Day 21: Making Decisions Part 2

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If you have stumbled across my blog and are thinking ‘Day 21’ of what? Have a quick read about my challenge.

My wrist is finally better!

Actually, it was better two days ago but I chose not to write. Why? Because I had forced myself to write on:

Day 18: Today I am cheating!

 Day 19: Pain Prohibits Progress… Or does it? Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.

Day 20: Today, I am sharing an unpublished comedy short film, (it still hurts to type).

It had been so painful, whimpering as I typed. Pitiful! I had pushed myself too far, so when I was able to type I didn’t want to. I resented my blog. I felt it had a hold on me forcing me to do things I didn’t want to do. 

So I made a decision…

Don’t write.

Sounds simple doesn’t it?

Far from it. When we make a decision, we get so caught up in the minutiae that we can’t see the wood for the trees. I was beating myself up that I was failing at my goal challenge

I felt deflated, the novelty had worn off, not only mine but that of my readers. The views had plummeted. I thought, “My writing must be getting worse not better. It’s just boring, no one wants to read it”

Therefore, I decided – to reevaluate my goal.

‘My’ is the important word here. The challenge I set myself was exactly that. My challenge. I had decided it. Therefore, I can change it.

Altering a goal doesn’t mean you have failed. It means the original outcome, not doubtcome – Day 17: Making Decisions. Part 1 has not turned out the way you wanted. So what? Change it. 

I had to decide.

Do I…

  1. Throw in the towel. It was a bad idea, anyway.
  2. Keep pushing myself to do it every day, just make them shorter or cheat
  3. Do less of them 

When making a decision, the first thing to do is establish your options. Then weigh up the pros and cons. Then pick one. If possible, sleep on it. You will sleep better because you have made a decision. In the morning, if it still feels right, you can take action towards it.

Just because you have made a decision doesn’t mean you have to act on it immediately. Unless, of course, it is a life or death situation. Sit with it for a while, discuss it with friends or family. Then decide what course of action to take.

My husband has a saying, “What’s the worst that can happen?” It is a useful way to consider your options and make a decision. If there aren’t serious consequences to your choice, then make it there and then. You can always change your mind later. Another one of his favourite sayings, “What’s the point of having a mind if you can’t change it?” This takes the pressure off. Very few decisions are life threatening, so don’t overthink them. However, be wary of this one though, it can cause you to not taking responsibility for your actions. That’s an entirely different thing.

So what did I decide and how did I do it? I looked at my options.

  1. Throw in the towel. It was a bad idea, anyway. 

I very nearly chose this one. When it comes to writing I lack confidence. I worry people will think it’s rubbish. If I stopped my blog it would take away all the pressure I had put on myself. My writing won’t be rejected, therefore, nor will I. 

I needed to go back to the beginning and remind myself why I had set this challenge. I want to write a book about what I have been through. I want to help people see there is hope when they believe they can’t take anymore.

One I had reminded myself why. The decision was easy. I am not giving up. My motivation to tell my story is strong enough to out way my fear or rejection. A, was kicked into touch.

  • Keep pushing myself to do it every day, just make them shorter or cheat. 

My friends say they can count on me because I always do what I say I am going to. I take pride in that. I am reliable. I said I would write and post every day. If I don’t, I am going back on my word. That doesn’t sit well with me. I was stuck on this for a while. Then I thought about my life coaching training Day 11: Do you think you are stupid?

I flipped the way I was thinking about it. Helping others is an integral part of me. Many of you are supporting me by reading my blog. Thank you to all of you. But is reading it every day too much for you? Do you see the email come in and think? “I want to support Liz, but I just can’t do it every day. I have so many other things to do.” When I thought I might be putting too much pressure on you, my decision was easy. Kick B into touch.

This leaves c) Do less of them 

Having worked through the pros and cons of A and B, C was the outright winner. A win win result is something I strive for in all aspects of life. I would still be heading towards my goal of developing a writing style and learning how to get my thoughts and feelings across to others. However, there would be a lot less pressure on me, to achieve something daily and you, to support me daily.

