Launch Day for Mission 50 was on Tuesday 1st February 2022. The day where I started my crazy Mission to aim to raise £50,000 in my 50th year for the blood cancer charity DKMS_UK
My day started as it normally does with a 5km walk (or stomp as I like to call it!) in the Devon country lanes where I live. It’s the best way to start the day; pulse raising, stunning views and fabulous company! Walking in the moonlight and watching the sun coming up, for me, is simply perfect!
Home, and after updating Strava (obviously!) I started my usual morning routine of cooking breakfast for the family and sending everyone on their merry way to start their days at work and school.
Although this day was not any ordinary day…
This was the day I officially started my crazy Mission to raise a whole heap of money for DKMS.
Oh my goodness!!
There have been a few sleepless nights that’s for sure – what am I doing???
Interview with Georgina, Fundraising Manager at DKMS
I was interviewed by Georgina, one of the fabulous fundraising managers at the charity, where we shared on an Instagram Live all about the Mission that Georgina and I had been talking about for months and months.
In fact we first started talking about doing a big fundraising event before the pandemic and now the day was here! Find out about my nursing background, why raising finances and awareness for blood cancer is so important to me, my biggest worry, what my children think about the Mission and much more my clicking the link below.
So you see, a BIG Mission, a LOT of money to raise and a whole lot of nerves..
Every penny donated, every conversation started to support my Mission is very much welcomed. Please do follow my on Instagram to keep updated with what’s happening with the mission and more! If you are part of a corporate company and would like to get involved, please do get in touch.
The more people we can have a conversation with about blood cancer, becoming a potential lifesaver and how YOU can get involved, please do get in touch or follow any of the links above.
Finally, share and share alike; if you think your friends, family and colleagues would like to get involved, I’d love to hear from them too.
Welcome to the first of 12 months of Missions for DKMS! Februarys’ Mission 50 starts with a bang with a month long Random Acts of Kindness Raffle, with the draw happening on 1st March. I have a small matter of a 5km race to do too.. As you may have seen from my Instagram posts and Strava, this is no mean feat for me, but that’s the point I guess!
There have been over £1650 of incredible prizes donated to the Random Acts of Kindness Raffle, I’m so very thankful to everyone who’s supported.
As a proud Ambassador for DKMS_UK and former Oncology nurse, I feel very privileged to be celebrating my 50th birthday in February 2022 – that got me thinking! What if I could do something to raise awareness for DKMS around the number 50??
What if I made it my Mission in the year 2022 to raise as much awareness and as many funds as possible? I started playing around with ideas and Mission 50 was born!
My aim is to complete some challenges and events linking the number 5 during my 50th year and whilst doing so, raise as close to £50K as I can..
Let’s be honest – 50K is A LOT OF MONEY…
Over 12 months that’s raising an average of £4,166.66 a month.
Which equates to raising a £961.53 a week ….. with my Mission to do this by Feb 1st 2023… We can do that – can we???
Now I know this is a little crazy, but my motto has always been to #dreamitliveit!!
Even if I raise £500 and increase the numbers of conversations there are about Blood cancer and Stem Cell Transplant – then that’s a Mission accomplished..
I’ve always said if we set the thermostat in our homes, to 18 degrees, then the temperature reaches 18 degrees.. So I’m aiming high and reach for the stars or in this case £50K!!
Let’s see what we collectively can do!
Please donate what you can. Each ticket is £5.
If you donate £10, that’s 2 tickets, £20 = 4 tickets etc, etc
I am a huge fan of paying it forward and random acts of kindness and now, more than ever, I think we all need a little something to brighten our day and week.
I am beyond excited to share with you that behind the scenes I have been working on my very own Random Act of Kindness Mission in order to raise much needed awareness and funds for @DKMS_UK
I’ve called upon some of my favourite brands and friends to help me with my Mission, which in turn gives YOU a little something back too! Not only that – it might help solve a Birthday present or Mothers Day dilemma you have or maybe you’d just love a treat for you, all whilst supporting this wonderful charity..
Either way, thank you for joining me and supporting.
When considering how much you donate and therefore how many times you enter this fabulous raffle, please consider this:
❣️Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukaemia, lymphoma or melanoma.
❣️Someone somewhere in the world is diagnosed with blood cancer every 27 seconds.
❣️30% of people diagnosed find a donor match within their family, that’s why kits to find donors are so important.
