My Driving Journey - Lesson 9 & 10

It really doesn't feel that long ago that I actually had my first driving lesson & here I am now, up to lesson number 10..can I get a woop woop? WOOP WOOP!

 

I love it when posts include a photo so I decided I would add a photo into these posts, yes it will be the same photo each time almost but least it will look pretty. So lets go..

 

The photo isn't actually the learning car, just my mum's but hey..

all cars look alike so it will do.

 

Wednesday 24th July

I seriously can't believe I'm actually managing to drive to & around the town that gives me my highest anxiety. In today's lesson instead of driving through the town centre we took the bypass around the town. This route involved more bigger roundabouts & at some points it had a dual carriage way & split lanes at the junctions to deal with too. I got to practice going up into 4th/5th gear & then reducing my speed & changing down gear in plenty of time. Travelling at 50mph & then going down to 30mph, feels like crawling & walking speed. Pretty slowwwwwww.

 

Friday 26th July

During today's lesson we didn't go to the next town (the one with my highest anxiety levels), we stuck to the one nearest to me. We have now moved on to manoeuvres (thank you spell check because I struggle to spell it). Today we just focused on turning in the road by using a 3 point turn. Apparently this is the most difficult manoeuvre. I managed to practice it three times before we had to head back. I only hit the kerb once & that was whilst reversing. So I think that is a bonus!

 

Do you suffer with your mental health & have managed to learn to drive?

Or are you currently learning to drive?

Feel free to leave me a comment.

 

Thanks for reading.

- Anna ♥

Mum really does know best..

After coming across Rachael's post over at Rachael Victoria

 - "5 Things Your Mum Was Right About" ..

I decided to create my own post including things my mum was right about over the years & little stories to go along with a few of them too.



- Those shoes aren't suitable -

When your mum tells you some shoes aren't suitable for a certain occasion, listen to her. I used to be a brownie & one night when I was going to brownies I thought it would be a good idea to wear my new lovely pink wedges. Mum told me it wasn't a good idea because they weren't suitable but did I listen?

No, I was young..what did my mum know? I still remember the story now.

 I wore the wedges anyway, went running down the corridor to the supply cupboard, fell over & whacked my head on the corner of the wall. I just got up & carried on thinking nobody would have to know. Until one of the leaders noticed I had blood coming through my hat & the first words I said were "don't tell my mum, she told me not to wear these shoes."

 

- You need to wear a coat, it's cold outside -

I'm pretty sure everyone has been told this by their mum at some point or other. To be honest, my mum still says it to me now. But do I listen now? Yes I actually do. Why is that? Because I've learnt from experience, if you don't wear a coat chances are your going to get cold & possibly rained on. 

 

- There's plenty more fish in the sea -

I bet every mum has said this to their child at some point or other. Admit it, we have all been there. Young & "in love". We soon realise over time we weren't in love, it isn't the end of the world & there is plenty more fish in the sea.

 

- Don't run, you will fall & hurt yourself -

Don't run? Why not? I'm capable of running so why should this surface be any different? When I used to play football I was in the changing room, I think it was after a match. Our changing rooms were concrete floors, I had my football boots on. Studded shoes & a concrete floor don't go. I didn't run for very long, until whack! I was straight on the floor & fell right on my bum & whacked my back in the process. Ouch!

 

- Treat others as you want to be treated -

This one is something we all know about, I'm pretty sure all of our mums drilled this into our brains at a young age. If you want people to be nice to you, then treat them nice. If you want to be treated horribly then treat others the same way. Sometimes you do come along people in life who are just horrible & you just don't bother to react at all. Wise move.

 

Hope you enjoyed my post.

Have you done a post similar?

What did your mum teach you?

Let me know in the comments below.

 

Thanks for reading.

- Anna ♥



Hey, let's talk about....Mike Dignam

Last weekend I decided to do a blog entry called "Hey, let's talk about....mental health",

that can be found by clicking here.

 

So I have now decided to turn it into a weekly thing. Randomly introducing & speaking about anything & everything...life related, tv, film, music, fashion, nails..anything & everything.

I hope you'll enjoy it & learn about/discover something new.

