Category / Life

by ChronicWriter

Endometriosis on BBC Radio 2

This week, Endometriosis has been given a new platform by Jeremy Vine on BBC Radio 2.

I am happy to see that the word ‘Endometriosis’ is being talked about, it’s getting out there, people are speaking up.

What I didn’t appreciate was that they made it sounds like there was a lot of different options for treatment. The guest speaker politician spoke of her traumatic experience of periods and pain. But she implied that she no longer has Endometriosis since starting a combined contraceptive pill.

There is no cure for Endometriosis.

The biggest impact came when women suffering from this illness called in to discuss their experience. I became so overwhelmed, so emotional under the realisation that I am not alone. The understanding that there are 2 million and more women suffering with pain and infertility and the effects this illness causes. That I can totally get what it’s like and just how debilitating it is.

To listen to Jeremy’s show, click here.

Salute to Radio 2.

A xo

by ChronicWriter

Be serious

I have decided to start thinking seriously about what I do professionally.

I’m getting organised, planning pieces in advance, actively looking for freelance work. I am feeling more comfortable about branching out into areas I’ve not considered writing about before. This way, I hope to develop my writing and journalistic skills.

I mean, I didn’t take Journalism at degree for nothing, right? It’s time to revisit this- as an adult, as a serious ‘post-uni’ person. It’s scary as I’ve always fallen back on my care experience and psychology degree. But, I have always enjoyed writing and I think it’s about time it started being more than just a hobby.

I have to mix things up!

I’m no longer a student, but life is taking me to school.

A xo

by ChronicWriter

Summarise your Dog’s life in fewer than four Paragraphs (as if 4 is enough?!)

Noise? What noise? Oh right, there’s a noise. BARK! Head up. My work here is done, time for a nap! 

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It is no shock to anyone that knows me that I own a dog.  He is an American Bulldog and he sheds. A lot. His fur is short and white with a smattering of dark brindle spots covering his entire body, he also has a spot on his tongue. He’s very big and got a lot of meat, mainly in his head. His name is Harley. He also answers to Harley-Quinn when he’s being a) incredibly cute or b) incredibly naughty. He is very affectionate and will sometimes just plonk! himself down on me.

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He has three (yes, three!) beds in our house, all in different rooms. But he likes ours the best. Imagine a custard slice, pastry on either side and a huge sliver of calorific custard in the middle. Well, me and my husband are the pasty and Harley is the custard, taking up all the room! (huh, I’ve never made a connection between bed and cake before but I like it!) My husband is the cook in our house, and where there’s a cook, there’s food and where there’s food you’re sure to find a drooling bulldog. And this isn’t contained in the kitchen! He follows and sits looking all starved and sad whilst we’re eating. It’s emotional blackmail!

American Bulldogs have a bad reputation which is mostly undeserved. I stand firmly by the “blame the owner, not the breed” notion- it is how a dog is raised which determines his character and behaviour.  Harley is the gentlest dog, his face has been within an inch of a budgie, a baby and a sausage dog and I have no worries. When we’ve been out on walks, I’ve had mixed reactions from people. Most of them are looks of horror as they grab their child/chihuahua and run past us, hoping he doesn’t eat them. When off the lead, he’ll try and play, bounding (like a lamb, he wasn’t built for grace or speed!) over to say hello and they scream and demand to know why this vicious beast isn’t muzzled and on a lead. This upsets me when this happens, he’s completely prejudged and misunderstood. Yes, he’s big and his face is going to cause some questions- so ask them! I’m more than happy for him to sit so you can meet him. Yes, he can be stubborn and greedy, but he’s so soft. And doesn’t deserve the negative reaction he so often receives.
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I have babied my dog, it’s no secret. But with no children and my acute broodiness and with him being raised from a puppy it was inevitable. He is a huge part of my life, and I’m not just talking about his size! Harley has only been with us for a little over 2 years, but I can’t imagine life without him. He offers unconditional love and endless sloppy cuddles and he always knows when I’m not feeling well.
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I don’t know what I’d do without him!

