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Accept yourself. ❤

Posted on by BusyMum

Something amazing just happened….

I go abroad in 5 days and i’ve been putting off trying on all the swimwear I bought for fear of….well…hating myself again.

I mean, most of it doesn’t leave much to the imagination so there is no way of getting away from the stretch marks, the rolls, the cellulite.

I’ve pushed the idea of it to the back of my mind because I didn’t want to have to face up the disaster and have a complete freak out before I even got there.

I want to enjoy the break.

I want to enjoy the heat, without feeling the need to cover up my arms, stomach and legs.

I want to lie on a sun lounger, reading a book and drinking a cocktail without worrying about who is looking at me and what they’re thinking.

And do you know what?

I honestly think I will. 😁

I tried on every swimsuit, every bikini….and it was OK.

“Ok” maybe doesn’t sound that fantastic but for me it really is.

My body hasn’t changed much recently and i’m nowhere near where I want to be, but I think i’ve accepted that the way it looks, every jiggle, every wobble, every thigh clap when I sit down is just ME!

Will I have moments of doubt when i’m over there? Of course.

Will I be smearing myself in anti-chafing gel so I don’t end up red raw? You betcha! 😁😁

And do you know what? There is nothing wrong with that. I’ll be in a place surrounded by all different shapes and sizes and i’ll feel “OK” which for me, is everything……

STOP thinking you can’t wear certain clothes.

STOP comparing your body to someone else’s.

STOP feeling unworthy.

I guarantee that if you put on that one thing in your wardrobe that you always chicken out of wearing, you will get compliments, because you will be oozing a confidence you didn’t even know you had!

BE present.

BE self loving.

BE kind.

Much Love xx

You can’t pretend.

Posted on by BusyMum

As I handed my wedding bouquet to Martha for her pretend wedding, I was filled with a mix of emotion.Joy, at seeing her face light up and sadness when remembering when I stood there holding it saying “I do”.Moments like those, you think will last forever. I remember the emotion of saying my vows and meaning every word.Despite all that has happened and deciding that we weren’t forever as we planned, I still hold that day so close to my heart.I’ll never regret it.It would have been easy to throw away everything related to the wedding and pretend it didn’t happen, to shut myself off from the pain of the memories. But it happened. It was a massive event in my life.Today, as Martha is looking through the wedding album, i’m so glad that I kept everything. I want her to always believe in the magic of marriage. I want her to always imagine walking down the ailse. I want her to see the happiness in our eyes and know that she too, can have that.I’ll always be honest with her. When we get married, we want it to be forever, but none of us know what the future will bring.So my point is this.Martha will grow up looking at my wedding album and i’ll always be honest with her. She will always know that she came from a marriage that, back then was filled with love.It may not have lasted, but our love for her always will ❤Take a moment.Remember that day.Don’t block it out and pretend it didn’t happen. We grow from every experience we have and they make us who we are.We don’t always know what will happen but it’s up to us to make sure that we do what feels right at the time and follow our hearts. ❤We only get once chance at life.Much Love xx

Give yourself a round of applause…

Posted on by BusyMum

In 4 weeks time, I get to stand by my best friends side as she says “I do“. I am so honoured, humbled and excited that I get to be a bridesmaid to her.

With the excitement though, comes some anxiety.

Not for the wedding, or the day, but for the fact that i’ll be going abroad for the first time in 11 years…and that I have to wear a swimsuit 😬.

I haven’t been looking after myself as I should. I’ve been eating all the wrong things, I haven’t been sleeping well and have just let everything else take priority above myself.

I have taken massive steps in terms of my confidence and have been pushing myself out of my comfort zone and wearing what I want, rather than just to cover up.

A bikini, or a swimsuit is a whole other matter though.

Wearing a swimsuit is the reason I haven’t been near a pool in over a decade. When I see it written in black and white, I know it’s ludicrous.

Why should it matter if I don’t have a thigh gap, or that my boobs aren’t up under my chin, or that my cellulite is exposed.

Do you know what? It actually doesn’t. I’ve had stern words with myself whilst looking at swimwear online and i’ve decided enough is enough.

I WILL be sitting beside the pool, reading a book with my 5th pina colada of the day. I’m not there to impress anyone. I’m not there to justify my body or size to anyone.

I’m there to relax. To breathe. To be grateful. To be present.

When I sit down and my thighs clap together, i’m just going to take that as my body giving me a round of applause for being alive. ❤

When my boobs hang to the side when I lie down, i’ll just think of them as my very own built in pool floats 😂

So do it.

Throw off the sarong. Enjoy the heat. Let it all hang out and love your life.

