Team J.B - Just Believe

Giving blood………

This has been a building up process this time round. I went in June and for the first time in the morning. It was too early. My blood just didn’t want to play ball. They did everything then sent me home. I remember saying that I may not be able to give blood again but to try and see.

I could go back sooner than if I had given blood but timing just wasn’t right.

I made my appointment and planned exactly what I would eat. I always know that my iron level is a bit hit and miss. More often than not having to have a further test. I had eaten steak, cabbage beef stew and drank all the water. Surely this time it would go to plan.

First finger prick was not going to work. Off we go to the machine. Second prick and blood in 💥 well over 148. I was pleased with that. When the nurse said your good to go. I replied with let’s see if they can find the vein. She did laugh at my record. She knew I was a fighter and didn’t give up.

Once in the chair another nurse looked for the vein and was like it’s there but not strong enough. I pumped my hand and told her to go for it. She was a bit nervous but she did it and the blood donor if was in place.

The first nurse that saw me walked past and her words to me were that’s made my day.

It’s all about the small things. I had made a nurses day but doing something that I really don’t like doing but know that it can help someone else.

I remember the first time I came across a quote like this and thought yeah whatever, but as I have repeatedly experienced it is so true.

I now do things in a minimum of 2 cycles. The first to learn and the second to improve.

It is true when you are learning something it is really important to realise that it does take time to “create a habit” or “even break a habit.”

The hard work will pay off you just have to be patient and believe. It may not always be easy but with determination you will get there.

Are you ready to trust and believe in yourself?

Take it one step at a time

Putting and looking after yourself first….
It’s not wrong to do this. A constant thought I have is if I don’t who will?

I made a decision long ago to exercise everyday. I do this for my own mental well-being. However, 3 weeks ago I started to also look more closely at my gut health. I made changes to what I was eating, how much I was eating and what I was generally consuming.

It is not always easy to be the only one holding yourself accountable but when you see results and feel great you hang in to those memories. I have had days when I have craved crisps or a homemade biscuit and instead of saying no I have eaten it, accepted it, but not let it put me off course.

I am the creator of my own destiny and as I grow older it gets harder but what these last 3 weeks have thought me is that I am capable and can do it. Being kind to myself is key.

This has stuck with me since last Saturday when talked about it.

I hadn’t truly thought about it fully. I have acknowledged other peoples energy and how that can effect you a lot and worked on not letting that happen.

Now it is time to take control and work on making the day right with my energy too.

So from yesterday I made a few changes;
1. No hitting snooze when the alarm went off

2. Getting my journaling, gratitude and poems read and written

3. Getting my workout in

4. Meditation

This is all in the first hour of walking downstairs.

It’s not selfish too look after yourselves and set your own energy for the day.

Sometimes is is good to reflect. I have done this a lot recently.

The biggest lesson I have learnt and am learning to deal with is not feel overwhelmed and the baggage that comes with it.

When I get the feel that things are getting too much, I have acknowledged what needs doing and set myself just a few tasks rather than thinking that I need to get it all done at once.

That sense of accomplishment is much better than not getting anything done at all.

So I am learning each day to set myself take that I need to do, can do and feel a sense of accomplishment rather than seeing and feeling what may feel like failure.

Just this read it again and again.

I have done a lot of thinking recently and realised so much.

I believe the past is there for a reason; for us to learn from. It may not be pretty all the time but it serves a purpose.

Live and learn from it and when you are ready make any necessary changes.

Over Christmas we did lots of walking. It didn’t matter what the weather.

Today we went for a long walk at Hatfield Forest. It was the first outings for both the kids when they were born. Now we park and walk.

The kids and I go most holidays now booking in advance. We don’t just walk the normal route but go off and explore. Today we just walked to see where it would take us following the flattened grass paths. The kids squelched in mud and explored the stream. We always end up at the hut for lunch and hot drinks.

We all seemed a little tired walking in wet mud is hard at times. The total walk was around or just over 5km.

This is the longest walk I have done post COVID and I can honestly say I felt good when I was there but this afternoon and evening have been a struggle to stay awake. I have listened to my body and tested and will get an early night.

Take each day a step at a time.

❤️

Woke this morning and manifested all the positive energy.
Got my workout in felt really great then I got derailed.
Youngest did a LFT logged it with the website thinking it was helpful. It was showing positive.
My gut looked at it once I managed to find it as she had taken herself to her room. Very safe keeping herself to herself. It wasn’t a normal line. Got her to test again negative. Right PCR booked still needing to get ready for work and out the door. Daddy was working from home so took her for the PCR. She was well in herself but it is amazing the subconscious effect it has on you.
Another LFT tonight negative again. Difficult conversation with test and trace telling me dates etc. Tonight we received a negative PCR. Relief, anger, tears. Everything released as felt all the stress of the day right in my throat.
What I have learnt is that I want my kids to be independent but I need to guide them along the way too.