Healing mental health during COVID-19 times and beyond
Author: Julie
Iām healing from anxiety and depression and exploring my way through a whole new lovely world with an abundance of awareness and a new love for lifeā¦ and travelling the world!
You probably canāt see it in this but it was teaming down when it hit 4pm.
The roads were all flooded on the way home.
Would you believe that Ellison and I did get a half hour out at lunch time and it actually stayed dry?!
Iām still tired this weekā¦ unlike last week when I was up early to walk the dogsā¦ this week I can barely wake up when the alarm goes off but I will run tomorrow morning and hopefully that will lift my energy!!
Please keep telling anyone you know Her Travel Circle. I appreciate it!
Not much else happening just now except we have someone in to weed the garden and it already looks amazing!
These are the beforeā¦.
This is an after bit that I didnāt catch a before!!
They are doing such a great job that we canāt get around to.
Remember I donāt look for these timesā¦. Just happen to see them on my phone!
Soā¦. I have very little to say today after a very lovely but busy weekend!!
I slept really well, despite the heat and woke to the alarmā¦. Iād meant to set it earlier to walk the dogs but forgot. š«£
It was torrential rain first thing so probably just as well!
I cleaned the bathroom and kitchen before work instead. Check me.
Work was fine and passed quickly then I headed to Aldi as they had a deal on porta potti fluid!! I did a quick food shopā¦.. home and cleaned the kitchen againā¦. Yupā¦. And had halloumi kebabs out in the garden!
Calaidh is right next to me with her tennis ball at the ready!
So back to reality today after a lovely weekend away. Iām tired but I guess thatās hardly surprising. Everywhere I look I see something that needs doing so I guess it will be housework this week to get the house spick and span in time for Craigieās big 5-0 at the weekend!
The tide was out so I went for a walk along the beach at 9pm.
I took the shelter down!
I had the best sleep.
I work with a huge fright at 1.53am imagining someone standing over me.
There was no one there!!
I did get to see the marvellous moon again.
How stunning is that?!? Thatās the top of my tent!
I woke again at 7 which is quite late for me. No wonder after a day in the sun.
This is inside!!
There was no music this morning from the next door noisy neighbours but there was a lot of loud chat.
I have to be honest and say that, while Iām fully aware of it, it didnāt bother me at all today. I would love to know what they talk about all the timeā¦. Once I got over the noise I genuinely thought it was lovely for a family to chat away so much. I think they were Polish.
So I had breakfast and slowly packed away, watching the tide coming in.
Took pics of the thistles just behind my toilet tent.
As soon as the tide is inā¦ Iām off into it.
There was a lovely breeze this morning and for the first time, in the 5 days in total that I have swam, here over my last two tripsā¦. There was mention of jellyfish šŖ¼ š«£
Thankfully it was at the end of my swim!
I have had the best time (once I stopped being angryā¦.) and really enjoyed my trip. Itās been so hot Iāve not done much after from sit in the sea, read a whole book and crochet.
Sadly the Polish family left all their rubbish behind so I packed that up and drove it the mile up to the bins. Couldnāt leave it there.
It looks so lovely with the tide in.
Now this time I took a proper porta potti with me rather than a composing style toilet.
I bought a Thetford 14t and honestly it was just excellent. The campsite had no facilities but they do have an Elsan disposal point so you can empty and clean before you leave.
It was the one stress of my last trip.
This time I didnāt take enough suntan lotion š«£
I am currently covered in factor 50 face cream ššš
In the car and ready for home.
Itās such a lovely drive through the Galloway Forest Park. Hardly another car on the road.
Back home, car emptied and cleaned, stuff put away and washing on cause that is how I roll!!
There was a beautiful moon last nightā¦. I got up for the loo at 1.42am.
It is scorching hot today.
I canāt remember the last time we had this kind of heat in Scotlandā¦. Certainly not last yearā¦ 2024 was the summer that never was.
