Prosperous soul, mortgage neutrality & creativity Year 2

savingholmes

Thanks Humdinger1, Lucielle, EH, Jwil, MF and Sandy

My bridge settled down - thanks everyone. When I saw I had seven posts I felt very loved - thank you.

I had a good weekend overall. Slightly weird - as I've been contemplating writing some form of memoir for a while (regardless of whether I ever publish it) - and this weekend typed up extracts from a couple of journals about a particularly dark period of my life. Reading back over it - though - while it is clear that I was majorly struggling with my MH it was also clear that I was fighting with all that I had left to find my way out of what felt a completely hopeless situation. I mention stuff I learned on utube and uplifting songs that kept me going as well as my inner refusal to give up hope.

I was prompted by listening to FC on the happy ... podcast and she was talking to people about grief and how we process things. I felt it might be cathartic to review some of my writing from the time. I felt almost humbled and inspired knowing how close to the edge I felt then and how relatively speaking good I feel about my situation now. Because it had been so dark I had been scared of looking at any of it but it was more uplifting than I expected viewing it with some distance between then and now... 

Today I forced myself to drive to a local park. I mainly walked between benches and sat for most of the hour - but at least I got outside in public which felt like progress. Every time I go to that park though I miss my dog - although watching the antics of the other dogs can bring a smile to my face. 

skint_spice

I am glad you feel that overall the weekend has been good. I love a big of FC myself, there is an episode with a former monk that brought me to to tears while out walking.

Honeysucklelou2

 Catching  up again…congratulations on reaching the 10k milestone. That’s amazing!!

The Salt Path is a fantastic read. I had it for my birthday last year and knowing parts of the coast path well, made it an inspiring read.

The garlic plants are looking good. Do you have plans to sow anything else?

Chrystal

You've come so far and defeated so many demons.  You are amazing and I know that whatever life throws at you you will stand tall. Never give up, never give in.  ((((hugs)))) XXX

Swayingseaweed

Sending virtual hugs
Seaweed x

savingholmes

@skint_spice I like listening to JS the monk too...

HSL - I have plans to plant other stuff - just not done so yet. I hope to at least start potatoes off soon - as have loads in the house that have sprouted and have some compost.

Thanks @Crystal and @Swayingseaweed
Looking back at some of what I've written in the past I'm immensely proud I'm still here. I am also grateful to be in a much better place now. I am a lot happier and freer. 

Been busy with work this week. Had 2 days in the office. Next 2 days at home then staying at my parents on the way down to see DS this weekend. Doing part day WF their home Friday.

LadyWithAPlan

Sounds like you are fighting strong and your life is definitely in a positive spiral up.

As a fellow creative I find it so important to find time to do fitness, creative stuff including the dreaming on the next project. So your park walks sound perfect.

savingholmes

Thanks @LadyWithAPlan I agree nature walks and scenery and art lifesaving.

I got paid today. Sent £300 to savings. Sent £182 to clear CC of all but April's holiday and May theatre. Got £325 left to pay on that. I hope to send more to savings and to CC later in the month once I know how much this weekend's trip has cost.

Sent £450 to AVCs bringing my total for tax year to £2475. I can get it as a tax free lump sum later so counting towards mortgage neutrality. Despite markets it's still holding its own.

My gas bill was £108 rather than the £228 it was the month before which was encouraging.

beanielou

You are amazing 

savingholmes

Thanks Beanie. 

Cleaner has been today which is a big help. Was the first time I'd seen her in a month as she cancelled the odd one and the others I had to go into work. We had a nice catch up. 

I need to do a load of washing ready for going away...

I didn't go to the writing group yesterday but I caught up with a writing friend last night by phone - and once this course finishes we're going to get together again and perhaps work on different writing projects in the same room - and just read out bits we are doing to get a bit of encouragement... She was really encouraging about my memoir type project too.

The new budget seems to blow traditional pension thinking out of the water. It's a lovely to think that you can try and maximise your pension without getting a massive tax penalty later. Just wish I was earning enough to max out on pension savings!! I'm grateful for what I have been able to do though. I'm going to keep dividing my money between long term savings and AVCs and see how I go on. When I get closer to retiring - might be worth living off savings and putting the max possible from my earnings into AVCs.

DS owes me some £ when he starts repaying I'll be able to either save extra or put towards pension. I'll discuss where he's at at some point over the weekend.