So that is what I am going to do. Less. I have spent years working towards doing less. I am renowned for giving myself too much to do. Does this mean I am finally learning? I hope so.

From now on, I will write at least 300 words 6 times a week (giving myself a day off, I am not very good at that either) but I will only post a blog 3 times a week. 

Let’s see how my decision pans out.

I feel this post rambles on a bit, so I apologise. However, the part of my challenge that I will not be changing is the not editing part, for now at least. Just write and post. If I deliberate too much about the content, there is a chance, I will post nothing and dwell over my writing too much.

I hope that you have gained something from me explaining my process for decision making. If so, please let me know by leaving a comment.

I would be interested to know how you feel about my decision. Has it taken the pressure off you, too?


Have a great day
If you would like to join me on this journey, please like, subscribe and comment.

Thanks, Liz

For anyone reading my posts who has a story in them, they are struggling to tell. I would recommend getting Anne Lamott’s book ‘Bird by Bird’. It has inspired me to create this challenge and is full of great knowledge and insight. She also has a wonderful sense of humour and writing style.

If you would like to buy ‘Bird by Bird’, please use my Amazon associate link: https://amzn.to/47Pdkx7

Day 20: Today I am sharing an unpublished comedy short film, (it still hurts to type!).

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As typing is still not on the agenda. I have decided (Making decisions part 1) to share an unpublished short film with you. I would like to thank my wonderful friend Paul Ekert for writing this for me, Paul you know me so well. 

Not only did Paul write it, he also directed, filmed and edited. A man of many talents!

Also, thank you, Richard Ward, for your superb performance and priceless comedic expressions and timing. It was a joy to work with you.

Stills from the film were also published in my posts:

I have set myself a challenge and I need your help, (please).

Day 1: Three Hundred Words

Click here to watch: The Love Letter

I hope you enjoy it and if you do, please leave a comment and subscribe to my Youtube channel

Day 19: Pain Prohibits Progress or does it? Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.

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I didn’t sleep well last night. My painful wrist kept me awake. Frustration leaked from my body, along with the sweat from both pain and humidity, not only because I thought I would endure another day of discomfort but also because it meant, yet again, I wouldn’t write Making Decisions Part 2 Day 17: Making Decisions. Part 1

If I allowed it, this feeling would have consumed me. Filled me with self-pity. Poor me. Why me? Just when I had recovered from yet another surgery, the pain was back to prohibit my progress. I can’t type. I can’t keep up with my challenge

Instead, I adopted the approach given by Clint Eastwood as Sergeant Thomas Highway in Heartbreak Ridge (a great movie).

Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.

I wanted to post something in my blog. The pain was too much.

Improvise.

Yesterday and today, I have used previous blogs relating to pain. 

Today’s: Pain ends relationships and lives

Adapt.

Modifying my current blog posts enabled me to provide content without writing it there and then.

Overcome.

I achieved my goal for today in a completely different way than I had planned. Guess what? That’s okay. Plans change. Roll with the waves. As long as you get there in the end, does it really matter what path you took?

Have a great day. If you would like to join me on this journey, please like, subscribe and comment.

Thanks, Liz

For anyone reading my posts who has a story in them, they are struggling to tell. I would recommend getting Anne Lamott’s book ‘Bird by Bird’. It has inspired me to create this challenge and is full of great knowledge and insight. She also has a wonderful sense of humour and writing style.

If you would like to buy ‘Bird by Bird’, please use my Amazon associate link: https://amzn.to/47Pdkx7

Day 18: Today I am cheating!

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If you have stumbled across my blog and are thinking ‘Day 18’ of what? Have a quick read about my challenge.