I spent a couple of hours this morning raging at the noise of the people beside me before I realised that I had to let it go. they started playing music at 7.15am and woke the whole campsite up with their chatter.
I get so overwhelmed by other peopleās noise!! I know that seems ridiculous but it blows my mind! I know Iām not alone with that though.
So I went for a lovely walk and it really cleared my head.
Slowly because itās hotā¦. Down on the huge beach as the tide is out.
Iāve got cheap water shoes from Amazon and they are perfect for this beach. It goes from soft sand to razor sharp shells, to soft mud and clay.
Iām fascinated by the light on the ripples of water on the sand!
Thatās the campsite in the distance.
The tide is coming in all morning. High tide due at 1.30pm.
I move myself away from the noise and down onto the beach.
I spend most of the day in the sea. Itās the coolest place to be!
Itās just been so stunning. I was obviously worried about burning as I have factor 50 on but no mirrors to check and canāt get suntan lotion on my back!
And the tide heads back out again and I retreat to my makeshift shelter. Iām so grateful for the shade!!
Iāve read on and off all day and Iāll be crocheting later.
Iām actually shattered and will sleep tonight unless that heat on my back gets hotter š
I have been watching the forecast all weekend and decided to book Newton Farm campsite again as itās going to be hot, hot, hotā¦. Caveat, hot for us Scots who think 15Ā°C is a good day.
I woke just after 5 and lay for a bit before I took the dogs out. Usual Calaidh and Khaleesi first followed by Bhru and Freya.
It is a gorgeous morning!
Stunning.
And warm already.
A fog bank over Glengarnock valley. It had brined off by the end of my dog walks!
The fields have just been cut. It looks really dry I. The heat and not like lush, green Scotland at all!
I finished packing and left the house just after 9.30am.
I drove for 2 hours to Gatehouse of Fleet and stopped for an iced coffee (DECAF! But forgot to ask for oat milk so it was cow milkā¦. And I survived, I just donāt like it as much!) also had a wee bit of raspberry and custard cake.
I sat outside in the shade and the iced coffee for really cooling.
I got to Newton Farm campsite at 12.30 bang onā¦. Iām nothing if Iām not functional. Youāre not allowed on the campsite until 12.30.
I drove down to the beach front and after a bit of manoeuvring and tooing and froing I got myself a beach front space again.
It took me less than an hour to get everything set up. Itās so much faster when youāre used to it.
The tide is in.
So cozzie on and straight in for a swim. To be fair thatās the main reason for picking this campsite.
Itās just the most beautiful day and the sea is hardly even cold. It feels amazingā¦.. and still, there are no jellyfish!
There are lots of people around so Iām not scared being in by myself. Iām careful and make sure I can always touch the bottom.
My tent is behind that rock!
I swam around for about 45 minutes and then came out to have lunch.
The family who arrived at the same time as me, were STILL putting up their tent bless them.
Itās just glorious. I love my own company. Thatās doesnāt mean that I donāt like being with people but alone time allows me to decompress.
Being alone helps me breathe.
I brought some tarp and bits and pieces to build a shelter this time as itās so hot, I know I will need shade at some point.
Itās a bit makeshift and the house that jack built but itās up and I have shade!!
Iām pretty proud of myself for doing that. It wasnāt easy and it fell down several times. It would have been so much easier with 2 people!
The tide is on its way out now.
Itās 5pm and the next high tide is midnightā¦. I might miss that! š
I sat and read a book for a few hours in the shade and now Iām out for a walk! Itās scorching!!
Itās been a good day despite the fact I wore shorts and there was no sun š
The forecast was very wrongā¦
I woke at 4.53 am and Craig was already awake.
The lovely Coffee & Quotes!
I got up at 5.25 and ran with Claire and Lynsey at 5.45.
It was a really good run today. It was a bit faster than the last few and I felt strong.
It was a hot run and the sweat was pouring out of me by the time I got into the house.
So a funny story todayā¦ you know Iāve mentioned I keep seeing 11:11 on my phone. I see it every other day and it makes me smile.
