Another year over, and another year of big improvements. This has certainly been the most challenging year for me, but also the most rewarding.
Taking a break from work for my mental health
If you caught my anxiety story, you’ll know I’ve been suffering with my mental health for a while, but in February it really went downhill: regular panic attacks, exhaustion, and daily fear I was going to die. It felt like it’d never-end, but then after a minor breakdown to my manager, I was signed off work for seven weeks with stress. That was the best opportunity I could’ve ever been given, and the best decision I made to accept it; if I wasn’t feeling so broken at the time, a small part of me believes I’d have brushed everything under the carpet and continued working.
Coping with anxiety
After returning to work, my mental health was a lot better and how I coped with my anxiety had improved dramatically – mainly because CBT therapy had taught me how to cope, which is something I firmly believe should be taught in school. I’m a far more relaxed, “go with the flow” type of woman now. I did a post all about what anxiety has taught me if you fancy another read after this!
Finally celebrated a birthday not in lockdown
This was a big one. The last time I managed to celebrate a birthday that wasn’t in lockdown was when I turned 26 – before I was even married! This year, I turned 29 and celebrated my third wedding anniversary…crazy. We (me and my husband) took ourselves off to York for a few nights to enjoy all the food, the sites and also a lot of retail therapy.
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Finding out we’re pregnant!
After fertility stress, being in and out of consultations and a few uncomfortable procedures, on 14th May we finally got those two pink lines. I even have a picture taken moments later with mascara streaming down my cheek holding that first test – such an amazing moment I’ll never forget.
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Holiday in Scotland
We made the long trip up to Aviemore in the Cairngorms for a week away and my gosh, that place is beautiful. We stayed with my in-laws in a beautiful cabin with a view of a steam railway going by each day, and the mountains in the not too far distance. We spent the entire week searching for red squirrels, and despite staying in a lodge called Red Squirrel Lodge and even visiting a Red Squirrel forest, we left Scotland without seeing one. It was a relaxing break, but I was seven weeks pregnant by this point and nausea and loss of appetite had started to kick in already which did affect the holiday for me sadly.
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Finding out the gender!
At week 20 of pregnancy, we found out we’re having a girl! We had no preference, but we had convinced ourselves it was a boy simply because it’s what my family were mainly having. But to our surprise, we were told it’s a girl and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t take the whole day to sink in…
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Holiday in Cornwall
We go to Looe, Cornwall with my in-laws every year, but usually we only stay for around 4 nights. This year however, we took a decent break and spent the week and it was glorious! The weather was horrendous, the worst we’ve ever had whilst down there, but it was such a nice, relaxing break nevertheless – we just love Cornwall! We unexpectedly got to see some of the BBC drama Beyond Paradise being filmed in Looe, of all places!
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Baby Showers
We were spoiled by family and friends with two baby showers! Two occasions filled with lots of laughs, games and food – what more could you want?
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Starting maternity leave
My last day of work was 21st December, but I don’t think the fact I’m on maternity leave for 12 months has sunk in yet. I typically shut off this time of year for 10 days anyway, so nothing new with the timing. But after having a seven-week break earlier this year, I don’t feel like I’ve logged off for more than just a holiday at this point. I’m sure as my final weeks pregnancy comes to an end, labour signs begin and our baby girl is finally here, it’ll kick in then!
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