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Wednesday 1st July
I woke up with a strong feeling of missing home. It worried me because I am so grateful to be away, and I didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but I just couldn’t shake the feeling of being uncomfortable. Sometimes that’s the reality of living with dementia. Even when you’re somewhere beautiful, unfamiliar surroundings can leave you feeling unsettled.
Hubby worked his magic and found a nature reserve near Lockerbie, only a twenty-minute drive from where we were staying. I’ll admit, after yesterday’s experience on the winding roads, I was a little apprehensive about getting back in the car. But I’m so glad I did.
It turned out to be one of the best nature reserves we have ever visited. The hides were spotless, perfectly positioned and beautifully maintained. We watched an amazing variety of birds, but the highlight of the day had to be discovering a nest of Little Grebes, also known as Dabchicks.
Oh my goodness… the excitement of looking through the lens and watching them was simply breathtaking. In fact, hubby had to remind me to breathe because I was so engrossed in photographing them that I was almost hyperventilating! Those tiny birds completely lifted my spirits. They were exactly what I needed to chase away the cloud that had been hanging over me all morning.
After leaving the nature reserve, we took the short drive into Lockerbie to visit the Garden of Remembrance. It is a peaceful and tranquil place, created in memory of the victims of the Pan Am Flight 103 disaster. At 7:03pm on Wednesday 21st December 1988, a bomb exploded on board the aircraft, and large sections of the plane fell onto the town of Lockerbie. All 243 passengers and 16 crew members lost their lives, along with 11 people on the ground.
As we quietly walked through the gardens, reading the memorial messages and paying our respects, a butterfly gently landed on my shoulder. It felt like such a special moment, bringing a little comfort to a place filled with so much sadness.
After lunch back at the lodge, we headed to the shopping village near Gretna Green, where I treated myself to a Ralph Lauren shirt. We decided not to visit Gretna Green itself as we’d explored it on a previous trip to Scotland.
By the end of the day we were well and truly shattered. I think it’s time to put our feet up, relax, and enjoy a quiet evening.
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Have you ever walked into a place and instantly known it just didn’t feel quite right?
You can’t always explain why. It might look beautiful, be well looked after, and everything around seems ok, yet something inside tells you it isn’t a place where you feel comfortable.
I often wonder how much our surroundings affect the way we feel. The sounds, the lighting, the smells, the people around us, even the way a building is laid out can all make a difference. Sometimes a place feels calm and welcoming. Other times it can feel overwhelming, unsettling, or simply “off.”
Living with dementia has made me much more aware of this. I often notice how an environment makes me feel before I can put into words what it is that’s bothering me. My brain seems to sense something long before I can explain it.
Not because the place is necessarily bad, but because it may not be the right place for me. And that’s okay.
There were lots of factors that made this break feel different from what I had imagined.
The layout of the lodge never quite felt comfortable, my usual early morning walks didn’t feel relaxing, and from 9am until 5pm the constant gunshots from the nearby clay pigeon shooting range left both Toby and me feeling on edge. Then there were the narrow, winding roads.
It’s strange how much our surroundings can influence how we feel and the mood we carry. After the excitement of arriving, the reality turned out to be very different.
Dementia isn’t just about memory. Things like noise, unfamiliar environments and difficult roads can have a huge impact on how I feel.
On day two, we decided to visit Powfoot Beach, just a couple of miles from where we were staying. Toby and Sooty were in their element, racing around and burning off plenty of energy, while I wandered slowly, hoping to spot some wildlife. The beach was muddier than we expected, with stretches of shingle that made walking quite difficult, so we headed back to the picnic area where we sat with our flasks of tea, soaking up the views instead.
After lunch, hubby suggested we visit Caerlaverock Castle and the nearby Caerlaverock Nature Reserve. We started our journey on a lovely road, but before long it became what I can only describe as the road from hell. At least, that’s how it felt to me. It twisted and turned through tall, lush hedgerows that were impossible to see over, leaving me constantly worrying about what might be coming the other way. Some stretches were so narrow they only had passing places. With every bend my anxiety grew. I became agitated, grumpy and physically felt unwell. It was a stark reminder of how quickly unfamiliar surroundings can overwhelm me.