We only get one…now where’s my credit card? 🤔

Much love. Xx

Life is a rollercoaster…

Posted on by BusyMum

I’m on the comedown from Nightshift and have been awake for 29 hours, and yet my brain is in overdrive.

2019 has been a complete rollercoaster of a year. Not just for me, but for many people I know.

Day to day life can be all consuming and we can get bogged down by the little things like the weekly food shop, the housework, going to work everyday, that we forget to look around and see what’s important.

Life has so many ups and downs and the negatives are easier to focus on than the positives.

I’ve always been more of a pessimist because I was under the belief that if I expected the worst, I wouldn’t be disappointed. Now though, I don’t believe that’s necessarily the best way to be.

I’ve been trying out a new technique of telling myself every morning, 5 things I am grateful for. It sounds cliched and over dramatic but I have found that if I do this, it pushes more of those negatives thoughts I have about myself, my life, and my situation to the back of my mind and I have been a lot more content overall.

Rubbish stuff happens, but we can’t let it define us and rule our lives.

We can only live our best lives, by doing exactly that. Living. Our. Best. Life.

So if you’ve been feeling a bit blue, or negative or maybe even just a bit blah wake up in the morning and say 5 things you are grateful for.

If you’re feeling rubbish about you as a person, tell yourself 5 good things…

If you need any help, let me start…

You are amazing.

You are talented.

You are capable of anything you set your mind to.

Life is yours for the taking.

You’ve got this. ❤

Try to enjoy the rollercoaster of life because it’s too darn short and we only get one go at it.

I recently got asked, if I could choose to live in this world, or a world where I was born into happiness and was happy all of the time..what would I choose?

I chose this life.

My reason? If you were born happy and were happy all the time, you wouldn’t actually know you were happy.

You wouldn’t be able to appreciate the good stuff if the negative things never happened.

What would you choose?

Much love, always xx

Your own adventure.

Posted on by BusyMum

I am so proud of myself.

I can do anything.

Life is amazing.

These have been just a few of the thoughts swirling around my head the past couple of days.

Why? Well, because I was brave.

I decided that I wanted a mini break so I booked a hotel for myself and Martha for 2 nights in a city over 70 miles away that I don’t ever remember going to.

It may seem so trivial but for someone who on her worst days, couldn’t leave the house I feel on top of the world.

Loneliness is a horrible thing.

Anxiety is a horrible thing.

The only thing now I could say that has made a difference is CHOOSING to be alone. I made that decision.

When I felt so alone in my marriage, I didn’t enjoy doing things or taking Martha places on my own because I felt full of anger, disappointment and resentment. I was so lonely.

Now though, i’ve chosen to live the way I live and I think that’s why it’s easier to embrace it.

I put the holiday to the back of my mind until the last minute so I didn’t have time to panic.

I asked myself ” what’s the worst that could happen” i.e…..getting lost and realised that with a full tank of fuel and a SAT NAV we would be fine.

I’ve not been worrying about keeping Martha in the sleeping routine I worked so hard to get her into. Instead we have been reading extra stories and going to bed later in the hotel, and it’s been lovely.

We have been spending money we don’t have on things we don’t need and it has been exhausting, hilarious and magical ❤

I’ve been using my inner child this past couple of days and seeing the magic in everything, from the blue bannisters in the hotel that Martha now wants at home, to the sea lion show at the safari park.

I chose to do it alone.

I didn’t once feel alone.

Goodbye resentment, anger and fear.

I’m going to be happy about the experiences I get to have everyday.

Let go of what’s holding you back.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I would still rather take someone with me when I go places because quite frankly, kids are exhausting and it can be boring playing Anna and Elsa for 3 hours with a tree 😂 but it’s not going to stop me anymore.

As for you. The amazing person you are who takes the time to read my verbal vomit…..

Yes you will still have good days and bad days.

Anxiety doesn’t just fade away overnight, but don’t let it be your main focus.

You can do anything.

You will never be alone.

You‘ve got this.

I’m always here for you.

Much Love xx

 

 

 

 

Size is just a number

Posted on by BusyMum

20190713_142456.jpgI love shopping. I sometimes wish I didn’t 😂 but I love finding a bargain and falling in love with a new outfit, or a new pair of shoes.

I was shopping yesterday with my baby sister and tbh, I was infuriated! Every shop, my size of clothing was different. We were in a specific shop that is known for cheap, but popular clothing. I’m browsing the aisles and decide to look for a pair of jeans. Now i’ve worked my butt off to drop 2 dress sizes but I came across a pair of jeans that were bigger than my size..but that would fit on my ankle. I held them up to my very slim sister, and even she would have struggled to wear them!

