by Suzanne | Jun 12, 2023 | Blogging, Updates
When I went into town the other day with my workmates (past and present), the topic of my writing came up.
“Didn’t you publish a book?” “Didn’t you use to have a blog?” “What about your Substack?”
This got me back to the idea that I had to make an effort to keep up my posts. I had told myself not long before that Saturday that I would never ever have time to work on another book, or do another podcast episode, and there certainly was no reason to post to my blog anymore. But, alas, I still want to and that’s the important part.
So I came back to my online platforms. Actually, I tried to do a podcast episode the other day, only to find that my wireless earpods picked up only the background sounds of the cafe and not my actual voice, so it was fifteen minutes wasted. I should have done a sound check but I was in public and felt conspicuous and just dove right in. Lesson learned, I suppose.
My current status has been that of keeping afloat. Jack takes up most of our energy and time so I dip in and out of “me” things when I can. I’ve gone to Slimming World regularly and had my night out in town. Mister Pick and I had a couple of nice days together in May but it won’t be until September when we’ll be able to do that again. I haven’t watched much TV or read any books, so I’ve listened to lots of podcasts including the Wilder one by iheartradio. 60 Songs That Explain the 90s is amazing too.
I’m working most Saturdays too because it’s the easiest day for me to get extra hours.
The weather has gotten increasingly warm so being outside with the paddling pool and a cold drink is usually where you’ll find us. I’m so grateful to have a house with a back patio to hang out in when the weather is nice.
I even bought a new Passion Planner just to feel like myself again and back to planning, organizing, and being interested in what’s going on each week.
Not a fascinating post but a post nonetheless. I’ll put a sticker in my new planner to say I updated my blog.
by Suzanne | Apr 4, 2023 | Blogging, Podcasting
Am I the only one who needs that extra boost of “let’s take on the day,” each morning?
Being American in England, I find a lot of disconnect in attitudes or ways of thinking from how I grew up and where I live now. There is a definite difference between being a very contented British person and a very motivated and ambitious American. I feel very conflicted a lot of times because in the way I live now, I’m happy with what I do, where I live, how my family structure is set, and everything in between. As an American, I feel that pull that I should be doing more, achieving goals, and setting the bar for myself.
To be honest, when I wasn’t a mother, I was insanely bored. I had Passion Planners and “goals” that I just didn’t care about. It felt like a Plan B for achieving the real goal that I wanted in life. I felt a lot of shoulds about myself. I should want to write my book series, I should write a non-fiction book, I should go back to university, I should want to do a run, and I should want more for myself. But I just didn’t. I worked full time and spent the weekend traveling to B&Bs with my husband. It all was filler and time-killing.
For a long time, I thought I needed more of a social life or closer friends, or someone to just understand that I wanted to do the things but I didn’t want it more than I wanted a family.
Fast forward to now when I’m a mother and working part-time. My days at home are for looking after my son and just being present with him the best I can. That is the essential desire in my life and the one I take the most care of. I protect those days.
However, now that I’ve achieved my big dream, I can go back to find other projects that are for me, by me, and this is where my podcasts fit in. I commute for a couple of hours at least each day, and while some days I just want to zone out on music because that does motivate me to imagine scenes for a book to write, most of the time, I need to hear someone to say, “this is what I’ve found that works well in my life.”
I know that the self-improvement business is huge and I don’t really follow a lot of people who are promoting the “go go go” attitude. A lot of them, I find are for businesswomen and other than the business of “author” I don’t have the need to know how to make more money just yet. What I like is hearing people who do live a life like that and who are continually trying to improve themselves and their brand. For me, all the books I have as my goals to set for myself will be tied to my brand of me.
What I’m saying is: if you want to find someone who inspires you, there are always podcasts. Someone’s story and experiences will fill in those gaps you find when you’re trying to plot out how you want to model your life and you just don’t have the resources available in real life.
Don’t get me wrong: I find tons of good, helpful advice and chat with other mothers which is why I started my own podcast, Jack’s Mum, because I wanted to help other mothers who may have felt the same need for connection and help that I do.
This post was originally posted via my Substack: A Publication by Missus P.
by Suzanne | Apr 3, 2023 | Updates
Yesterday, I had a little reboot. I was sick with a cold and pink eye (super fun) and was absolutely exhausted. All I did was sleep through the day and had zero interest or energy for anything other than watching TV with Jack and Mister Pick.
I didn’t have the energy to feel guilty for not going anywhere as a family. I didn’t worry about what I ate, or how “lazy” I was being. I just stayed at home, in my comfies, and reset myself.
I knew today I would feel better. I’d be out of the house, busy at work, drinking water, walking, eating healthy, and doing normal things again. But that incredible need to just rest and recharge was really evident to me. Mostly, I try to push through if we have time together to go on a walk, or spend the day at home being productive somehow, but nope. I just stopped.
Now, yeah, I’ve been sick before where I physically couldn’t get off the couch, but this was a conscious acceptance that I was run down and needed to recuperate before I was going to start this week feeling half way decent again.
I still have a sore throat and cough. I still have pink eye. I still feel tired but I am so much better than if I hadn’t rested so much while I had a chance on Sunday.
by Suzanne | Feb 15, 2023 | Updates
The biggest part of library work is community connection. I was glad to be invited to attend a book launch and spend some time seeing how important libraries are to people in the local area.
It was a busy day of cake eating and camaraderie. The best part of the day was sitting with the librarians and hearing them say how much they enjoy their job and how glad they were to have chosen that career path.
As usual, the whole first part of the week flew by and now it’s time for me to manage my side hustle as a domestic goddess.
The laundry is in, everyone has had breakfast, and now it’s time to watch Teen Titans Go (all day!)
My back has been bothering me which means I need a walk or some kind of exercise. That’s why I made the decision to order my Boogie Bounce today. I have a discount gym membership but I never have time to go (I will write the book on why this is a legitimate excuse) so an in-home gym will have to do.
I’m trying to convince Mister Pick that we need a Peloton bike but he is not yet convinced. Yet!
The weekend will be me busy at work on Saturday morning (gotta get those extra hours) and a work dinner party in the evening. Sunday will once again be Lazy Sunday.
by Suzanne | Jan 26, 2023 | Blogging
Hi, there. I’m Suzanne and this is my first post.
I’ve had lots and lots of blogs before, but unfortunately WordPress.com now is full of annoying ads that will only erase with money, so I had to pay for reasonably priced WordPress hosting for a new site.
Hello, new site!
I also have a podcast called Jack’s Mum on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/jacksmum and I’ll be updating a blog there at https://jacksmum.co.uk as soon as I get that set up as well.
Until my next post, here’s an adorable picture of my dog in the snow earlier this month.