When we finally reached the turning for the nature reserve, only to discover it was closed, that really was the last straw. Poor hubby ended up getting the full force of my anxiety and frustration, even though none of it was his fault.
Thankfully, just ten minutes later we arrived at Caerlaverock Castle, and I can’t tell you how relieved I was to climb out of the car.
The castle itself was stunning, but I don’t know if it was worth the journey!
It’s the only triangular castle in Britain, and it certainly made an impression. After wandering around, taking far too many photographs and enjoying the history, it was finally time to head back to the lodge…This time on a much better road, I’m pleased to say!
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To say I was winding down from dementia activism, taking a bit of a back seat and hoping to spend more time with hubby, my crafts, and enjoying the outdoors, it seems life had other ideas. Without really noticing, my diary had gradually filled up again. The weeks that once held only one or two meetings were suddenly packed with new opportunities.
Some opportunities are simply too special to turn down.
Just before we headed off on our break to Scotland, I received a call from BBC Radio Lancashire asking if I would be willing to appear live on their morning show. After a long conversation, I explained that I wanted to enjoy my holiday without any commitments beforehand, but I would happily come into the studio once I returned. We agreed on the morning of Tuesday 7th July.
During our conversations, I also mentioned that my Admiral Nurse had become an important part of my dementia chapter. It felt like the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the incredible support provided by Admiral Nurses and Dementia UK, while sharing my own experiences of living with dementia.
Tuesday 7th July arrived, and with it came the familiar feeling of waking with a nervous stomach. Here we go… my old friend anxiety had arrived to accompany me once again.
Breakfast wasn’t an option. Instead, I sipped on hot, sweet tea as I tried to settle my stomach and work my way through my morning routine, interrupted several times by anxiety and hurried trips to the bathroom. I did manage a quick walk to the beach with the dogs, but I didn’t venture too far. Anxiety has a habit of making me feel safer when I know home isn’t far away.
Back at the house, I gathered together a few notes, packed my bag with everything I thought I might need, and waited for my lift to Blackburn. My Admiral Nurse, Maxine, and her assistant, Julie, were driving me over, as Maxine would also be talking about the work of Admiral Nurses and Dementia UK during the interview.
At 9.20am I spotted Maxine’s car pulling up outside my house. I quickly locked the back door, gave the dogs their treats, picked up my bag and headed down the drive. As I approached the car, I could see Maxine and Julie smiling and waving through the windows. Their warm welcome instantly helped settle a few of my nerves.
I climbed into the front seat, and as we set off Maxine admitted she was feeling a little nervous too. She asked how my anxiety was doing.
“Okay… at the moment,” I replied.
Blackburn is only around a 45-minute drive away, the biggest challenge would be navigating the one-way system. Thankfully, between the two of them, they navigated it perfectly and we reached BBC Radio Lancashire with plenty of time to spare.
Inside the building we were shown to a seating area and offered refreshments while we waited. Various members of staff came over to introduce themselves, although I have to admit I can’t remember all of their names or exactly what their roles were. While waiting, I managed to take a few photographs before we were finally invited into the studio.
It was fascinating.
A large microphone sat directly in front of me, surrounded by computer screens, cameras and speakers. Through the large glass window I could see another studio buzzing with activity. Having never stepped inside a radio studio before, I couldn’t help but take it all in.
Before I knew it, we were live.
The interview seemed to fly by in a matter of minutes. One moment I was nervously taking my seat, and the next it was all over. We took a few more photographs before saying our goodbyes and heading back home.
Another opportunity embraced. Another experience ticked off. Living with dementia has certainly taken me on a journey I could never have imagined, and despite the anxiety that often comes along for the ride, moments like these remind me why I continue to speak out. If sharing my story helps even one person feel less alone or encourages someone to seek support, then every nervous moment is worthwhile.
If you would like to listen to the interview, I’ve included the recording below. ⬇️
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After all the excitement of appearing on ITV’s This Morning, it was finally time to switch off the emails and escape for a few days. The great outdoors was calling, and I was more than ready for five days away with hubby, the dogs, the countryside and nature.
We had booked this little break quite a while ago, and the timing couldn’t have been better. Our destination was Annan in Scotland, a historic market town on the banks of the River Annan, close to the Solway Firth in Dumfries and Galloway. It’s only eight miles from the English border and is apparently well known for its beautiful red sandstone architecture. I was looking forward to exploring somewhere new.
