Monday 13 June 2016

My Blogging Birthday!!!

It may have been 2 weeks ago but I thought it shouldn't be ignored rather celebrated! I have been blogging for 12 months (admittedly less so in 2016)! I remember sitting in a lovely cosy coffee shop with a pen in my hand and a blank page in my diary as I wrote my first ever blog post, inspiration had struck and the words just flowed. I'd been thinking about doing it for a while. I'd looked on the wonderful world wide web for support with my Postnatal Depression  (which had been diagnosed the previous December, when E was 5 months old) and although there seemed to be lots of advice, I couldn't find much out there for the single mum! There was lots of "ask your partner to help with the baby or housework so you can rest" But for me there was and still is no partner,  I have amazing family and friends who would both do anything they could to help me but it's not the same as having someone to share everything with!!.
So I wondered what to do and I decide it might help to write about how I was feeling, and why not share it with the world by turning it into a blog! I also hoped that I could possibly help others in the process. And so it began "Just Me And My Pretty Little Lady"
During the last year I have written, rambled and waffled my way through 16 blog posts (17 if you include this one)! I have at times laid myself bare! But do you know I was right in thinking putting my feelings down on paper (because I still have to put pen to paper, or it just doesn't flow in the same way) would help! I do have to be in the right frame of mind (and environment) to do it! Sometimes a post can go in a completely different direction than I was expecting, but it is always cathartic!!
I want to say a massive thank you to all of you who read my posts, comment on them (58 comments) and support me. It means a lot!! So here's to my second year of blogging!! And long may it continue!!! XOXO

Tuesday 8 March 2016

Introducing Sophie & Polly!!

Hi everyone *waves*, and a very Happy New Year to you all!!! That little statement in itself shows just how long it's been since I've written a post and for that I am sorry (Naughty me!)! Life has gotten in the way again, work has been busy and at times tough, and as usual I'm finding it hard to stay on top of everything (the washing pile isn't really there if I don't acknowledge it's existence!), so something had to give!! And unfortunately that has been my blog and twitter, but hopefully I'm back for the foreseeable future!!
I think one of the other reasons I've stayed away is because I feel like you're probably bored of me declaring I'm going to change things! Each time I write it I mean it but for some reason things just don't seem to have clicked yet.
I've been trying to focus on self love and taking care of myself. I've even covered a photo frame with post it notes with ideas and reminders for self love - from the obvious - Be Yourself! Stop Putting Yourself Down! To the profound - Look At Yourself In The Mirror And Say I Love You! Be Patient But Persistent! Remember You Are Awesome And So So Loved!
We can be so cruel to ourselves, focusing on the negatives instead of the positives! Telling ourselves that we are fat and ugly! Even turning someone else's compliment into a put down! We should instead be treating ourselves as we would a best friend, with love and compassion! I would never tell a friend to stop being an idiot, that they can't do something because they don't deserve it! I would be their cheerleader, always there with a nice word, to encourage and believe in them, to remind them what a fabulous job they're doing! So with that in mind I have given my 2 internal voices nicknames! Meet Polly PND and Sophie Self Love!! Sophie is a superstar! She may not be perfect but I'd give her an A* for effort! Most importantly she is my friend where as Polly is just a bully! Whispering cruel words in my ear, trying to eat away at my self belief! She tells me I'm not good enough, that I don't deserve to be happy! Polly tends to shout louder than Sophie, drowning her out. But Sophie is becoming more determined to be heard and to fight for what she believes in! So what does she believe in? Me and in my ability to change and get better, that I deserve to treat myself well, that I need to start looking after myself inside and out!!
This time I won't make any big promises or grand declarations, all I will do is vow to try and listen to Sophie more!!
I hope to be back with you again very soon but until then I send lots of love and hugs! I hope you all have a fabulous week!! XOXO