 

A couple of weeks ago I watched one of Tanya Burr's youtube videos & absolutely loved the song she used for the background music. Tanya then tweeted about it being by Mike Dignam, so I decided to download the song on iTunes & give him a follow on Twitter. I admittedly haven't really been on YouTube an awful lot so I haven't checked out any of his other material. But he did tweet the other day saying he was going to do a cover of One Direction's new song, best song ever. I can honestly say I have fallen in love with his cover & his voice. I haven't even listened to One Directions audio of it fully yet because I'm too amazed by Mike's version.

 

Instead of rambling on about Mike on here, I'm going to just link his website in so you can just check him out there & find out all you want to know. So click here & enjoy. But I will just add his cover down below for you to check out & be amazed.

 

 

Hope you check him out & enjoy what you discover!

Thanks for reading.

- Anna ♥



My Driving Journey - Lesson 7 & 8

WOWWWW! I can't believe I've had 8 driving lessons so far.

To be honest, I thought I'd never actually get the courage to learn to drive at all.

But here I am proving myself wrong & actually enjoying it!

 

A little image for you all here..

Image found on weheartit

 

I am going to use this quote & say that one of the best things in life is driving. The confidence you build from being able to drive, the freedom you get once you've passed, it just opens up the world to you. So I think I have waited long enough for the right time to learn, I'm fighting my way through the anxiety & the thoughts that come with it, believing in myself that I can do it & I'm not letting go of the fact of I can gain more freedom & a full pink licence.

 

Friday 19th & Saturday 20th July

During both of these lessons we did the exact same route both times, I have now started driving from home meaning that I drive all of the lesson. It's sooo exciting! So now we have moved into the next town. The town I have my highest anxiety levels in & the place I was dreading driving most. But unfortunately this place also happens to be where the test centre is. So I don't really have much say in the matter. Admittedly once we actually got driving there I was absolutely fine, a little rise in anxiety every now & then but I just went with it & stuck it out. Which is exactly what you have to do with anxiety, prove who is boss. We drove through the town too, experiencing traffic lights & introducing a few hill starts. I can honestly say I'm loving driving lessons. I'm not saying the build up to the lessons are easy because to be honest they sometimes aren't. On Thursday I also had my therapy session but my anxiety levels had been so high I was tempted to cancel that aswell as my driving lesson. I didn't cancel either, because that would be easy & can be easily done again. So I'm battling through & trying my very best not to cancel either.

 

Are you learning to drive too?

Do you have a blog?

Let me know in the comments below.

Or feel free to just leave a comment anyway,

I'd love to hear from you..

 

Thanks for reading.

- Anna ♥

 



When the ordinary isn't so ordinary anymore..

So what happens when the ordinary isn't so ordinary anymore?

That is pretty much what happens when your mental health is affected.

Since I started experiencing anxiety every day it has become a struggle.

For some people experiencing mental health difficulties even simply getting out of bed can be an absolute struggle, leaving your bedroom can become a chore. Leaving the house, travelling on public transport, going to the shops..just going out in general. Everything can change..

 

Everything that used to seem the ordinary, the normal, the usual, the day to day life can just seem a distant memory. You can't actually pinpoint when everything changed but you just wish it would go back to the way it was. Make life a little more easier. Not having to worry about something happening to you if you leave the house, like fearing your going to have all eyes on you or going to loose control. I know full well that there is so many people out there who suffer from mental health difficulties. I really wish they could all receive the help & support they all deserve.

 

Now I look back, my anxiety started about the age of 17. Just when I had finished my apprenticeship. Before then I had attended school full time, achieved all my GCSEs so luckily for me that wasn't affected. Unfortunately some people are affected before hand & struggle with school & don't achieve the grades. So once I had completed my apprenticeship & gained my NVQ the job hunt began, but along with the job hunt came the rise of anxiety. I went so long without actually going to the doctors, just tried to get on with it & ignore it I guess. Eventually I went to the doctors & have since received medication & therapy. Last year in 2012 I received CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) but didn't feel any benefit from it. So last week I attended my first CBT appointment (with a different therapist) but this time I have been entered in at a different stage. I thought CBT was just one stage & one treatment, I was wrong. I often start to feel anxious before having to go to therapy but then I think to myself, if I could do this with ease then I wouldn't be needing the treatment as much.