I was a little behind with my planning and packing after the unexpected trip to London. My head had been all over the place, and I felt as though I was constantly trying to catch up.
Friday 26th June became my “get organised” day. I sat down with my lists and slowly worked through them, ticking off everything as it was packed. Clothes, shopping, dog supplies, planned meal menus… there were stacker boxes everywhere. To anyone else it probably looked like complete chaos, but to me it was organised chaos, and that’s exactly how I needed it.
By Saturday, the anxiety had started to creep in. The reality of going somewhere different was getting closer, and my stomach was already doing somersaults.
Sunday became my final day of checking. As soon as I woke, the familiar feeling of anxiety had settled in my stomach. I packed, cleaned, organised and checked everything over and over until I was completely exhausted.
Monday finally arrived. I got up early and headed out with the dogs. If I kept moving, I didn’t have time to dwell on how anxious I was feeling. A lovely walk along the beach helped settle my mind before heading home to get changed and collect our food shopping for our five-day break in Annan.
I absolutely love our little holidays away. I just wish my anxiety loved them too.
We arrived in Annan at around 2.30pm, but our lodge wasn’t quite ready, so we spent some time wandering around the local area. At 3.20pm, hubby received the call we’d been waiting for.
“Our lodge is ready.”
I always love opening the door to somewhere new. It never loses that sense of excitement, and this lodge certainly didn’t disappoint. It was modern, cosy and overlooked a beautiful pond where nature came and went throughout the day. It was the perfect setting. Even the dogs seemed fascinated, happily watching the wildlife from the glass-screened balcony.
After unpacking, we simply sat down with a cup of tea and admired the view.
Relax.
Later that evening, after dinner, we took the dogs for a walk around the site. Geese waddled along the edge of the pond, birds sang from the trees, and everywhere felt wonderfully quiet and peaceful.
It was beautiful.
But somehow it didn’t quite stir the same feelings as our last escape to Augill Beck. There was something truly special about that place. Some places leave footprints on your heart, and Augill Beck certainly did that.
If you would rather listen to my blog than read, you can click the link below
It’s been a busy couple of days. There have been lots of phone calls, lots of questions, and lots of different voices. Some people have sounded rushed, others have been a little difficult to understand, but everyone has tried so hard to be helpful and make sure that both our travel and accommodation were comfortable and suitable.
I understand there must be an enormous amount of preparation involved in making sure every guest is looked after. It can’t be easy, especially because we all have different needs and requirements. After all, we are all individuals.
Then there were my own preparations to think about, the dogs, my notes, clothes, hubby, and his work.
Brightly coloured sticky notes appearing everywhere around our house. Coping with dementia alongside anxiety, I did wonder at times whether it would all be worth it.
It was hubby who spurred me on, constantly reassuring me that I could do this…That I would do this, because it was a fantastic opportunity, and one I didn’t want to miss.
There were moments when I simply had to step away and sit beside the pond in our garden, listening to the gentle trickle of water cascading from the waterfall blade. The sound of water calms me and gives me a few precious moments of peace, and sometimes those few moments are exactly what i need to bring everything back into perspective.
This was a new experience, a new venture, and a new opportunity that had unexpectedly come my way. Whatever happened, I was determined to embrace it and make the most of it.
When 11am arrived on Tuesday 23rd June, it was time to leave the ITV studio behind. I felt sad to be leaving all those happy faces. The ITV studios has to be one of the happiest places I have been in a long time. The whole atmosphere oozed kindness and joy, not an ounce of negativity. That’s my kind of environment.
Everyone was so helpful and accommodating, which made the whole experience worthwhile. Maybe that’s why I felt so sad to leave.
After our goodbyes, the doors opened on the car that would take us back to Euston Station.
The journey was busy, thank goodness for air conditioning!
As we reached the station, crowds of people were gathering both inside and outside, and as the car door opened, the heat hit us immediately. It was the lead-up to the hottest days of the year, and everyone seemed to be searching for shade.
Hubby spotted Marks & Spencer, I think he hoped that because it was somewhere familiar, I might manage to eat something. We bought a croissant for me, a sandwich and drink for him, and some plain crisps to snack on during the journey.
