As seen on ITV's The Fast Fix: Diabetes – Author of A Darker Shade of Blue, It's Not Rocket Science Reverse Your Type 2 Diabetes and Become A Better Version Of Yourself and others. Tracey is also a Reflexologist, Aromatherapist, Reiki Practitioner, founder of Harrogate Black Dog (a support group for people struggling with mental health), and artist.
Life has changed immeasurably in the past few weeks and months. We are all dealing with uncertainty. Fear, doubt, financial concerns, and family stresses sow the seeds of anxiety. As Donna Booth explains, our need to contribute, combined with a growing sense of helplessness, often causes anxiety to spiral. It’s essential to take a moment or two for yourself to get everything back under control. So today I am going to share with you 3 ways of coping with anxiety.
3 ways of coping with anxiety
Deep Breathing
Deep breathing is excellent for bringing your attention out of your head and into your body and helping you to manage emotions. You can do it anywhere, at any time, without people noticing.
Sit comfortably and place one hand on your belly. Imagine there is a balloon in your belly and imagine filling the balloon with your inhalation. You should notice the hand on your belly rise. Don’t worry if it is your chest that rises first, the more you practice, the easier it will be. Hold the air in your lungs, and then exhale slowly. The secret is to go slow: Time the inhalation (4 seconds), pause (2 seconds), and exhalation (6 seconds). Practice this for 3-5 minutes.
Progressive muscle relaxation
By tensing and relaxing the muscles throughout your body, you can achieve a deep feeling of relaxation. This exercise helps you recognise where in your body you are holding tension.
Sit back or lie down in a comfortable position. Follow the instructions below, tensing each body part for about 10 seconds. Notice how the feeling of relaxation differs from the feeling of tension.
Feet – Curl your toes tightly into your fee, then release.
Calves – Point then flex your feet, then relax.
Thighs – Squeeze your thighs together tightly, then relax.
Torso – Suck in your tummy as if you were trying to touch your spine, then relax.
Back – Squeeze your shoulder blades together, then relax.
Shoulders – Scrunch your shoulders up to your ears, then drop them.
Arms – make fists and squeeze to your shoulders, then drop them.
Hands – Make a fist by curling your fingers into your palm, then stretch your fingers wide and relax.
Face – Scrunch your facial features as if you were trying to get them to meet in the middle of your face, then relax.
Full body – Squeeze all muscles together, then release the tension. Deep breath in, deep breath out.
Using Your Senses
This exercise brings you back into the moment. It can be done very quickly, or you can take a little more time on each sense.
Notice five things that you can see. Look all around to take in all your surroundings. Look for small details you would usually miss.
Notice four sounds that you can hear. Listen closely to everything around you and further away.
Now three things that you can feel. Think of how the air feels on your skin, and how your clothes feel on your body.
Notice two things you can smell. What scents are present? What does the air smell like? Take some time to appreciate the sents.
And finally, one thing you can taste. Do you have something you can eat or can you taste the air or the inside of your mouth?Above all, make sure you take time for yourself, don’t feel you must use this time to do ‘all the things’. Pause, breathe, take care of yourself, be with your loved ones, and give yourself time to consider the parts of your life that you want to carry forward into your new future.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post, 3 ways of coping with anxiety and I will be writing about many others in the future so make sure you hit subscribe so that you don’t miss any of them. Thank you for reading.
I read an extremely interesting article by Dr. Stuart J. Eisendrath, which I am going to share with you today about using the power of mindfulness to alleviate depression. Stuart Eisendrath is the founder of the University of California San Francisco Depression Center. Dr Eisendrath pioneered research into the therapeutic effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on people experiencing clinical depression. In his new book, he outlines an easy-to-implement MBCT program that has been scientifically proven in a US National Institute of Health study to bring relief to chronic sufferers of depression by helping them realise that their thoughts are not their reality.
Treatment-Resistant Depression
A 2018 article in the British Medical Journal suggested that between 10% and 30% of those in the UK who suffer depression – which could mean as many as 2.7 million people – have treatment-resistant depression. Those with TRD will have tried at least two antidepressant drugs without a positive outcome. Yet, there are non-drug treatments that can be equally, or more effective than antidepressants and do not carry these risks associated with withdrawal.
Our minds are particularly good at thinking, problem-solving, worrying, judging, and analysing. Yet, when it comes to depression these skills are often not in your best interest. If you suffer from depression, memories and thoughts tend to be biased toward the negative, which diminishes your problem-solving abilities. This may lead to misinterpretations, inaccurate assessments, and inappropriate decision making.
