Kirsty, Craig and I have done so much work on Her Travel Circle this weekend.
We have just hit 61 hosts!!!!!
We have emailed 456 members who were sitting at pending approval. They may not have joined up due to the subscription which I completely understand…. But 3 ladies have already replied to say they had either got distracted and forgot or had issues with sign up so we’ll help get them in.
I have 14,000 followers on Instagram now. Most of this has come from a post that Kendall did when she was here but my own past the other day has now hit 58,300 likes!!
We’ve done loads of content this weekend and achieved so much.
We ended up only going out to Mocha Jaks for lunch today as I was too tired to go to Edinburgh.
You guys know me…. I am absolutely shattered but buzzing. Her Travel Circle is growing so fast, it’s amazing but I can’t do it all.
Unfortunately it’s the blog that’s suffering just now. I’ve been on my phone for a lot of the day and I just don’t have the energy to type much more.
Did I mention that Her Travel Circle now has hosts across 4 continents?!?!? Cape Town landed yesterday…. I want to go!!!
It’s so exciting!
Work was really busy today. I felt like everything was a bit flustered and I was in the middle of so many different things I was having to write it all down to keep up!
Im still feeling tired and in need to rest but i also feel pretty calm which is good.
I ran out of antidepressants the other day and the chemist told me they could give me TWO tablets until my prescription was available.
I had one night without and I took one of the two last night… the second tonight. It won’t kill me to have a day off but prescriptions are so difficult to stay on top of!!
I have 4 things on prescription and they all run out at different times…. I should get more organised. 😆😬
Ripple is my word for the year!
I started the year of the horse with a wonderful lightness and zest for life.
Now I’m back to feeling tired and drained. I’m also overthinking things and looking for hidden meaning in everything.
Anyway, this too shall pass as everything does.
I have the lovely Kirsty coming to stay this weekend with her travel circle!
Looking forward to seeing what we get up to.
She’s been very helpful in the early days of setting up so we will talk admin too!!
A quickie tonight as Gayle and I were out at the Boatyard for coffee and scones… yes I asked for decaf as hope they gave me that!!!
A lovely run this morning at 5.45am. I felt strong today.
So today is Mum’s 75th birthday today. I think she’s had a lovely day. We’re not catching up as a family until mid March!! That’s why we were meant to have a shopping trip last Friday that got cancelled due to the snow.
I woke feeling refreshed and like a weight had been lifted!
I felt hopeful, excited and full of energy.
I felt like I’d shed such a weight and it felt like a fresh start.
It was bitter but BEAUTIFUL day!!
I had to scrape the car this morning.
Check the lovely sunrise reflecting in the windscreen.
A lovely start to the day! it was light all the way there and back!!
The running girls had been talking about not wearing black on the first day of the fire horse! I made up a random “suitable for work outfit” that wasn’t black! 🙈😆
So I have to be honest and feel myself a bit deflated and tired tonight… I let other people’s words get to me a bit. I don’t understand why people can’t just be kind all the time. The world would be a much better place as a result. I know it’s not a reflection of me but my ego keeps throwing it back at me. I can’t please everyone all of the time and making myself public through Her Travel Circle is only going to subject me to more of it.
Anyway, this is the new me. An improved version of the old me that’s back, softer but stronger in other ways…. Onwards and upwards!!
So I’m going up to bed early and I’m going to read my book and rest in time for our run in the morning! That always helps.
Ellison and I actually sat outside at lunchtime today.
It was so lovely to see some sunshine and for it not to be raining or a howling gale.
Temperature wise it probably wasn’t anywhere near 10°C!! I love that she wasn’t to sit outside as much as I do though!
Work was busy and went quickly. There was torrential rain just before I left. On one side it was sunny and the other the sky was navy blue. This photo doesn’t do it justice.
There’s a solar eclipse tomorrow.
This is the first time I’ve been so in tune with Chinese New Year as I’ve felt every bit of everything I’ve read about the year of the snake.
I’m so ready to be clearer and stronger. I’m leaving the depression and the anxiety and the regrets behind and moving on with my life.
I’m a very different person than I was 8 years ago. I much prefer this version. She has boundaries. She makes the effort when she wants to and not when the things she “should”. She speaks her truth as often as she can, within reason and she isn’t in that rat race anymore. She prioritises rest and knows immediately when something is off kilter
I’ll stop talking about myself in the third person 😆
I love that I know so much about myself and what makes me tick. I have the confidence to know when I’m right and to know when to back down.
I am empathetic of others. I might not like when they disagree with me or act in a way I wouldn’t but I go a long way to understanding where they are coming from.
I’m rambling now.
I’m tired.
Tomorrow I’m hoping to be wide awake and racing with the fire horse. 🙈😆
Poor Craig was working today so left just after 9.30am. I dozed and read some of my book.
I replied to a few message.
At 11.15am I had a FaceTime with Kirsty who’s coming to stay with us, through Her Travel Circle, next weekend.
The chat with her really woke me up!
