Why here, why now?

The 2020 global pandemic offered a period of reflection for the majority of human beings. I developed a mental health winter reliance plan for use by colleagues, friends and followers across various social media platforms. One of the tips within the plan was to “focus and do that thing you’ve always wanted to do” which was aimed at helping others get through elements of lockdowns and restrictive periods. And then, it dawned on me, and I thought, I should probably practice what I preach. Writing is very cathartic for me and indeed reading helps our mental health by helping us reflect and find perspective.

So this is probably………………………….

I was born in the 60s in Scotland and have been scribbling throughout my life journey. Often I have written from a darker space when I have (which I have only recently realised) been suffering from life’s anxieties, stresses and challenges. Clearly some of these outputs would be verging on dross, but I’m convinced there were a few gems, so this has driven me to try and ramble a wee bit more often.

This has been enabled as over the last 5 years, I have have taken a keen interest in self care and understanding the person I’ve become and started using tools which link to mindfulness, acceptance, focussing, reflection and kindness to support my own wellbeing. These tools have allowed me to muse and adapt what creative capacity I have, permitting me to open my mind and reflect on an array of topics which have touched my life.

My musings can come to me in poetry, song, bloggy observations, rants and short stories, often with a dark, sardonic and sarcastic bent but just as often these can be seen through a seldom seen sentimental lens.

Hopefully we can all build our resilience to help support the challenges we all have by providing perspective through psychologically reflecting on childhood, poverty and social inequality, and relationships.

Honest nostalgic reflections are part of life’s journey. Let’s embrace and learn from the past.