Today I was due to write Making Decisions Part 2. Yesterday’s blog – Day 17: Making Decisions. Part 1

However, this morning, I hurt my wrist and typing is excruciating. Therefore, I have provided a link to an old post, not part of my challenge. Aptly named: Pain is relative

I am sure my wrist will be fine tomorrow and I will write Part 2 for you then.


Have a great day
If you would like to join me on this journey, please like, subscribe and comment.

Thanks, Liz

For anyone reading my posts who has a story in them, they are struggling to tell. I would recommend getting Anne Lamott’s book ‘Bird by Bird’. It has inspired me to create this challenge and is full of great knowledge and insight. She also has a wonderful sense of humour and writing style.

If you would like to buy ‘Bird by Bird’, please use my Amazon associate link: https://amzn.to/47Pdkx7

Day 17: Making Decisions. Part 1

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If you have stumbled across my blog and are thinking ‘Day 17’ of what? Have a quick read about my challenge.

Yesterday was my daughter’s birthday. We were going out for the day. The night before I had to make a decision.

Do I… 

  1. Set an alarm for an early morning wake up, so I could do my writing before we left? 
  2. Assume I would wake up early, as I often do? 
  3. Write when we got back from our day out? 
  4. Not worry about it and see what happened?

I chose option D. 

Up until a few years ago it would definitely have been A. Regardless of whether or not I was on holiday. I used to put a tremendous amount of pressure on myself to achieve everything. To an extent, I still do. 

Slowly, I am learning, it isn’t essential to achieve everything you set out to do in a day. No one cares apart from you. Give yourself a break.

I found reading the book Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg helped me enormously. One piece of advice that has become an internal voice for me. 

“Just get it done, it doesn’t need to be perfect” These might not be her exact words but the premise is the same.

I won’t get into perfectionism now, but this mantra, as it has now become, removed a tremendous amount of pressure and stress. It has also led me to be more time efficient and worry less.

It is very hard to make decisions if you feel under pressure and worried about the outcome of your choice. My brother calls this a ‘doubtcome’. I think that’s a great way to express it. Worrying about something leaves you paralysed, unable to make a decision at all. I just started to type, “let alone the right one”. Stopped instantly when I realised what I was doing. That is how conditioned we can become.

There is no right decision.

You could spend minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, even years making a decision. Mulling over it until you really believe it is the right one. Moments later, something out of your control happens and bam! The consequences of your decision alter instantly. Leaving you crushed that after all that time, you hadn’t made the right decision.

This minute, my head is mulling over something. We are going out shortly and I need to make a decision. Do I…

  1. Finish this post, possibly not to my liking but ‘Just get it done’?
  2. Stop where I am and come back to it later?
  3. Explain to you that I have more to say on the subject so I will stop here and call it part one. To be continued…

I have chosen option C (and a bit of A, as I have now run out of time to check it over properly)

Have a great day
If you would like to join me on this journey, please like, subscribe and comment.

Thanks, Liz

For anyone reading my posts who has a story in them, they are struggling to tell. I would recommend getting Anne Lamott’s book ‘Bird by Bird’. It has inspired me to create this challenge and is full of great knowledge and insight. She also has a wonderful sense of humour and writing style.

If you would like to buy ‘Bird by Bird’, please use my Amazon associate link: https://amzn.to/47Pdkx7

Day 16: Alcohol-induced narcissism

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If you have stumbled across my blog and are thinking ‘Day 16’ of what? Have a quick read about my challenge.

As our guests entered, joy leapt through me. We hadn’t seen them for a year. The last time we saw them, he had not been well. Today he looked great. Slimmer, tanned and happy. Holding his head high. 

“You look really well.” I exclaimed. You could see the pride flash across his face.

His wife, as lovely as ever, relaxed and looking forward to a long and leisurely lunch.

A toast. Friends reunited.

Whispered questions about my health. I responded with gratitude and promising news. Feeling loved and cared for. 

Hours later, we were having lunch with a narcissist.

How can that be?

