Friday 28 December 2018
Friday 21 December 2018
Friday 14 December 2018
Friday 7 December 2018
Friday 30 November 2018
Friday 23 November 2018
Friday 16 November 2018
Friday 9 November 2018
Friday 2 November 2018
Saturday 27 October 2018
Friday 26 October 2018
Friday 19 October 2018
Friday 12 October 2018
Friday 5 October 2018
Tuesday 2 October 2018
Monday 1 October 2018
Friday 28 September 2018
Friday 21 September 2018
Tuesday 18 September 2018
Monday 17 September 2018
A better place..
I have taken some annual leave today to reflect, learn and snuggle under the lovely duvet with the cats!
I think I have massively lost perspective of late with a number of things that have been beyond my control (2017 - the death of a close friend and mentor, the death of my mother and Linda losing her mum too). My previous meds failing me (8 years and a resistance build up = awful results).
When things chip away at you piece by piece, you can react hideously to unimportant situations/triggers. And I am guilty of that.
So, today I have learned:
I apologise for any pain caused to any of the people who's paths I have crossed. My empathy levels have been low and I need to turn that around asap.
So, strategies -
I'm lucky and blessed, I have my health, a happy marriage, a home and 3 adorable cats. I will concentrate on the positive and process the negative.
I think I have massively lost perspective of late with a number of things that have been beyond my control (2017 - the death of a close friend and mentor, the death of my mother and Linda losing her mum too). My previous meds failing me (8 years and a resistance build up = awful results).
When things chip away at you piece by piece, you can react hideously to unimportant situations/triggers. And I am guilty of that.
So, today I have learned:
- Not to react instantly to a sleight or an off hand comment when it does not directly impact upon my life/well-being.
- Let things go - people say or make comments just out of an off hand manner. Do not take it personally, it might not be about me. Also, the people challenging you might have your best interests and well-being in heart. Misreading a situation is not good. Social media is a gift and a curse.
- Analyse, process and discard the negative thoughts. (And learn from them....keep that diary, mister!)
- Be a better person - creating more pain does not solve things, it can make situations a whole lot worse. Also, be the humble person - again, misreading a situation can be oh so not cool. Yep, be super humble from now on - take it on the chin, learn, forget and move on.
- Never make assumptions. Don't be a snowflake. Learn from your personal history.
- Enjoy life for what it is - a fleeting few moments in a miasma of randomness.
I apologise for any pain caused to any of the people who's paths I have crossed. My empathy levels have been low and I need to turn that around asap.
So, strategies -
- Purchase a white board and record what annoys, saddens or disappoints me. Then wait 24 hours to see if the emotions are still valid.
- Count to 10 (or 100!) if needed. Then only react if someone is in physical or mental danger.
- Let things go - life is too short for grudges.
- Be the better person (again, brilliant advice from my therapist).
I'm lucky and blessed, I have my health, a happy marriage, a home and 3 adorable cats. I will concentrate on the positive and process the negative.
Friday 14 September 2018
Photo Friday
A change of pace this week - it's been a challenging one as Linda is undergoing a number of tests for an un-diagnosed health condition that she is currently experiencing. My levels of resilience are at an all time low and we're just trying to keep it all together.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Thursday 13 September 2018
Sunday 9 September 2018
Random thoughts...
The last few years have been a challenge. I'm trying to use this blog to record not only photography but...my thoughts and experiences.
Of late, I've found it difficult to engage with the outside world. I can work from home when needed (remotely) has this has been such positive thing. My type of work (case worker) means that I can work away from the office when I need to.
I stay in most weekends and have not ventured into the (Birmingham) city centre for about 18 months.
My to read list of comics is now about 2 long boxes worth of issues and the books....well, about 5 feet in height.
I do not think I have become agoraphobic but I do not like leaving the house unless it is necessary.
I sleep way too much to avoid thinking about what bothers me. I avoid social situations when I can (as my trust in people from the past has been eroded due to them, well, being quite horrid).
My collecting habit (figures/movies) is more of a burden than a pleasure right now - Linda and I are trying to catalogue things ready to sell up (collection/house and get out of Birmingham in about 10 years to somewhere in the country or near to the sea)
We (Linda and I) have a healthy set of savings and investments yet I find if difficult to plan holidays due to me #catastrophising potential situations. My depression, although now under control is still a massive issue.
However, we have planned a number of breaks/holidays, carried out house improvements and seen our kittens (River...Romana and now little Lucy grow older so they are ready for a cattery when we go on vacation).
I can see one day that I will be depression free but this will take time.
We have cut much of the #deadwood out of our lives with false friends and fake people sent on their way.
I've stopped putting the needs of others (especially the fake people) ahead of my own wellbeing.
I am my own person and I do not judge my own experiences or successes by measuring them with others.
Coming up to 40 million hits on my page!
Now, here is a picture of Romana. Gaze in her glory ;)
Of late, I've found it difficult to engage with the outside world. I can work from home when needed (remotely) has this has been such positive thing. My type of work (case worker) means that I can work away from the office when I need to.
