I can't believe it's June already. I started writing blog posts last year and I told myself I would keep up with them and write regularly. That was wishful thinking. The past 6 months have flown by and this is my first post of the year. Shame on you Louise.

I have been up and down this year. I went through a period of sadness where I doubted myself and my ability. I questioned what I was doing and I was fearful of the future. I cried at nothing and I curled up on my bed in the afternoons and slept. I felt paralyzed. This 'sadness,' as I call it, I have endured once before, shortly after my dad passed away. That was 12 years ago. I remembered I helped myself out of the darkness by reading self-help books. I bought a heap of them at the time. I devoured them one after another. 'Don't Sweat the Small Stuff', 'Feel the Fear and do it Anyway' and 'Embracing Uncertainty' were just a few of them. So I got them back out and I started to read again and I was reminded of the importance of living in the moment and how important it is to take no notice of my thoughts. They are just thoughts. They aren't my reality. My emotions were a reaction to my thoughts. I am feeling much stronger now. No doubt, a cruise to New Caledonia helped me get back on track.

In April we spent 9 days aboard a P&O cruise ship and we visited beautiful, unspoiled places where the water is crystal clear and the weather is balmy. We swam with turtles, we ate delicious food, we slept in the afternoon and then we ate some more. It was a wonderful, relaxing and nourishing holiday and I needed to escape for a little while. 

I have been busy working on a coastal collection since I have been back. I've been painting sea shells and pelicans and seals. I made a logo for myself and I built this website. I am thinking positive thoughts and I remind myself daily to stay fully conscious and be grateful and enjoy my life.