I didn’t eat my croissant until much later on the train. Food simply wasn’t appealing to me at all. Instead, I sipped black sweet tea from my flask.
Watching the information board at the station, did little to reassure me that our train would actually be running. There were so many cancellations. Then, suddenly, there it was, the train to Glasgow appeared on the board, and it was on time. What a relief!
As the gates opened, crowds of people flocked towards the tiny turnstiles. It was bedlam.
Once on board, things didn’t go quite to plan for some passengers, as the air conditioning had failed in several carriages. Thankfully, ours was working, although we did experience the occasional waterfall of excess water cascading from the central overhead panel, which was certainly interesting!
Hubby and I sat chatting about the whole experience, reminiscing about how surreal it had all felt. I began to relax slightly as we pulled into Preston Station. Nearly home.
Once home, the excitement continued. Neighbours, friends, and family were all messaging and ringing. I think I was still being carried along by the excitement of it all.
Wednesday morning, however, was a very different story. Instead of feeling bright and full of energy, I felt tired, lethargic, and as though my brain had completely shut down.
Simple tasks became difficult. I walked the dogs in a daze and only realised when I reached the beach that I didn’t have my bag, phone, or keys, nothing. It’s was just me and the dogs. It was only the other day I had left my handbag in a shop, so I immediately thought I could have put it down on a wall on my way to the beach, so I retraced my steps back home. Good job I walk the same walk every day!
I hadn’t left my bag on a wall, it was sitting safely on the kitchen worktop. I had just forgotten to pick the bag up on my out.
I try my best to resume my usual morning routine, but it just wasn’t happening. I wandered around aimlessly, not really knowing what I was doing.
I checked my “Things To Do” board. Change the beds…a simple enough task, I thought.
I stripped hubby’s bed and put the bedding in the washing machine. Result! It wasn’t actually a result as I forgot to put the washing powder in and the fabric conditioner…The sheets just had a very long rinse!
Making the bed was another matter entirely. I couldn’t understand why the fitted sheet kept pinging off one corner. Eventually, I realised I had been trying to put it on the wrong way round.
It was a long, slow process. Everything seemed to take so much longer, and I felt completely drained and exhausted.
My mum rang for a quick chat, and later ITV checked in to make sure everything had gone well. It was lovely of them to do so, and as I had already told them, it had been a wonderful experience. They have helped me create some very special memories.
After the initial wave of comments on social media, Thursday felt much quieter. I answered a couple of emails from people interested in speaking with me and hoped my day would go better than the previous one.
Then, after lunch, I received an email from BBC Radio Lancashire asking me to give me a call. We had a long conversation about my story, and when I mentioned the Admiral Nurses, they became keen to include them on the programme too.
Another opportunity, this time to visit the BBC Radio Lancashire Studios
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Diary from Tuesday 23rd June 2026
Just after 5am, I lay in bed trying to remain perfectly still. Hubby was beside me, something I’m totally not used to. We have slept in separate rooms for the last few years because of my sleep disturbances, so this morning felt strange. I couldn’t move around in bed, there would be no early morning walk, and my usual routine was completely out of sync. I felt trapped within the four walls of the hotel room.
My stomach was doing somersaults and I didn’t feel particularly well. Anxiety always affects my stomach, often leaving me constantly running to the bathroom. I’d been like this for the last few days, which explained why I hadn’t been eating much. Before long, I found myself back in the bathroom yet again.
About an hour later, hubby woke, completely unaware that I’d spent most of the previous hour in and out of the bathroom. He asked how I was feeling and whether I could manage breakfast.
“No,” I replied, “but I’ll come with you. At least I can have a proper cup of tea.” Sweet tea would do just fine this morning.
Once hubby had showered, we headed down for breakfast. The dining room was filled with both music and morning television.
Oh my goodness, what a clash of noise!
I sat sipping my sweet black tea while hubby enjoyed a full English breakfast. I couldn’t think of anything worse than food that morning. No, actually, I could …the television and the music competing to see which could be the loudest.
After breakfast, we climbed the stairs into the bar area where Julie was sitting alone.
“Good morning,” I said.
