“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 …
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 …
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 myself, 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) and it's also home to one very nutty dog who fits right in!
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 when motivation comes easily and days when just getting out of bed is an achievement.
Life is never ever dull!
I hope you enjoy reading my posts, please feel free to leave your comments and thoughts.
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?
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
“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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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! …
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 …
Trying to turn the other cheek can be difficult and sometimes it is a case of choosing your battles. However, know your own worth and do not accept the unacceptable.
In a podcast I recorded recently, Emma Murphy said how good she was at prioritising tasks for other people but not so great at doing things for her. I think many of us are the same when it goes to defending ourselves. We will jump to the defence of others (even those who may not be as quick to jump to our defence) but we will not defend ourselves.
When you next allow yourself to be unvalued, ask yourself would you defend a friend if this was done to or said about them. If the answer is yes, you need to consider why you don't defend you.
Who was the last person you compared yourself against?
We're all guilty of it. I think even more so at the moment. We have no out so we scroll through social media thinking everyone has their shit together. As we said yesterday, making assumptions helps no one.
I compared myself last month to a colleague who really does appear to be rocking the lockdown. However, I decided to do something brave and messaged them to ask if they really were as on it as they appeared. They replied and let me know exactly how they were not rocking lockdown by any stretch of the imagination. We ended up having a really good old belly laugh because she was of the impression that I was really sailing through it all without a qualm!
Think about who you compared yourself against and if you are brave enough or able to, message them and ask how on the ball they are. No prizes for guessing their response. ... See MoreSee Less
I don’t feel that I compare myself as such! I may be wrong! I have seen through facebook how other special families are coping and all in different ways due to personal circumstances but the one thing that stands out with all these families , is their commitment, resilience and their ‘get on with it’ attitudes. I’m not praising or ‘bigging’ myself up , I just don’t compare myself to others in this way. I do hope this makes sense. If I did, I would for sure contact them though.
Have just read about board of believers and love that x
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Do you hate it when people make assumptions about you (i.e. you are qualified to home school your child, cook dinner, clean the house and work from home all without being able to retire to the pub at the weekend)!
Do you make assumptions about others though? Do you think they have it all sorted based on a photo of one second in their day on Insta?
As the saying goes, if you assume, you make an ass out of u and me. ... See MoreSee Less
It could be food, it could be a new bit of software, a new app, a new podcast, or anything.
When was it and what was it? And most importantly, would you recommend?
I found a new podcast this week called The History Chicks - it tells the stories of women in history but with lots of juice tidbits and fun facts. A great way to learn more about historical women and the impact they had. Also something different to talk about with friends other than the current lockdown, home schooling or struggles of trying to work from home. ... See MoreSee Less
The one that intrigued me the most was that Paul McCartney was in fact dead (died in the 60s) and his double took over.
Also same was said about avril Lavigne
My favourite is that pigeons aren’t real 🤣
Also slightly related is that lockdown was only implemented so that we would all stay inside and they can change the batteries in said pigeons
What could you do that you are not currently doing?
Notice I say "could", I don't mean a whole list of things we can't do in Lockdown, I mean things we are putting off but we actually could do if we wanted.
For me, it's the diet and exercise thing! I am useless when I am home, especially with the kids. I end up picking all day and when my husband gets in, I am exhausted and can't be bothered even thinking about the gym or a walk!
What about you? Let's keep it real, I may be a life coach who motivates people but that doesn't mean my life is instagrammably perfect! ... See MoreSee Less
Clean the bathrooms. I mean, they are clean but need a really good deep clean. I love my house but they are the bane of my life.
Oh... Same with my oven.
I need to call in people, but don't have the cash, so I 'could' do it 😂
Sort my clothes out rather than just moan about it lol
Everything in moderation - especially this inspirational BS!
I know I share some inspirational stuff but I am realistic and know that somedays inspirational quotes are the last thing I need to see. I scroll through social media swearing at those posts.
Everything in moderation though is a good balance. If you don't feel like reading an inspirational quote, scroll on. It's difficult at the moment to know what we want, except for this to be over and for us to be meeting friends for coffee and drinks. Until then, scroll on or click the heart. You do you. ... See MoreSee Less
I know how easy it is to have 1001 things on the go, lots of things you want to do and tonnes of ideas you want to get on with. Believe me, I am the queen of lists of things I want to do, at some time, when I have chance.
However, I have learned the hard way that focus is really important. Choose one of the ideas, one of the things you want to do or one of the projects you are already working on and focus on that. Focussing on just one thing helps our brains to really think about what we are trying to do.
In Lockdown, while homeschooling, it may not be so easy but choose just one of the things and write the others on a list (you won't remember them, be honest)! ... See MoreSee Less
The Happy Diary by Debs Aspland 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.(109)
Visualising Success by Debs Aspland 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.(98)
Review – Teen Calm Box by Debs Aspland 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(98)
Incomplete Compassion by Debs Aspland 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…(74)
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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.(109)
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.(98)
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(98)
Me, My Notebook and I Friday, 9th October 2015 Making the bullet journal wok for me. Me, my notebook and I.(78)
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…(74)