It feels like an omen, I have no idea if it really is but it works for me!
I should say I never actually look for it.
I glanced at the time today and it was 11:12 and I laughedā¦. I thought it was the Universeās way of telling me Iāve not quite got it all sussed. š
I went upstairs to wash some mugs and the microwave was emblazoned with 11:11.
I have no idea why because that wasnāt the time and NO-ONE would set a microwave at work and open it still with 11 minutes and 11 seconds left to goā¦.
At lunch I saw this.
SERIOUSLY?!??
I was speechlessā¦.. because thatās exactly how I felt!!!! šš
Just waiting on dinner and then Iām off to meet the Crochet Hookers.
Khaleesi spotted two deer š¦ in this field. Behind the deer fences! It looks like sheās staring at the sun āļø š
More thistles!
I canāt let Khaleesi off the lead since she spotted the deer. She is on high alert all the time!
Shows how much the sun is rising as this is the school again.
This is on the second dog walk!
No pics of Bhru and Freya š
It was a beautiful day at work. So sunny. So lovely.
Claire and I went for a dog walk after work and took Bhruic and Freya. It had totally clouded over.
It was a lovely walk and catch up!
Lovely to be out in nature today. I felt a fair bit better today which was good.
The only negative is that I have run out of antidepressantsā¦. It caught me completely by surprise when I realised, on Sunday, that I only had two left.
The Doctorās surgery was amazing and arranged an urgent repeat.
The pharmacy wonāt get them until Thursday!!!
š«£
Thursday?!?!?
There is nothing they can do and warned they need two weeks notice!!
Thankfullyā¦. Iāve found some old ones that I had from the last time I was going to start them but didnāt. Iām sure it will be better to take a few of them rather than none?
Calaidh in Granās chair last night ready for bed š«¶š¼ that pawā¦.. š«¶š¼
I woke at 6amā¦ shattered but unable to go back to sleep.
I read for a bit and got up about 7.30.
I spent the morning on Her Travel Circleā¦. I did a reel that I couldnāt get to work and for the first time since I started this, I floundered but I think itās because I was so tired and needed a break. It got so frustrating!!
We had lunch, I had a shower and I went to bed for 2 hours and slept like a log and I feel much better.
I do need to manage my time a bit better and give myself a break. itās just going to be hard work to get it up and running.
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I hope youāve all had a lovely weekend.
Scotland is getting sunny this week again woop woop!!
Iām sooooo dramatic but I am actually exhausted. š
Physically and mentally!
Iāve worked harder this week than I have in a long time.
Iāve been out every morning by 5.45am either running or walking the dogs.
Iāve worked hard on Her Travel Circle in my spare time.
Iāve dealt with issues at work that Iāve never had to deal with and today I jump started a van, cleaned two inside and out and washed a third.
I was soaked to my undies!!
I havenāt stopped all day.
I think I sat down for the first hour of the day and Iāve been on my feet the rest of it. I scoffed some food for 10 minutes as I felt light headed and didnāt even get a coffee. Travesty. š
Butā¦.. Iāve really challenged myself these last few days.
As soon as I think I canāt do something, a voice in my head says āoh but you know you can!ā And I smileā¦. and do it.
Iām so proud of the things I have dealt withā¦.. because Iāve proved to myself that I can.
Van washing in the rain!
Soaked and bedraggled but two vans ready for hire.
I hate cleaning vansā¦. š«£š. I will not be cleaning my house this weekend as Iāve cleaned way too much already š
Ellison can do 3 in one day and seem neither up nor downā¦. Iām aching and exhausted!
I was in by myself today. The phone went nuts, people came in and it was a good day amid the chaos.
Itās been so wet and windyā¦. I think the whole weekend is going to be like that.
So we have pizza ordered and Iām dried off and have jammies on and we are going to watch Old Guard 2 on Netflix.