For example…
Take Carol, who was walking down the street and waved to her friend across the road. Her friend didn’t wave back and Carol felt rejected, worried she’d offended her friend, and was depressed. Actually, her friend has been studying an important business e-mail on her phone and hadn’t even noticed Carol.
Sam thought of refusing a promotion because he thought his boss was setting him up to fail rather than having confidence in his ability to handle the new position. Such an approach could have severe consequences for his career.
Using the power of mindfulness to alleviate depression
A key step in coping with such thoughts is trying to decide if such situations are facts or just thoughts. Mindfulness gives you the space to look at the situation from multiple perspectives and without judgment. Then you can decide how to respond to the situation skillfully. You can evaluate your thoughts in several ways. One is to hold back on acting on a thought while you gather more data to assess whether the thought is a valid one. Another way of assessing a thought is to ask yourself how you feel in thinking it. If you feel more depressed, there is a very good chance the thought is being driven by depression.
The critical voice of depression
Once, I was teaching a beginner’s class in meditation. One woman said, “I can’t meditate as well as everybody else here.” This is one of the most common thoughts of beginning meditators. Then several other members of the group expressed a similar idea about themselves. I asked them how they knew this, and as we assessed the situation, it became clear that such a thought was based more in the critical voice of depression rather than being a fact. Since none of the members had had any prior experience with meditation, it would be unreasonable to expect anyone to be better than anybody else. Moreover, meditation is not competitive. It’s about being present, not about doing something better or worse than someone else.
As the beginners discovered, this is a valuable lesson about how our minds generate negative and unduly critical thoughts. We need to label them as such and bring the attention back to a neutral object like our breath. When we can recognise such thoughts for what they were, we don’t feel compelled to act on them by doing something such as dropping the class.
Rely on your observing self
The observing self can help you see what is being generated by your mind and assess how you feel, both physically and emotionally. You then become capable of extending compassion to yourself and others.
If we expect that we can stop our minds from generating negative thoughts through meditation, we will be disappointed by our limitations. Our minds wander on their own, and our trying to control them makes them want to wander even more. In fact, experiments have shown that efforts to suppress thoughts actually intensify them. If you want to suppress a thought, you actually have to push off against the thought, which intensifies the thought you are trying to suppress.
Our minds are always trying to explain events. That is what our minds do and are built for: trying to organise and understand information. We have the need to try to conceptualise what is happening and to build hypotheses from an early age. Initially, an infant sees patterns of black and white on a page, then becomes able to organise the black and white areas and recognise letters and words.
Similarly, we all organise events and pieces of information into stories we create and construct. When we do not understand something, we still try to organise it to fill in the blanks. We create stories, plots, and themes. In depression, this is often based on how we are feeling. Our emotional state can generate negative thoughts just as much as negative thoughts can generate a depressive state. You can actually step back and observe yourself generating thoughts.
Try This: Observing Yourself think
Close your eyes and focus on your breath for a minute or so.
Once your mind has steadied, take note of the thoughts that emerge over the next few minutes that tend to distract you from your breath. Ask yourself, “What is (fill in your name) thinking?” Notice what thoughts are emerging.
Ask again: “What is (fill in your name) thinking?” See what thoughts come up. Then bring your attention back to the room.
The observing self was the self who was taking note of your thoughts. That self was watching your thoughts emerge. The observing self notices what you are thinking and feeling. Afterward, you might say, “I noticed my mind having a thought about (fill in the subject).” You might also say, “I noticed my mind producing depressive thoughts that then shifted my mood.”
There are some great apps you can use for mindfulness and the best two that jump to mind are, “Calm” and “Headspace”. These are also great for beginners to meditation and mindfulness and have free versions.
I will be doing physical guided meditation sessions very soon so watch this space.
Wow… I’m not really where to start with this one. I feel as I guess many of you do that everything right now is a bit surreal. Feeling as if you are part of some horror movie or you are just waiting for someone to jump out and shout. “surprise it was just a joke”.
The thing is our lives now will never be the same. Today’s post in part is about also how to make the most of Covid-19 Self-Isolation plus my rantings.
Watching what is happening in Europe and the escalation of it I’m convinced it will get to the stage where we will all lose someone that we know. Personally, I feel we should have been put on lockdown 7 or 8 weeks ago. But now is not the time to point fingers now is the time to pull together and become the community that has been seriously lacking in this country for too many years.
