​As we approach the end of the year, I thought I’d take the opportunity to write a bit of a yearly rundown, an update on where I am, my thoughts, hopes, affirmations, and the things I’m grateful for. Usually, I aim to do an update on my life each month, but over the last few months, I’ve completely forgotten. So, as it’s nearly the end of the year, I thought I’d take a moment to reflect on how things have been going.

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll know that mental health is something I’ve always been open about. Over the years, my blog has gradually shifted from product and food reviews, days out, eating out, and fashion to focus more on mental health, wellness, and physical health. The transition has been organic, and it’s simply reflected my own personal journey. Mental health has been something I’ve struggled with since 2015, and it’s shaped much of what I write about. I’ve always been interested in health and fitness, and I think that interest stemmed from wanting to improve my mental health. It’s natural for my blog to reflect what is most relevant to me.

So, where am I at with my mental health? Honestly, it’s something that has become a part of who I am. At times, it’s hard to remember what life was like before 2015, when things started to go downhill. I even struggle to recall how I felt three years ago in 2021, when things were at their lowest point. Since then, I’ve managed to get to a place where I feel I can manage it, and I’ve been able to maintain that level. It’s still a personal journey, though, and while I write about mental health, it remains an incredibly private experience for me. Everyone’s mental health struggles are different, even if they share the same diagnosis, and that’s important to remember.
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For those who know me in person, mental health isn’t something I openly discuss with friends or family. Over time, I’ve learned to mask it, or it’s simply become part of who I am. I rarely experience extreme emotions anymore, whether happiness or sadness. I believe the medication I’m on has dulled those feelings. It’s not that I can’t experience moments of happiness or sadness, but everything feels more muted, as though emotions have been levelled out. I think that’s the result of medication—everything feels a bit more balanced, but not to an extreme.

Looking ahead, I know that mental health will always be part of my life. I’ve come to accept that it’s not something that will magically disappear. There may be ways to improve things, but I don’t think a complete cure will ever come. After all, it’s just a chemical imbalance in the brain. Maybe one day, science will come up with a cure-all pill, but I’m not counting on it. So, knowing that it’s part of who I am, I just continue on. I don’t dwell on the cards I’ve been dealt—what good would that do? I take things one day at a time, and hour by hour, which is why being present has been so important to me, as I mentioned in a recent blog post.

I’ve never been one to moan about life. It is what it is, and I just get on with it. As far as physical health goes, it ties into my mental health in many ways. Working out is something I genuinely look forward to. It’s a natural way to release chemicals in the brain that are responsible for making us feel good. These chemicals include endorphins, which help improve mood and reduce pain, dopamine, which plays a role in motivation and pleasure, serotonin, which helps regulate mood and well-being, and norepinephrine, which helps increase energy and focus. Working out also gives me a sense of routine, something that has become essential for me, especially with mental health. A routine provides a sense of security and control, which can be very stabilising.

Before 2015, I would never have considered myself a person who needed structure. Spontaneity used to be my thing, but I’ve learned that routine is crucial to my mental health. It’s become something that anchors me, giving my days structure and meaning. A similar approach has applied to my diet. Over the past 18 months, I’ve stuck to a whole food diet. While it might seem “boring” to some, I disagree. Fruit, meat, and vegetables offer endless variety, and there’s nothing boring about them. I believe this is the way humans are supposed to eat, and it’s how we’ve always eaten. People used to shop at the green grocer, the butcher, and the fishmonger, but now we have supermarkets full of processed, prepackaged foods. There’s a clear link between the rise of convenience foods and the obesity epidemic, but that’s a topic for another time.

One of the most significant changes this year has been my daughter moving in with me full-time in May. Since then, I’ve watched her grow in ways I never imagined. Her behaviour, attitude, and routine have all improved so much. It’s amazing to see the maturity she’s showing now compared to when she first arrived. She’s been through a lot in a short period, juggling her high school exams, a break, and then starting college. Living in a village means early mornings for us, as she has to catch buses to the city and then to college. Despite all of this, she’s never complained once, and it’s been incredible to see her change for the better.

Another milestone this year was quitting smoking in June. I never thought I’d be able to quit, but I did. Smoking was something I’d been doing for years, and I didn’t want to continue with it. The health benefits far outweigh the financial savings, so I’m proud that I managed to stop. Alongside that, I also decided to stop drinking alcohol. I still have an occasional pint with my dad at the pub, but other than that, I don’t drink. Alcohol was adding to my anxiety, so I knew it had to go.

Looking back at the year, I’m feeling good about where I am. Mentally, I’m stable, and physically, I’m improving every day. I plan to continue this journey into 2025, with hopes for even more growth and improvement. Here’s to moving forward, embracing change, and continuing to take care of myself—body and mind.

This year, I’ve come to an important realisation: I’ve been spending far too much time on social media. The endless scrolling, mindlessly jumping from one post to the next, became a habit that ate away at my time without me even noticing. It wasn’t just about the hours lost—it was about what I was missing out on during those hours.
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I’ve started making a conscious effort to step back and focus on being more present in the moment. Instead of endlessly scrolling, I’ve been rediscovering the joy of simpler, more intentional activities. Reading a book, fully immersing myself in a show I’ve been meaning to watch, or even just dedicating time to my daily workout. These moments feel more rewarding because they’re meaningful and deliberate.

My workouts, in particular, have been a game changer. It’s become part of my daily routine, something I look forward to because it’s time spent focusing entirely on myself. Whether it’s a challenging core session or conditioning exercises, the physical effort helps clear my mind and keeps me grounded. It’s a reminder that looking after my body is just as important as looking after my mind.

It’s not just about productivity, though that’s been a benefit, too. It’s about reclaiming time for the things that truly matter—whether it’s spending quality time with loved ones, enjoying a hobby, or simply allowing myself to rest without distraction. The shift has been surprisingly refreshing, giving me a sense of balance I didn’t realise I was missing.

That’s not to say it’s been easy. Social media is designed to draw us in, and I still catch myself reaching for my phone out of habit. But now, when I feel that urge, I pause and ask myself if there’s something better I could do with my time. More often than not, the answer is yes. I’ll pick up a book, turn on an episode of something I’ve been meaning to watch, or start a workout. Every time I make that choice, I feel better for it.

This shift has reminded me that life isn’t happening on a screen. It’s happening here and now, in the small, everyday moments that are so easy to overlook. And those moments, I’ve found, are where the real joy lies.

It’s been liberating to realise that I don’t have to be “plugged in” all the time to feel connected. Instead, I’m finding connection in the things I love, in being present with the people who matter, and in taking the time to truly live in the moment.

Letting go of the constant scroll has given me the freedom to rediscover what really matters. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.