I didnāt sleep so well last night so was exhausted when the alarm went off at 5.30ā¦.. Iām starting to feel like Iām running on fumesā¦ but I still feel ok. Itās not like I would usually feel.
I had two lovely dog walks this morning. The calm before the storm. Our forecast is pretty wild this weekend.
I took loads of photos this morning.
I just love the light.
Spooky tree complete with flying birds!
The same two headed cow as the other day!
Spotted our first thistle on the path by the road! It wonāt be the lastā¦. š
Bhru is more interested in the cows!!
I love thistles more than gatesā¦.
Look at the pollen on it. Perfection!
This bush looks like a blueberry bush but it will be bright orange in a few weeks. It fascinates me every year.
I wanted to sit here for a while but no time!
And behind me the clouds are gathering ready for the rain and winds forecast for the rest of the day.
Sunny to the east and very dark to the west!
So Iāve had a really busy day at workā¦. Full of things that never happen to me and yet they all happened on the same dayā¦. š
We had a van breakdown today and had to cancel someoneās booking, which is just the worst and luckily doesnāt happen very often. I managed to help them source another van. I was no more flustered than anyone else would be in that situation and was proud of myself for handling everything calmly.
Thanks to the antidepressants for taking away the fear. The fear of letting everyone down and/or making the wrong decisions. I made the right decision at the time. Thereās not often Iāve had the confidence recently to say that.
The team pulled together to try and fix it but itās in the garage now.
So needless to say I am wiped out tonight. I have my jammies on for the first evening in a good few weeks and Iām going to crochet with my feet up!!
Itās coming onā¦. Think Craig will have a lovely scarf for his 50th instead of a blanket! This is 3 balls of wool already!
And in other bad news š«£š„“š, I am working tomorrow 8-4 and will be in the workshop all by myself!! I have loads to do so Iāll be busy so I hope the time flies byā¦ then I can have my weekend. Iām making up a day so I can have a Monday off in August and everyone else is off tomorrow!!
I think I woke in exactly the same position I went to sleep in.
Perfection.
Not meā¦. The sleep!!
So my day has been very similar to yesterday.
I just feel so calm and all the things that hit me from left field arenāt even phasing me, let alone scaring me. I actually think I should maybe have reached for the antidepressants a long time agoā¦.. (yes mum, I knowā¦.. š«£š)
Iām doing all sorts of different things at work just now.
Iām not flapping.
Iām not panicking.
I think about the question, I find the answer.
My brain doesnāt seem to be emptying anymore.
Long may that continue.
Early morning dog walk this morning, was beautiful. Pure blue sky. It makes all the difference.
I was out walking by 5.55am and managed to squeeze two dog walks in about an hour and 10 minutes.
I walked quickly!!
Here are some pics. Iām really tired tonight, up early, dog walks, busy work and Her Travel Circle evening!
There were planes taking off from Glasgow Airport one after the other as itās the first week of school summer holidays here.
The thistles are coming!!
This was tonightās post on all social media platforms!
Oh I also had to go for diesel and food shopping on the way home!! A very busy day and now Iām literally yawning my head off and tears are streaming down my face as I yawn.
To be fair, itās a Monday and thereās never much happens on a Monday.
Itās been really muggy and cloudy today but itās stayed dry. I keep thinking itās threatening thunder.
I was up with the lark again this morning to start the two dog walks before work. I really quite like my new routine.
So up at 5.40 and out with Calaidh and Khaleesi.
This field was a quagmire the other day as the cows were all eating round a feeder. Itās amazing how quickly itās drying out!
Beauty and the Beast tree again!
Posers.
Then picked up Bhruic and Freya.
Being stared at by a two headed cow!
Lovely flowers at the side of the road!
Work went really quickly again today. I ended up out about a few errands today and stopped to take a photo of this lovely Highland Cow!!
Iām tired tonight but Iām feeling good.
I feel so calm and in control and itās such a lovely feeling after all the anxiety and fear of the last few months. I canāt tell you how good it feels to live without worrying about every single eventuality.
I feel capable.