I remember growing up as a child everyone knew everyone. Everyone was an “aunt” or an “uncle” even though they weren’t. People would watch out for each other; fetch peoples washing in when it rained.
The shopkeepers knew my grandmother by name. The butcher would put aside bits that he knew she would like. It was a real community. You felt safe going outside. It was safe to let your kids go to the park on their own. We would go out on our pushbikes all the time and only come back when the street lights came on.
This lack of community really needs to stop now; this is our opportunity to pull it back. Be kind not just to our family and friends but to everyone. War, famine, poverty, there is no need for any of this to exist. Not if we all work for the common good.
Baby formula selling for £300 what the fuck is going on in people’s heads just fucking stop it! Be kind. Do you really need 200 toilet rolls? Be kind. Do you really need 10 bottles of anti-bacterial gel? Be kind. Do you really need to buy every single loaf of bread on the shelf? Be kind. For god’s sake, people be kind!
What is the name of your next-door neighbour? What are the names of the kids you see playing across the road? How many people on your street do you actually stop and talk to? I’m just as guilty of this somehow we have all managed to become something or someone that doesn’t rest easy with me. We can change this now; we can do things right. Not just for us but everyone else.
These are scary times. People who struggle with anxiety and depression will be going through hell right now and so will many more. These are people who don’t usually struggle with their emotions. People are losing their jobs. My daughter was made redundant last Friday because of the virus. Other people are losing their jobs, their businesses including myself. I have not had a client for weeks.
I have just set up a “not for profit” limited by guarantee community interest company. This was so that I can provide free complementary therapies to people in an emotional crisis and on a low income. If you want to follow my progress with the CIC please visit my webpage here and I will be updating it.
There has never been such a time that needs it more than right now yet there is nothing I can do. I am unable to raise funds. The profit from private clients was going to provide free treatment but without clients, there is nothing I can do.
Do Something You Love
Due to underlying conditions, I am now in self-isolation. The easy way to react is; now what? Try and utilise the time the best you can, decorate, clean, tidy, garden, take up new hobbies, paint, draw, sew, crochet the list is endless.
When your grandchild turns around to you in 20 years time and say. “Grandad what did you do during the virus – be the person that said I helped my neighbours not I went to the supermarket so buy 200 toilet rolls.
Try not to put people at risk; don’t think that maybe you just have a cold. It’s not worth it and you could pass it on or just be a carrier. Don’t take the risk. I’m not going to the supermarkets I can’t help but think of the sneeze covered hands on the trolly handle but that’s just me.
I’m lucky I have quite a few Exante sachets and bars left which I’m more than happy to live on. A good time to diet; there’s always a silver cloud of some sort. I’m also not going to the shops to get tempted by all the chocolate or “comfort food” as I see it. So for me there’s never been a better time and if you decide to do the same and do shop online use my code TRACEY35 and you will get 35% off your bill. I do get a little bit of money for suggesting that but not life-changing and I only recommend things that I use myself. But it does contain all the daily vitamins and minerals you need so you could supplement your normal food with a shake a day too.
When we get through this and we will we should have a street party on every single street on the same day. Come together and celebrate a new era of compassion, empathy, kindness and unconditional love.
Please everyone take care; and we will get through this.
I’d love to know how many people make this as one of their New Year Resolutions. I’ve lost count how many years I’ve said that and stuck to it. The only time I reached that goal was when I took part in The Fast Fix using Exante meal replacement products. As said in my previous post I’ve had a bit of a break from dieting, counting calories, etc over the past six months for various reasons.
To be honest, I’m sick to death of chocolate and the indulgences you have over Christmas; I feel yuck, bloated, sluggish actually I feel like a slug! I actually can’t wait until New Years Day to get stuck in with my shakes – I’ve actually really missed them. If it was up to me I’d start them now but I know readers are taking part from New Years Day so I will be joining them with their journey.
I will be doing a variety of posts to help motivate. I had a lot on my old website but because of the computer hacker, I lost so much work. But I’m going to think of it as a fresh start. So if you want to join me please do. If you are doing the Exante diet please click here to visit their site. They have various offers on and there is also my exclusive code of TRACEY35 to get 35% off your shop.
2. Walking The Dog For Longer
My second resolution is to take Harvey Houdini, my trusty canine sidekick, on longer walks. This is for two reasons it’s good for him and it will be good for me. Exercise even 30 minutes a day (which can even be two lots of 15 minutes) It’s the total that is important. So if you have a dog and you walk him or her once change it to twice. If you already do it twice do each one for 5 minutes longer etc.