There was a monster amongst us; belligerent, aggressive, foul-mouthed, and offensive. Not the person who had arrived a few hours earlier.

Alcohol can bring the worst out in a person. Fortunately, over the years, I have learnt to slow my drinking down to protect myself and others. See, Day 2: Alcohol to find out why. My glass of Rosé topped up with ice, over time, becoming little more than flavoured water. This is my trick. I always have a wine glass with something in it. It looks like I am drinking the same as everyone else. Self-preservation. A fine art created over years of commitment.

As the alcohol flowed, the temperament changed. The fun-loving, gentle giant morphed into an unrecognisable tyrant.

Occasionally, my tolerance levels wore thin. I attempted to stay out of the conversation, only to be questioned, “Are you ignoring me?” To which I replied. “Yes, you’re constantly moaning.” Unsurprisingly, this didn’t land well.

One heated discussion had me leave the table temporarily to gather my thoughts and wonder how I would get through the meal.

Another, after a barrage of arrogant interruptions, I stood my ground and had my say. The retort I received was “You’re a bitch.”

I have been called worse, however, ‘bitch’ really gets under my skin. My blood boiling. It took all the restraint I had left not to leap across the table and punch him to the ground. 

The bill arrived promptly.

An eventful journey home only prolonged the anguish.

Finally, safely at our front door, I couldn’t help myself. From behind, I leant forward, squeezed his shoulder, and said thank you for the afternoon, omitting the word ‘lovely’, I hasten to add.

Exiting the vehicle, turning to walk away. I stopped in my tracks. Walked over to his open window, gently kissed him on the cheek and said goodbye. 

“Why the hell would you do that?” I hear you cry. Because that’s just who I am.

On receiving the kiss, his eyes rose slowly, the manic look gone. Instead, I was staring back at a young boy, recently chastised by a parent. All the venom had left his tongue, the hatred gone from his eyes. A little lost boy who knew he had overstepped the mark.

With anger still fuelling my veins, I hadn’t noticed his demeanour. That didn’t come back to me until this morning, while I was mulling over the calamity of the previous day.

I felt empty. I pitied him. I felt sorrow. What should have been a wonderful time with friends had become a battleground.

All because of alcohol. 

If you would like to join me on this journey, please like, subscribe and comment.

Thanks, Liz

For anyone reading my posts who has a story in them, they are struggling to tell. I would recommend getting Anne Lamott’s book ‘Bird by Bird’. It has inspired me to create this challenge and is full of great knowledge and insight. She also has a wonderful sense of humour and writing style.

If you would like to buy ‘Bird by Bird’, please use my Amazon associate link: https://amzn.to/47Pdkx7

Day 15: “I carried a watermelon.”

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If you have stumbled across my blog and are thinking ‘Day 15’ of what? Have a quick read about my challenge.

“I carried a watermelon.” Instantly, without hesitation, a chuckle reverberated in my throat. A grin spread across my mouth, and a myriad of memories flooded my mind.

Dirty Dancing. What a classic. 

(Sorry, I don’t have a picture of me carrying a watermelon!)

I am clearly still on a high from Day 14: I love dancing with my husband

My son-in-law, Chris, said it as he wandered off to get some watermelon for my grandson. Incredible how a simple phrase can have such an effect on you.

My family uses lines from films as a national pastime. Very few conversations escape the phenomenon. My sister and I are fiendish participants.

A few years ago, I bought tickets for Jess and me to see Dirty Dancing in London. It was superb. We had a fabulous time. The atmosphere was electric. Everyone in the auditorium was waiting to hear their favourite line.

Mine: “Nobody puts Baby in the corner.” It crops up all the time at home.

Our journey home was just as exhilarating. In London’s version of a Thai Tuk Tuk, we wondered if our last memories would be of the ‘jump’ in Dirty Dancing or one of our own being catapulted from the vehicle at high speed. Fortunately, we made it back to the hotel in one piece- although I am not entirely sure how.

