Me? A writer?!

I've been writing a regular column in the Somerset County Gazette since January 2020. I met Paul Jones the editor for a coffee to discuss the Gazette helping to publicise Genius comedy shows across Somerset. We had a lovely long conversation that day and Paul commented on my positivity. I bet he wished he had never asked now! I gave him my whole back story, including a complete nervous breakdown about 9 years ago when my darling mum passed away. Following the loss of mum, I had to seek help for depression and anxiety. This led me to learn Mindfulness Meditation. I attended an 8 week course and it changed my life! My teachers went on to write a next level course and I loved learning that one too. My depression and anxiety scores went from off the scale really bad and unhappy to OFF THE SCALE scores of happiness and positivity. I cannot recommend Mindfulness highly enough. Just make sure you check out who you choose to learn from.

Paul asked me to write a regular column of positivity, compassion, kindness etc…. This was easy and I loved it from the start! I must admit that remaining positive and compassionate became a bit harder once the Covid Pandemic hit us, but I soldiered on. I concentrated on people helping each other, being kind. I also focussed on topics such as the seasons, nature, music, memories etc. It really helped me to write about these things too. I get many messages from readers saying how much they enjoy my column and how it helps them too. This always makes me smile and I feel like my soul and heart are filling up with tokens. You cannot ‘buy’ this feeling. Often these things mean much more to me than any financial gain.

In my Civil Service career my writing skills were never recognised and were often struck through and changed with red biro… I just couldn’t write in that way. Too many words I didn’t understand or couldn’t spell…just to make it sound civil service like.

I write from the heart. Exactly as if I had spoken the words. I keep it simple and meaningful.

I love writing now. I have recently been asked to write in a couple of local village magazines and will be starting them shortly.

I have been meaning to write a book since I was a little girl and feel bad for not using the time over the pandemic to actually write it! Maybe one day.

The images attached are of this week’s column and photos of my weekend. Meeting Angela Barnes (Mock the Week etc) was a dream come true. What a lovely lady and very funny! The other image is me and Marvin Muoneké at my first ever Jazz gig.

Right now, today, I am in a really happy place. Life is good!