Get back in the saddle after Covid19 slowing down: May 31, 2022

Dear May,

I haven’t been on horse-riding- I like horses, and this is something I was dreaming of as a child- maybe it is on my bucket list in a way.

But the idea is, having more energy and getting ahead in the direction of my dreams- things happen and we also happen to others; most of all, we might lose faith in ourselves and in the future. But things change constantly, and what is negative can become a window of opportunity.

Let’s give it a try and let’s keep walking and trying independently of getting this or that outcome.

I commit to waking up at 6 am every day and going to bed a bit earlier, to begin with; and to work for one hour and a half focused, with a short break in between.

What do you think?

I am working from home and took a short break with some lentils and tea; it seems like a great idea to have one and a half-hour focused work, let’s see how it goes.

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November 29, 2021: Friends, new and old

Hello November,

A lot of new things happen in my life since September when I moved back to London to work on-site. I have arrived stressed and tired after continuous lockdowns, to realize that most people suffered in their own way, even the luckiest among them who were physically ok.

I spent some time worrying that I don’t know that many people in London, and then I realised I haven’t been in touch with some of my dearest old friends who are not living nearby. Do I still have their contact details? For some, it will take work because I haven’t uploaded all of my old contacts in the cloud, and they might be in parts of the world where they don’t use the same social media.

Still, I need to make the effort to see: where are friends from the student’s residence of my first years far from home?

Time to find out!

New friends are great, but old friends are like rocks you build on your foundation of happiness!

September 8th, 2021: Respecting our rhythm

Hello September,

Yes, I am in London again where everything is fast, and people are slowly but steadily going towards their pre-pandemic life styles; with precaution, vaccination and masks in the underground.

I still feel stressed, after living with my parents in our village at the South of France. It sounds idyllic, but with the lockdown and my mum’s health issues, it was difficult to keep the balance.

So, here I am, and I feel like a real holiday is in order: the kind of thing where you allow yourself to just BE, living fully in the PRESENT and admiring the birds, the food, the beach, each other, etc…

Without any form of guilt:

Rest and healing is not a luxury it is a necessity!!!

Holiday, here I come!!!

September 2nd: Back to London!

Hello September and hello London!

I am back!!!

My clothes and stuff is on boxes on the floor, I barely have space to walk and there are moths in my new room!

After moving in out and around between countries, and living with my parents during the pandemic, I am back to working face to face, with the mask as an accessory.

I bought a beautiful rose flower, a vase and a lavender pot to face the moths.

The rose was amazing and beautiful. The lavender pot that is supposed to serve as a remedy was half price. I wasn’t sure it will survive indoors.

These purchases reflect my current attitude:

Hope for a better future, with the rose

Fear with a plant that is not at its best.

I will give a chance to the lavender also, at least asking for advice to make it feel better.

Hope and fear might live in the same person.

But if we take more care of the hope, the fear might go away and do its job: guard us only when it is necessary.

August 23rd, 2021: New Start in Journaling: being a best friend

I am back journaling, and yes, I am learning the new way to edit my posts, the font size looks so small or I am not used to it… whatever…

It has been a productive summer but somehow, it was kind of difficult from a family point of view and I don’t feel I have really relaxed or taken some real time out…

a friend of mine mentioned a man who seemed to consider being a few eggs at a supermarket in Germany, and I realise how lucky I have been to stay healthy and to have a job.

Despite having all this luck, living with parents and especially one who has serious health issues has been my excuse to feel nervous and ready to explode… yes, it is an excuse, compared to the situation in the world and to the fate of women and children, refugees, unemployed, climate change, it is time to do something. A donation, an action, some support in social media.

So, I did something 🙂

After all, just a small action is better than being a passive observer of other people’s lives.

And if we are ready to mobilise to support anything that is a worthy cause, how about mobilising to support ourselves? What would we do if we were our best friend?

What would I advise my self if I were my twin sister or best friend?

I would take myself out for a small and inspiring trip to lift my spirits and change a little bit.

Actually, talking to a friend through zoom and making plans for the future was like taking a short trip.

May 4th, 2021-Secret to getting up at 5am: a hungry cat!

Hello May,

my secret for getting up at 5am? A hungry cat!

Let me explain: my parents’ cat had an upset stomach and the vet suggested a diet with less and lighter food. The cat didn’t exactly appreciate this new habit. She is hungry early in the morning and cries next to my head at 4.45 am.

You could say, why not close the door?

I have tried, but then she not only cries loudly outside, but also bangs the door which makes even more noise.

After 10 days, the cat has lost a bit of weight, her stomach is better and what is more, she has helped me install a new morning habit, even if initially, I didn’t think possible to reach the 5am goal many self development guru’s preach for.

So, my advice?

If you want to install a 5am habit, put your cat on a diet (after the vet’s advice, not to starve the poor thing), and then, forget all about alarms etc.

The hungry cat will take over!!!