I struggle to watch it now, though. Patrick Swayze was perfect for the role and Sam in Ghost. I watched it recently. As I said in Day 3: Crying makes you feel better. It somehow seemed wrong to watch it now that he is dead. I wonder if he watches over his wife, whom he so dearly loved, the way he watched over Demi Moore in the movie.

Why do we feel such a loss when someone we have never met dies? Especially an actor, because we rarely see them for who they really are. Or do we? 

As an actor myself, I draw on my own experiences to create my characters. There is always a piece of me somewhere inside the person I portray. Does that mean the viewer can see me underneath my façade? I believe we have an insight into the person behind the character and maybe that’s why we feel their loss. 

What do you think?

Murray and I have a favourite line. The brilliant, and also sadly dead, James Gandolfini in The Mexican. “When two people love each other – Really… Love each other – but they just can’t get it together, when do you get to that point where enough is enough?”

Julia Roberts replies in a convoluted fashion, saying nothing profound – women, we overthink everything!

Brad, short and simple – “Never”

For us, it says it all. It cements the longevity of a relationship. Regardless of what you go through, if you “love each other – Really…Love each other” you never give up. I’m not saying it’s easy. Murray and I both get driven demented by the other. But when the shit hits the fan and there is something major to contend with. We both know the only person we want by our side is our other half.

At times, it feels as though we are one. I love it when you know what the other is thinking. You say the same thing at the same time. You glance across a crowded room and have a conversation without saying a word.

That’s what that line is all about. The simple knowing that you are meant to be together. 

Do you have a favourite line from a film? If so, please tell me in the comments box.

If you would like to join me on this journey, please like, subscribe and comment.

Thanks, Liz

For anyone reading my posts who has a story in them, they are struggling to tell. I would recommend getting Anne Lamott’s book ‘Bird by Bird’. It has inspired me to create this challenge and is full of great knowledge and insight. She also has a wonderful sense of humour and writing style.

If you would like to buy ‘Bird by Bird’, please use my Amazon associate link: https://amzn.to/47Pdkx7

Day 14: I love dancing with my husband

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If you have stumbled across my blog and are thinking ‘Day 14’ of what? Have a quick read about my challenge.

Bathed in sweat and smiling as though our lives depended on it, last night, my husband and I danced the night away. Little Bristol, a beach bar in Barbados, has live music every Friday night. A great band called Ubique. We have known some of the band members for years.

When I first met Murray, he didn’t enjoy dancing. Maybe he was self-conscious like many others. As the years progressed, I enticed him onto the dance floor. I don’t recall the first time it happened, but that’s not important. What is important is that now we have the best time ever, dancing like demons in a world of our own, not caring what other people think.

“I love dancing with you.” “I love dancing with you too.” What a great way to end a night!

In yesterday’s blog, Day 13: Always leave wanting more I mentioned a restaurant called QP, previously known as The Beach Club. Sunday afternoons at The Beach Club were world-renowned. Each year, hordes of us would descend on them and dance for hours to Kevan and the Krashers. After a sumptuous lunch, although not too much so we still felt like dancing and plenty of Minuty (Rosé wine, that is now lovingly referred to as Mutiny). We ran to the dance floor. Well, sometimes it was just me to start with. I love to dance anytime, anywhere, and I don’t mind being the only one on the dance floor. In fact, I frequently am. On many occasions, bands and DJs have thanked me for starting the dancing. 

I can’t help myself. Igniting my body, the beat fires me into another dimension. One where nothing matters, no one cares, you are wild and free. That’s how I feel when I dance, wild and free, nothing quite like it. 