Harvey Houdini
Those minutes quickly add up and also being out in nature and some sun or fresh air works wonders. If you did watch The Fast Fix you might remember the effect of 5 minutes gentle walking every hour had absolutely amazing effects on lowering our blood sugar.
2. Successful Business
I decided to change my direction in life in 2018. Sick and tired of working in an office for someone else I decided to re-train and work for myself. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I’m doing what I love every single day and also get to meet some amazing people along the way.
So hopefully by this time next year, I will have a full client list. I am now a qualified complementary therapist so I provide Reiki treatments, reflexology, aromatherapy, and massage. I am also currently on a Level 3 nail technician course so that I can provide manicures, pedicures and nail enhancements.
I have a business website which you can find here. My daughter has also taken her first step into her business and has become a micro-blading technician and you can find her business page here. One day it would be nice to have our own clinic to work from. Maybe that can be next year’s resolution.
3. House De-Clutter
As if I’ve not got enough to do already I need to add de-clutter the house on the list definitely. I can’t believe how much junk I seem to collect and struggle to throw away. I need a serious de-clutter. The last time I did it I felt as if I had a great weight lifted off my shoulders. It might be easier with a flame thrower but it needs doing. I’d hire a skip but I know the cheeky bastards on my street would fill it when I was asleep so it might be a man and a van job. Either way, it’s getting done. Then next it will be re-decorating; can’t wait for that (not).
4. Publish the Poetry Anthology
I am in the process of putting together an anthology; a collection of poems written by people who suffer from mental health and also by the loved ones of people that suffer. This is to raise awareness. The title of the book will be called “A Darker Shade of Blue”. I would also like to set up a social enterprise or not-for-profit organisation to provide complementary therapies to people in emotional crisis.
God this list could go on forever. Maybe my next post will be a 2020 “to-do list”.
For everyone who has made some resolutions good luck and please feel free to share some with us.
It’s been far too long since my last post but I have been super busy; mainly with college related things. So thought I’d get the old trusty laptop out and now it is the perfect time for an update.
I have been working like mad on practising reflexology as I have 100 treatments to complete to become a qualified practitioner but it is going great guns. Also, I have also found a fantastic little treatment room to work from and to use to build up my clientele and to practice from.
I must say I thought I would hate working with feet. My initial view was that I would study it as it is part of the course but won’t use it very often. My views have now completely changed I actually really love it. It keeps surprising me as I learn new things. There is definitely a correlation between peoples feet and their physical health. As an example, this week I gave a mini reflexology to a lovely lady and there were so many crystals etc in the intestine and bowel area and nowhere else. As it turned out she is waiting for a bowel operation.
Aromatherapy is something else I am really excited by. We are learning how to do consultations and make products for individuals. The first product I made for myself and I absolutely fell in love with it. My daughter bought me a very expensive face moisturiser for Christmas but the one I made myself is far superior and the benefits have been incredible. I’m not buying any others I’m going to be making my own from now on.
Essential oils are something I’ve been using and interested in for absolutely years but it is great to now be studying to become a qualified aromatherapist and I love the thought of being able to make products for individuals.
As well as making my own products I have become a consultant for Neal’s Yard. The quality of their essential oils and ingredients are just outstanding. So I will be using their essential oils etc to make my products. They also sell ready-made products for people who don’t want to have a personal aromatherapy consultation and I can highly recommend them. In fact, if you click here it will take you to my Neal’s Yard Consultation page where you can see for yourself.
Not only have I nearly finished my level 3 which makes me qualified I have decided to study level 4 in September; that’s how much I enjoy it.
The changes I have seen in people when receiving therapies has been mindblowing. It is because of this I am wanting to invite corporate sponsorship to enable me to do this. I have an interview with a reporter on Monday to discuss this further as they will be running a story for me. I also have a story coming up in the FHT (Federation of Holistic Therapists) International Summer magazine which I’m really happy about. There will be a lot more coming out about this shortly. I might also have a launch night in the not too distant future and will write about this nearer the time.
Also, it is the BIG 50 this year and my daughter told me she is going to take me on holiday abroad; which will be my first in over 20 years. Because of this, I’m going back on The Fast Fix Exante dietto lose a few pounds before I go. I think I’ve put a stone on since Christmas so need to shift it ready for the beach as I don’t want Green Peace trying to throw me into the sea.
For anyone interested in knowing more about the therapies I do please click here.
