Do you properly take time out for yourself? Allow time for nurture? It could be something as simple as a soak in a bubble bath, listening to a favourite piece of music, curled up on the settee wrapped in a blanket, reading? Or – my favourite – going for a walk.

I needed “me-time” today. The rain was sheeting down horizontally, the trees whipping their bare branches back and forth as if scratching the sullen sky. I have a long list of “to-do” things to cross off (including dreaded housework), but I wanted to be outside. Recently there have been many hours spent doing edits on my next book, slumped over my laptop in our cold cottage. (We are trying to keep the heating off and I look a sight: plaid blanket over my knees, wearing a thick hand-knitted jumper and mittens). Outside, today looked cold too, but forth I sallied armed with waterproof trousers, walking boots, anorak and gloves and hat. And, of course my rucksack with fruit, water, notebook and pen (essential) and… my bus pass. I love this aspect of being a senior! Freedom without the pain of parking. Hardly anybody was about (I wonder why?) And the bus was almost empty, despite it being Saturday morning. The rain and wind lashed against the top deck window and I settled into doing little else but observing. High up, with a different perspective, you can nose into people’s back gardens along the route and I started to wonder about the occupants. My mind doesn’t stay still for long.  Story ideas seeped into my head.

What if I’d witnessed a murder through one of the bedroom windows in the houses we’d passed? Out came my pen. The man in the seat across the aisle began to pick his nose (yuck) and I immediately cast him as a baddie… serves him right. The bus stopped outside a florist’s shop: “Sweet peas and honey bees.” I imagined who the owner might be, when and why he had opened it. What was his backstory?

It was still raining and I noticed rain beads on top branches and along the puddled-street plucky dog walkers dressed in all-weather gear. Unexpectedly, the war in Ukraine came into my head. How lucky we are to be able to do everyday things like walking pets and travelling on the top-deck of a bus without fear of death. And I thought about other places on the globe… Here, I don’t have to wear a headscarf and cover my body from head to toe or worry about speaking my mind about injustices. We have so much freedom that we take too much for granted.

My plan was to walk from the seaside town of Littlehampton back home, mostly along the beach. (About 12 kilometres). This would include a pit-stop for tea and cake (why not?) and a rummage in a charity shop along route for whatever…  I say “whatever”, because I don’t set out to find a particular item in a thrift/charity shop. It doesn’t work like that. Expect the unexpected*.

I accomplished my mission, dear reader. The sun peeped out for a few minutes and it stopped raining. And now I feel nurtured, calmer and ready to go with the next round of edits. A little bit of stress is good for us but we must make sure we don’t overload the stress. Find positive ways of dealing with it if you can. You don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune on counsellors or psychiatrists. If you’re able, stop and observe the world, take time to breathe slowly and still your anxieties.

Euphorbia in the rain

What strategies do you have? I’d love to hear about them.

*p.s. my charity shop haul included a long skirt, two tops (Joules and East) – total spend: less than a fiver. Bargains!