I feel like I can instead of I canāt.
Iām proud of myself which isnāt something I say very often.
Itās a nice feeling.
Please remember to tell anyone you can about Her Travel Circle. Iād really appreciate it!
I woke at 5.30ā¦. Well if weāre splitting hairs, someone woke meā¦. just saying.
I was running with Claire at 6.45 and we got absolutely soaked. This was us half way round. I had to ditch the glasses.
It only stopped raining the minute we turned into our street when we got home š«£š
It was a tough run for me.. heavy legs but I loved it at the same time.
Since I was already soaking wet, I snuck into Calaidh and Khaleesiās room and took them out for a walk.
I thought this as really prettyā¦ I spent the whole walk looking at the beauty of nature.
By the time I headed out with Bhruic And Freya, there was actually blue sky!
My clothes were all drying offā¦.
Geilsland house looks even more spooky from this angleā¦.. š»ļæ¼ļæ¼ļæ¼
They then had a big ru around in the fieldā¦ by this time I was already knackered. šš
And then I spotted this beautiful solo thistle.
Nothing says Scotland t me more than these lovely thistles. There are so many more to grow!
Check the lovely weather when I got home!
I love when I see myself respond differently in situations, since I started the antidepressants.
We passed a really reactive dog and Iād normally totally panic and try to find any way of getting home that meant I did t have to pass them again. We passed each other and it was fine and then I forgot all about them until we met each other again on the loop but I knew I could handle itā¦ rather than letting the FEAR take over.
I took some photos of the roses in the garden but they are already on the turn I think.
I had a shower then did all the housework before I sat downā¦. By the time I did sit down I was yawning my head off š„±š„±š„±š„±š
I was surrounded by puppers.
I did another Her Travel Circle reel and it took me ages. I really enjoy doing them though.
I picked a random page from Donna Ashworth. š«¶š¼ā„ļø
Iāve had a very productive and also energetic day today!
Iāve done 15,973 steps so far in 3 dog walks and I have spent the rest of the day working on Her Travel Circle (click the link to view the website!!
Soā¦.. Iāll tell you a bit more about that first and then some photos from today.
I have a dream that solo female travellers would be able to travel the world and stay with each other for freeā¦. Making solo travel more affordable as you only have to pay for your transport. In the hope that solo travellers will agree to host other solo travellers but also use the community to find their own places to stay.
I love the power of female connection. I love to travel on my own but I feel so much better when someone local is expecting me.
The host and the traveller make the connection and they decide how the trip will go. They meet through our platform and then build a connection before agreeing to anything. Safety is paramount and if your gut tells you something is off, you trust your own gut.
You can choose to only have the bed for the night or if you get on really well, your host can show you around some of the time.
I want this to be a community of women supporting other women, making the world a smaller place.
We have used two platforms for build Her Travel Circleā¦. I say weā¦ā¦ āweā means Craigā¦ Craig has built Her Travel Circle.
The website runs on a system called ShareTribe. When you subscribe as a founding member it will be Ā£1 for the first year! The annual subscription will be Ā£97/year once we have enough members. ShareTribe gives you all the information about the listings that are posted, the places you can go and stay and the members of the Community.
Circle is the second platform (by sheer coincidence!) and this is where all the chat and connection will happen.
I didnāt want to use FB as so many people arenāt on itā¦ and Iāve been hacked before and they keep messing about with my Sloth page. It didnāt feel wise to build a business that relies on FBā¦. So Circle it is. Of course we have to pay for Circleā¦ thereās thatās āweā againā¦. So it should be more reliable.
So we are currently starting marketing for people to join for Ā£1. We need to build up enough hosts to make it worthwhile before we can ask anyone to pay Ā£97!
So I have spent the day scheduling reels for Instagram, FB and TikTok for the next 2 weeks.
Iāve done a post on LinkedIn.
Iām really pleased with what Iāve achieved today and most of all, Iāve really enjoyed doing it.
The Rambling Sloth š¦„ 