 

I urge anyone out there who is suffering to get help honestly, you are not alone. Open up because you know what, it's okay to talk. The more we all speak openly about it, the more we bash that nasty stigma surrounding mental health right on the head.

 

I know the road to recovery might not be easy, but it will defiantly be worth it in the end. I'm told during recovery sometimes things may get worse before they get better, so I'm baring that in mind & I'm always going to remember....

 

Image found on weheartit

 

Are you experiencing mental difficulties?

Remember, there is always help available.

Admitting you need help isn't a sign of weakness either,

 it is a sign of bravery & strength.

It is also the first step on your road to recovery.

 

Thanks for reading.

- Anna ♥ 

Cute Cards

Over the past couple of months my mum hasn't been very well, but now she is on the road to recovery. So the other day I was thinking to myself I'm going to thank her friends who have helped by going with her to hospital appointments, taking her out on little days out & picking bits & bobs up for us. Obviously I have said thank you to their faces, but I just thought this would be a lovely idea too. 

 

So my idea to create thank you cards was hatched. I love making & creating. 

I think it makes things so much more personal & mean a lot more.

It just proves you have spent time & effort on it.

You can create the card to the persons personality & what they like.

 

I'm also going to create a little gift for them all too. I'm still hunting for ideas. If any of you have any ideas, feel free to drop me a comment & throw them my way.

 

The idea of this post is just basically to spread a little bit of love

 & give you all an idea.

 

I mean who doesn't love receiving the occasional handmade card, it certainly puts a smile on my face. Whether it actually be for an occasion or just to let someone know how much you appreciate them.

 

Why not try your hand at card making & give it a go?

Cards are so simple to make, you don't have to follow any instructions.

Just use your imagination & create away as you wish..

 

Below is a photo of the cards I have made for my mum's friends.

 

 

Have you received a card from a friend or family member recently?

Have you sent any?

Why not change that & give it a go.

 

It's a much cheaper & enjoyable way of sending cards for various occasions.

You can almost guarantee nobody will have made the same card as you.

 

If you have any ideas for little gifts I could create to send with the cards, please let me know in the comments below.

 

Thanks for reading.

- Anna ♥

My Driving Journey - Lesson 5 & 6

Thursday 11th July

We went around the same area as the last two lessons to practice the junctions, side roads & changing up & down gear. But towards the end of the lesson we expanded the route & went onto one of the main roads into the town. We also introduced 3rd gear, oooohh high speeds are being reached. So far all is going really well & I'm absolutely loving lessons. Once I've finished a lesson no matter what time of day I'm always on a massive high. Confidence boosting? I think so.

 

Tuesday 16th July

Both today & yesterday I have felt really sick, more than likely with anxiety. So I could of quite easily just cancelled this lesson, but I thought no. If I cancel then that means the anxiety is winning..Admittedly I did text my instructor to let her know a little how I was, to put me at ease a little. She was very reassuring & I honestly couldn't get a better instructor. So I felt the fear & did it anyway! I didn't regret this decision at all. At the beginning of the lesson I had like a sudden urge of nausea thrown at me. It just all of a sudden came upon me. Usually when this happens I'm like "right, I need to go home now"..If I'm honest with you, it really was on the tip of my tongue. But I ignored that thought & carried on. I'm so glad I managed to carry on. Again we went around the same area but then we really expanded our route. We got to the point of travelling at 50mph..WOWWWW! 50 is very fast until you suddenly get used to it, I got used to it pretty easy & then when we was back down to 20/30mph it felt like we was at walking speed. We experienced the odd roundabout, which I had a little help on but we managed it. I actually drove home today too, for the first time. I am so glad I didn't listen to my thoughts & just kept at it. Times are going to get hard but I'm not giving up!

 

On my next lesson I will be driving from home so how exciting?!

 

Since I love a post with a lovely picture I thought I'd throw one in here..

Image from weheartit

During my driving journey & other parts in my life, I'm going to remember this simple but effective quote. You can either give up or try again & to me giving up isn't an option..So that is probably exactly why in the photo it's crossed out.

 

Thanks for reading.

- Anna ♥