Murray and I have a favourite song, ‘Shut up and Dance with Me.’ Many of our friends say they think of us whenever they hear it. I love that. There was one particular occasion at The Beach Club. They were on their last song, often. ‘Summer of 69’ or ‘My Sex is on Fire’, but they hadn’t played ‘Shut up and Dance with Me’. I nonchalantly sidled up to Keiron, the sublime trombonist and, trying not to sound too desperate, asked, “Aren’t you going to play ‘Shut up and Dance with me?” Gently, he slid his sunglasses down his nose, looked at me with his brown puppy dog eyes and casually slid them back up again. Talk about oozing coolness. In less than a second, the first chords struck. The place erupted, the dance floor pulsating like a giant heartbeat. Our bodies moving as one. Breathtaking, in every sense of the word.

Keiron is now the lead singer for Ubique. They play every Friday at Little Bristol, Speightstown, Barbados. They also play every other Sunday at Lancaster House. If you want a great night out, I suggest you go and see them.

My recent operation, a joint replacement in my big toe, was in November last year. At the end of December, it got infected. When I arrived in Barbados, it was still healing. Sadness washed over me as I imagined a holiday without dancing with my soul mate. Elation is the only way to describe how I felt last night. I lied. Gratitude too. My body is remarkable. Its ability to heal astounds me. One thing I have learnt over the years is never to take my body for granted; nurture, respect and love it, and it will do the same for me. It is all too easy to blame our bodies for letting us down. Don’t get me wrong, in the early years, I did, and I played the victim, “what have I done to deserve this?” Now I turn it around, as discussed in my blog, Day 11: Do you think you are stupid? Altering how you verbalise situations and circumstances has a profound effect on how you view yourself and your life. I now see my body as miraculous, everything I have done to it in the past, and it still keeps me going. 

If I ever catch myself thinking, “What have I done to deserve this?” I remind myself of all the late-night partying, drinking, smoking, poor nutrition, lack of exercise and numerous other things that I put my body through as a youngster. Promptly, I give myself a good kick up the backside and say, “Thank you”. You only get one body. It is your responsibility, not the other way around. Mine is an absolute superstar and I am grateful for it every day. 

Dancing is fantastic. It feeds my soul. It keeps me fit. It brings me joy. It enhances my marriage. Being riddled with arthritis and filled with titanium won’t stop me. If Dick van Dyke can dance in his nineties, then so can I!

If you don’t have plans this evening. Instead of turning on the TV, put on some banging tunes, grab your partner, friend, child or an unexpectant stranger and dance the night away. Be wild and free.

Murray, I love dancing with you. xx


If you would like to join me on this journey, please like, subscribe and comment.

Thanks, Liz

For anyone reading my posts who has a story in them, they are struggling to tell. I would recommend getting Anne Lamott’s book ‘Bird by Bird’. It has inspired me to create this challenge and is full of great knowledge and insight. She also has a wonderful sense of humour and writing style.

If you would like to buy ‘Bird by Bird’, please use my Amazon associate link: https://amzn.to/47Pdkx7

Day 13: Always leave wanting more

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If you have stumbled across my blog and are thinking ‘Day 12’ of what? Have a quick read about my challenge.

Heads up! We have been out to lunch. ‘Rosé the day away’ is the slogan from one of our favourite restaurants. I said I would write every day. I didn’t say it would be coherent!

Today, Holly, our daughter (officially my step, but after 23 years in my life, I struggle to use that terminology), is going home. After two fabulous weeks, she is leaving us. Both she and I have a heavy heart. Holly was a teenager the last time she joined us in Barbados; she found the heat oppressive and didn’t enjoy herself. Now in her twenties, she is lounging by the pool with the rest of us. She leaves today with a healthy glow and abundant special memories, so much so that she is already choosing her dates for next year.

Yesterday, we took our family to what is now known as QP, previously referred to as The Beach Club. The venue is jaw-dropping (is that even a word?). Despite having frequented the establishment for years, the place enthrals me. It is decadence personified. I step over the threshold, and I am instantly grateful for the privilege. I am not the only one. Holly is beaming from ear to ear. The Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland wouldn’t get a look in. Holly has an infectious smile, as it broadens her entire being illuminates. You melt in its company and follow suit, like a chick, hot on the trail of a clucking hen.