Julie looked up from her phone as I leaned over to give her a welcoming hug. We chatted about our journeys, comparing travel notes and sharing how our trips had unfolded. To my surprise, Julie handed me a gift wrapped in red tissue paper. Inside was a beautiful Highland cow candle holder.
“Julie, you shouldn’t have. Thank you so much.”
Leaving Julie to enjoy her breakfast, hubby and I headed out for a quick walk to try and calm my anxiety. Little did we know that the access lift to the dining room had broken down, meaning Julie couldn’t get to breakfast at all. While hubby and I wandered around the block, poor Julie was left trying to find an alternative. I felt awful when I found out.
We had arranged to meet in reception at around 8.30am to wait for someone from ITV to collect us. I can’t remember the exact time, but a young woman with a warm smile arrived and, after wishing us good morning, escorted Julie towards the accessible entrance while hubby and I made our way down the hotel steps.
The ITV studio was very unassuming, tucked away on an ordinary street. I was quite shocked. Security opened the door to reveal the reception area, and there, staring straight back at me, was a huge ITV logo.
Wow! I’m here… I’m really here!
Tom from Dementia UK had also arrived to support both Julie and me. At last, my anxiety began to settle and excitement took over. I couldn’t quite believe it.
Julie and I managed a quick photo before she was ushered towards the lift while hubby and I took the stairs. What I hadn’t expected was just how many stairs there were and we were going down!
Eventually, a door opened onto a black corridor filled with screens, switches and wires. We were shown into a dressing room…a real dressing room, complete with mirrors surrounded by lights. I was beside myself with excitement.
People were everywhere, rushing from place to place, each offering a quick “good morning” as they passed. Suddenly, Lorraine Kelly swept past the room, followed shortly afterwards by Martin Lewis. My eyes were darting everywhere.
There were introductions from producers and staff, but my dementia brain recalls very few names, only lots of warm smiles.
Soon, we were called for makeup. I went to the makeup room while Julie had hers done in the dressing room. As I sat having my makeup applied, Dr Zoe Williams came in. We introduced ourselves and began chatting. She noticed my accent and asked where I was from. I explained that I now live near Blackpool but originally came from the Burnley area. To my surprise, Dr Zoe is from Burnley too.
Then, through the mirror, I spotted Ben Shephard taking a seat behind me.
Oh my goodness, this was all so surreal. I was having my makeup professionally done, surrounded by presenters and staff from ITV’s This Morning…What is going on?!
After makeup, everything became a little blurred. I remember being led back down the black corridor to the studio, where we waited outside the doors. Out walked Nick Ferrari and Ashley Louise James.
Now it was our turn!
The studio doors opened, revealing the set of This Morning. Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley stood near the sofa. Around five or six huge cameras were positioned around the studio, with lights suspended from the ceiling above. It didn’t seem real. It felt as though I was living in a dream.
Ben and Cat came forward to welcome Julie and me while hubby and Tom from Dementia UK stood behind the cameras.
This was it.
After a brief chat to help us feel comfortable, it was suddenly:
“Five, four, three, two, one…”
The This Morning theme tune began to play.
“You’re on air.”
The interview started. ( you can watch the interview by clicking the link below)
It felt as though only seconds had passed before it was all over. There was still so much I wanted to say. I wanted to talk about Admiral Nurses, about how life changes after a diagnosis, and about how people can often be treated differently. I’d made so many notes about things that I felt were important.
Yet, despite that, I remain incredibly grateful. Julie and I had been given a platform to share even a small part of our experiences and to shine a light on life with dementia.
Afterwards, there was only time for a brief chat with Ben, Cat and Dr Zoe, although little did I know that Ben had also taken the time to chat with John.
It was time to leave the studio, the programme had to continue, and we needed to collect our cases and begin the journey home.
Dr Zoe grabbed a quick selfie with me and Julie just before we headed off
Our cars were waiting outside for us, one heading to Euston and the other to King’s Cross.
It was time to say goodbye after such a special, surreal morning…One that I hope I will never forget.
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Monday 22nd June 2026
Everything had come together at the very last minute after a friend of mine Julie Hayden gave the ITV my contact details which inevitably led to confusion and a frantic rush to work logistics out, so I could join her at the ITV studios in London.
