Healing mental health during COVID-19 times and beyond
Author: Julie
I’m 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 life… and travelling the world!
I can’t think of a more apt title…. Today was just a day… another day in the life.
Lovely from Coffee & Quotes
There was nothing exciting happening and honestly no story to tell. I did get my toes painted the same lovely salmon orange colour they already were 💅🏼
There are not many days that I genuinely have nothing to say….
I’m calm, I’m relaxed and I’m ready for a lovely, restful weekend.
Now this won’t be the most exciting blog as I woke up, went to work, went food shopping and came home. 🫣😆
I’ve actually felt ok today. Work flew by!
It was VERY hard to get out of bed after a day of languishing yesterday…. But once I got going it was easier. I’ve felt a bit lighter today. A bit more awake.
So nothing much else to report, I’m curled up with 3 of the 4 dogs!
I had the best time at the Robbie Williams gig in Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh last night.
I was beaming from ear to ear as I couldn’t believe how much I was enjoying myself.
I thanked Gayle over and over for being there with me and being so supportive.
Going to a gig with millions of other people is my worst nightmare on a good day.
I’m just being honest.
I do everything I can, not to surround myself with hoards of people.
If I’m really honest, I do everything I can to not get roped into a gig in the first place.
🥴😆
I’ve been struggling with the start of Setraline antidepressants and sooooo tired.
Yet, it just shows you what you can do when you put your mind to it.
Gayle was the perfect gig buddy. I was more than happy to drive to Edinburgh and get parked as it’s my old stomping ground. She was more than happy to take charge at the stadium!!
We couldn’t get parked at Ingliston Park and Ride but randomly, there was a field open where you could park for £10!!
Of course I was already pre-worried about getting stuck in it as we left…. 🫣😆
We head to the tram stop and got the tram from Ingliston to Murrayfield for £8.40 return, for both of us.
It was raining…. But it wasn’t too bad.
Tram selfie 🤳
When we arrived at Murrayfield, they’d split the stadium into 4 colour coded entrances.
We had to walk from the Green Entrance all the way around the stadium to reach the Purple Entrance!! It was actually a lovely walk and it had stopped raining.
We got some BBQ loaded fries for a mere £15 each!!!!!
We are sitting very high up and my vertigo washes through me as we head up the steps…. Thankfully we have tickets at the end of a row. They turn out to be excellent seats but my head is looking for so many reasons to freak out.
We sit down and I begin to relax. There are lovely people round about us.
Rag ‘n’ Bone Man is the support and he starts about 5 minutes after we sit down. We smile at each other. We couldn’t have planned the day better, so far.
Rag ‘n’ Bone Man is really good.
I don’t always listen to music as I find it too much sometimes, either too noisy or too emotive.
In all honesty, I can be a bit dull, a bit boring. It’s what makes me tick and it’s what I need to function but I am aware of it.
The stadium is filling up.
And then half an hour later Robbie Williams is on stage.
He was exceptional. A real showman. A true entertainer.
I was so happy. I knew all of the songs and most of the words. I didn’t feel weird. I didn’t feel like the odd man out.
We danced and we sang our wee hearts out.
I’m surprised at myself. Gayle is watching me from the side, thinking all the while that I must be enjoying it.
She was right. I loved every minute of it.
I don’t often allow myself to have fun. To just have a laugh, a giggle and a dance. I’m always so serious. Never leaving anything to chance.
After just saying that….. We left before the end in true, let’s be over organised fashion…… we only missed a couple of songs and we walked straight out and straight onto a tram. We got to see Murrayfield like this instead of being crushed side to side with thousands of people.
I couldn’t stop smiling. I was so surprised at myself for enjoying it so much. I kept telling Gayle how happy I was!!
It was a lovely evening. This is 10.15pm.
The tram was empty and we even got a seat.
I got home at midnight and the sky was still light to the north. I love a long Scottish evening.
What a wonderful experience.
And now today is June. Can you believe it?
Despite my new found passion for Robbie Williams gigs, I’ve had a very lazy Sunday.
I’ve watched tv and I’ve slept.
But I know I’m on the path to recovery.
