WTBSEs 'Starting From Scratch' Savings Diary.

JoJoC

Eco_Miser wrote: »

It got a little damp.

Last year about this time, or a little later, I was walking along the Cleveland Way by Sutton Bank in a blizzard.
Yes, I know, totally mad. I didn't stay out for long. But the point is, this year is much better.

Ah, you're right Eco Miser.

You'd think after living in Scotland for 26 yeas, I'd learn not to moan about the weather. I'm not sure quite what I'm expecting!!

JoJoC

WantToBeSE wrote: »

The sun has disappeared from Cornwall today too. Darn it!
Woke up nice and early to get ready for my day of mindfulness. I didn't sleep last night, so I hope I don't fall asleep while meditating!

Jo- what is the South Loch Ness area like? I am considering Fort Augustus area after a recommendation from a friend.

Enjoy your course today! I hope you manage to stay awake!

Fort Augustus is lovely. It's been quite a long time since I've been there but it's a lovely town and a good base to travel around the surrounding towns round the loch too. There's some lovely shops, some nice walks and a few places to eat. It is a fairly quiet wee place (or it was when I was there last!) but still lovely.

Trip advisor should be able to give you some more up todate reviews on the place.

WantToBeSE

Good Afternoon All

I am totally blissed out My day was AWESOME! The Mindfulness was nothing like I was expecting, it was much better. The people running it did a great job and the day flew by so quickly!
They are running these days every 6 weeks, so I am definitely going to go the others- I already have the booking form for the next one.

Got home and was starving hungry, so I have some pizza (leftover) in the oven warming up and have poured a glass of wine too.

How is everyone else?

Jo- thanks for the opinion re FA, I didn't think of trip advisor so will have a look at that.

tattycath

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Good Afternoon All

I am totally blissed out My day was AWESOME! The Mindfulness was nothing like I was expecting, it was much better. The people running it did a great job and the day flew by so quickly!
They are running these days every 6 weeks, so I am definitely going to go the others- I already have the booking form for the next one.

Got home and was starving hungry, so I have some pizza (leftover) in the oven warming up and have poured a glass of wine too.

How is everyone else?

Jo- thanks for the opinion re FA, I didn't think of trip advisor so will have a look at that.

I'm so pleased you enjoyed your day. :j
Thanks for mentioning wine-I might just have a glass myself.
Mr tc is sorting tea out. Salad and red bream.
I've done a list of stuff today. http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=64983122&postcount=600

JoJoC

Wow Tattycath- you've been busy! You put me to shame!! I managed to do some dishes, wash and dry some clothes, do some hoovering, look after a one year old and make dinner. And I count today as a success! Haha

So glad your course was good- sounds super relaxing! Can I ask you a bit about what they do on the course?

They recommend mindfulness at my work to people struggling with stress and similar things. My mum has struggled on and off with depression and anxiety over the last 15 years or so and not sure if it's the kind of thing that might help her? I have mentioned it to her before but not sure if she checked it out.

WantToBeSE

Hi All

I wrote a lovely long message out and then lost it all! Grr, I hate it when that happens! So i'll start again

The boys are still at their Dads house, so I am having a quiet relaxing half an hour before I leave to pick them up.

Tattycath- your Saturday looks as though it was VERY productive! I love days like that. Working my way through a 'to do' list always makes me feel good, although I don't do it very often

Jo- I have struggled with Depression in the past, but not so much now. I still have issues with Anxiety though. I haven't been diagnosed with any kind of Anxiety Disorder, but I am just a naturally anxious person I think.
The day went like this:

-A quick (10 mins) intro to what Mindfulness is, how it can help in everyday life etc.

-Then we did a 'sitting meditation' which was relaxing. I felt a bit silly at first, as its not a natural thing for me to sit in a room full of strangers, in silence, with my eyes closed. But I needn't have worried because when I peeked a look, everyone was doing the same.

-Then we did some breathing exercises. This part taught us about how when our mind wanders during the exercises, we can always focus our attention back to the breath in order to remain in the present. I found this helpful as my mind was wandering all over the place at times, mostly anxious about the journey home.

-After that we did a 'Full Body Scan Meditation'. Oh my days, it was the most relaxing thing that I think I have ever experienced! It started off at the toes and finished at the crown of the head. We basically concentrated on each part of the body in turn and noticed how it felt. It was unbelievably relaxing!

-Then we stopped for Lunch. Next to the meditation room was a sitting room and we all went in there and had a natter about stuff and got to know each other a bit more, then went outside (but it was a bit chilly albeit still quite sunny, so we came inside). Lunch was HM Root Vegetable Soup, bread rolls, fruit, biscuits etc.

-Then we did some Mindful Movement. This reminded me a lot of the yoga that I used to do, just at a slower pace. Nothing was strenuous. Just slow and relaxed.

-After that we did some Mindful Walking. That's the only part that I didn't really 'get', I kept wanting to shove everyone out of the way and walk faster

-Then we finished with the final Sitting Meditation.

The whole time, the whole day, we were concentrating on the now, on our breathing and by doing that our minds couldn't focus on other anxieties etc. I found it difficult, but it gets easier with practice apparently.

For someone who is ALWAYS in a rush, doing everything in super-speed, it was just EXACTLY what I was looking for, a space to just chill the hell out!
I would recommend it for anyone with Anxiety, Depression, Stress issues, or anyone who none of these issues, or all of these issues! It's just a lovely way to take yourself away from the hussle and bussle of the world and concentrate on YOU.

WantToBeSE

Oh, and I just have to say- It sounds like a 'hippy thing' and I was VERY dubious before I went, but I am so glad I tried it! No I am not a hippy, I don't have dreads, and neither did anyone else there!

Eco_Miser

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Hi All

I wrote a lovely long message out and then lost it all! Grr, I hate it when that happens! So i'll start again

It's very annoying when than happens, isn't it.
Sometimes, clicking the back button on your browser will return to the message input page, with your text intact. Always worth trying if your browser suddenly shows a different page.

If you know you're going to type a long post, type it in Notepad (or your favourite text editor/word processor), then copy and paste to MSE's input form. That way, you aren't at the mercy of the Internet.

WantToBeSE

Thanks EM, good idea! I'll definitely do that next time.

WantToBeSE

Good Evening All

When I did the food shopping today, I bought some tins of beans and chickpeas. I bought the new cook book by Jack Monroe a few weeks ago and would love to try out some recipes from it.
Its the kind of book where I have everything I need in the kitchen already (oils, veggies, spices, lentils herbs etc) so just need to buy in the beans. Much cheaper than meat, and probably very good for you too.
I love trying new things, so that is something to look forward to

I have tomorrow off work, so I am not up to much, just pottering about doing housework and paperwork.

is anyone else watching Live From Space on TV? I haven't watched it before, but its fascinating!
So I am going to be experimenting with some new dishes