April 18 to 29th- doing something new every day for 35 days, mission accomplished!

Hello April,

yes, I did it! I have done something new every day for the last 30 days, actually 35 days, and now I intend to prolong it to 66 days, so that the habit sticks with me!!!

What exactly? A lot had to do with food: trying different types of milk for the latte (soya, almond and coconut milk) was one version. And I ended up with coconut milk latte, but I admit that my guilty pleasure is cow milk for a delicious latte with chocolate and cinnamon.

I have also tried all the varieties of coffee I could have access to: Kenya, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Brazil.

Next thing? Different types of tea and herbal tea (chamomile, and all the possible herbs and blends). Great stuff!

I have taken up colouring for adults, and today I am to buy my second colouring book. And offer colouring books to members of my household.

I have started dancing in the morning, using “Just dance” workouts.

I have gone out with my glasses instead of my contact lenses (because I had a minor eye infection). And I realised how difficult it is to breath with glasses and face mask.

I have decided to try new recipes for our lunch. Vegetable burgers, shrimp spaghetti, I had never cooked before, …

And some other new stuff that take more time:

I have mentioned statistics before, so yes, now I know my way around multiple regression! (more or less, less or more).

I have looked for presents to my godson.

And yes, I feel that doing something new everyday is definitely making me more creative, fun and motivated!

Now I decided to upgrade this challenge to 66 days.

Doing something new and exciting every day here we are!!!

doing

April 5 and 6, 2021- Doing something new every day for 30 days, days 11 and 12

Hello April,

you know what I did? I realised I might be a “super recogniser”, one of those people who can recognise others despite age, style, etc differences. it all started when I recognised a child actor in the early 2000, as a grownup comedian in a very different role.

Ok, you think this isn’t enough? Well, I took an online test, provided by the Open University and the University of Greenwich.

And I got a very decent score. Now there are a couple of other tests to pass also.

So this qualifies as one thing.

And today, I bought biological Kale for the first time. It didn’t look nicer, but I convinced myself, so I hope it tastes ok.

Oh, yes, and a mini bottle of Proseco.

The next step would be to take my Champagne glasses out of the cupboard and to drink the Champaign I have kept for special occasions, no matter what, even if I become drunk.

It has been challenging to celebrate and to celebrate myself with my mother suffering from health issues in the same house.

But the thing is, no matter what happens, we can always choose to feel good, and we can share and spread happiness around.

Oh, yes, I found my new action today: a reference letter for a childhood friend! It definitely qualifies as one!!!

https://forward-festival.com/article/vogue-faces-of-fashion

https://www.superrecognisers.com

April 2nd-4th, 2021-Doing something new every day for 30 days in lockdown, days 8 to 10

Hello April,

I am not cheating, I have done something new every day!

So, for April 1, I have called the vet to ask how to bring the garden cat, Felix for his vaccines. You see, he might not take it nicely to get into a box. I also bought vegan protein powder for my future smoothie.

April 2, I have prepared myself a smoothie! With kiwi, strawberries, protein powder and milk.

April 3, I went to a sports doctor to ask if I can exercise again and if I do anything harmful without being aware; apparently not, so I am getting back to exercising!

April 4, today, a walk in the direction of my old school. I realise I don’t like seeing my school a lot. Yes, I should be grateful to be a literate female, in world where girls might get married before they reach puberty and they might not learn to read and write.

Maybe it has to do with my dream to go far away and change my life. I actually did, and even though I am back due to lockdown, I appreciate everything that happened in between. All the goals I have achieved. And even those I didn’t, maybe it wasn’t the timing.

The Best is yet to come!

Turmeric Banana Smoothie with Ginger

Turmeric Banana Smoothie with Ginger

April 1st, 2021-Blog-anniversary, 7 years blogging!

Welcome April!

this is my 7th Blog-anniversary!

It all started 7 years ago in Paris. I had was a freelancer at a Platform, for the organisation of artistic events. I was under a hideous man, ‘the wannabe boss”, not appreciated and not regularly paid.

On the other hand, I was living in Paris! That was already great for a provincial girl, but it couldn’t get better.

So, I decided to forget my promising but unsuccessful love-stories and to leave France for the UK!

London, it was.

I have had adventures, I have been laid off, I have returned to my hometown and then again, made a place for myself.

I have found a new job.

With a horrid vice-director (a female b… this time).

The Pandemic happened.

I came back to my hometown.

I found a better job and resigned from the previous one!

And now, working from my parents’ home where I have adopted a second cat.

Almost.

He is in their garden. Felix.

The cat in the house, is Bella.

I am so grateful for these blogging years, they have given me supportive friends, clarity, and perspective to gain some awareness.

Thank you blog-sphere and thank you wise blog-friends for making this experience amazing!

April, as of (april4june6, the period I meant to journal every day, initially)

P.S. The photo is mine, I have taken it 7 years ago, in the Luxembourg Gardens, in Paris, for this Blog. Such a great memory!!!