A xo

by ChronicWriter

What do I want to be when I grow up? I’ve no idea…

Lately I have been feeling a little restless. My 20s haven’t started out so good and U’m wondering when it will all fall into place. During this little crisis, I decided it might be time for a drastic career change. I thought the best course of action would be to take one of those silly aptitude tests. I was so surprised to see what it came up with!

This is the result of me taking an online careers test:

Extrovert, Intuitive, Feeler, Judger

ENFJ’s are outstanding group leaders. They try hard to help others be the best that they can be. 5% of the total population.

The ENFJ’s optimistic outlook toward social relationships is a burden to them at times. When external conflicts affect a group, the ENFJ is likely to assume responsibility. Their ability to empathize then turns into a liability. ENFJ’s, when over-identifying with the pain of others, will loose sight of their own concerns and interests. Their idealism can also be the cause of some distress when their assumptions are unable to weather the winds of reality. Fantasized relationships rarely translate into reality and even the best charismatic leader encounters unexpected resistance.

Like all NFs, ENFJ’s will disassociate themselves from stressful situations in an effort to protect their sense of well-being and togetherness. The ENFJ, however, will repress the unpleasant side of life only to have to face it later in an intensified form when it explodes from its hiding place. It can manifest itself as fits of anger, sudden outbursts, or emotional explosions. Often the ENFJ’s body will reflect pent-up stress by manifesting various physical symptoms that will erupt unexpectedly.

And what careers did it come up with?

  • Entertainer 
  • Recruiter
  • Artist
  • Newscaster
  • Writer/Journalist
  • Recreation Director
  • Librarian 
  • Politician
  • Psychologist 
  • Housing director
  • Career counselor 
  • Sales trainer
  • Travel agent
  • Program designer
  • Team trainer
  • Child welfare worker
  • Social worker
  • Alcohol/Drug Counselor 
  • Executive: Small business 
  • Occupational therapist 

For those of you that don’t know, I graduated with a degree in psychology and journalism. I work in Healthcare, closely with patients with Mental health issues. I write a blog. I am over-sensitive and empathetic. I like to assume responsibility and I’m happy to take the lead in situations.

So.. that’s a ‘No’ to the change in career #YOLO

A xo

Find the career test HERE.

by ChronicWriter

Breaking the Habit

Ever since I was little, I have bitten my nails. I have no idea how it started, my mum bit her nails and so did my dad. So maybe it was a learnt behaviour, who knows?

Over the years, I have tried time and time again to quit.
I’ve tried painting my nails bright shades, and every time they chipped or I got bored, I would re-paint them. That was successful to a point but attempting this prior to the exam period was a mistake.

I have tried having false nails put on, so mine have a chance to grow underneath. This is expensive. Also, usually the growth would last 2-3wks, after the 1st week mine would start to look a little shabby with gaps between the nail and cuticle. It would also make my cuticles really dry which would make me want to pick and chew them. Fail.

I am now 25. I so want to have my nails sorted by the time I’m 30! I’ve researched online, read a few blogs and got some pointers from wikihow. I’ve mentioned these on my Twitter account @aimee_finlay
I have now put a plan together- operation #breakthehabit is a go!

  1. When I’m at work, I put post-its on my computer screen, or my desk that says: “DON’T BITE YOUR NAILS!” This is important for me to acknowledge this all the time- what I struggle with the most ‘mindless nibbling’. I’m not even aware I’m biting my nails sometimes, like when I’m watching a movie (dramas and thrillers are a nightmare!).
  2. I apply a coat of Sally Hansen’s Maximum Growth every other day. This can also be used as a bottom coat. I have also tried Sally Hansen’s Miracle Nail Growth whilst I was at university and I saw a definite improvement and my nails felt stronger.
  3. Then, I apply a layer of nail biting solution which is available at Boots. This comes with a nail brush for easy application. I have also tried Pretty Quik Nail the Habit dip & dry solution- really fast and handy for your handbag or when travelling. The only issue with this is that I found the solution transfers to food (ie. crisps, sandwiches etc)
  4. I have also enlisted my husband to prod or tell me when I’m biting them or like I might.