My word for June is kindness…. And I’m keeping hold of breathe as it worked so well for me in May.
I need to lean in to the having fun and being a bit more relaxed (I almost typed reckless there and thought, jeez we can’t go that far!)
This was my lazy spot. Surrounded by pupper love.
After lunch I dragged myself off the couch as I knew I needed fresh air and exercise… and Craig came with me.
These cows were all cuddled up next to the burn. There are 8 or 9 of them!
It was blowin’ a hoolie but very mild. It was good to blow away the cobwebs…
And then come back to my cosy spot in the sunroom.
I’ve had a lovely relaxing day. I’ve slept for a good few hours on and off. Musta needed it.
Thanks to Gayle for making last night so enjoyable…. And to Robbie Williams for being so excellent.
“I love my life… I am powerful… I am beautiful… I am free…. I love my life…. I am wonderful… I am magical…. I am ME.”
I arranged to run with the girls and it ended up just me and Lynsey.
I was really hard to get out of bed.
It was really hard for me to get moving, but I did it and as hard as it was, it got easier and it freed up my headspace.
I hadn’t wanted to speak to anyone yesterday. I felt so low that I had nothing to give.
Yet this morning it felt easy to talk as we ran…. Well in between gasping for breath obviously.
It was slow but I found some extra energy on some of the hills and it felt good.
It poured with rain at the end but we were very lucky to have a dry run for most of the way.
I came home determined to take the dogs straight out but it was torrential rain, so I sat in my sweaty, wet clothes and relaxed. I’m watching Sirens on Netflix.
How lovely is this from Anna Grace Taylor. You can find her on FB.
The run has made me feel a bit more alert.
I feel a bit brighter.
I had WAY more energy on the dog walks today.
Yesterday I was literally dragging myself up the hill but today I had an energy about my step. It felt good.
It’s still really mild but I managed to get out for 2 dog walks without getting soaked!
The buttercups are so beautiful.
How cute is Calaidh here?
Khaleesi is knackered… I let her off lead for a bit. She’s been sleeping ever since. 😆
I even made myself a healthy lunch. I could never have done that yesterday.
So…… in an hour and half Gayle and I are driving over to Edinburgh to see Robbie Williams at Murrayfield.
Yes….. that’s right….. Me at a gig. That doesn’t happen often. 😆 crowds are not my strong point.
So I’m putting this out at 2.30pm as I won’t get time to do it later.
I hope you’re all having a lovely weekend.
It’s raining again. I have everything crossed for it to dry up!!!
I slept a straight 9 hours and couldn’t move at 6.30am when I finally woke up.
I hadn’t moved all night.
I stayed in bed and was wakened again by the dogs!! I snoozed on and off until 10am when I got up to walk the dogs.
It’s surprisingly mild outside and I was a bit overdressed. I really had to concentrate just putting one foot in front of the other. I feel drugged…. Which of course, I actually am. 🫣🥴
Love all the buttercups that are growing just now.
And the Beauty and the Beast candlestick tree!
The clouds are dark and mean and moody, but it stays dry. They have a good run about in the field and we head home.
I drop off Bhruic & Freya and pick up Khaleesi and we’re off again.
Khaleesi loves watching the cows!! They fascinate her.
She’s so excited being out on a walk.
I breathe in the fresh air and feel the wind on my face
I came back home and sat and had a banana and a coffee and started work on the Silver Cloud CBT app.
I’d forgotten the Doctor had given me access to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy modules.
It’s a really good app. Very easy to use, clear and concise. Caring without being too patronising. Informative without being confusing.
I’m using all my energy to manage work just now so today I’ve just switched it all off.
The module today led me to a 30 minute body scan…. A meditation best done lying down.
I headed back up to bed.
It started at the tips of your toes.
The last thing I remember was the pelvic area and I was gone. Back off to sleep until 1pm!
I saw this when I woke and it made me laugh.
I got up and came downstairs and started to read my book.
I did today’s Donna Ashworth journalling and then I read for the rest of the afternoon.
I am shattered.
I am determined to rest today and fight tomorrow.
I have things to do tomorrow that require a fair bit of energy so today has been a rest and recharge.