I am incredibly grateful for the incredible friends and brands who have so very kindly supported me with my Random Acts of Kindness Raffle, without whom, it really wouldn’t have been possible.
The prizes include:
A Magical Experience from Blank Canvas Hire
The Winner of this incredible prize is given the option to choose ONE of the following amazing experiences:
3 day hot tub hire
Bell tent sleepover for 4 guests
Bell tent picnic experience for up to 4 guests
A 3 night stay in one of their bell tents at Hook Farm Campsite, Lyme Regis.
The hire of any of the above must take place within 30 miles of our base at EX2 9UA or at Hook Farm Campsite if this option is chosen. The hire location may be extended to cover any of Devon, Cornwall or Somerset however travel will be chargeable.
The hire can take place at any time before May 2023, all bookings are subject to availability.
The wonderful team at the Chalk Pink Linen Company, who were voted Best Linen Bedding 2020 by The Independent, have kindly gifted a duvet set in any size and colour. Aren’t they stunning?
Natural Linen is one of the oldest textiles in the world, although soft and relaxed it is 30% stronger than cotton and is incredibly durable, enhancing its resilience to wear and abrasion, making it the quintessential choice for homewares. Along with being exceptionally eco-friendly during its production, linen really is quite a unique fabric.
Linen Bedding can enhance any style of interior, it boasts an open weave structure allowing the flow of air to cool you in the summer yet keeping you warm in the cooler months.
All Linen Duvet Sets are packaged in a bespoke linen bag and include pillowcases, Single Duvet Sets contain 1 pillowcase, Double, King and Super King Duvet Sets include 2 pillowcases.
Make a minimum donation of £5 you can enter as many times as you wish, please leave your social media handle and quote “RandOM acts OF KINDNESS raffle”
India & Albert is an artisan hand crafted jewellery brand led by English/Italian jewellery designer, Penny Albertella. Inspired by nature, heritage and beautiful Italian styling, based in Devon.
Penny says, “In these days of fast fashion, India & Albert is all about ‘slow, sustainable fashion’. I love the idea that my pieces may be dug up in a hundred years or they may still be being worn by generations that came after those who bought or were given them. I love to think of the stories they will have gathered from generation to generation. The stories of what they have meant to those who have worn them.”
Citrine Ring – ‘FIAMETTA Value £135.oo
Fiametta is a stunning ring with a 8mm citrine gemstone texture set in a recycled sterling silver collet on a textured, halo ring shank.
The ring shank is (band) is made from 2.5 mm round silver. The shank and setting are textured to give a rustic, and very contemporary, raw finish.
She will come to you beautifully packaged in a black gift box with gold wax seal. Fiametta is a size N but Penny will make another to your preferred size.
Click on the video left to get a gorgeous view of the Fi Amelia. Find India and Albert on Instagram and their website.
About Citrine Gemstones.
They are known as the “Light Maker,” this crystal varies in colour from a bright yellow to orange; colours which reflect its equally vibrant energy.
Like Vitamin C for the soul, the Citrine crystal properties emanate positivity and joy. By connecting with Citrine, you can harness the energy of light and the energy of the sun embodied within this stone, which acts as a source of positive energy in all aspects of your life.
From your attitude and outlook to your projects and pursuits, the Citrine crystal healing properties are perfectly suited to raise your vibration and help you embrace positivity and optimism as you move through life.
Citrine is a good stone for aligning all the chakras. It focuses on balancing the solar plexus chakra, which in turn integrates the lower and higher chakras.
Make a minimum donation of £5 you can enter as many times as you wish, please leave your social media handle and quote “RandOM acts OF KINDNESS raffle”
Huge thank you to my favourite Basket Company who have kindly donated a £100 voucher to spend with them. You’ll be spoilt for choice with this fabulous prize. It will solve your storage solutions and will either start or fuel your basket obsession! Find The Basket Company on Instagram and their website.
Make a minimum donation of £5 you can enter as many times as you wish, please leave your social media handle and quote “RandOM acts OF KINDNESS raffle”
Huge thank you to Bella Jane Jewellery who have very kindly donated a fabulous £50 voucher to spend with them. You’ll be spoilt for choice with this fabulous prize. I love my stacks and know you will too! Find Bella Jane Jewellery on Instagram and their website.