So, this is the first stage of my nail growth regime. I will share my triumphs and failures- what works and what doesn’t!

This is after a couple of days of abstinence (don’t judge):

You have to start somewhere…

A xo

by ChronicWriter

Am I a grown up?

I’m 24 years old. I’ll be 25 in January. And yet, it doesn’t quite feel like I’m grown up enough to be 30 in 5 years.

I look at my friends, my colleagues, my ‘Facebook friends’ and they all seem to be a bit more ‘put together’ than I am.

It takes me forever to know what to wear, I never wear make-up; preferring to have an extra half hour in bed that to drag my ass to the mirror. I get my eyebrows waxed every couple of months when the regrowth looks like a caterpillar has crawled onto my face.
I don’t wear matching underwear sets. I prefer my husband’s t-shirts as PJ’s and there’s no way I’d cope in high heels. My jeans always have rips in the knees- I buy them that way! And instead of blouses I buy band or slogan tees – usually 2 sizes too big.

I was never a girly-girl growing up and I’m certainly not a girly-woman now but is that a bad thing? Just because I’m no longer at uni and I’m married and work for a living, I should drop all my principles and comforts and adopt new, more boring ones? Definitely not. Maybe they just need to be updated. My style should reflect my age and my tastes in a manner that expresses who I am.

I can still wear my band tees, still wear my ripped jeans, but in a way that will still be taken seriously in the adult world. Even though my maturity might be a little stunted, my values and prospects are very much adult. It goes back to that old saying: “Never judge a book by its cover”.

On first impression, I may look like a school drop out or a student that’s had too many all-nighters and not enough of her 5 a day. But I hope that once you speak to me and learn a smidge about who I am, it will become clear that I am a reasonable force, someone to be taken seriously, and someone who knows her own mind.

 

A xo

 

 

by ChronicWriter

I like big PANTS & I cannot lie

When you’re 24 and shopping for new underwear, ideally you should be looking in the ‘lingerie’ section in shops like Boux Avenue or Victoria Secret or even Ann Summers if you’re feeling abit frisky. You never think “I need some hot new underwear, I’ll hit up M&S” – not to be confused with S&M, it’s a completely different crowd in there!

I’ll admit- I used to frown on Marks & Spencers. I used to think I was too cool for M&S. On the few occasions I ventured in, usually on shopping trips with my nan, I was immediately surrounded by older (old) women. I used to think it had nothing to offer a hip, young woman such as myself.

Well, I soon found out I was wrong. I was spending some time at my nans recuperating after one of many Endo flares & hospital visit, when she bought me some pants. 100% cotton. White. Apple catchers. The kind that come in packs of 4 or 5. They were huge (still are- I still have them and “they wash like a dream!”). As I was just mooching around the house and there was no way my boyfriend (now-husband) was ever gonna catch an eyeful of these babies- I slipped em on.

My eyes were instantly opened and it was like someone slapped me in the face for ever thinking I was too cool for massive bloomers! They were the comfiest, like a cloud hugging my bot! They fit perfectly and didn’t pinch in all the wrong places. I didn’t get a wedgie all weekend and my tum was lovely and warm as they reached just below my belly button. I could even tuck my hot water bottle in!

What was I thinking?Too cool for M&S?! These pants are amazing- I don’t have 2 bums as the pants have great coverage. My bum has never been more cosy!

You may think it can get a little monotonous wearing white cotton pants everyday- but being the genius that I am I soon came up with a plan to stir things up! Operation: Tie-dye was a go. I now have some one-of-a-kind pink ones! Now who’s too cool?
Why didn’t someone tell me about this sooner? Why have I been buying overpriced shreds of fabric which don’t cover anything? The world needs bigger pants. Women need big pants for all their adventures. When I bend down to pick my shopping up, I don’t wanna be showing my ass off! When I rush to save a man choking on his false teeth, I don’t wanna be sat hoping my thong doesn’t ride up! When I lead an important business meeting I don’t wanna be fidgeting in my seat cos my lace frenchies are chafing!
BIG PANTS!

