It's been a while...
We're baaaaack!
hello hello hello!
It’s been a while, hasn’t it. Last time we spoke, I was off on a Christmas trip to Brussels (which was amazing) and then I went radio silent. Mainly because Christmas + a massive arthritis and fibromyalgia flare up = not much capacity to do anything.
but I’m finally starting to feel like my old self, and have so many things I want to share with you! So grab a coffee and lets catch up…
the reality of living with a chronic illness
It’s been years since I had a big chronic illness flare up. But for three months straight I was living with daily chronic pain, and unable to use my right hand (which as someone who’s righthanded, made it very difficult!)
Something that hit me the other day, when some medication finally started to work, and I went to Manchester for the weekend with a friend to see Gracie Abrams. But there was a moment, whilst I waited for my friend to get to town, where I realised it was the first time I’d been out exploring by myself in months.
Your world can become very small, very quickly, with a chronic illness and it really surprised me! It also stopped me from going on microadventures, and I’ve written all about it here
some really good tv shows I’ve watched recently…
One thing I’m very good at is watching TV, especially when I’m in a flare up, and I feel like I’ve watched some really good shows…
I rewatched all of New Girl and I’d forgotten just how perfect that whole TV show is
The Devil in the family : The Fall of Ruby Franke is on Disney+ and is WILD. the fact that the abuse is so well documented, and yet these children still went through years of hell. It’s a hard watch, but opens up the dialogue for the ethics of family vlogging
I watched the whole of Running Point and it’s like succession meets Ted Lasso meets New Girl and I’m obsessed (plus it’s been renewed for a new season which I’m so excited for!
Have you watched Celebrity Bear Hunt on Netflix? It’s a bit like I’m a Celeb and SAS: Who Dares Wins combined and it’s actually really good!
a new member of the team…
Okay gang, big news. There’s some new paws on the team (who has made writing today’s quite difficult as he really wants creative control…)
Everyone, meet Finn!
he’s 9 weeks old and we’ve had him for a week and whilst he’s absolutely crazy, he is also the cutest little guy who loves a cuddle! I’m so excited to take him out on lots of adventures (and run off some of his energy too!)
recently on the blog…
As well as taking a Substack break, I also took a blog break but we’re BACK! And I’ve loved getting back into writing as well. Here’s some new bits you might not have seen;
The ultimate 4 day guide to Brussles - I’ve also included our complete walking tour of the city!
The 10 best things to do in Brussels - including a guide to the different museums (there’s so many I want to go back to!)
First timers guide to the Eurostar - I’m a train nerd, and I can’t explain how excited I was to go on the Eurostar!
and coming this week is 60 spring themed microadventures, perfect for embracing the new season!
And there we have it! I’m so excited to be back on Substack. The Friday weekly reviews are also back, and I have some other content planned as well that I’ll be sharing!
I’d love to hear how you’re doing - it’s been so long so lets catch up!