38 Comments

Oh, Josie, thank you so much. This is exactly where I am too. Chronic illness and perimenopause (hello anxiety) have been very, very hard on me these past few months and I became a scared, curled up thing. But I am okay. And I'm trying to tell my impaired nervous system this. I'm looking for the green flags, instead of the red flags. Slowly trying to move my body again. Inspired by your five minutes at a time in the garden, yesterday I went out and lined up six pots of perennials where they could face the sun again. Spring is returning and I'm ready to too.

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Bloody hell Josie, that's a corker. It had me teary eyed, giggling, grinning and shouting "yes" at the computer screen. You've made my heart sing.

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You've done it again Josie.....fearlessly naming and reframing the quiet mental narrative born of trauma.

I love that you pop in with your stories and observations after spending time quietly with them. I feel i can absolutely trust what you write. Thank You. Today's offering is simply power full.💚

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Yes, after a stroke this summer I’ve often been beset with anxiety about the possibility of it happening again. I know this could happen and it’s completely normal to worry about it. But I do try to make room for what if it doesn’t happen? Or to try and let go of thinking that worrying will affect the outcome. To let go and live. Thank you for this post.

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It's a paradigm shift, isn't it? I'm glad it's making such a difference for you, Josie!

I tend to be an optimistic, but covid (last April) and the resulting aftereffects pushed me almost back to where I was when I was diagnosed (in 2016). It's been a hard fall and winter for me.

Then on February 15th I slipped on ice in my driveway and broke my ankle. At first I was told I didn't need surgery, and I could wear a boot for 6-8 weeks. A few days later, after more x-rays, I found out I did need surgery. Then I caught covid. 😱 This time around it was much less severe. My surgery was postponed, but I had it on March 7th. I haven't had a lot of pain, thanks to a well-placed nerve block.

I definitely thought about just hiding in bed for the rest of the winter and maybe spring too. I'm in bed a lot with my ankle elevated, but that's also given me lots of time to think. And I realized I have to put myself first if I want my ankle to heal. I have no more excuses for putting my self-care last. And my family and friends have adjusted! I ask for the particular food I want/need. I do yoga in bed 2 times a week. I rest as much as I need to!

I have several weeks of healing ahead of me, so I hope tending to my self-care becomes a new habit!

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I resonate with this so much, on many levels- you have lit up into such beautiful words what I know to feel true about my experience too. Trust is a mysterious and beautiful and courageous thing. Thank you!

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I love your bimblings and I adored your book ‘Still Life’ as it resonated so powerfully with me.

Your optimism in the world,

your belief in simplicity,

your observations of the tiny wonders in your life they all give hope to others.

I too find joy in plants peeping through after a long Winter,

in the hope of each sunrise and majestic flame filled sunsets,

in the comfort of resting a pain filled body against a v shaped pillow in bed to read(books always my greatest comfort)whilst recognising that however hard the day has been it is over now and a book will calm the chaos.

I hear you.

The world needs more Josies 🌻

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I’ve just discovered Bimblings and what a lovely 1st post to read 😀 I think it’s quite normal to get into the habit of assuming the worst when you’re body constantly lets you down …we get used to accepting that ‘doing’ a thing will result in some sort of crash afterwards and try to prepare for it by scheduling in extra rest or sacrificing something else…think this way of thinking just becomes habitual over the years!

But good for you for interrupting this thought pattern and turning it on its head! Long may the good thoughts and things continue 🤞

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Thanks for your insights Josie. Totally resonated with me as well. I realised its so easy to feel fearful and hopeless with all that is going on and all that has happened. But if i keep my focus small, real and grounded in whats actually around i am actually ok. Bless you x

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Thank you Josie, I have been watching out for you to pop into my inbox again, so a big thank you. Because you are always just on the ball...and at the right moment. Spending time being prepared for the worst always seemed sensible with my history, but it spoils everything. Your words say it all and I am going to start being prepared for the best! That feels good. Those hot water bottles feel good too. Thank you.

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What if we could release our commitment to contracted thinking? YES!! I started this thing where I call it the asshole inside my head telling me stuff that gets me into a scarcity or fear mindset and i realised it wants me to focus on stuff I cannot control etc etc. Worrying and stressing about stuff I cannot control is like walking in place and thinking that will get me to the next town. What if we could take the risk to hope by living fully in the moment?

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Towards the end of the writing you mention the idea of there being love there to hold you up. (I'm obviously not quoting here.) I was immediately taken back to something I have tried to hold onto all my life though usually forget it too often. It's a line from a Doobie Brothers song (I'm dating myself here, but hey, it is a good thing that I'm still here): "Without love, where would you be right now?"

Your post was timely for me today. I'm in search of a new perspective that might prove to be, in fact, an old one.

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Thank goodness for Neuroplasticity ... the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural pathways, allowing us to change beliefs and behaviors. Re-wiring doesn’t happen overnight but gratefully, it doesn’t take the same amount of time we put into the initial pathways. Keep at it, Josie! And all the best!

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Mar 19, 2023·edited Mar 19, 2023

Such an encouraging post and transformative experiment to be intentional about. And what if, Josie, you were to anticipate not just that you would be surprised by the goodness of the things and circumstances surrounding you, but by the goodness within you? I was once advised to pray this prayer: “God, help me believe the truth about myself…no matter how beautiful it is!” You are golden!

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Wow...just wow. You've blown me away with this post. Has anyone told you lately you are amazing. Well you definitely are! Also, would it be an imposition to ask for the recipe for the herbal drink you mentioned? What are the amount of Herbs and spices required to the amount of liquid?

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I loved reading about your experiment and think I may join you. I have been spiraling in the negative lately and asking what if seems like just what I need to shift out of this. Thank you for sharing your journey and I hope you have a lovely day.

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