admittedly there are other places I'd like to see in my lifetime too,  but Dufton is my spiritual home.  So how lucky am I to have had a whole week here?  This afternoon I took myself on a new and amazing walk.  The dog has had enough and refused to come with me,  but that made taking photos easier.



 Whilst I loved the quiet and enjoyed my own company after a busy family filled week,  I also like to share - it's why I don't like TV or cinema on my own,  I like others to see it too.  So I'm sharing it here. I'll rearrange the pics once I'm home tho.



The book I'm reading is set post nuclear Holocaust.  People live underground and believe that blue sky and green fields are only the stuff of fairytale.

There's so much I take for granted. Using rock stepping stones to cross bogs and undoing gates tied shut by any means imaginable,  I was aware how today's hike would have been impossible for those amongst my family and friends who are not so mobile. I was mesmerised by the wheat blowing in the wheatfields,  the clouds in the sky,  the birds swooping,  the wonderful textures and colours. I feel very grateful.