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Hello!
I'm Debs, and you've found my little corner of the internet
I am a happily married mum of three.
Our house is home to me, my husband, three children and a huge variety of special educational needs and disabilities (ranging from severe visual impairment to autism, from speech and communication issues to dyspraxia and from osteoarthritis to vertigo). It's also home to one very nutty dog who fits in perfectly.
Having children with SEND has definitely given me a huge bag of tools to help me get back up, time and time again. Tools to help me keep the plates spinning and tools to help me know when I need to focus on self care.
I try to keep it real, I don't pretend I have the perfect Instagrammable home life, work/life balance or eating habits. Like you, I have good days and bad days.
Days when motivation comes easily and days when just getting out of bed is an achievement.
Days when anyone could pop round and I would be delighted to see them, and others when my house is in need of a bit of attention so unexpected drop ins leave me feeling overwhelmed.
Life isn't perfect for anyone but I can help you find that balance so the bad days don't outweigh the good ones.
Life is never ever dull!
I hope you enjoy reading my pearls of wisdom, please
feel free to leave your comments and thoughts.
Debs x
Happy Clients Have Said...
Latest Pearls of Wisdom
Putting it off – making an easy job a challenge
Why do we do it? We have these jobs we know we need to do but we keep putting them off. By doing this, we make the job appear even more difficult than it is. We give it a power and then even more amazingly, we start to believe the hype we have created.
Self care: Me too not Me First,
Self care isn’t about making you the number one priority and ignoring the needs of everyone around you. Self care means “me too”.
Recent Pearls of Wisdom
Eat the ugly Frog first
If we eat the frog, (ie get that awful job done out of the way), then the rest of the day has got to be a breeze but what if you have more than one frog item on your list?
Review – Teen Calm Box
The aim of Teen Calm is to help young adults develop a routine that builds self-regulation skills so they can cope with those annoying doubts and insecurities
To Do List, Planning and Scheduling
“a plan Is what, a schedule is when. It takes both to get things done” Pubilius Syrus Lists Are you a list writer? Do you have lists everywhere? Or maybe even lists organised in one lovely book – yes I’m talking about you – or maybe you have amazing mind maps that you’ve spent hours …
Incomplete Compassion
Compassion – a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others and a wish to help them” Cambridge English Dictionary Everyone, with the exception of perhaps some psychopaths, has the ability to feel compassion towards others. Studies have shown that some psychopaths have the ability to feel compassion but …
Focus, focus, focus
If you are anything like me, you are possibly involved in several projects. Maybe you’re not involved in lots of projects, but you are trying to juggle work, home, me-time, keeping fit, being a mum/dad, and somehow trying to find time to write that book or redecorate that room. or learn a new skill I …
Failure, then success
Fear of Failure Why are we so afraid of failure? Failure means different things to different people; due to our upbringing, beliefs, values and obviously the standards we set for ourselves. Failure for one person may not be a failure for someone else. First of all, you need to really be clear about what failure …
Do what you can
Start where you are Do you put things off because you are thinking of the end result too much and it seems so far away? Want to run a marathon? Want to lose a few stone? Want to start a podcast? Want to change career? You know what you have to do, don’t you? Start! …
Give the world the best of You
Self Care – Not a priority, sorry! How often do you put you first? How often do you do something that is just for your benefit and no one else’s? How often do you make time for yourself, to have a pamper, go for a run, meditate, write, read, watch a movie, paint, crochet, go …
In the middle of a training session yesterday, a lovely gentleman said this was how he lived his life.
“Assume everyone is having a bad day and do what you can to make it better”
I loved this idea. I’m going to try and use this. It may be more of a challenge with some people but I’m thinking generally it will be a great way to live life.
#makepeoplehappy #lifeisshort #lifeskills #lifehacks #happinessisthegoal #goals #lifelessons
A really fun morning today - J was asked to cut the ribbon for a new project. They were filming today for a launch in September so I’ve not included details. Really great staff involved and the project will help a lot of people with visual impairments when it’s launched.
PD: teenage boy cutting a bright yellow ribbon with a very large pair of scissors
#visuallyimpaired #independenceskills #ribboncutting #prelaunchlaunch #lifeskills #independentliving
Comment on Facebook A really fun morning...
He is a home grown star . Must be in demand for this sort of publicity. Looking great as usual. xx
Well done Jamie. So proud of you. Hope you used your Northern accent for your speech Luv xx😂
Big wins start as small steps
I’ve spent far too much time at my desk recently and not enough time moving. I’ve considered standing desks - even bought a desk stand to facilitate that but like many gadgets I decide I need, I never use it!
My average steps last month were shocking (see stories) but I’ve set myself a goal this month to double that average . Day one done and then had that mortifying moment of getting a new exercise badge on my Apple Watch (I’ve had one since first generation in 2015).
Small steps though and today was a step in the right direction. At 5pm I’d hit the goal so now I can crash on the sofa for the evening. Yes, I’m #keepingitreal
#smallsteps #ivegotthis #applewatch #applefitness #healthapp #dailysteps #50notout
When you get an @oonihq pizza oven for Christmas (celebrating in July) and you just want to drive back the 300 miles so you can set it up and use it.
Cannot wait to try it out. Been buying flour and yeast ready for our return ❤️❤️
If anyone has ideas or tips, i’d be very grateful
#pizzaoven #oonipizzaoven #gardentime
I’m in love with these gorgeous plants - African Daisies we think?
They open up during the day and then close up on an evening. (Swipe to see them closed).
They were £1 a pot at @heskin_hall_shopping_village and I’m debating whether to head back for more before we head home.
