It’s just before dawn on Christmas morning 2020. The first few brave birds are sending out their song into the darkness. As I sit to write this post there are still things left to be done: a few stray presents to wrap, the soup to make for lunch and the cat is nudging me for his breakfast. … More Early Morning Reflections – On Being Childless at Christmas
1 Settling the Heart: What cold-water swimming taught me about creativity The spectre of time and space Two years ago I started cold water swimming – something that has really helped my mental health, sense of wellbeing and, I believe, has alleviated the worst effects of my chronic migraine condition. But it was only when I … More Lockdown Reflections
A Change is Coming Hello my friends. And (very belatedly) a very good new year to each of you. The eagle-eyed (and probably even not-so-eagle-eyed!) among you will notice that it is over nine months since my last post. Sounds like a confession, doesn’t it? In truth, I have found myself stuck and unable … More Thresholds and Horizons
There have been 18 Mother’s Days since I accepted I would be childless and it amazes me how the day – and the hype leading up to it – still manages to stir some very painful feelings and emotions. For sure, my level of anger has reduced over these nearly two decades and I no … More Finding the Tide – how I learnt to embrace Mother’s Day
I want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to all of you who read my blog and for the lovely comments and likes I’ve had over this last year. I wish you all well over this festive break and I hope you find some joy and enjoyment in each day. My motivation to write ‘Without … More Childless at Christmas – Seven Lessons I’ve Learned
As for many childless-not-by-choice people, I often find Christmas celebrations particularly challenging. True, it no longer feels as emotionally overwhelming as it used to (although I still mutter ‘bah humbug’ curses under my breath when I see yet another department store’s ‘Meaning of Christmas’ TV advert!) Over the years I’ve moved along a path that … More Feeling the Turn of the Earth
This post comes with apologies for the delay in getting my next ‘way’ out to you. Several things came in between my blog and me in the last couple of weeks and they weren’t all negative! I had an amazing and inspiring journey to the far-flung, silvery sky-ed North on a trip to Shetland. I … More #Seven Days Seven Ways
Day five in my Seven Days series of things that helped me to learn to live with my childlessness. You may have noticed another day’s gap but there is a universal law that says, ‘Commit to a seven day “off-the-cuff-ad-libbing-by-the-seat-of-your-pants” blog project and much stuff will happen that scuppers your plans!’ So, I’ve decided that ‘Seven … More #Seven Days – Seven Ways
A week of describing things that have helped me over the years of learning to live with the grief of childlessness and of celebrating the me I have become. Apologies for the gap of two days – unfortunately migraines are no respecters of blog deadlines! This set of blog posts is to coincide with Fertility … More #Seven Days – Seven Ways
“Sister, the stars have no children” (Naomi Shihab Nye) Today’s ‘Way’ is simply a book I found whilst researching for my masters. The subject of my masters was how we can use language to subvert those old, dominant and clichéd ways to describe the experience of the childless woman. These are the descriptions that wound … More #Seven Days – Seven Ways
