Category Archives: Personal Essay

The spookiest thing about this month for me is how quickly it has gone – I’m not entirely sure where it went. It feels like it was just last week that I was sitting down to write my September round up so I’m somewhat dazed coming into this one. That said, despite its pace OctoberContinueContinue reading “October: in review”

Traditionally I would expect September to feel like a refresh button – it’s the start of a new academic year (even if it’s a long time since I adhered to one) and the start of autumn – and yet this one has felt more like I hit fast forward. I’ve been very busy over theContinueContinue reading “September: in review”

Well, I don’t know about you but for me August has felt like an incredibly long month. The heady heights of the summer heatwave feel like a lifetime ago now, especially with the grey skies and rain we’ve seen in recent days. It has certainly been an intense month for me, which is probably whereContinueContinue reading “August: in review”

You might be able to tell by the post date that the end of July passed me by in a whirlwind. It has been an incredibly busy month all in all, mostly populated by work (and the requisite rest spells to balance things out). I can’t quite believe it’s August already and it feels aContinueContinue reading “July: in review”

This has been the best month I’ve had in 2018 so far and, in all honesty, I’m quite sad that my birthday season is rolling away for another year. Between my birthday, a city break, a positive consultant appointment and general life goodness this month has felt like a great leap forward from where IContinueContinue reading “June: in review”

Here we are again – the end of another month. The end of May tends to bring out a sense of existential dread in me, as an early June baby – another year ticked off and a new age to remember. In fairness, though, at least I can look back at 28 as a prettyContinueContinue reading “May: in review”

My first mental health diagnosis is by far the most comfortable for people to engage with. It made sense – I was diagnosed with depression during a year which has since received responses such as “oh God!”, “bloody hell!” and “that’s awful!” from friends and acquaintances. People still don’t know what to say to meContinueContinue reading “On improving mental health support”

The trouble with having an illness with so many misconceptions attached and so little understood is that it becomes almost impossible to mention. How do you explain your condition when you can’t say why it occurs or what it is? How can you be sure that the person listening will empathise and won’t already have theContinueContinue reading “On living with M.E”

It hardly seems like a week has passed since I wrote my last monthly review and yet, once again, here we are. It’s been quite a month, with a much longed for dose of  warmth and sunshine and a lot of happy new memories made. Here are my highlights. I’m reluctant to follow in February’sContinueContinue reading “April: in review”

I’m writing this post at 5:30pm and… guess what? It’s still light out! After a March characterised by cold snaps it’s a relief to feel like spring is finally on its way. Here’s a very brief round up of a rather quiet month. One thing I’ve learned this month is never ever write that you’reContinueContinue reading “March: in review”