I did get a little worried about what my husband might think and if this would affect our libido. So I asked him. And he responded in the most beautiful way that only a doting husband can. He said:
“I’m more interested in what’s in your big pants & they’re gonna end up on the floor anyway…”
Love (or lust) lives on!

A xo

by ChronicWriter

Addicted

Somebody stop me! How have I turned a lovely outing into a feeding frenzy for my biggest addiction?

I have got to stop buying books. My shelves are full and yet I find new and ridiculous places to stack them? I cannot stop collecting stories! Charity shops are my favourite hunting ground- I’m not a book snob & can easily fill my book bag for £10! It is amazing. I even try to placate myself by thinking ‘I’ll bring in some of the ones I’ve already read’- yeah right! As if I’d ever get rid of them?!
The ones I’ve read are some of my favourites, it isn’t unrealistic of me to re-read them 4 or 5 times. I like knowing the ending, I like knowing what comes next, it feeds my impatient personality.
And if I stumble upon an author that I learn to like, god help my local bookshop- as I simple have to have all that she ever wrote! I am insatiable.
Reading is my favourite thing to do ever, along with stuffing my face and writing. And I won’t give it up for anyone! It’s one of my quirks and you’ll learn to love it. This is why I am so thankful I met my husband, he will willingly let me satisfy my need to find ‘pokey little bookshops’ on our holidays. He never frowns in a “not another book?” manner when a book-shaped parcel falls through the letter box- much to my delight. 💙 And he also matches my attachment to books, word for word, cover to cover.

Nothing makes me happier than a new book for my shelf, it’s the little things eh?
It probably also doesn’t help that my best friend is also an enthusiastic little bookworm. We can swap reviews and chat about books til the cows come home; she’s another one I can blame for this affliction ! 💜

These are a few of my most recent purchases:
*Caitlin Moran’s How to be a Woman and How to Build a Girl
*Alexis Jones’ I am that Girl
*G D Falksen’s The Ouroboros Cycle; 1, 2 & 3 (have a look at my reviews!)

What books have you fallen for lately? Let me know in the comments.

Go on, go get lost in binding.

A xo

by ChronicWriter

Career over babies? Not in politics!

For years, women have been pressured by this ideation of what a normal family should be. Husband goes to work as the breadwinner, wife stays at home to cook, clean and to fill her days with ‘nesting’. The 2.5 children go to school, perform above average and return to a harmonious home life.

I don’t know a single family in my area that conforms to this ‘normality’. Most have step-parents, adopted siblings, 2 Dads, an absent parent and so on. Some of the girls I went to school with are doting mothers, some are ambitious career women; the difference doesn’t make either any less of a woman.

Following Helen Goodman’s support of Yvette Cooper- “as a working mum, she understands the pressures on modern family life.”

Implying that women in politics aren’t as likely to succeed if they don’t have children or even a boyfriend. What?  Does she mean that a woman who doesn’t choose to have children (or who can’t) are less likely to understand the public’s hectic family lives, demanding schedules and so how can they decide what is best for the majority? If they can’t manage a relationship how can they manage a country? What?

As if finding someone to share your life with is that easy? Psst! It might be easier to run the country!

If a man chose to go into politics and chose his career over starting a family, no one would bat an eye. But because it is the woman’s ‘job’ to procreate and she neglects or is unable to fulfill this role, she should be overlooked for a job she does well? No.

As if we care that the future Miss Prime Minister doesn’t have a boyfriend? As long as she runs the country with passion, honesty and fairness, I couldn’t give a hoot if she shags half of Parliament and Pippa Middleton! Who cares? David Cameron has a wife and 3 kids and look at the state we’re in. Having the support of loved ones at home doesn’t seem to improve his politics!

A xo