Love this from Donna Ashworth
I’m outside in my jammies in the early evening sun, getting a good dose of vitamin C.
As soon as I put this down, I’ll be reading again 😆😆
I took my first anti depressant at night, last night, as I’ve been so lethargic during the days I thought I’d change it up and take it before bed.
I’m not sure if it was the torrential rain, the hot chocolate, the scone with cream and jam or the Setraline, but one of them kept me awake for a bit through the night.
I tossed and turned like a tossy turney thing!
I didn’t feel refreshed at all when I woke up (so I’d obviously fallen asleep at some point!)
I set off super early for work as I thought I had to clean two campervans today.
Ellison is my hero.
She did them both.
I typed up the list of everything that needed done.
I showed her how to do the vehicle checks that she hadn’t done before and she did it all.
I hugged her and I really meant it.
We’ve all had to muck in this last month due to unforeseen circumstances and we’ve worked so well as a team. It’s been nice to pull together as a wee Tartan family.
Even nicer that I got to do lots of other work today, while the vans still got cleaned!! Ellison enjoyed it too.
It was blowing a hoolie and she was blown to bits but she loved being outside…. Or so she said. 😆
So yeah, I’ve felt ok today but that’s better than really low. I still feel very flat but I expect a bit more of that in the days to come.
I could still sleep for Scotland but maybe the nighttime tablet will make the difference. You know me, I don’t give up until I feel better.
I know it’s been a while since I mentioned it but we’re spending the evening working on Her Travel Circle. It may have been snoozed for a bit while I didn’t feel great but it’s not snoozing forever.
I didn’t go for a run this morning. I needed to rest. As hard as it was to miss it, I was glad of the longer lie.
Of course I was awake at 5 and I heard Claire run the hot water to get ready, I heard Lynsey arrive in her car but I stayed snuggled in bed and tried to appreciate the rest albeit still awake!
Work was super busy today. Stock check amongst other things and the day flew by. It was mild and sunny enough to sit out at lunch, which was nice after such heavy rain.
There have been no tears today. I’ve felt quite emotionally flat but in control.
I forgot to say I got the car back yesterday. All good, it just need an OSR wheel bearing and sensor…. £248… boom. Could have been worse. A garage is one of the few places you go to and have absolutely no idea how much it will cost.
That meant I had a Tartan camper and the car at home!!! I had to get one of the guys to give me a lift home today, which was very kind.
I’m off out tonight…. The Hookers are on tour. Off out for a wee cuppa instead of hooking in the pub…. I’ll save this for some photos before I post it.
Waiting at the window for Evelyn and I spotted this, my crochet Sloth for my 50th but the words in stone that Craig got me. So apt.
For no real reason other than. I woke from a very long sleep still exhausted.
Then a lovely lady posted in Donna Ashworth’s journalling page to say who inspired her….
And I was one of them.
She said the lovely group of people that she mentioned, lifted each other up on some days and then needed lifting up themselves sometimes.
I find it very easy to lift someone else.
To help them see the positive.
To help the see the difficult days will pass….
I find it harder to do for myself.
I messaged a friend this morning and said I can’t go on like this.
As soon as I typed those words, I followed it with….. these are just words, I know it’s not true because I will go on, like I’ve done on every other difficult day… I know I will be strong enough to get through this.
Then I thought to myself…. That’s the blog for today.
Sometimes other people need me to be strong and inspiring… but on the days that I can’t, I need others to inspire me.
A lovely little compliment goes a long way.
So while I’m low. I’m going to work harder at lifting others and maybe I’ll help drag myself back up as a result.
Thanks to Claire for sending me this…. It took me a minute…. 😆
I was really busy at work today.
It took me over 3 hours to clean a rental van from top to bottom. Probably just as well for the business that this is not my day job. 🥴 We’d never get anything else done.
To be fair, Mrs Anxiety had to double check everything…. And it probably took me longer as I don’t do it every day.
It was lunchtime by the time I finished and Ellison and I most definitely did not sit outside today. It was wet and windy.
Then in the afternoon, the heavens really opened! It was torrential!
I worked through most of lunch but had to leave sharp to get Bertie the Beetle to the garage to get the Christmas tree of warning lights sorted.