I stay in most weekends and have not ventured into the (Birmingham) city centre for about 18 months.
My to read list of comics is now about 2 long boxes worth of issues and the books....well, about 5 feet in height.
I do not think I have become agoraphobic but I do not like leaving the house unless it is necessary.
I sleep way too much to avoid thinking about what bothers me. I avoid social situations when I can (as my trust in people from the past has been eroded due to them, well, being quite horrid).
My collecting habit (figures/movies) is more of a burden than a pleasure right now - Linda and I are trying to catalogue things ready to sell up (collection/house and get out of Birmingham in about 10 years to somewhere in the country or near to the sea)
We (Linda and I) have a healthy set of savings and investments yet I find if difficult to plan holidays due to me #catastrophising potential situations. My depression, although now under control is still a massive issue.
However, we have planned a number of breaks/holidays, carried out house improvements and seen our kittens (River...Romana and now little Lucy grow older so they are ready for a cattery when we go on vacation).
I can see one day that I will be depression free but this will take time.
We have cut much of the #deadwood out of our lives with false friends and fake people sent on their way.
I've stopped putting the needs of others (especially the fake people) ahead of my own wellbeing.
I am my own person and I do not judge my own experiences or successes by measuring them with others.
Coming up to 40 million hits on my page!
Now, here is a picture of Romana. Gaze in her glory ;)
Friday 7 September 2018
Friday 31 August 2018
One year on...
It has been a year to the day that my mother passed after a brief (but painful) struggle with terminal cancer.
The time leading up to her death is now a blur, all I can remember is the smell of hospitals, the cessation of her treatment and confirming orders of not to resuscitate.
The past year has been a struggle but has gone so quickly. After neglecting my own mental well being I have not been at my best but I am on the mend with a new set of antidepressants and a much more positive outlook.
Losing both parents in just over ten years has been an exhausting experience but strangely I do not feel lonely as I have memories of both of them that I carry with me every day (both good and bad, positive and negative).
All I can do is now look to the future and try to enjoy the journey a little more as we all know what the ultimate destination is...
The time leading up to her death is now a blur, all I can remember is the smell of hospitals, the cessation of her treatment and confirming orders of not to resuscitate.
The past year has been a struggle but has gone so quickly. After neglecting my own mental well being I have not been at my best but I am on the mend with a new set of antidepressants and a much more positive outlook.
Losing both parents in just over ten years has been an exhausting experience but strangely I do not feel lonely as I have memories of both of them that I carry with me every day (both good and bad, positive and negative).
All I can do is now look to the future and try to enjoy the journey a little more as we all know what the ultimate destination is...
Friday 24 August 2018
Friday 17 August 2018
Wednesday 15 August 2018
Friday 10 August 2018
Friday 3 August 2018
Sunday 29 July 2018
Friday 27 July 2018
Wednesday 25 July 2018
Tuesday 24 July 2018
Friday 20 July 2018
Friday 13 July 2018
Wednesday 11 July 2018
In other news...
Tomorrow is my last day of work for a week of annual leave.
I'm feeling a little burned out due to a lot of things - this time last year I was supporting my mum with lots of hospital tests not knowing that she had terminal cancer. I won't go into details but that was a very dark time.
Also, 26 December 2017 (a day prior to my wife's birthday), Linda's mum passed away from cancer.
Again, a horrible period in our lives.
I am trying to take "stock" of "things" but am failing dismally.
I guess I am weak and not up to standard but I am trying to make sense of what the universe pushes or forces onto us.
Maybe I deserve it...the misery and the pain but....I will battle it to the end. In my darkest hours I have contemplated the "easy" or "cheapest" way out but that is not me. I want to say "fuck you haters!"
I am still breathing...yo.
I'm feeling a little burned out due to a lot of things - this time last year I was supporting my mum with lots of hospital tests not knowing that she had terminal cancer. I won't go into details but that was a very dark time.
Also, 26 December 2017 (a day prior to my wife's birthday), Linda's mum passed away from cancer.
Again, a horrible period in our lives.
I am trying to take "stock" of "things" but am failing dismally.
I guess I am weak and not up to standard but I am trying to make sense of what the universe pushes or forces onto us.
Maybe I deserve it...the misery and the pain but....I will battle it to the end. In my darkest hours I have contemplated the "easy" or "cheapest" way out but that is not me. I want to say "fuck you haters!"
I am still breathing...yo.
Friday 6 July 2018
Friday 29 June 2018
Friday 22 June 2018
Thursday 21 June 2018
I just cannot stop listening to this song...
Combining two of my favourite media loves right now. #lorde
Friday 15 June 2018
Friday 8 June 2018
Friday 1 June 2018
Friday 25 May 2018
Friday 18 May 2018
Friday 11 May 2018
Friday 4 May 2018
Friday 27 April 2018
Friday 20 April 2018
Friday 13 April 2018
Friday 6 April 2018
Monday 2 April 2018
Bleecker Street
Linda and I are hoping to be back in Manhattan (or at least the USA) sometime next year. I do love lower Manhattan and all its nooks and crannies.
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