Articles Through My Eyes

4th January – the Highs and Lows of 2019

yoga reflections

Today, I decided to take part in a blog challenge. Concocted by Kate from Kate on Thin Ice, I will be reflecting on my 2019 and how it impacted on my life. 

Fellow bloggers – if you’re keen to take part in this challenge, please feel free, but be sure to read the rules found on Kate’s blog.

1. What was your happiest event?

I have done so much that I loved this past year, that I found it difficult to pinpoint just one thing. However, it would probably have to be our first holiday as a family of seven. I’m sure that people laughed at us, considering the challenge that lay ahead, but we did it, had lots of fun and the children are dying to repeat the experience in 2020 – a success all round. What’s better than seeing 5 happy kids enjoying themselves and letting their hair down?


2. What was the saddest thing to happen?

For me, the saddest thing was probably my mum’s diagnosis of Vascular Dementia. Although we all know that we will eventually be faced with our parents’ mortality, when the moment suddenly is thrust towards you as a distinct possibility in the next few years, it can be difficult to accept. However, life does go on and we take each day as it comes. 


3. What was the most unlikely thing to happen that actually went ahead and did?

In my mind, the most unlikely thing to happen was for people to knowingly vote for a bigoted, narcissistic, racist, misogynist clown. Unfortunately, people did and we now face an uncertain future with him at the helm. 


4. Who let you down?

I let myself down on a number of occasions. Sometimes, I struggle to escape the negative feelings. Other people’s words and actions have a habit of haunting me, even when I know they’re untrue or unnecessary. So, I definitely need to work on overcoming this element of my anxiety. 


5. Who supported you?

Many people offered me support in 2019. However, the most notable one of the bunch has got to be my partner. Colin has supported me no end by encouraging me back into running as well as helping me create this website. I couldn’t have done either of those things without his help and constant words of encouragement. 


6. Tell us what you learned.

You can’t please everyone. It is possible to do everything that someone asks and expects, yet they will never be happy. Unfortunately, for some individuals, the more you give, the more they take. That is not a reflection on you, but them. It is also important to be a little bit selfish from time to time otherwise you may find that your kind nature is taken for granted and you are used. 


7. Tell us what made you laugh.

I have two vivid memories about laughing and crying because of it. Both involve my youngest daughter, the joker of the pack. The first incident was a trip to a local Chinese takeaway to get food for my eldest daughter and her sleepover guests. As we walked in, she immediately spotted the fish tank and went over for a look. She shouted, “BIG fish! LITTLE fish!” then, if you haven’t guessed what’s coming next, “CARDBOARD BOX!” The customers in the waiting area were chortling too, but I laughed until I snorted – not a good look!

The second incident was at the ballet performance. As Little exited the stage, I decided to subtly blow her a kiss. What I had not envisaged was the response from her being less than subtle, rather dramatic, in fact, with what appeared to be over-the-top blowing of kisses to the entire audience. 


8. Tell us the things that made you cry.

My youngest starting school. End of an era and I just struggled to come to terms with the fact that my baby was now becoming a school girl. Academically, I knew she was ready. It was me who wasn’t. Breaking down in tears on the playground was somewhat embarrassing, but understandable, I like to believe. 


9. Tell us three things your child or children did to make you feel proud. 

My youngest daughter started school and did so with confidence and success. My eldest supported her through the process. Seeing the two of them holding hands on the way to school was heart-warming.

Both of my daughters also took part in a ballet performance at St Andrew’s Hall in Norwich. They performed on stage twice in one day and did incredibly well.


10. Tell us the things that made you proud of yourself.

I became a published author. Ok, so it’s only one chapter in a book, but it’s a published book nevertheless and I own a copy of said book. 


11. Tell us the challenges you overcame.

I’m not sure that I completely overcame any of my 2019 challenges, but I’m well on the way! Blossom Education has really taken off and I am proud of what I have achieved with it so far. My anxiety is fairly under control the majority of the time, though I’d welcome fewer issues in the future. 


12. Tell us the things you would like to change about your life in 2020.

I’d like to just make sure that my anxiety is under control. I’m also aiming to continue working hard to ensure the happiness and wellbeing of all five of our children. 

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