It’s booked in for tomorrow.
I’m hoping for a loose wire 😆
This is my second week on antidepressants so I reckon the nausea and out of body experience has passed. As long as I eat when I take the tablets. I’m shattered and as flat as pancake…. But I’m not crying. So it’s onwards and upwards.
I woke at 5.30 and snuggled down for another 45 minutes…. My alarm went off at 6.15 as I had decided to run with the girls. I obviously haven’t felt like it since I started the Setraline but I decided I had to “feel like it” today!
It was soooooooo hard. Honestly, I felt like I was dragging my car around behind me. I was so slow and so sore and stiff but I am really glad I did it.
We ran down at Lochshore for a change of scenery.
Randomly this was the place that Shelagh told me she was losing her battle with cancer. I will always remember that day. 💕🫶🏼 I will always think of her here.
When I came home, we sat and had coffee and we started talking about moving Craig’s office space…. He was working from our bedroom but the sun was blinding him and he couldn’t see the computer!
He’d moved down to the dining table but that just left a mess…. So we decided to move him into the…… wait for it….. the DOG’S ROOM!!!!!
Pretty apt for the Scottish Dog Behaviourist eh?!
The desk was in our bedroom so we swapped it with a chest of drawers then had to swap all of the stuff. We worked as a great team.
It was a really enjoyable morning.
I’m in my element with this kind of thing…. Especially when I have help and it seems like everything happens in double time (which it does obviously as there are two people….. 🫣😆)
I sorted out our bedroom while he sorted out his new office space.
Still work to do but this is a start…. And I don’t have to listen to his work calls anymore 😆 the desk isn’t perfect but we’ll make do with what we have at the moment.
So that took us right up until lunchtime.
It’s been pouring with rain since last night about 5pm. It rained all night.
By lunch it was dry and I got the Borders out for a walk.
I love this action shot!
And the collie-flower among the buttercups!
So many of the fields have been cut in the last few days…. It changes the colour of the landscape.
The sky was all mean and moody.
A gate, obviously.
In all the time I’ve lived here, I’ve never noticed this scary tree before. It reminds me of the candlestick from Beauty and the Beast.
I took some close up flowers.
Beautiful rhododendron.
On the way up, this cow was mooooooooing away and on the way back down it was already licking a calf. Bless.
I had a shower and then a late lunch and sat down in my clean jammies. I am tired and I’m very stiff but I am super comfy.
I have a wee smile almost appearing at the corners of my mouth…. Almost. 🙂
I’ve ended up watching season 6 of The Handmaid’s Tale. I have 3 dogs sleeping right next to me…. Well they were until a dog just barked outside 🫣
I’ve weeded and tidied and washed and hung 4 washings, desperately trying to get everything dry before the rain comes tonight.
It’s been another lovely day today until it clouded over about an hour ago. It’s still warm enough to be out in shorts and tshirt though so I’ll take that.
I slept really well last night again. Antidepressant lethargy and progesterone knocking me out for the count completely.
I haven’t felt squeamish at all today…. In fact I’ve had none of the symptoms of the tablets, so that’s great news.
I took some photos of the blue sky, to remember it by….. 😆
We had a BT engineer come this morning to help reset our broadband speed and I saw the house and garden through his eyes…. He was early so we didn’t have time to tidy up.
I am determined to get the house tidied up over the weekend. I got a bit lazy with feeling low and I’ve been leaving stuff lying about all over the place. No more.
So the garden’s had a good tidy up today. House over Saturday and Sunday…. With rest in between… obviously!!
Love this, Bhru hiding from the sun.
Clean bed, had a lovely shower, jammies on and settling down for the night.
Looking forward to my weekend.
Hope you have a good one.
It’s officially RAINING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! First time in a lot of weeks.
I ate breakfast before I took my Setraline so I didn’t feel that squeamish today. Still a very dry mouth after taking it, but that’s bearable.
I was pretty focussed most of the day and got lots done. I didn’t feel like I was dragging myself in lethargy.
That’s got to be a win.
It’s been lovely and sunny again today.