I shall keep you up to date with postings from now on and let you know how the weight loss is going, how college is going, and how a lot of other things are going. Oh you lucky lucky people you ;o)
Yes it’s that time again I haven’t done this in ages. A little sneaky peek behind the scenes. Don’t hold your breath though it’s not very exciting but here we go:
Love these little beauties. Made out of ground almonds instead of flour. I will be putting the recipe on my keto website soon. As you know I’m on a diet (aren’t we all) not only to lose weight but to help my fibromyalgia symptoms. I miss biscuits with coffee but I can make these beauties and then I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything.
Photo 2 – Keto Packed Lunch For College
College Packed Keto Lunch
Now I know carrots are a bit carby but they aren’t too bad as long as they are in moderation. So I had a few shavings of carrots for a bit of extra crunch mixed with baby spinach, chinese leaf lettuce, rocket, watercress, kale, tomatoes, spring onion, cress and cucumber with leftover chicken from the night before. As you can see I also had fresh coconut and a homemade salad dressing of Avocado Oil, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, MCT oil, Balsamic Vinegar with a little bit of freshly ground Pink Himalayan salt and black pepper – Have to say it was delicious. There was still some chicken left over so had the same thing again today.
Photo 3 – Back of Sewing Pattern
Sewing pattern
I’ve been inspired to get my sewing machine out again after watching The Sewing Bee (one of my favourite programmes and so glad it’s back on air). So I’ve been looking at patterns and this I took so I could see how much material I needed. I’ll update you with the progress of this item I can’t wait to get started on it.
Now I made this for my daughter. She is always at the gym and she likes to have a smoothie afterwards. So I made her this out of Exante chocolate meal replacement shake, 1 tbsp of collagen powder, egg white protein powder, a banana and 1 tbsp of peanut butter powder and she loves it! You can find the Exante chocolate shake here. Also for my new readers you can get 35% off Exante diet meal replacement meals by using my exclusive code TRACEY35 which is fantastic.
Photo 5 – My Son’s Baby Tortoise
My Son’s Baby Tortoise’s
I can’t remember the names of these little guys but I find them fascinating. This photo was taken on Mothers Day at his home when they were out having a bit of a run around well as much as a tortoise can do.
Photo 6 – Shepherds Pie with Cauliflower Mash
Shepherds Pie In The Making with Cauliflower Mash
Yep food again you know me only too well. I know there are carrots in there but again they are ok in moderation on a keto diet. We are potato free in my house now and they have been replaced by mashed cauliflower which is fantastic even my daughter loves it.
Photo 7 – Prepping For College
Prepping For A Massage
I’m not sure why I took this and I don’t even remember doing it but this is where I study complementary therapies and a fantastic place it is too. I think that may be Amanda’s backside you can see on the left. Shall have to let her know that her butt is on the web.
Photo 8 – My Eldest When He Was Studying Drama
My Eldest
Found this recently and was so happy because I thought I’d lost it. This is my eldest when he was studying drama. This is one of the photos I took with me on The Fast Fix Documentary and had in my room. So proud of him and also of all my children. So lovely to see them growing and making their own way in life. Sometimes I wish I could do it all again, I miss holding them in my arms and holding them close. I’d do it now but I don’t think they would appreciate it. So all of you out there with little ones cuddle them as much as you can while you can.
Photo 9 – Importance of Play Time
Important Message
I found this the other day and wanted to share it. I have been saying for as long as I can remember how important it is to play. To let go – To have fun – to celebrate your inner child. Life is too short and play keeps you alive. For instance for me it is being creative whether that is writing poetry, painting, drawing, sewing a dress, playing with the dog, it can be so many things but whatever it is that makes your heart sing do it and then do it some more!
Photo 10 – Something That Made Me Smile
Made Me Smile
I think this will appeal to my hippy type friends. You can’t beat a bit of sage.
Photo 11 – Face of Fibromyalgia
Face of Fibromyalgia
One of the worst conditions and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. It’s about time they made cannabis oil legal. People are suffering unnecessarily in this country and I find it appalling. Children having over 100 seizures a day being denied something that will give them their life back but instead we fill them with hundreds of drugs just to fill the fat cat pharmaceuticals pockets.
Photo 12 – Harvey Houdini My Trusty Canine Sidekick
Harvey Houdini
He’s still going strong bless him. Found his place next to me in bed. Not sure what would happen if I ever did manage to find a bloke they would have to fight over it.
