A New Normal- the power of acceptance in chronic illness.

everydayjoyandmeLeave a comment
Light pink background with pink abstract shapes. Pink writing says 'we must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us' Joseph Campbell

The New Normal

Today’s Wednesday wisdom is a little different. Normally I just pick a quote make a nice aesthetically pleasing background and go about my business. But today’s quote made me pause and I wanted to share my thoughts with you.

The ‘new normal’ this phrase will be remembered alongside classics such as ‘unprecedented times’, every email hoping it finds you well and your dreams being haunted by government reminders to make space, wash your hands and wearing a flipping face mask. They’ve all become part and parcel of our everyday. Perhaps you’ve been working from home or had to pivot careers. Perhaps you’ve picked up a new hobby or ditched an old one. Whatever it may be your normality has bound to have changed. Yet apart from a little side note I don’t actually want to talk about the pandemic today.

Instead, I’m going to briefly cover what it’s like when you become chronically ill or disabled and your reality changes dramatically away from what you once called normality. This of course is just from my experience as someone who was healthy and fit before they became chronically ill. I would love to hear others thoughts on this too so please leave a comment or use the contact form to message me.

Continue reading →

Mindfulness Monday-How to do Hand Breathing

everydayjoyandmeLeave a comment
Sunflower background. Black rectangle with white border. Mindfulness Monday hand breathing stretch out your left hand using your index finger from your right slowly trace the fingers on your left hand as you go up yur finger slowly inhale as you go down your finger slowly exhale repeat for all 6 fingers how do you feel? if needed repeat until you feel calmer and more relaxed
For the first mindfulness Monday in April we’re going to focus on hand breathing. This is a lovely and simple grounding technique to help slow the breathe and calm yourself and your heartbeat. It can be as long or as short as you like, can be done with your eyes open and softly focused whilst sitting (or at work) or whilst lying down with your eyes closed. However you wish to participate is up to you.
Continue reading →

Everydayjoyandme blog is back for good!

everydayjoyandmeLeave a comment
Orange background with pink, white and yellow swirls on left and everydayjoyandme is nback written in the middle in beige

After giving up social media for Lent, I’m now well and truly back. Back on here, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram.

If you haven’t had a social media break yourself I’d highly recommend it. It allowed me to really think about why I use social media and how. Who I follow and why. And what I really want to get out of it. It also gave me more time to reflect out what I want to do with everydayjoyandme and what I want it to become. I have plenty of ideas for this site and brand so there will be more coming for you to enjoy but just at a more paced rate allowing for my fluctuating health.

I’m looking forward to getting back to work on my blog and social media. If you have any ideas or requests for topics for me to cover please let me know. You know where to find me and I look forward to seeing you there!

It’s too darn hot, a guide to staying cool.

everydayjoyandmeLeave a comment
Picture of two camels in the desert. One lying down and one standing up. Surrounded by white border and text that says it's too darn hot. Background image is abstract shapes in pink and yellow.

Chances are you’ll have noticed the extreme heat we’re having and unless you’re a lizard, then like me you’re not a fan. Luckily for you, I have some tips on how to keep cool that don’t involve hibernating in the ice cream section of Aldi (other supermarkets and their dairy goods are available). Here’s a guide on how to stay cool in a heatwave.

Continue reading →

Eco-friendly edit-The Body Shop Best Buys

everydayjoyandme2 Comments
Pale pink block on left hand side right hand side to middle picture of pink flowers with orange/pink centres. Block of orange/pink colour with white text 'Eco-Friendly Edit The Body Shop'.

So after a somewhat extensive and definitely needed break, I’m back! I’ve got so many ideas for everydayjoyandme and where I want it to go and grow in to. This includes another topic I want to include and one I think works well with our overall theme. Eco-friendly or steps I’m taking to be better to our Planet. This will include things I and others are doing, items I’m replacing with more eco-friendly ones and companies I’ve found that are doing great things.

Continue reading →