+ June 2025 Chat Thread 💬 Am I getting ahead of myself? This is always the worry, that it’s too good to be true and that it’s all going to come crashing down again very soon. But that’s no way to live. I want to enjoy the good times when we can, and navigate the bad times should they happen. I don’t want to waste my life worrying about things I can’t control.
Oh Sophie, my heart is with you. The courage in your words—the honesty, the hope, the daring to live—it’s all so deeply felt. Sending you so much love. 💛
I find myself really leaning into slow and simple living at the moment, especially as I have a renewed interest in seasonal living too. I have realized that hating both the heat and cold is no way to live, as where I live in Australia it's generally one or the other... 🤣 So trying to live more in tune with the seasons is helping me adapt and change in line with the wider world, even though auDHD rigidity fights back!!
Re neurodiversity & creative business, I am still knee-deep in the process of planning my business for once I've qualified as a counsellor. Like you Sophie, I'm trying to navigate work that works for my neurotype and avoid getting a 'proper job'!!!
It is much too early here on the Eastern Seaboard of the US but I had a dream that awakened me and had to get up and find my notebook and write it down before I lost it. It was kind of important and I thought about making a Substack post about it but when I got here, found that the last post I made had never actually been published so - sigh - I posted that instead. It was a much nicer post than the one my dream inspired will be. Probably best to let that one simmer a bit before getting it out into the world.
Anyway, looking thru the leaderboard I found this post and am so glad I took a look. Motherhood is scary and wonderful all at once, and it sounds like you're in the midst of planning new adventures for you and your sweet family. I remember those days, they are the foundation of the worlds my now grown children are creating for their little ones! Never forget that even commonplace days are the most special, and you never know what small folk will take from them as they go forth on their life journeys. It's always absolutely the most gratifying thing to see the joys that my children remember and pass to their littles... planting a garden, going for a hike in the woods, blowing bubbles, singing the same songs to soothe them to sleep.
Life's pretty magical after all, isn't it? Here's to new adventures 💕
Yes! So scary and wonderful, both can definitely be true. I love those ordinary days, they really can be the most magical. Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Susannah 🥰
I have no clue where to start 😅, and to top it off, as soon as I scheduled this post to go out, William became unwell and we were back in hospital again. I definitely jinxed myself by writing this post! 🤣
You didn't jinx yourself Sophie, it was the universe telling you the time is not right.
I was careful with my words before as I have travelled extensively and I did’t want to put you off. But Airports have become a nightmare, flights are delayed or cancelled..happened to me recently after a 7 hour delay.
Then when you arrive at the destination, it might be crowded, we stayed 50 minutes on Capri, last year. It was literally too crowded to move , you had to walk in a line.
I have also had magical experiences that made it all worthwhile …but I know from my daughter who took her 2 and 8 year old to Barcelona once and vowed never again. I hope this reality check is some consolation, that you will be able to travel when William is better and older. I hope he is better soon ❤️🩹
This is so reassuring, Susan, thank you. I definitely want to go abroad once with the children so they can experience it, but I don’t think they’ll be blown away by it. It’s hard as we all have our own neurodivergent quirks to manage completely out of our comfort zone.
Day 1 - I finally made it. I reclaimed time for myself, to write, to enjoy the luxury of silence in the very early morning before the sun rises in the sky. Yesterday I had these 3 full hours to myself! I wrote, had more clarity than in a long time, felt quiet and relaxed when my son got up. I thought « wow this is my new life ».
Day 2 - Alarm clock at 6am, opened the window to enjoy the fresh air. Immediately startled by little boy’s appearance : it’s the morning mama, let’s play.
When am I ever going to pursue my writing dreams, take care of my mental health and enjoy silence with this bundle of love and energy that follows me to the toilet, still. 4 years is a long time to never be alone.
From one Jess to another... its tricky. I had care of my little brother for four years while both my parents worked full-time. At the time I missed having time to myself, but then when he went to preschool 3 days a week I didn't know what to do with myself!!
I ended up getting a part-time job but didn't enjoy it much.
All I can say is I know its hard, but please try to enjoy it as much as you can. My family have since moved away and I hardly see him now. I would do anything to go back and relive it all.
I understand this so much! I got to a point where I struggled to enjoy spending time with William because I wanted to write and be creative, and be in silence and able to concentrate. The best thing for me was being able to compartmentalise my work and my home/family life. I don't get it right all the time, but I'm better at working on my work days when he's at nursery, and then being fully present on the days he's home.
Is there anyone who could offer respite and take him for a few hours so that you can be you? I don't have any family who can take William, so my only respite from him is when he's at nursery. I don't know what I'd do without them.
I'm increasing his hours there in September, and I can't wait! I plan on having a day to myself. No cleaning, no work, nothing at all but being me. I'm going to write, be creative, read, sleep, and watch TV if I want to. I can't wait!! But this is a long time coming; I've had very little time away from William since he was born. Never overnight, just a few hours throughout the day.