Make a minimum donation of £5 you can enter as many times as you wish, please leave your social media handle and quote “RandOM acts OF KINDNESS raffle”
Bam Clothing has been very generous and have gifted the Raffle a £50 voucher and a £100 bundle of their gorgeous socks!
Their bamboo clothing isn’t just about softness. Bamboo is a performance fabric absorbing moisture and helping regulate your temperature. From running, yoga, walking and everyday cosy wear, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice!
Bamboo socks are a real treat for your feet! Once you’ve tried their super soft and incredibly comfy socks, with reinforced toe and heel, you won’t want to wear any other type of sock. (If you’ve seen my walks and workouts, you’ll know I can vouch for that!)
Add to this the fact that BAM socks wicks moisture away from your feet and don’t get smelly, and they keep your feet warm in winter and yet cool in summer, you’re bound to become a BAM addict.
Make a minimum donation of £5 you can enter as many times as you wish, please leave your social media handle and quote “RandOM acts OF KINDNESS raffle”
Catherine makes and sell the moist stunning, unique, statement pieces designed to fit any outfit. She has very kindly donated theses stunning good hoop earrings worth £25. They are from the brand new collection; Amour Toujours. They come with beautifully handcrafted leather heart charms and red enamelled ones which you can wear together or on their own depending on your look and mood. Find Catherine on Instagram and her website.
Make a minimum donation of £5 you can enter as many times as you wish, please leave your social media handle and quote “RandOM acts OF KINDNESS raffle”
Rory and Ruby have very kindly donated a Luxury Pamper Hamper brimming with relaxing organic goodies. (Value £195. Free UK delivery) It’s an extra special treat with 9 gorgeous gifts including a traditional wicker hamper or basket. Natural, sustainable, ethically made and beautifully wrapped without plastic.
Cosy Reversible Organic Cotton Throw
Organic Cotton Hammam Towel
Organic Body & Bath Oil
Organic Himalayan Bath Salts
Natural Soy Candle infused organic essential oils
Natural Organic Atmosphere Mist
Organic Glycerine & Lavender Soap Block
Organic Terry Towel Body Cloth
Handmade in Scotland, Wildheart Organics luxury products only contain essential oils to maximise the therapeutic relaxing benefits and have no artificial fragrances. The brown glass containers are inspired by traditional apothecary bottles. Available in Escape signature aroma blend of geranium, orange & rosemary essential oils. Find Rory and Ruby on Instagram and their website.
Make a minimum donation of £5 you can enter as many times as you wish, please leave your social media handle and quote “RandOM acts OF KINDNESS raffle”
All On The Wall personalised graphic wall art will make a unique and fascinating statement in your home. Printed onto matt laminated aluminium, the eye-catching designs are one of a kind and an incredible talking point!
From the place of where you first met to the date of your wedding, all your special moments in words, captured in one stunning piece of art.
“For Claire’s amazing Mission 50 for DKMS, we are gifting a 60 x 60cm (or 60 x 90cm depending on the shape of your wall!)
Make a minimum donation of £5 you can enter as many times as you wish, please leave your social media handle and quote “RandOM acts OF KINDNESS raffle”
The fabulous team at Neptune Weybridge have very kindly
The Social Syndicate
Esther from The Social Syndicate has kindly gifted a 60 minute coaching session (via zoom) to help you create a social media strategy and build your brand the right way on Instagram! Worth £150.
Make a minimum donation of £5 you can enter as many times as you wish, please leave your social media handle and quote “RandOM acts OF KINDNESS raffle”
The lovely team at the Hypnotherapy and Relaxation Clinic have very kindly donated a wonderful 60 minute 1:1 relaxation hypnotherapy session to be tailored to your needs that will leave you feeling incredible, calm and stress free! Worth £90, can be carried out on zoom or face to face if in or near Newcastle upon Tyne.
“We use a variety of client centred bespoke techniques in our clinic, as we believe one size does not fit all! Everyone’s mind map is different, therefore our techniques are focussed around our clients specific needs and will enable them to achieve their best results. After all… all hypnosis is self hypnosis.
Our treatment programmes are tailored to each client and most commonly start with an in depth initial consultation. This is where we assess your personal requirements and create a unique treatment plan for you, as well as giving you the experience of relaxation and confidence boosting hypnosis.
After this, we develop a programme with you, that is specific to you and your needs. We have a range of sessions and techniques available, where we guide you to achieving your goals and reframe any unwanted behaviours you may have.”