Gayle is picking me up to take me out to Largs tonight, which is just as well as I have a warning light on the dash 🫣
Yeah that photo is no good to man nor beast 😆😆 think it said fault/ABS malfunction. That said, the symbol says STOP, steering system malfunction.
I have NO plans this weekend and I think that’s just what I need. The weather is due to turn on Saturday so I might get some long overdue housework done!
I have not had the best day but I’ve turned it around.
I’ve felt pretty off all day. My stomach hasn’t stopped churning since first thing. Gurgling away. Feel squeamish,
Works been fine except that I’ve had to drag myself through a lethargy all day.
I was in bed for 7.30 last night listening to my audio book.
I may have said before but an audio book really doesn’t work for me….. I can’t concentrate on it properly and I have to keep rewinding it! I’m sure I miss half the story!
I fell asleep twice as I listened to it and finally put lights out at 8.30-9ish and slept right through to the alarm.
I forgot to message about our run this morning, I forgot to set my alarm for earlier, I just needed to sleep.
So rather than head home and get into bed and do the same again…. I drove to West Kilbride, after work and headed to Seamill Beach.
It was just the tonic.
What a breath of fresh air.
It’s can honestly say I don’t even feel that unwell here.
My senses are tuned in to the sound of the waves and the breeze.
It’s so calm and peaceful.
Of course I went for a paddle and the water is surprisingly warm.
I can only see about 10 groups of people on the whole beach.
I sat here and had my second salad of the day!
Even more people have gone now.
And relax.
It’s soooo good to do something you really love to do when you least feel like doing it!
It’s been much nicer today than my day off yesterday.
Pure blue sky again…. So lovely, and hot unless you get in the full force of the breeze.
It’s just as well it wasn’t too hot yesterday as I got lots done in the house.
We’re sitting out on the deck tonight as this weather is due to break Thursday or Friday.
Making the most of the heat.
Of course I’m sitting here thinking these shorts were never this tight when I was fasting 😆😆
I’ve been ok today. I took my 7th Setraline and I think the worst of the effects might have settled a bit.
I still don’t feel great but it’s nothing like it was.
It felt hard to put on a face today and to have to try when I really want to do nothing. I really had to think to focus and to double and triple check things before I did them.
It’s hard to pull yourself out of a dark place at times and it takes extra energy. It’s really quite exhausting.
Anyway, I’m not moaning as I see some light at the end of the tunnel.
It’s been cloudy and breezy today. Nowhere near as hot as the last few days. I have my shorts on but need a sweatshirt up top.
This time last year, I was out on the PS Waverley for the day trip from Glasgow to Oban. It was one of the most amazing day trips of my life so far. We sailed through the Correyvreckan Whirlpool! It was the most beautiful day and so calm. I hope they’re all having a lovely day on her today as she does the same trip.
My day was much more calm.
I took my 6th antidepressant. I feel pretty squeamish and dizzy for the next 4-6 hours and then it seems to settle.
I lay in bed until after 8 and listened to my audio book. I still really struggle focussing on an audio book but I finished it this morning. I’ve no idea if I really picked up the story or not. 😆
We headed up to Decathlon first thing for me to get a blow up mattress for the tent. Managed to get one for £9.99 which is great, considering I could have spent up to £50.
Once we were back home I started on the housework. I don’t have a lot of energy but just paced myself.
I’ve done 3 loads of washing, hoovered with Henry Pet XL, put washing away, packed a camping bag so that I can pick it up and leave and have everything I need in one place. Sorted out the camping cupboard too and I’ve enjoyed my day.
I also wedded the potato patch.
I could sleep now mind you.
One HUGE negative to Henry Pet XL…… you actually have to empty the bag with your fingers….. but by bit…. It’s pretty disgusting!! did that today…. k
Ok so…. I just looked that up and it would appear the bags are not reusable. 🫣😆
Who knew?!?
I do now….. after literally emptying it with my fingers 🤮🥴
You can imagine how much I wish I’d looked that up first?!?
Here’s a pic of the lovely broom bush in the garden just now.
Oh our house was on TV last night in the BBC in The. Bombing of Pan Am 103.
You may remember they were filming sometime last year.
Fame at last. That said, it was on for all of about 3 seconds 😆
So nothing else to report really.