We fixate so much on clothing sizes and i’m now over it. Don’t do it!

Shops should be wanting people to feel good about themselves so they buy more, not make them feel like they are 3 sizes bigger than they actually are. Sort it out retailers!

So my point is this.

If you see an outfit you want, don’t worry if it’s your usual size or whether you have to buy bigger. Wear it. Love it. Cut off the size label and just embrace the fact you are wonderful, and sexy and look amazing!

We only get one life. Don’t frett about the small stuff.

From now on, i’m not going to bother whether I buy a 14, a 16 or an 18. If it feels good and I look good, then that’s the overall goal.

Be kind to yourself. You deserve the best.

Much love x

Love yourself ❤

Posted on by BusyMum

screenshot_20190708-203935_google.jpg

It’s hard to love yourself.

To love the things you want to change.

To love yourself on good days and bad days.

To trust in your ability to be who you really are and not mould to someone else’s idea.

I’m realising more and more that it’s ok to say “Yeah, i’m good at that”. Confidence and Arrogance are completely different. Yes, I know what i’m good at but I also know that there are plenty better than me….and I love them 😍

For me, singing is my talent and one i’m so grateful to have but I haven’t used it to it’s full potential. I’ve let it become lost in my anxieties.

When I get asked, “So you can sing?” I’ve never known how to respond incase i’m asked to sing something then and there and they don’t like it. 🙈

It’s ludicrous and irrational but the truth.

When I started posting videos of myself singing, it would be fine until i’d picture the folk rolling their eyes and thinking “she loves herself”. For all the genuine praise, I would let one negative thought spoil it.

Something weird has happened though, just in this past wee while.

I do love myself.

I know where my strengths and weaknesses are. I know I can make people happy. I know i’m not perfect.

I know i’m not everyones cup of tea and that’s completely fine.

I’ve always settled for what I thought I deserved, not what I wanted and  always tried to play it safe.

Always thought that unless i’m skinnier, prettier that I don’t deserve the best. My voice isn’t going to change whether i’m a size 8 or 20!. I may never been a size 12. If I am, great! However i’m not going to look back on my life in 50 years time and have regrets. I know what I want out of life but I have to love myself first before anyone else can.

So take note.

Know what you’re good at and for goodness sake, do it! You are completely and utterly worth it and life is just too short. Love yourself and it will radiate.

My name is Eileen.

I have a Talent.

That’s ok.

Watch this space 🙂

 

Much Love. Xxx

 

 

 

 

 

What works for one….

Posted on by BusyMum

All day i’ve been thinking about submerging into a hot bubble bath. Why will this remain just a thought? Let me tell you….😘

For me? I always LOVE the idea of a bubble bath but then I don’t actually find it a relaxing experience.

I run the water, pour in my favourite bubbles, watch it rise and then it’s time to get in.. that’s when the magic stops.

I do the “hot water bob” as I like to call it, of trying to get my backside used to the water so I bob up and down a bit 🤔🙄😂

Right, i’m in…let the sensation take over my body…oh no wait….i’m getting a creak in my neck….oh god what is that?…oh it’s just my stomach floating above the bubbles…..great 😒

Oh, and now my boobs are joining in by pretending they are buoys floating in the sea. It’s the one time they are perky 👍😂

Oh God I hate a bath.

Staring at my body magnified…maybe if I lift a knee out and try to be all sexy. Oh. No. Wait. Now I can see the fine hairs on my thigh that I haven’t shaved..and I can see my full nakedness reflecting back at me in the taps.

Ok Eileen, just reeelllaaxxx, lie back. Imagine you are in the see with the waves lapping up over you….such a realistic sound, nope it’s just the bath water slapping against my stomach, making the same noise my thighs do when they clap together 👏👏

There WAS actually one time where I thought, ok. I’m really sore. I’m going to have a bath and make sure I relax. I’ll just put some hair removing cream on first (everywhere I might add)

Brilliant, kill two birds and all that….

Nope. I’m now sitting in the bath surrounded by my own body hair, just floating on the surface in a scum but continue to sit in it for at least 10 mins so as not to waste the water. 🙈😭

Why? Why is having a bath so stressful?

My Mum loves having a bath! I don’t understand it.

I had a water birth, which I was pressured into by the midwives so I got in just to shut them up, but it was actually bliss. Even though I was stark naked, boobs afloating, stretch marks from head to toe, it was wonderful. It was the one time I enjoyed being in the water without caring…like a sumo-wrestler Lilo. Just lying there whilst the midwife discreetly scooped out little bits of 💩. I didn’t have a care in the world 😍

Tonight, after finishing a nightshift and being awake for 36 hours, I will be relaxing by sprawling on the couch, full of the chinese I ordered because I didn’t have the energy to cook, watching some trashy T.V before going upstairs and collapsing into bed in only my pants because putting pj’s on is too much effort.