Find The Hypnotherapy and Relaxation Clinic on Instagram and on their website.
Make a minimum donation of £5 you can enter as many times as you wish, please leave your social media handle and quote “RandOM acts OF KINDNESS raffle”
Antonia and her fabulous team at Tailor Made Living Store has very kindly donated the Elizabeth Scarlett Zebra Day Bag. (Value £47)
The fun and luxurious zebra day bag design was inspired by Elizabeth’s trip to Kenya for her honeymoon. Elizabeth who has been illustrating since she was little, drew the design based on the dazzles of zebras she encountered on her trip
Featuring embroidered zebra’s on a rich indigo velvet base, this day bag is the perfect companion for an escapist, ideally sized to hold all of your essentials for a day out in town.
Dimensions: 38x22cm
Material: 100% cotton velvet with cotton lining
Machine washable at 30 degrees
Embroidered with hand-illustrated Zebra Indigo
Gold zip closure
You can find Tailor Made Living Store on Instagram and their website.
Make a minimum donation of £5 you can enter as many times as you wish, please leave your social media handle and quote “RandOM acts OF KINDNESS raffle”
Make a minimum donation of £5 you can enter as many times as you wish, please leave your social media handle and quote “RandOM acts OF KINDNESS raffle”
Donated by Naomi @LifeofaCountryLady who says “This is a beautiful easy to use cookbook from Jamie Oliver. I moved to the countryside this time 2 years ago and got into growing my own veggies and this book goes through the seasons with lovely hints and tips and foodie inspiration from over a 100 recipes.
Jamie’s words ‘being at home, feeling relaxed and open…working with Mother Nature in my garden and seeing all the beautiful veggies coming out of the ground’ really resonates. Friends have joked we live like the characters in The Good Life 70s TV show!
You’ve always been such a big supporter of mine Claire and my country life journey. I’m thrilled to be able to support your random acts of kindness raffle and for such a wonderful cause and your mission 50 goal. I hope someone lucky wins this prize and enjoys it and has fun with it!”
Make a minimum donation of £5 you can enter as many times as you wish, please leave your social media handle and quote “RandOM acts OF KINDNESS raffle”
I am incredibly grateful for the incredible friends and brands who have so very kindly supported me with my Random Acts of Kindness Raffle, without whom, it really wouldn’t have been possible.
Make a minimum donation of £5 you can enter as many times as you wish, please leave your social media handle and quote “RandOM acts OF KINDNESS raffle“
The Burns Night celebration was big in my house growing up.
This blog contains some traditions and yummy recipes so you can join in with the Scottish Traditions.
Burns Night is annually celebrated in Scotland on or around January 25th.
It’s a big question; what is the biggest night in Scotland, New Years Eve or Burns Night?
What would you say? I guess it depends on your background.
My father was a Scot. He would tell us stories about the famous poet Robbie Burns as my mother prepared Cullen Stink (a smoked fish soup, traditionally a starter) and Haggis, Neeps and Tatties and many more delights for their guests as they would come and celebrate with a special Burn’s Night supper.
As a Scot, my dear dad was very passionate about his heritage and Robbie Burns. I bought him The Complete Works of Burns for his Birthday days before I left home to start my nursing studies in London.
I remember Dad practicing the important role of “addressing the haggis” as sister and I used to giggle but I’d do anything to hear him getting prepared for this famous Scottish tradition again.
Burns Night commemorates the life of the bard (poet) Robert Burns,
who was born on January 25, 1759.
Stunning table floral displays featuring the Scottish flower. Credit Pinterest.
So what is a Burn’s Night Celebration?
Burns Night has been celebrated in Scotland for over 200 years. Originally started by friends of Robert Burns as a supper with recitals of his much-loved work to commemorate the 5th anniversary of this death.
Today, the celebration is held on or around his birthday on 25th January but the sentiment is the still the same; an evening of Caledonian food and drink, friendship, good natured banter and a chance to celebrate the nation’s favourite Bard.
So long as the emphasis of the evening is excellent company, food and a dram or three of a good single malt then the great man himself would surely approve, as did my dear Dad!
Burns Night Supper Invitation.
So if you are going out or having a Burns Night celebration at home, here’s what you need to know to ensure you get it right on the night!