However, Holly is unimpressed, not in the literal sense; she is more than impressed. That isn’t the issue. We are going for an early evening drink before going into Holetown for quiz night. We are a flamboyant family! She expresses her discontent. “I want to eat here. ” Almost simultaneously, Murray and I say, “Always leave wanting more. ” A sideways glance at each other confirms how twenty-three years together removes certain communication requirements. 

The moral of this story: Always leave wanting more. If you spend your time cramming in everything you think you should do, there is a risk you may not enjoy the process for fear of missing out. We will always miss out on something. We die. The world moves on without us. Make sure you embrace the moment and if you are lucky, you will be back to embrace more.

Safe travels, Holly. You may not be mine, but I love you as though you are.

All my love, Ugly xx


If you would like to join me on this journey, please like, subscribe and comment.

Thanks, Liz

For anyone reading my posts who has a story in them, they are struggling to tell. I would recommend getting Anne Lamott’s book ‘Bird by Bird’. It has inspired me to create this challenge and is full of great knowledge and insight. She also has a wonderful sense of humour and writing style.

If you would like to buy ‘Bird by Bird’, please use my Amazon associate link: https://amzn.to/47Pdkx7

Day 12: ‘It’s time to talk day’

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If you have stumbled across my blog and are thinking ‘Day 12’ of what? Have a quick read about my challenge.

Did you know ‘It’s time to talk day’? I found this out after receiving an email from Mind, the mental health charity I am involved with. The timing of this is apt because today I finished a book called, When all is said by Anne Griffins (Amazon associate link). An exquisitely written debut. The book engrossed me from the first sentence to the final word. At times, I realised I wasn’t breathing. It was captivating. Don’t just take my word for it. There are nearly sixteen thousand reviews on Amazon, many of which agree with mine. 

I won’t tell you the story. I wouldn’t want to take that pleasure away from you. What I will say is when you have read it, you will want to tell people the truth about how you feel about them and what they mean to you. How you long to be with them. It provoked a deep sadness in me. We, as humans, have a terrible habit of masking the truth. We hide our truth and vulnerability for fear of being hurt, rejected or misunderstood, yet, ‘The truth will set you free’. If you know who said that quote, please put it in the comments.

I genuinely believe that communication is the reason I am still alive today. I told people how I felt when I was in my darkest days. Many didn’t understand it, but they stuck by me like glue. I couldn’t have shaken them off even if I had wanted to. If you need to talk to someone but feel the truth is too much for your loved ones. Why don’t you. Talk to a stranger (previous blog on the subject)

I love to talk to strangers. In fairness, what I should say is that I love to listen to strangers. My husband says to me, “Why do complete strangers end up telling you their life stories? ” In short, I listen with empathy and without judgment. I allow them to expose their innermost feelings in safety. 

One day, a few years ago, I was in a dark and frightening place. Inside my mind, that is. I couldn’t verbalise it, so I took to my blog, wrote what I felt and sent it out into the ether. I received tremendous support not only from friends but also from strangers. People felt my pain and instantly came to my aid. Thank you again to all of you. You know who you are. The blog title: I want to be thinner

If you are struggling with your mental health, let someone know. If you have family and friends who will support you, great. If you don’t, pick up the phone and call Mind, The Samaritans, or another charity. They, too, will listen with empathy and without judgment. Whatever you do, don’t stay silent.


If you would like to join me on this journey, please like, subscribe and comment.

Thanks, Liz

For anyone reading my posts who has a story in them, they are struggling to tell. I would recommend getting Anne Lamott’s book ‘Bird by Bird’. It has inspired me to create this challenge and is full of great knowledge and insight. She also has a wonderful sense of humour and writing style.

If you would like to buy ‘Bird by Bird’, please use my Amazon associate link: https://amzn.to/47Pdkx7