What’s your favourite plant in your garden?
#africandaisy #gardensofinstagram #newbiegardener #lovemygarden
Comment on Facebook 1972950632965132_2914428925483960
I love these too. I’ve got a big pot of purple. The first time I saw them close at night I thought the bush had died. Next year I’ll get more!
Yep, they’re gazania. You can over winter them and have them the next year if you’re lucky xx
I love Daisies 😍
You’ll know the people that feed your soul because you’ll feel good after spending time with them.
How true this is. I’ve spent the day with an old friend and the 6 hours just flew by, filled with lots of laughter, understanding, gossip, encouragement and eye rolls. As if that wasn’t enough, we had some gorgeous food from @birkdalecheesecentre and I’m definitely feeling good.
#friendship #birkdalevillage #catchup #cheeseboard
Visiting family, Christmas in July ❤️
Comment on Facebook 1972950632965132_2913196058940580
Brilliant …. Enjoy xxxx🥰🎄🥰
Omg!!! Where have your giant children come from!!! 😱😱😱😱 they all look soooo grown up! X 💕💕💕
Lovely photos. There are a credit to you. Yes so tall . What do you feed them on lol
Lovely,bet it was very emotional xx
I can’t believe you’re up our end and we’re down yours! xx
To all of the England team, I’m sure you’re hurting today but remember you have made us proud. You not only got us to a final for the first time in my life time, you also represent the values we want our children to aspire to.
You’ve tackled childhood poverty and hunger, supported the NHS, you taken the knee (even when you know that may bring abuse), you supported the LGBTQ community and used your position for good..
Learn from last night but draw a line under it. Move on with your head held high.
#thisisengland #englandfans #saynotoracism #england🇬🇧
Comment on Facebook 1972950632965132_2902942223299297
Brilliantly said
Well said Debs xx
Love this x
I am loving this from English Heritage. With the surname of Aspland (285) and a maiden name of Swindley (211) to play with, you can see they are both fairly uncommon (and always require spelling 🙄).
I’d love to know how common your name is.
Find out on the English Heritage site www.english-heritage.org.uk/england-united - when you click on the link, press launc digital map to search for your name.
Comment on Facebook 1972950632965132_2902207896706063
Fox- 42,653 (married) Getty- 257 (maiden) That’s a good little taking point over a coffee, thanks Deb! X
Richmond 7466 adults most common in Richmond N Yorks and Darlington O’Keefe isn’t on the list
Loved this, thanks for sharing Debs! my married name was 26,331, Maiden name (Davies) 146,375 (is that all?!) and my mum's maiden name was 5,534 🙂
Klumpler is zero! (I know of 3 in the UK, as I'm legally still my maiden name, so the 3 in the UK are my husband and 2 kids!)
My married name is 14,000 but my maiden name..... Is zero!
My maiden name is 596,361 😂 my married name just 332
Common as muck😂
Murphy - 59,715 Downes - 7,955 (Maiden)
“If anybody deserves to be happy, it’s my mum. She came to this country with nothing and put herself through school cleaning bathrooms and changing bed sheets, and now she’s the director of a nursing home.
And her son plays for England.”
This is such a good read, his education sounds familiar to many and his attitude towards putting the work in is one we should all aspire to.
Most Popular Pearls of Wisdom
The Happy Diary Monday, 25th September 2017 It only takes 5 days and is not a diary you complete every evening, forever. You just do this for 5 days and then when you need a boost, you do it again. (169)- Incomplete Compassion Friday, 5th June 2020 If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incompleteJack Kornfield Compassion - a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others and a wish to help them"Cambridge English Dictionary Everyone, with the exception of perhaps some psychopaths, has the ability to feel compassion towards others. Studies have shown… (165)
- Visualising Success Monday, 19th February 2018 When I first heard about Vision Boards (aka Dream boards), I thought “oh that’s nice but I don’t have magazines and glue sticks lying around and I have no intention of buying them”. I moved on. (147)
- Review – Teen Calm Box Wednesday, 17th June 2020 The aim of Teen Calm is to help young adults develop a routine that builds self-regulation skills so they can cope with those annoying doubts and insecurities (132)
- Failure, then success Monday, 1st June 2020 Fear of Failure Why are we so afraid of failure? Failure means different things to different people; due to our upbringing, beliefs, values and obviously the standards we set for ourselves. Failure for one person may not be a failure for someone else. First of all, you need to really be clear about what failure… (126)
Most Popular Posts
- The Happy Diary Monday, 25th September 2017 It only takes 5 days and is not a diary you complete every evening, forever. You just do this for 5 days and then when you need a boost, you do it again. (169)
- Incomplete Compassion Friday, 5th June 2020 If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incompleteJack Kornfield Compassion - a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others and a wish to help them"Cambridge English Dictionary Everyone, with the exception of perhaps some psychopaths, has the ability to feel compassion towards others. Studies have shown… (165)
- Visualising Success Monday, 19th February 2018 When I first heard about Vision Boards (aka Dream boards), I thought “oh that’s nice but I don’t have magazines and glue sticks lying around and I have no intention of buying them”. I moved on. (147)
- Review – Teen Calm Box Wednesday, 17th June 2020 The aim of Teen Calm is to help young adults develop a routine that builds self-regulation skills so they can cope with those annoying doubts and insecurities (132)
- Failure, then success Monday, 1st June 2020 Fear of Failure Why are we so afraid of failure? Failure means different things to different people; due to our upbringing, beliefs, values and obviously the standards we set for ourselves. Failure for one person may not be a failure for someone else. First of all, you need to really be clear about what failure… (126)