The menu, just like the traditional ceremony, has not changed much either over the years. However, with Scottish descendants scattered all over the world the supper now often incorporates elements of the local cuisine and regional flavours too. Seasonal variations and contemporary twists on the menu are fine.
Menu
Starter: Cullen Skink – a traditional Scottish soup with a rich, creamy flavour.
Main Course: Haggis, Needs and Tatties
Desert: Cranachan
And of course, all washed down with a fine wee dram – that’s whisky to you and me! It was quite the occasion.
My late fathers favourite Whisky – Talisker
Cullen Skink
A classic Scottish recipe, Cullen Skink is an easy traditional Scottish soup with a rich, creamy flavour.
Bring the milk to a gentle boil and poach the haddock for three minutes along with the bay leaf and finely chopped parsley stalks (save the leaves for later on). Turn off the heat and leave for 5 – 10 minutes, then remove the fish and set aside.
In a large pan gently soften the onion in the butter for a few minutes. Add the warmed milk to the onions and add the mashed potato. Cook gently.
Flake the haddock into bite size chunks making sure you remove all bones and any skin. Add to the soup along with the parsley and cook for a further 5 minutes. Season as required, though it’s worth remembering that the smoked fish adds a lot of salt to the dish.
This short but important poem is usually read before the main meal and the piping in of the haggis.
The Selkirk Grace
“Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
“But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit.”
Haggis, Neeps & Tatties
Serves 6. Cooks in 55 Minutes. Difficulty super easy!
400 g turnips or swedes, peeled and quartered 450 g potatoes, peeled and quartered 100 g unsalted butter 8 spring onions, roughly chopped 30 ml double cream (switch to coconut milk if you are wishing to stay cleaner)
Method
Cook the haggis in a large pan of boiling water according to your butcher’s instructions.
Peel and quarter the potatoes and turnips or swedes.
Place the haggis in a large pan of boiling water and cook according to the packet instructions.
Cook the turnips or swedes and the potatoes in separate pans of boiling salted water for 20 to 25 minutes, or until tender. Drain the veg separately.
Return the turnips or swedes to the pan, add half the butter and mash, keeping chunky. Season to taste. Cover to keep warm.
Trim and roughly chop the spring onions. Melt the remaining butter in the potato pan, add the spring onions and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until softened. Return the potatoes to the pan and mash with the cream until quite smooth, seasoning to taste. Cover to keep warm.
Remove the cooked haggis, cut open and place a portion onto each warmed plate. Divide up the turnips or swedes and potatoes (neeps & tatties) and serve.
Cranachan
Mary Berry’s classic Scottish Cranachan is super easy to whip up, but she does stress, “Hold back some of the crunchy oats and raspberries for a pretty topping, but don’t hold back on the whisky!”
Preparation time:less than 30 mins
Cooking time: less than 10 mins. Makes 8
Ingredients
knob of butter
100g/3½oz light muscovado sugar
100g/3½oz jumbo oats
250g/9oz mascarpone
300ml/½ pint double cream
75ml/2½fl oz whisky
450g/1lb raspberries
Method
Put the butter, sugar and oats in a saucepan and stir over a high heat for 4–5 minutes, or until toasted and crunchy. Set aside to cool.
Measure the mascarpone and cream into a bowl and whisk until soft peaks form when the whisk is removed from the bowl.
Add the whisky, 300g/10½oz raspberries and two-thirds of the cooled oats. Mix until combined, but try to keep the raspberries fairly whole.
Spoon into glasses and top with the remaining raspberries and crunchy oats.
On the day that traditionally is the Monday in January when people feel more sad, I’m sharing my simple and effective ways to stop the Blues. Do you have the Blues this January? It’s not uncommon.
Some people call today Blue Monday but this year it seems it’s taking some of us longer to get over the January blues.
Why is that?
Christmas and all the festivities that come with it is over..
New Year has been celebrated and the Champagne corks have been tidied along with several trips to the bottle bank!!
You may still even be finding pine needles!
Normality (whatever that is!) has resumed!
It’s cold and dark and although we’ve had a dry winter, summer seems a long way off. Oh and then to top it all off your friendly postie arrives with some bills!
No more ‘happy” post filling our letter boxes but those hideous brown envelopes informing us we need to pay the bills.
Darn it – everything was happy and smiley and we forgot reality for a while. Yes this week is a week when many of us feel a bit blue!
