LOOKBACK: April 2024
Wow.
I sit in my chair by the window, after a busy day at work on a rainy, cloudy evening in May, taking a moment to reflect on what happened in my life in April, and I’ve concluded that despite my brain telling me it was a tough one, I did have some fantastic days and expereinces. The month was filled with trips, friends, writing, sun, and fun.
That’s not how I felt before writing this post, and flicking through the photos in my phone. My brain had convinced me that April was a month where I was ruled by anxiety. There was one point where I was sat on the bedroom floor, with unmanagable thoughts raging through my brain, clouding my mind and crushing the self that is me and my joyful optimist outlook. That’s a lot to admit in such public way but I’m not afriad to share that life isn’t always easy or productive or smiles, that sometimes it’s a struggle. But I got through with hugs, love from friends, sleep, stepping back, and trusting that it was going to pass. And it did. So whilst there were some tough moments, now I’m taking a moment too look back, I can also see all of the wonderful times I had too, and it’s those I want to lift up and see in the light.
“I’ve had the sort of day that would make St. Francis of Assisi kick babies.”
Anyway, let’s look back over April.
Our writing group is going from strength strength to strength. We meet every other Monday for writing sprints and we try and host monthly trips and events. In April we took our writers up to St Andrews where we perused bookshops, walked along the coast very briefly because it was bloody freezing, bought ice cream - which sounds mad because of how cold it was but it was world fmaous gelato so we couldn’t say no, and actually managed to get some writing in at the end of the day. I love being surrounded by writers as passionate and driven as me.
I went to meet my family for a sunny weekend in the Yorkshire Moors. We stayed in a pub car park and went on walks, we drove over to Whitby (never again!), saw a wildfire, drank beers and played games in the pub, and generally had a merry old time.
Food and food presentation - one of my greatest passions in life. When Spring and Summer arrive the cheese and meat board come out. I can’t help but take great joy in haphazardly arrangings picky bits on a wooden board to enjoy in the afternoon sun. The Scottish Wild Garlic Pesto was an absolute delight and was eaten with everything from bread to pasta to salad over just a few days.
We did a 10kday &I hit 10k words!! What an achievement! Without these days I would definitely be behind my writing goals. I love these intensive bursts of writing where I get a chance to really sink into the world I’m creating (ignoring all grammar and spelling as you can see, I like to focus on ideas and polish later! ALSO my keyboard is broken). I’m about 2/3 of the way through my first draft? I’m pushing to have it finished by the Autumn, please send thoughts and good vibes. Come on Dominique, you can do it!
Abbie and I on our 10k day, getting everything set up for our writers, of course we’re lovely and provide tea, coffee and biscuits! What a great day.
I liked this colourful image of my wee fruit plate! Im really trying to eat as well as I can as often as I can although Im kind to myself when I don’t manage it.
I’ve enjoyed having Oliver as my writing companion, he’s taken to sitting on the corner of my chair or my lap as I sit at my desk.
And finally, I saw a rainbow over the horizon from Portobello beach, which was incredible and much more vibrant in real life. It’s moments like that which fill me with wonder and joy and an appreciation for life.
So yes, whilst there were some tough, tough moments in April (and May too), there were some moments I’ll remember.
As always, thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed having a little sneak peak into my life,
Dominique