Sending you love and strength, you've got this mama! x
Oh Sophie, my heart is with you. The courage in your words—the honesty, the hope, the daring to live—it’s all so deeply felt. Sending you so much love. 💛
I find myself really leaning into slow and simple living at the moment, especially as I have a renewed interest in seasonal living too. I have realized that hating both the heat and cold is no way to live, as where I live in Australia it's generally one or the other... 🤣 So trying to live more in tune with the seasons is helping me adapt and change in line with the wider world, even though auDHD rigidity fights back!!
Re neurodiversity & creative business, I am still knee-deep in the process of planning my business for once I've qualified as a counsellor. Like you Sophie, I'm trying to navigate work that works for my neurotype and avoid getting a 'proper job'!!!
It is much too early here on the Eastern Seaboard of the US but I had a dream that awakened me and had to get up and find my notebook and write it down before I lost it. It was kind of important and I thought about making a Substack post about it but when I got here, found that the last post I made had never actually been published so - sigh - I posted that instead. It was a much nicer post than the one my dream inspired will be. Probably best to let that one simmer a bit before getting it out into the world.
Anyway, looking thru the leaderboard I found this post and am so glad I took a look. Motherhood is scary and wonderful all at once, and it sounds like you're in the midst of planning new adventures for you and your sweet family. I remember those days, they are the foundation of the worlds my now grown children are creating for their little ones! Never forget that even commonplace days are the most special, and you never know what small folk will take from them as they go forth on their life journeys. It's always absolutely the most gratifying thing to see the joys that my children remember and pass to their littles... planting a garden, going for a hike in the woods, blowing bubbles, singing the same songs to soothe them to sleep.
Life's pretty magical after all, isn't it? Here's to new adventures 💕
Yes! So scary and wonderful, both can definitely be true. I love those ordinary days, they really can be the most magical. Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Susannah 🥰
Good to hear Sophie, that you are making plans and dreaming up new adventures…it’s a brave step to go abroad with kids.
I have no clue where to start 😅, and to top it off, as soon as I scheduled this post to go out, William became unwell and we were back in hospital again. I definitely jinxed myself by writing this post! 🤣
You didn't jinx yourself Sophie, it was the universe telling you the time is not right.
I was careful with my words before as I have travelled extensively and I did’t want to put you off. But Airports have become a nightmare, flights are delayed or cancelled..happened to me recently after a 7 hour delay.
Then when you arrive at the destination, it might be crowded, we stayed 50 minutes on Capri, last year. It was literally too crowded to move , you had to walk in a line.
I have also had magical experiences that made it all worthwhile …but I know from my daughter who took her 2 and 8 year old to Barcelona once and vowed never again. I hope this reality check is some consolation, that you will be able to travel when William is better and older. I hope he is better soon ❤️🩹
This is so reassuring, Susan, thank you. I definitely want to go abroad once with the children so they can experience it, but I don’t think they’ll be blown away by it. It’s hard as we all have our own neurodivergent quirks to manage completely out of our comfort zone.
On motherhood. I need to vent.
Day 1 - I finally made it. I reclaimed time for myself, to write, to enjoy the luxury of silence in the very early morning before the sun rises in the sky. Yesterday I had these 3 full hours to myself! I wrote, had more clarity than in a long time, felt quiet and relaxed when my son got up. I thought « wow this is my new life ».
Day 2 - Alarm clock at 6am, opened the window to enjoy the fresh air. Immediately startled by little boy’s appearance : it’s the morning mama, let’s play.
When am I ever going to pursue my writing dreams, take care of my mental health and enjoy silence with this bundle of love and energy that follows me to the toilet, still. 4 years is a long time to never be alone.
From one Jess to another... its tricky. I had care of my little brother for four years while both my parents worked full-time. At the time I missed having time to myself, but then when he went to preschool 3 days a week I didn't know what to do with myself!!
I ended up getting a part-time job but didn't enjoy it much.
All I can say is I know its hard, but please try to enjoy it as much as you can. My family have since moved away and I hardly see him now. I would do anything to go back and relive it all.
I understand this so much! I got to a point where I struggled to enjoy spending time with William because I wanted to write and be creative, and be in silence and able to concentrate. The best thing for me was being able to compartmentalise my work and my home/family life. I don't get it right all the time, but I'm better at working on my work days when he's at nursery, and then being fully present on the days he's home.
Is there anyone who could offer respite and take him for a few hours so that you can be you? I don't have any family who can take William, so my only respite from him is when he's at nursery. I don't know what I'd do without them.
I'm increasing his hours there in September, and I can't wait! I plan on having a day to myself. No cleaning, no work, nothing at all but being me. I'm going to write, be creative, read, sleep, and watch TV if I want to. I can't wait!! But this is a long time coming; I've had very little time away from William since he was born. Never overnight, just a few hours throughout the day.
Sending you love and strength, you've got this mama! x