The next few hours saw me fly around the house in a flurry of activity…. I changed the bed, hoovered the stairs and several rooms, sorted through the wardrobes and drawers, tidied up the dog’s room, did 5 loads of washing and put away 2 of them.
By this time it’s 3pm and I’m starting to flag.
I haven’t eaten anything which I have to be honest, will do me no harm whatsoever.
So I grab some blueberries out of the fridge and a decaf coffee….. a random combination. and I sit down and almost fall back asleep again.
I feel back to the can’t open my eyes exhaustion.
Craig made lasagne when he got home and now I’m wrapped in the grey Kuddly thing and all is well.
I’ve needed the rest this weekend, sometimes we have to rest and reset when we least expect to. So often I fight it but today I allowed it.
I got up at 7 and headed up the hill with the dogs by about 7.20am.
It was bitterly cold!
I watched two deer run about in the field for a while. Can veer really catch them on camera though!
The sky was very stripey…
There’s snow away in the distance on Goat Fell, Arran.
It’s very peaceful and calm and I’m glad to be out walking, despite the cold.
Don’t remember seeing the sky like this.
Zoomed in on Beith with Goat Fell in the distance.
And then, heading back down the road I see the Scotland 🏴 flag in the sky! 🌌
That always makes me smile!!
So by this time a wee bit of panic sets in as I’m meeting mum in 2 hours, I’ve an hour and 15 minute drive to get to her and I still have to shower, wash my hair, get changed and wrap her birthday present.
I’m not normally this disorganised but my head is so full of Her Travel Circle 😆
I took a deep breath in the shower and think to myself that there is plenty of time and I will get it all done.
I head out to the car and it’s frozen so I keep calm, defrost, jump in and set the sat nav and my eta is 9.59am…. We’re meeting at 10.
I smile.
We have a busy junction at our road end. I drive to it thinking “I will get straight out!”…. I did…. Very unusual for before 9am.
I do get stuck in traffic but the sat nav knew about that.
I get to Glasgow City Centre when mum calls to say her road is nose to tail because of the heavy snow. It’s just come on but it’s really heavy and the traffic is going nowhere.
We both know she needs to turn around and head back home. No point in risking anything in bad weather. And so, our trip is cancelled. She gets home safely.
I u-turn through Glasgow City Centre and head for Braehead Shopping Centre.
It’s pure blue sky now and actually feels quite pleasant in the sun.
I head straight to Three and save £10 a month on my SIM card.
I then head to M&S and book a bra fitting consultation for 11am.
I do a quick run round the shops and head back to M&S…
Do you know that they are not allowed to use tape measures anymore so all they do is ask what you’re wearing and decide whether you are the same, or need bigger or lower…. Not gonna lie I could kinda do that myself. Anyway, the lady is lovely and I do and up with a couple…. No photos 😆😆😆
I go for Starbucks for an Oat Milk Pistachio Latte and a cheese and marmite ciabatta. I decide to sit outside in the sun ☀️
It’s so lovely t see blue sky after so long and feel the warmth of the sun on my face. It really lifts my mood. Not that it was low but it does really help.
I sit outside with the dogs for a bit when I get home.
Then I hoover and put things away and write this until I suddenly feel so tired, I finally sit down. I can’t do it all today.
Oh boy it was wild this morning! Rain and wind but we kept on running!!
Great chat and good for the soul!! Thanks Lynsey!
It was busy at work again today and I’ve been at crochet tonight!
I’m shattered but it’s all good.
I’ve spent ages on social media posts tonight but none of it felt quite right. I’m tired working on it rather than being enthusiastic doing it. I know I should leave it until I’m brighter so I’m off to bed and going to stop moaning lol!!
I have a whole weekend with nothing to look forward to.
That’s doesn’t mean I have nothing to look forward to, it means I am looking forward to doing nothing!!
I would have written this earlier tonight but Freya needed a big cuddle!
I didn’t get home until 10.30pm last night as I drove all the way over to Edinburgh straight after work, to watch my very talented nephew in his school Pipe Band concert.
It was honestly like watching the Edinburgh Tattoo in a school concert hall. Exceptional. The children were honestly incredible in their piping, drumming and highland dance. He did so well and I have no right to say this , but I was so proud to watch him play.
I’ve missed much of his life, growing up. I felt very sad about that and nostalgic last night for lost times. I built such a comfort blanket around myself that for so many years I never went anywhere much or did anything.
He’s such a credit to my brother and sister in law. Such a lovely boy and I was so proud to get such a lovely hug from him after the show.
Awww I almost feel quite tearful at that.
This is me shedding the old patterns that I no longer want to take with me into this year.
I do feel like I am grieving old versions of myself. Bringing up old feelings of regret.
Anyway, I had a lovely evening last night and was so pleased to be asked to be a part of it.
I was tired this morning but work was rely busy and I enjoyed it. The show in the SEC seems to have brought everyone back out and we have lots of customers popping in.
I saw my first snowdrops on Sunday! They are everywhere now but it’s always lovely when you see your first ones or the year.