Photo 13 – I’m Crap At Technology
Crap At Technology
This was me trying to ask Siri something but instead managed to take a screen shot. I can’t believe after all this time I still haven’t got the hang of it – no smart remarks 🙂
Photo 15 – My Dream (please come true)
I Need This In My Garden
I desperately want to get my garden sorted so I can have one of these in it. I’d be out there all the time. I’d also use it for massaging clients too. So if anyone wants to help me sort out the garden (a lot needs doing) you can get free massages afterwards.
There you go I hope they weren’t too boring for you.
Everyone should do a bucket list and check it on a regular basis. In this post I suggest ways of creating your own alongside making my own list.
Time to get out the pen and paper
Having lost all my last 3 years posts I thought I would start a new bucket list. I think it is so important to have things to aim for, wishes to accomplish, challenges taken on and won; I would rather be like that than just plodding along meaninglessly and too far laid back to the point of being horizontal. But that’s just me.
What’s A Bucket List?
If you have never heard of the term “bucket list”, it is a list of all the goals you want to achieve, dreams you want to fulfill, and life experiences you wish to experience before you die.
Why Create A Bucket List?
if you don’t live your days by goals and plans, chances are that you spend most of your time caught in a flurry of day-to-day activities. Ever felt that your days are passing you by without any tangible output? What did you accomplish in the past month? What are your goals for the next three months? Look at the things that you have been doing and the things that you’re planning to do next – do they mean anything to you if you are to die today? Having a bucket list reminds you of what’s really important to you so that you can act on them.
Even if you live by goals or to-do lists, they are probably framed with a social context, e.g. performacne, career, health. A bucket list opens up the context for you life. It’s a list to identify everything you’ve ever wanted to do, whether it’s big or small, purposeful or random.
Things to do and places to visit
It’s just like planning all the highlights for YOUR life. Even though I already set goals by default, I still found many new things to do while writing my own list. It was an incredibly insightful exercise. What’s more, coming up with my list gave me new-found enthusiasm knowing what I have planned ahead for my life!
The objective of creating this list isn’t to create some fear-based mentality toward death. I don’t see our existence to be limited to our physical years on Earth – our physical lifespan is but a short speck of our existence in the universe. The whole point of creating a bucket list is to maximize every moment of your existence and live our life to the fullest.
The Universe
It’s a reminder of all the things we want to achieve in our time on Earth so that instead of spending our time on pointless things, we direct it toward things that matter to us.
Time For A New Bucket List
Get Into That Size 12 Jeans Before I Am 50 In June
This has been on my list for as long as I can remember. With my birthday being in June I’d better pull my finger out big time! But to be honest I think I’d settle for a small 14. For me health is more important than waist size.
Start Up With A New Gym Membership
When my daughter started working at a local gym I stopped going to my regular gym and let the renewal lapse as I wasn’t keen on going on my own. Now my daughter has been there over 3 months I am now allowed to have free membership. So fingers crossed, this is going to be addressed this month. I will have to start slow as I am out of practice but slow is better than stop.
Learn To Swim
Again I am sure this was on my last bucket list. I would love to be able to swim and get rid of my fear of water. Swimming would be an exercise much better suited to my health problems; i.e. fibromyalgia etc. So I need to look into the new gym membership when I get it and see if they do lessons there; if they don’t then I will have them somewhere else.
Learn to swim
Sort Out My Garden
My garden wasn’t used at all last year. It is far too big for me to look after on my own. I would love to get it sorted and made nice. If I had the money I would love to have a garden room for my arts and crafts and sewing and also growing my own veg. I did about 5 years ago grow my own runner beans, and courgettes etc and loved it. It was so nice to just go into the garden and pick your own vegetables and eat it the same day.
Wish this was my garden
Make My Own Clothes
I bought my sewing machine about 7 years ago and loved using it. As space became a minimum it got put to one side and I have not used it for far too long. I would really like to get into making clothes for myself and also things like soft furnishings etc. Maybe even printing my own fabric. It is something that I would really like to get some more lessons in. I just love the idea of making something to wear; something that is unique and a one-off that fits my personality.
Sewing Machine
Level 4 Complementary Therapies
I am in the process of studying level 3 and would like to further my education even more and maybe go for a level 4. The other thing I am considering is a course in complimentary therapies for palliative care and end of life. I have worked as a carer in the care industry and do have some experience with end of life. Although sad it is extremely rewarding knowing that you have made someones last hours as comfortable as you possibly can for everyone involved.
I did consider for a long time a career in nursing but the nurses I have talked to over the years are more and more dissatisfied and unhappy with the situations they are currently working in. So for me being hands on with a client is extremely important and being able to actually physically “care” for someone is integral to my beliefs.