The morning of our travel was a whirlwind. I had a meeting with Dementia UK at 9.30am, followed by another appointment at 10am. In between, there were also the practicalities to think about
1. Making sure Toby and Sooty our Scottie’s were sorted and everything prepared for my kind neighbour, who had kindly offered to look after them while we were away overnight in London
2. Then there was my own preparation, particularly preparing my head. I don’t retain information very well, so the house was covered in notes and Post-it reminders.
Excitement was bubbling away inside me, but anxiety was doing its very best to take over. It is very difficult to enjoy yourself when anxiety is hanging around.
Thankfully, hubby finished work early so he could travel with me. If he hadn’t been escorting me, I honestly don’t think I would have got on that train to London. In truth, I probably wouldn’t even have accepted the opportunity. I need familiarity around me these days and without it, I find coping incredibly difficult.
At 1.20pm, the taxi arrived. Our neighbours waved us off like celebrities, which made me smile. During the journey, the taxi driver asked where we were going and, somehow, the conversation turned to dementia. He told me he had started forgetting words and names and then spoke about his 90-year-old father, who lives in a care home, sleeps most of the time and can no longer talk, although he still points at photographs.
Each time the driver mentioned his own memory problems, I gently suggested he make an appointment with his GP, but my comments seemed to be ignored. It always fascinates me how people can assume they know more about dementia than someone actually living with dementia .
We arrived at Blackpool North station in plenty of time. My anxiety was still hovering in the background, although it wasn’t quite as intense. Perhaps it was wishful thinking. I had purchased a spray for anxiety that was supposed to relieve the symptoms when sprayed on the tongue. Whether it worked or not, I wasn’t sure.
We boarded the train, only to arrive at Preston to discover there was a forty-minute delay for our connecting train to London Euston. Immediately, the fidgeting started. All I wanted was to be on my way to London. I was secretly hoping that once the journey was underway my anxiety would finally settle.
Anxiety is awful and can make you feel physically unwell; it can be utterly debilitating.
Eventually, we were on our way. It took a good forty-five minutes to an hour before I relaxed enough to eat anything, then it was only a couple of water biscuits and a few plain crisps, which I had been living off for the previous three days. I always turn to plain bland foods when anxiety has my stomach in knots
I really hope this opportunity will be worth it.
We finally arrived in London later than expected. The car that had been booked for us kept messaging me, but whenever I tried to reply, the messages bounced back. By this point, I had had enough, it was simply adding to my stress.
After finally getting in touch through a very difficult telephone conversation, made even harder by a language barrier, we eventually established that the driver would wait for us.
Finding the car booked for us proved to be another challenge altogether. Arriving in a strange place, surrounded by crowds of people, is far easier said than done. After walking around the outside of the station and squeezing through barriers, we eventually found the car.
The streets of London were on another level, packed solid with traffic, nose to tail, creeping along at a snail’s pace. I gazed out of the window, taking in the colours, sounds and towering concrete-lined streets. To me, it all felt rather claustrophobic. I need open spaces, peace and calm; that’s where I feel most comfortable.
At last, we arrived at our hotel, tucked away on a narrow street amongst the old shops and cafés of Covent Garden. Towering above them all, the hotel offered spectacular views across the London skyline.
Once unpacked, we ventured out for a short wander. We were tired, exhausted and just a little hungry, although not hungry enough for a proper meal. A McDonald’s Happy Meal was enough for me, and even then, I couldn’t finish it. Anxiety had left my stomach in knots for days.
Hopefully, once tomorrow afternoon arrives and the ITV interview is over, the anxiety will ease, and we can begin our journey home, back to my familiarity, my sanctuary.
If you would rather listen to my blog than read, you can click the link below
It started out as just a normal day, following the same old routine. I pottered around the house and garden, tidying up and looking for little jobs to keep me busy. Then the postman – otherwise known as my hubby – arrived with a parcel I had been patiently waiting for: my new mobile phone.
My excitement grew as I opened the box and saw the bright orange phone staring back at me. “Well, I won’t lose that one!” I thought. I put it straight on charge so I could set it up later.
I sat down for lunch and picked up my iPad to check my emails. That’s when I saw it – an email from ITV.