That my friends, is relaxing BusysingleMum style and i’m ok with that. 😂

I envy those of you who like a bath, ipad and wine in hand. Enjoy it. Relax.

We are all blimmin’ exhausted and deserve the best relaxation we can get. I’m just gutted that what works for you, makes me feel like a beached dolphin flapping around on the sand. 😂😂

Much love xx

From a keen to bathe, completely exhausted Mum. ❤

Overthinking. I’m over it.

Posted on by BusyMum

Snapchat-566207059.jpgOverthinking is such a nuisance. It really is.

My mind can be in constant overdrive and then no productive thoughts actually happen. Let me give you an example from yesterday.

“Hmm…(looking in the freezer)..what should we have for dinner?”

Then I hear a train and look at it out of the window…

“Oh, look! A train…hmm, those tracks must be really old now”

Tracks-naturally make me think of rollercoasters because my inner child enjoys them more than trains….obvs.

“MAN I LOVE ROLLERCOASTERS“.

“I haven’t been on one for years”.

“Oh, wait a minute….someone lost a leg on a rollercoaster..what if I did? What if I died having fun on a rollercoaster?”

What would happen to Martha?

I wonder what songs they would play at my funeral…would they know what songs to play?

“Hmm…I need to make a WILL”  🙈😂

Now within the space of about 2 minutes I had gone from looking in the freezer to planning my funeral. What is actually wrong with me? 😂

It is also detrimental to daily activities. For me anyway.

As i’ve said before i’m not good at doing new things, especially on my own and i’m not scared to admit that even at 31 I still like my Mum to come with me 😂

Today though, I didn’t overthink…… well not as much.

I got up, got dressed (without standing analysing what I was wearing and changing my outfit 5 times,) I went for lunch and then decided to take Martha to the circus. That may seem like a normal thing for most but for me, that was huge. If I don’t know what to do somewhere then I panic or usually just avoid it. But no, we walked down to the circus, picked up our tickets and found our seats. Oh and by the way- it was awesome- and nothing bad happened because I had to make eye-contact with a circus employee 🙄🙈😂 go figure.

I’m the one in a crowd of people who would stand at the back and not make eye-contact with anyone. Not today though. I was the leader (more so because Martha is 4 and if she was in charge I would have been in there doing acrobatics) and I took charge of my own thoughts and decided from the moment I got up that I wasn’t going to overthink things and it worked.

Now tomorrow..that’s a whole other story and God only knows what my brain will be doing then but, well, for today at least. I’m content. I’m proud of myself and i’m going to get lost in a t.v drama and try my HARDEST to shut my brain off for a while.

Night night brain…you’ve done well today ❤

Much love  xx

 

 

 

 

 

Friends: Always and Forever

Posted on by BusyMum

20190701_221159.jpgA true friend is a soul mate. Male or female, they are a person who accepts you for all your flaws, supports you through everything whether they agree with you or not, and even if months pass by will be there for you when you need it. Friends are the family we get to choose.

I have an amazing, close knit family whom i’m so grateful for but jeezy peeps would I have fallen into the darkness even further had it not been for my pals. My chums. My soul mates.

They saw it. They saw the unhappiness in me. The loneliness. They saw the anxiety and never once gave me a hard time for it. I missed get togethers, nights out, weddings. I allowed myself to become so absorbed in my own unhappiness, that I missed out on important things because I couldn’t face leaving the house. They stood by me.

They supported me through all the challenges i’ve had from my depression to my separation. They still do.

It’s easy to let our lives get busy and i’m the worlds worst for trying to commit to a date for a blether and a cuppy. (I’M GETTING BETTER…TRULY!) I forget birthdays until the last minute. I forget things that are important in your lives, but I do love you all and you know I would do anything for any one of you. You all know who you are. ❤

I didn’t know how I would feel living alone again. Completely alone. The thing is though, I’ve never felt alone. You have all been there, whether it’s a snapchat everyday, a text, a phonecall…you have all been there, even when I haven’t been for you.

We are over half way through the year and I still have so many people to see that i’ve missed out on time with. A couple of folk I haven’t seen in over two years. I’m going to change that. You are going to be a priority in my life because without you all (and as cheesey as it sounds), I wouldn’t be who I am and wouldn’t have gotten this far without you.

Thank you, soul mates. For encouraging me to be the best me. For sitting with me through the moans, the tears, the anger. For never judging me. For waiting for me to find myself again.

I’ll not let you down.

Much love xx