Journey On The Orient Express
I would love to have a trip on this train. The food looks exquisite but when I think of The Orient Express I think of romance, Agatha Christie, elegance, beautiful scenery and a trip back in time almost.
Write A Bestselling Book
Well I have written a few books now one of which did quite well but I want to push myself and take this much further. I am in the process of learning and studying very hard and when I get to where I want to be there will be a book coming out alongside of it. I am also compiling as you know a book; an anthology of poems written by people suffering from mental health issues and also by the loved ones of people who suffer. So without giving too much else away I have quite a few books in the pipeline. Also a big one which I start next January and will take me over a year to put together but I’m sure it will be worth it.
Have My Own Horse
Now I know I’m clutching at straws with this one I can’t afford a skateboard let alone a horse but I absolutely adore horses. They are such a magical and spiritual animal. I don’t know what it is but when I see one I have an overwhelming urge to touch it; to stroke its neck and feel the soft velvet skin around his mouth. Having volunteered at a disabled riding group years ago I saw first hand the unbelievably amazing effect horses had on the disabled riders. I won’t lie the first time I saw it I cried.
Horse
Live On The Coast
I have wanted to live on the coast for so long I can’t remember. I am sure I am not the only who feels like that but when I am by the sea I feel a great sense of peace and calm come over me and I’m in my own little bubble. I love Whitby and I love Bembridge on the Isle of Wight and could live at these places quite easily. For me I would love to be able to fall asleep at night listening to the waves. Ideally I would prefer a sea view but then wouldn’t we all. A little place with not many neighbours with a quiet sandy beach, my dog running around on it and you never know maybe ride my horse and feel the wind in my hair.
Get Married
Yep… I would like to get married one day. The problem is though I need to find someone to marry first and that is proving quite difficult. I don’t think there are many eligible men around in Harrogate or men that like me that is. I may have to resort to running over some poor unsuspecting man in a supermarket vegetable isle. So watch this space you may see me appearing on Crimewatch in the not too distant future.
Have An Orchard
As well as vegetables I would love to have my own fruit trees. I already have an apple tree which my mother bought me one year for Christmas. So I have to say if I ever move house my apple tree is coming with me. I’d love to have more apple trees, pear trees, plum trees; all sorts. Also berries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries. As you can see I don’t want much do I?
Be My Own Boss
I’m working on this and I can feel it is becoming more and more of a reality. I’m not giving up; tenacious is my middle name. So there is Karma Times on the horizon. Karma Times has been a name I have had in my head and my heart for so many years now and I know that has been important to me. Finally I’ve found the niche that this now fits and the path I am on is the right one. I would like to specialise in relaxation, anti-stress, anxiety and depression; also chronic health conditions which are quite often linked.
Make My Own Brand Products
I have made a start with this with the aromatherapy wax tarts and will be adding to this continuously. All my products will be items that are good for the soul and also be part of Karma Times. They will cover a wide variety of things so watch out for those too. So currently there is Karma Times the complementary therapy website and a Karma Times Etsy shop which sells my jewellery products. At some point in the future the two may possibly merge but I haven’t decided yet. It may be that the Etsy will be just jewellery and the other products will be on the therapy site.
Karma Times Wax Melts
Get A Camper Van
I seriously want a camper van. I can’t think of anything better than on a Friday packing up the van and just to travel around the coast visiting different places.
Get My Own Chickens
I would love to have a little farm-yard but I’d settle for chickens. If it was up to me I would have chickens, a little goat or two, maybe a Shetland pony or even a donkey or two. I’d be in dungarees and wellies everyday I’d be in my element.
My Own Art Studio, Craft Room, Sewing Room, Silversmithing Studio
I have so many creative ideas going through my head it’s unbelievable and I want to have a go at all of them while I can. The only problem is being creative costs money. But.. this is a bucket list and also a list of dreams and we all need dreams. And.. sometimes dreams come true!
Go On Some Betty’s Cookery Courses
I think I would enjoy going on cookery courses. I definitely would like to study nutrition and do a series of cookery books. (I’m working on this currently).
Set Up A Charity or Social Enterprise
I have been thinking about this for a while but even more so in recent months when I have seen the effect of giving free complementary therapies to people in the support group I set up. The difference has been gobsmackingly amazing. I wouldn’t have believed it unless I had seen it for myself.
The sad thing is though the people who need and would greatly benefit from complementary therapies can’t often afford them. This is why I have been giving free ones to people I know would benefit. It also got me thinking more seriously about the charity. I would like to be able to provide complementary therapies to people in emotional crisis. I want to do this. I need to do this.