I’m very glad that I went away but I’m equally glad that I came home. It’s always easier to feel rotten when you’re home. I’m hoping that it passes soon.
I had a lovely afternoon and evening at the tent yesterday.
I read a book and I crocheted.
Most of all I sat with my feet up all day.
I felt much better back at the tent. My eyes fixed in one spot. I’d no energy to do anything else.
I sat and looked at this lovely view!
I took lots of photos of ships passing.
Did I say yesterday, I had to go and buy a hat. It made such a difference to my headache. It was the best of a bad bunch!!
There were a few really unusual rainbow clouds under the sun.
I went for a wander down to the sea.
I love the is next photo. The clouds look like they are whisping off the tree.
There’s a very old pier down there.
Sea pinks!
The path back up to the campsite. It’s a really pretty place.
I sat here for a while.
The toilet black is a huge walk a big hill! I spotted these Highland Coos on the way back down.
I sat here all night. I started crocheting a baby blanket with wool that Evelyn gave me.
I nipped back down to the sea for sunset. I spoke to my friend Helen as the sun set…… so no pics, but it was beautiful!!
And it’s gone!
I was wrapped up in bed by 9.30! I slept like a log and woke at 4am to see this…..
Such a stunning sunrise.
I woke again at 7.30. That was an almost 10 hour sleep!!! In a tent! I couldn’t believe it!
This was the view when I woke.
I’d been swithering all day yesterday about when to come home. I’m off work tomorrow so I could have stayed an extra night but the tablets were making me feel so rotten that I knew I just needed to come home. One last pic before I pack up.
And it’s all gone.
I was super anxious about the drive home.
I’ve been really dizzy and lightheaded and squeamish by about midday. I didn’t want to drive home as soon as I took the antidepressant…. So I left early and took it as soon as I got home.
I stopped for a few pics along the way.
How about this?!? Not every day you get this lucky with a herd in the water by a lay-by!!
If you zoom in to this shot you’ll see Inverary, a beautiful wee town. I was stopped traffic lights to cross the hump back bridge.
I was home by 11.30 and my anxiety is all gone.
It was so overwhelming and all centred around the drive back and the traffic. I’ve been so relaxed all day back with my boy and the monster pups.
I actually had a really good sleep in my teeny, tiny tent!
I was in bed for 9pm ish… almost felt claustrophobic with how small the tent was. That said, the majority of my things were inside the tent with me as the car is parked a 5 minute walk away.
I woke at 2.15 and the sky was so dark and the stars were so bright. It was magical.
Of course I took photos and of course none of them turned out.
I woke again at 6.30 and couldn’t move out of bed until 8.30. I’d had a lovely night and felt good.
I’d brought my kit for a run but there was no way. I’m not even feeling up to walking into Oban. I’d usually take that walk in my stride.
I sat and had a protein bagel with smashed banana for breakfast. Watching the view.
My wee home for a few nights.
It was 10am before I got ready and got moving, which is still early for a lot of people, just late for me.
I felt really funny after I took the Setraline.
The only way I can describe it, is like my head is booming… my brain is pulsing inside me head leaving me a bit off balance and spaced out. I also feel very flat. I’m in my favourite place in Scotland and I feel nothing except that I want to rest.
So I drove down the single track road from the campsite into Oban and parked for a few hours, so I could have a wander.
I’m just taking it easy.
Oban is stunning in the sunshine. There is not a cloud in the sky. I’d normally be in heaven, instead I’m observing it from the outside looking in. I don’t feel here.
To be fair, all of these are symptoms of the first week of antidepressants so I knew I might not feel great.
So the plan is to write the blog while sitting by the sea in Oban and walk back the car, drive back up the single track road and read and crochet and rest.
First of all my photos from this morning.
So I’m sitting here on the rocks.
It’s only 12pm but I need this to send while I have signal.
I’m sure there will be a million more photos later.
I’ve an hour and a half to walk back to the car then I don’t need to move once I’m back.
I’m so grateful for this amazing weather.
I can’t believe we’ve had this weather so consistently in Scotland. We are so very lucky when we get beautiful weather as we live in a stunning country.