I can’t recall when it was, but I’d had the idea of writing posts that were a series of short posts on whatever it was that was on my mind. I often have thoughts that would make a longer post but either a lack of time or being put off by the mental effort results in me not postin at all.
The idea of posting in small chunks was twofold; I’d find it easier to post something at all, and it could actually help my thought processes as well.
Can I try again to implement this idea?
I’m currently reading Anxiety for beginners by Eleanor Morgan. Only about halfway through, but I like what I’ve read so far.
Back when I first started to address my mental illness issues I was very keen to see what was going on in my head through the lens of a specific diagnosis. I have this disorder or that disorder. Or maybe both at once. And there is nothing wrong with that. To be able to put a name to my experience was a huge relief.
What I’ve come to acknowledge since is that the human condition isn’t something that can always be fitted into categories, all neat and tidy. Obvious, really.
Mental illness and for that matter mental health is more fluid and messy than that. Our state of mind shifts through different phases. Anxiety comes and goes. It ebbs and flows. Morphs.
This is not to diminish formal diagnoses. I think they can be and are very helpful. But to expect a person’s mental illness to fit neatly and exclusively into this or that diagnosis is to diminish the person.
We are much more complicated and untidy than that. This is where Eleanor Morgan’s book strikes a chord. I found it validating to read her description of her own story. It emphasises how everyone’s experience is different. It’s helping me recognise that my own experience is a jumble of different parts. Yes, I can say that those parts fit the criteria of specific disorders but they also spill over into others. I feel less bothered by putting very specific names to my issues. Sometimes just calling it anxiety is enough.
I’d forgotten that when you have a puppy, there is a type of person you run into who is compelled to give out unsolicited advice and opinion, much like when you have a baby.
What has surprised me is the number of those people who, upon seeing you have a Cocker Spaniel, intone in a sombre and knowing manner, that we do know don’t we, that our puppy is going to be full of energy for much of her life, and thus will need a lot of exercise and input.
To those good people I say, for the record, yes, we do know this. Getting a Cocker was a deliberate choice. We do a lot of active stuff. We enjoy training a bright dog and having her involved in our daily activities. Just like our old dog.
Watching a spaniel of a morning, all ears and legs, joyously tear around a field is medicine for the soul.
My two thoughts on yet another Tory prime minister.
Given Truss has been tossing political red meat to the party members during the leadership campaign, and her capacity to ‘adapt’ in the interests of ambition, how quickly will she change tack in order to survive, once in office?
While Truss argues for small-state, low tax policies, and economic growth rather than helping those who are struggling (are the two mutually exclusive?), oil and utility companies look like they are profiteering, with dividends for shareholders and big payouts for bosses coming before investment in infrastructure and such.
Doesn’t look much like trickle down economics to me.
Being cooped up at home because of the hot weather feels weird. It’s a thing I associate with winter. To be stuck at home, indoors, albeit voluntarily, at this time of year is odd.
We’re all getting a bit grouchy, including the pup. We did go out yesterday morning for a short walk and a coffee, while it was relatively cool, which helped.
One more day of these temperatures, according to the forecast, and then dropping to the lower twenties. And the possibility of thunderstorms.
I’d love a good thunderstorm.
It really is quite melty today. 7:30 in the evening and still about 30 degrees. I think it will be a hot night. If sleep doesn’t come easily I will watch the supermoon.
Checking in with the blog after 3 weeks (is it?) of puppy….mayhem….wrangling…settling in.
Not blogging has been a good plan as it’s been pretty hectic. An incremental adjustment to a new normal.
And she is a star.
Come Friday she can go out and about on the ground, as the vaccines will be in play. Adventures await!
In between all the puppiness small achievements have been achieved.
Finally got around to setting up Google pay on my phone. Thought it time I caught up with technology. And not having to always remember my wallet means forgetting my wallet will be less of a problem.
Bird observations have been fewer and further between. All that looking down to see if our puppy has done her business instead of looking at the sky. Still, I did spot, or rather heard a flock of swift’s a couple of nights ago flying high and heading south. Maybe 50 or so. I wonder if they were leaving?
And so the summer rolls on. A very dry one at that. And looks to continue in the same vein for a while to come.
Hopefully, I’ll be posting a bit more frequently again.
I keep seeing a puppy running around our house and garden – is this down to the lack of sleep brought on by hot weather and very bright moon, or perhaps a cheese dream?
No, we really do seem to find ourselves with a new puppy.
Hot weather in the summertime. Not my favourite but equally it imparts something of a holiday feel. A step outside the norm. I find the hottest part of the day enervating but enjoy the warm/cool evenings and the fading light that seems to last long after the sun goes down.
Daylight when I go to sleep and daylight when I wake up. A state of hyperrealism.