Her Travel Circle is growing every day. It’s lovely to see who joins next!
This was my shower his morning! Hence the steamy photo…. This is life when you in it 3 Border Collies into the bathroom!!
Our puppy Calaidh is 11 already!!! She had a special day out today.
We got Calaidh when she was 12 weeks.
She’s a very special girl and when Calaidh loves you, you are chosen.
We had a lovely day with her today.
Craig is gathering prices for his van conversion so we set off in his van up the The Ply Guys by the side of Loch Lomond.
It was really exciting to see a different Campervan conversion company. They are really different from Tartan as their kit is more practical and functional rather than luxurious. I’m describing that badly as it all looks lovely, but they are very specific in what they do.
We took Calaidh with us for a wee trip out.
She then got to go to Luss on Loch Lomond for breakfast.
I’m still shattered. But I feel very different today.
I felt pretty rotten last night, luckily I didn’t spoil crochet 😆 but I did come home and go straight to bed.
I was in bed from the back of 8 right through until 6.30am.
I woke at 5.30am and I wrapped myself up in a big hug and lay there talking to myself. Not out loud as I’m not completely crazy…… 😆 but I managed to calm myself down.
So much of my self induced stress and anxiety comes from resisting how I feel.
I was so angry at being so tired. I wore it like a badge for the first few days this week, I huffed and puffed and I moaned at everyone I spoke to. I’ve stuffed my face with any junk I could get my hands on…. I’ve literally scrambled for food and opened and shut cupboards for something…. Anything would do. Then be annoyed that I was so full and bloated and be disgusted with myself.
So this morning I showed myself some kindness.
It’s ok to be tired.
I’m working 4 days a week and starting my own business. I’m on the go all the time. I’m not used to that anymore. It’s a change. It needs adapting to.
That is all it is.
Nothing more.
I need time to rest and reset so I can be a better version of myself.
I’m sitting in my jammies, wrapped in up in my blanket.
I’m shattered but it’s ok.
My headache has gone.
Today would have been my lovely Grans’s 104th birthday. A wee blast from the past pic…
And here she is with Freya!
My long hair always annoyed her and she couldn’t understand why I didn’t get it cut. I love that I have a photo of that.
I feel quite low and sad and I honestly think it’s just because I’m tired.
I’ve gone from literally having nothing in my life to being busier than a busy thing.
I don’t want anyone to think I’m complaining, I’m just trying to adjust to my new lifestyle.
I couldn’t face the blog last night at all.
I want to say here that I’m so happy with what’s happening with Her Travel Circle. I know I made myself busy but I also know that it’s all worth every minute.
I also said I’d always be honest on here and I know I need to take some time just to be.
Not to be sitting on my phone.
Just to relax.
That said, I ran this morning with the girls.
I was going to cancel but I knew I’d feel better after it and I did….. until just after lunch where I hit a wall again 😆😆
Anyway I’m fine. I just need to sleep.
Sorry for the moan.
I’ve got crochet tonight, hope the girls are ready for this little ray of sunshine 😆😘🫣
It came round so quickly. Time flies when you’re having fun.
We had a later night last night so stayed in the hotel until just before checkout . Our flight in any until 9pm.
We headed out looking for a Czech cafe for breakfast. The one we were looking for was closed, as it’s Sunday, so we wandered aimlessly and stumbled on the cutest place.
Baguettes and cakes and coffee… perfect. It was such a lovely place too.
Back out for a wander around.
And we find ourselves back at the river, there are so many birds which are great at dive bombing the photos!
Looking back down to the Charles Bridge, of course I made Craig walk all down that left hand river back so we could cross the bridge one last time!! 🫣😆
There were 3 of these…. I’ve called it “does my bum look big in this…. yes” 😆😆 there were 3 of them. I’ve looked it up and they are a sculpture by David Černý in Kampa Park. They have very ugly faces (hence I never took a photo!) which I’ve now read are barcodes, representing the dehumanisation of society. Hmmmm I think it hit the mark know that I know.
Back up on the Charles Bridge!
The artwork and graffiti under one of the arches.
It’s about -3°C today but still very dry which we’re so grateful for.
We watered passed Švejkova Kavárna and stopped in for lunch. I had goulash soup and Craig had fish and chips, which turned out to be crisps. That with 2 x Coke Zero turned into £35!
We’ve not found the food and drink to be cheap here. Everything in the city centre is pretty expensive and even without us having. 3 course meals. Today’s restaurants were off the beaten track and still expensive.
We are now sitting in The Brit Bar while Craig watches the Rangers game.
I was planning to go off out exploring but actually I’m enjoying sitting writing this and I’m going to make some reels.
We’ve had a lovely weekend.
We’ve walked a lot and we’d normally be getting in a wee nap about now 😆😆 I sound about 102!!! 🫣😆
Prague is such a beautiful city.
I highly recommend a trip here!
I’m going out this out early as I have my back to the football 😆😆😆
We land at 10.15 tonight and I’m back to work first thing!
The Rambling Sloth 🦥 