‘No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world’
robin williams
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a recognised condition. It’s also known as Winter Depression, winter blues, summer depression, summer blues or seasonal depression.. a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms during the winter or summer…
So no, you are not going mad if you feel a bit blue this week..
Join in the conversation on Instagram or Facebook and link in with this weeks Mission to help combat those blues.
What’s your plan of attack this January..?
Are you feeling overwhelmed, not sure where to start?
Maybe you’ve had so many big ideas this New Year that this year was going to be different to last year and maybe the year before that, but it’s all fallen a bit flat?
If you’d like a helping hand with your Missions this year, I’d love to help. Visit my Instagram or join my free Facebook Group “Mission HQ” for this weeks Mission and where you can join the conversation.
‘Extraordinary things are always hiding in places people never think to look’
Jodi picoult
Here are my top tips to stop the Blues this January and help you feeling a little bit brighter again.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s OK to have a good cry or feel a bit rubbish sometimes, it’s how you deal with it that counts.
Talk to loved ones and good friends, it’s OK to be vulnerable and share how you are feeling.
Be kind to yourself, holistically. Self care goes a long way especially at this time of year.
My Free Consistency Checklist is a tool to help you keep track of your progress each day. Be consistent with your actions; stay hydrated, eat fresh foods and make sure you get plenty of sleep and you’ll be amazed with the difference it makes.
Get outside in the fresh air..
You might be reading this when there is possibly a howling gale going on outside and snow might even be forecast but wear the right clothes are you will feel better for it. Honest, even if it’s a quick trip around the block!
Get some Vitamin D in you!
We all know that vitamin D is essential for maintenance of teeth and bone health. It does this by supporting the incorporation of calcium and reducing the loss of calcium from the teeth and bone structure. But did you know that if your vitamin D levels are low, you can feel blue?
A way to boost your vitamin D and your immune system, especially in winter when there is not much sun around is to do so with a Vitamin D supplement. I love these ones.
Light Therapy.
Light helps relieve the blue feeling also, although there is not much light around at the moment. Something else you can try is an investment in a Dawn Alarm Clock..
There are lots on the market, with lots of different price tags! However, they have been proved to be very effective and an 85% better response than using bright light therapies.
They work by waking you up with a gradual brightening light – helping you feel alert and energised all day. The light cues your body to produce more cortisol, setting a sleep and wake cycle which aids early mornings and beating those winter blues.
* A study in 2012 showed that patents who used dawn alarm clock experienced improvement during the first week and increased results throughout several weeks.
Most studies have found the dawn alarm clocks most effective seasonally as opposed to all year round, until frequent natural light exposure is naturally obtained. i.e. the clocks go back and spring has sprung!
Avery D.
Interesting don’t you think?
Finally, if the blues don’t seem to be going away, please don’t be afraid of seeking professional help, You don’t have to deal with them on your own.
The moon and the sun this evening at The RingFeeder – a view that always makes me smile. The beautiful South Hams, Devon at it’s best.
Before I go, here’s a quick fix you can do right now, so stop what you’re doing and give these a try!
* Scribble a list of all the things that make you smile.. * Stick on a top tune and dance around the kitchen. Feel free to check out my playlists on Spotify * Look through a photo album of a fun summer holidays and plan another. * Release those feel-good endorphins!
Whatever your Mission this year, this January, be sure that by trying these quick little tips, will help do a little something to keep the Blues this January at bay. .
Escaping into a beautiful book – bliss.
If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you’ll know that my “go to” treat to cheer me up is a walk in the great outdoors, flowers, candles and of course hugs from my family too.. Guaranteed to make me smile every time and they are calorie free too 😉
I’d love top know what you are doing to stop the blues this January. Let me know in the comments.
Wishing you a very Happy Monday,
PS Remember you can find some free organisational tools that will help reduce overwhelm and help you feel more in control.
* (Avery, D. H.; Eder, D. N.; Bolte, M. A.; Hellekson, C. J.; Dunner, D. L.; Vitiello, M. V.; Prinz, P. N. (2001). “Dawn simulation and bright light in the treatment of SAD: A controlled study”.Biological psychiatry 50 (3): 205“216) (The Can-SAD Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of Light Therapy and Fluoxetine in Patients with Winter Seasonal Affective Disorder”.American Journal of Psychiatry163 (5): 805“812.
