November 2025

November has had it's highs and lows.

I turned 29, it's officially the final year of my 20's. I had a pretty low key birthday. I always combine it with halloween so it's not "all about me" I like it that way. Mum had James and I and my grandparents over for a roast dinner and it was a lovely chilled evening.

Of course, there's another celebration around my birthday, Bonfire Night! So, we went to some local fireworks at my old junior school with Imogen and Ed and they were actually really really impressive. We're going to try to watch them from the house next year but it wasn't expensive to enter.

My friend from the travel group, Jim, came home from Canada for a couple of weeks. There was a hike and a roast scheduled but I didn't do the hike as my health was giving me fatigue this weekend. So, I made sure to make it for the roast. I tried to make myself feel better by dressing up a bit but, of course, with everyone having just been on a hike I was a bit overdressed and felt a bit anxious about that. It was so good to catch up with Jim and find out what he's been up to and his plans for this year. Canada has definitely stolen a big part of his heart.

I've heard from my brother in Australia a little bit but I really should reach out more. He looks like he's having a good time but I guess social media can really trick us. I check in on how he's doing with mum when I see her. She misses him, of course, but she's in touch with him a lot.

I've spent a bit more time with James this month than I have socialising. My health got bad again and it knocked my confidence and I've just not wanted to see anyone. I havent been to the gym properly for over a month which has thrown my body and mind out of whack.

James and I took a visit to my favourite cafe in Lyndhurst, Peggy Mays. I've taken so many friends there pre hikes and on short catch ups, but it was my best friend from college , Georgia,  who introduced me to it. We don't talk much anymore but I always think of her when I go there. I'm glad to have supported this family ran cafe since before covid.

Mishka broke our beautiful mirror above the fireplace in the lounge, it was quite a crash to hear from in bed! I went into full cleanup mode, I think it took James a moment to process it. However, this is another situation where I fell a little bit more in love with James, once again. His reaction wasn't to scold Mishka or  make a huge fuss about the expense of the mirror. He just calmly helped me tidy up. Taking the main parts out of the house whilst I hoovered the little shards from the carpet. It healed a little bit of me. So, I'm almost a bit grateful for this little mishap!

We've mainly stayed in and binge watched Grimm on Now TV in the evenings. It's a series that's based on the Grimm Brothers fairytales that I used to read as a kid but it's definitely not a series for kids. It's a detective series and has several seasons with over 20 episodes, so it's kept us busy and slowed our evenings.

One lunchtime, I suggested we head out of the house for fish and chips by the seafront. It was one of the best simple things we did this month. I forgot how calming the sea is and it was just such a peaceful way to take time away from work. Which has been intense for both of us.

I started an etsy shop this month, selling Christmas crafts. Little matchboxes with tiny lucky ducks inside. They've actually done better than I expected. It's nice to have something to channel my creativity into where my brain has been a bit fried. Here's a link to it if you want to check it out.

I took one of my final holiday days to spend with mum and we went out for brunch and then pottery painting. I've been craving going pottery painting at the studio near me for some time now and I'm glad we got a chance to go. I painted a Christmas plate to hold my gingerbread men this year and mum made something for someone in the family. I'll be cryptic in case they are one of the 15 people that read this blog.

Towards the end of this month, my health got worse mentally and physically, it really does seem that when it rains it pours for me sometimes. I'll write up what has happened in another blog as it deserves a larger explanation that just that sentence. Having James has been the absolute best thing at this time and has I believe it's brought us even closer. Which is strange to think because my health has always felt like a burden, but now, I don't feel like I ever have to manage anything to do with it alone. I have an amazing support network and brilliant friends who've been there for me and James, I can't thank them enough.

With everything that's been going on, we've spent the last two weeks of November trying to focus on Christmas. So, the Christmas tree went up and mum came over to help us with some of the decorations. Its cosy in the house and I'm so excited to spend our first christmas together in the house that I bought this year! We've sometimes popped out to garden centres in our lunch breaks to look at the ornaments etc. My theme has slightly changed from green and white to red and white which is much more traditional.

Mum took me to get my nails done and then to the theatre to see The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe. I was exhausted but it was nice to be back in the theatre. I didn't rate the show much if I'm honest. It wasn't like the classics; Les Mis, Blood Brothers, Miss Saigon etc. It was a bit more interpretive, like it had been rushed. The cast was very small and felt more like a good amature production rather than a west end show. So, both mum and I were a bit disappointed. I fell asleep in the second half..it was just a bit overstimulating.

We booked a trip back to my favourite place, Blenheim Palace, for their christmas light trail. Mum and dad and Nan and Grandad joined us and we stayed nearby. It was such a lovely thing to do after the turmoil we have been through. However, I was exhausted after walking around the beautiful festively lit grounds. I'm so glad we went but it took a couple of days to recover.

I have been signed off work for the last week of November and will be taking it easy this week. Recovery within my mind and body is my new priority and I've already been planning how I can get back on my feet in a gentle and productive way.

I've been in touch with my manager from my new job and ordered my equipment ready for my start date in December. I need to send my tech from my current job back and then I'm all ready for a new beginning.

I know I'm in the last slog of 2025 and I'm going to try my best to end it on more of a high, after all, it's Christmas. There's lots to look forward to in December.