Dear Gail
My name is Alex and i work at ITV’s This Morningprogramme. Julie Hayden who is featured in this article from the Guardian is happy to speak to us about living well with dementia on our programme next Tuesday……
We are looking for another person who feels the same way who can come on with her.
Julie gave me your email address and i wondered whether it’s something you might be interested in.Please let me know and then i could give you a call.
I read it once, then twice, and then a third time just to make sure I hadn’t imagined it. I’m always cautious about scams, so I Googled the sender to check they were genuine.
I couldn’t wait to share the exciting news with my hubby. I also needed to know whether he could accompany me to London because there’s no way I’d be managing that journey on my own!
Before I knew it, I was having a conversation with one of the ITV news producers. We had a great chat, followed by several more emails, and suddenly my head was spinning – but in the best possible way.
Thankfully, it was all systems go. On Monday 23rd June, me and hubby will be travelling to London by train, and on Tuesday 24th I’ll be in the ITV studios.
If you would rather listen to my blog than read, you can click the link below
We often move through life focused only on what affects us, rarely pausing to consider the experiences of those we encounter each day…as humans we can be quite blinkered
We can pass people every single day without truly seeing them, we don’t seem to tune in to what is going on in their own lives.
It might be the snappy cashier trying her best to smile even though she is trying to hold together a problem marriage. It might be your doctor who seems distracted, but what we don’t realise, he could have spent the night sitting beside a hospital bed with his sick mum.
From stranger who looks angry, cold or impatient, to grumpy taxi driver, we have no idea what problems, troubles and the pain people carry
We sometimes don’t even realise what’s going on within our own families. People are so busy and just get caught up in their own lives that they forget about others
When it comes to understanding what others may be going through, we are often quick to judge from the outside, not giving time to find out what’s going on in the inside of the person.
It is strange when you think about it. We all know pain. We all know worry, heartbreak, fear, disappointment and struggle. Yet somehow, when those things belong to someone else, it’s a totally different story, I suppose we can all be dismissive and quick to assume.
Maybe it is because everyone is rushing. No one has time to stop and find out why we are actually acting in a certain way, no one likes to think that someone’s life could actually be really messy behind closed doors.
We see reactions without knowing the reasons behind them.
A short temper might be anxiety. Silence might be depression. Distance might be survival. Lateness might be exhaustion. And sometimes, just sometimes, strength is simply just getting out of bed.
The truth is, most people we know are all carrying something.
Some carry visible struggles, but many carry invisible ones.
And because we cannot physically see these struggles, we sometimes behave as though they do not exist.
Just imagine how different the world could feel if we paused before judging.
If we replaced assumption with curiosity and just took time to ask. If we chose empathy over criticism. If we remembered that every person we meet has a life.
Kindness does not always need grand gestures. Sometimes it is just patience a listening ear and sometimes it is just nice to be nice and not make someone’s day harder than it already is.
A little understanding can go further than we realise.
We are all fighting our own private battles and it’s important to remember…Just because someone hides their pain well does not mean it hurts any less.
If you would rather listen to my blog than read, you can click the link below
Last week, I had my annual medical, the one I always dread, the one to check if I’m still fit to drive. My blood pressure was through the roof as I sat nervously with my husband, waiting for the doctor to go through my notes. “How are you doing?” he asked. “I’m okay,” I replied, my usual, safe answer.
I don’t like to go into every little change or how I’m really feeling; I’d rather just keep plodding along in my own little world.
My doctor loves to talk, so he carried most of the conversation. At one point, I had to hold up my hand like a stop sign just to get a word in. Hubby and the doctor both went quiet, which was a relief, I sometimes struggle to keep up when conversations move too quickly.
We talked about my sidekick, and the doctor agreed that while I’m slowing down a bit, it doesn’t affect my ability to drive. There are changes, of course, some I’ve come to accept, and I’m learning how to adjust and adapt.
I also mentioned my anxiety, which seems to follow me everywhere. “Looks like I’ve picked up a shadow to go with my sidekick,” I joked. We all laughed.
Overall, the doctor was positive and encouraging. “Keep doing what you’re doing,” he said, “but keep an eye on that blood pressure, it’s a bit high.” I left with a smile, especially when he confirmed I’m fit to drive for another 12 months. Yippee!
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