** Woman on a Mission will occasionally contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase from an affiliate site, then I may make a very small commission from that purchase but this will not cost you anything additional at all. Any sponsored posts will be noted as such but as always I only include products that I truly love and I will always be 100% authentic.
It’s January 2022. How are you reflecting on the last 12 months? It’s certainly been a turbulent time – many highs and lows. The week between Christmas and New Year is often a time where we sit and reflect on the year. However for me, this is best done when the decorations are down, teens have gone back to school and there is a little space to breathe.
I’d love you to make time to sit and reflect in a cosy spot this week with a mug of something lovely and your favourite journal or notebook. I’ll be guiding you through a simple yet powerful way to reflect in order to feel empowered moving into this next year.
Firstly, before we delve in, I really want to share my gratitude to each and everyone of you who have subscribed and read my blog, followed along on my instagram and social channels. Every comment and message has been fabulous. I’m excited to be sharing more with you over the next year. I truly believe 2022 is going to been to remember don’t you?
“Life’s not about expecting, hoping and wishing, it’s about doing, being and becoming.”
There are two main questions I’d love you to consider whilst reading this post.
What is the biggest thing you have learned about yourself this year?
What will you be reflecting on this time next year?
Don’t worry; you won’t need to answer them right now!
Things are different today. Uncertain.
We have woken up every day for almost two years trying to digest the enormity of what is happening in the world around us..
We’ve baked, created, home schooled, worked out in the garden, worked from home, even finished jigsaws and so much more but have we actually taken the time to scribe and put on down paper how this decade has affected us to date?
If us grown-ups find it hard to comprehend, how do our children even begin to take it all in..?
I’ve always been a big fan of journaling – it helps free the mind, especially at the end of the year, as we start a brand new one. Taking the time to reflect, acknowledge what you’ve achieved and how you feel about everything is key. It’s often as we do this, we appreciate there are probably way more successes that you first imagined.
“Identify your problems but give your power and energy to solutions.”
tony robbins
I’m going to invite you to journal about last year…
Sounds scary – it’s not trust me. I’m sharing a format with you I’ve used for years with my coaching clients and also with my children. It’s simple but effective. Grab a comfy spot and let’s dig in!
WINS – what have been the highlights of your year
I wonder if you’ve taken time to celebrate each Win as it’s happened, without flying onto the next thing?
It’s easy to forget all that comes with a win, the lead up, the effort taken to get there.
At times a BIG win can be an anticlimax so it’s important to STOP and take a moment to celebrate! Write each win down and if you’ve not celebrate yet… take a moment to consider how you will acknowledge your achievements of last year, no matter how big or how small. A win is a win!
STRUGGLES – what been you been struggling with..
There have been so many struggles we’ve had to deal with individually and as a Nation over the last year. each one of us has a different experience. But you’re here, you got through it and are that much stronger because of it.
Use this time to journal your reflection on what exactly you struggled specifically with and with that in mind, what you might need to let go of this forthcoming year.
LESSONS – what have you learned from the wins and struggles..
Putting the Wins and Struggles together..
Often we can put emotion into an event or a time line but when able to reflect back this way, you’ll always be able to see there will be something you can take forward.
Looking back without emotion, we can see events clearer, enabling us to learn from any event or even a whole year.
“It is always important to know when something has reached its end. Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing chapters, it doesn’t matter what we call it; what matters is to leave in the past those moments in life that are over.”
paulo coelho
Wherever you decide to journal and document your review or thoughts about last year, make sure you’re warm, cosy and have a drink to hand xx
Remember those questions I asked you to consider whilst reading this post?
What is the biggest thing you have learned about yourself this year?
Finally, how can you plan to make this forthcoming day and year even better?
What will you be reflecting on this time next year?
I love this quote from Judy Garland and think it would be wonderful if we all lived by it, don’t you?
“Well, we have a whole new year ahead of us. And wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all be a little more gentle with each other, a little more loving, and have a little more empathy, and maybe, next year at this time we’d like each other a little more.”
judy garland
Let me know how you get on with the Reflection. You may even want to do this with your family and friends.
Please share this post with anyone you think would love it too..
I’m the creator of Woman on a Mission, a lifestyle space dedicated to helping women bring more calm, confidence and balance into everyday life. Born from my own journey to slow down and live with greater intention, it offers inspiration around wellbeing, organisation, home and mindset, one meaningful mission at a time
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