Have My Own Business Premises
I guess this could be linked to the charity. Either way I would at some point like my own business premises and employ other therapists on the same mission as myself and that is to make a difference. I don’t want to be targeting the luxury market I want to target the people like myself, the people who need these therapies but can’t afford them.
I want a business that can treat the person as a whole. Address both physical health and emotional heath so incorporate mindfulness, coaching, counselling, therapies, creativity, nutrition, group meetings, outings etc for the local community. Then hopefully one day being able to set more of these centers up to help other communities.
It would be fantastic to be able at some point to provide an environment, a safe place for people in crisis where they can stay for a few days to access all the services and to leave feeling loved, cared for and with hope.
Face My Fears And Be A TED Speaker
I can’t think of anything worse than standing in front of a huge amount of people and talk about something and be able to keep their attention. It must be an incredible feeling to be able to do that but one hell of a scary one. I do love TED if you haven’t seen any yet head over to their site here.
Visit Historical Places
I love history particularly the Tudors. I would love to visit Hampton Court, The Tower of London and Hever Castle (the childhood home of Ann Boleyn). I would also like to visit the Palace of Versailles at some point. The one place I do love is Osborne House on the Isle of Wight; the home of Queen Victoria. There is something so beautiful about that building and the settings.
Osborne House
I do love a good castle too. So I think I need to find a man who fancies doing it with me. I would also like to visit the pyramids of Egypt, Mexico etc.
Shark Cage
I would be scared to death but I would love to be brave enough to do this. To see a great white in its natural habitat must be such a jaw dropping occasion. I’d be terrified but what an exhilarating thing to do.
Learn To Play The Piano
I would love to learn a musical instrument. I grew up with my granddad playing his harmonica and loved watching him. I love the sound of the piano so that would be really cool. I’d like to touch a harp too; it’s not something I’d want to play but I’d like to have a go on one.
Ride In A Gondola In Venice
I would love to go to Venice and ride in a gondola especially with the one I love. How romantic would that be? It looks like such a beautiful place so this is definitely going in my bucket list. It’s an art lovers paradise.
Go Glamping
I loved camping as a kid in fact I still do but haven’t done it in a few years. I would like to upgrade though and go glamping. I still want to sleep under the canvas and stars but in a better bed. To be honest I wouldn’t mind having my own large tippee or yurt in my garden; I’d love that. It would be a great place to chill out.
Have A Go At Writing Your Own
If you don’t have a bucket list, I highly recommend you to create one. how much will it cost? Absolutely zero! How long will it take? Probably 30 minutes or so or even an hour, more if you get really caught up in the process of it all. What do you stand to gain? Significant clarity in what you want from life. It’s an invaluable exchange if you think about it.
If you already have a bucket list, take this opportunity to review it. See if there are new items you want to add-on. if so, add them in. check if all the items listed are still relevant. If not then remove them. Set a reminder on your calendar to look at it every 3 months or 6 months.
Where Do I Start?
Now take your pen and paper out or open up a text document and type it. Read the following questions and then start writing what pops in your head.
What if you were to die tomorrow? What would you wish you could do before you die?
What would you do if you hand unlimited time, money and resources?
What have you always wanted to do but have not done yet?
any countries, places or locations you want to visit?
What are your biggest goals and dreams?
What do you want to see in person?
What achievements do you want to have?
What experiences do you want to have/feel?
Any special moments you want to witness?
What activities or skills do you want to learn or try out?
What are the most important things you can ever do?
What would you like to say/do together with other people? People you Love? Family? Friends?
Any specific individuals (celebrities, famous people, world leaders) you want to meet in person?
What do you want to achieve in the different areas of your life: Social, love, family, career, finance, health (your weight, fitness level), spiritual?
What do you need to do to live a life of greatest meaning as defined by you?
Come up with as many items as you can
The items should be things you have not done yet. Don’t stop until you have at lease 101 things! If you find yourself stuck, chances are you are mentally limiting yourself. Release those shackles – your bucket list is meant to be a list of everything you want to achieve, do, see, feel and experience in your life.
As you can see I don’t have 101 things on my own bucket list yet but I have only just started. If you follow my blog you will see me update this on a regular basis and will hear about the things I’ve done when I get to tick them off.
I would love to hear about some of the things on your lists so please feel free to share by leaving a comment below. Also if you want to hear and read more about mine please hit subscribe.
