I know you guys probably expect styling posts from me because…‘Styling Curvy’, but there haven’t been any on the blog for a week or so. Of course I’m about clothes styling but I’m also just ‘styling my life’…from the inside out, and this past week has been all about that.
There’s been lots going on in my head lately and I’m not sure if it’s because winter has descended or it’s circumstances but I’ve lost some sparkle. Sometimes we just need to give in and surrender, and when the time is right….
First I had a fall which makes me sound like I’m 70! Yeah it was a major ‘OUCH’, then a few days later I spent twelve hours in a cardiac wing of an emergency department while the doctors tested me for a clot on my lung. It wasn’t nice (never is) but the upside is I don’t have a clot and won’t eat McDonald’s for at least another eleven years (bleh!). I’ve spent the last week in a funk because hospitals do that to me.
I’ve also been in a funk after visiting a friend in hospital. She’s in palliative care now and is just a shell of the woman I first met. It makes me feel so… heavy.
I always said I would never want to die at home but after my visit I sat my husband down and through a stream of tears told him that if that time ever comes I want to be at home, surrounded by pretty. You know, lots and lots of flowers, sunlight, music, my dog, candles, beautiful bed linen and people. It’s not much to ask, I promised him I wouldn’t haunt the house and gave him permission to buy a new bed. We’ve now got that sorted.
I know right, phew! Shake it off hey. Oh, I did meet Taryn Brumfit this week (from EMBRACE). She shook my hand and it weirded me out for a second because I’m so used to seeing her hug people on her videos and then I remembered that we all need our space. I really wanted to ask her for a pic but…space.
Isn’t it funny how small the world and especially Adelaide is? I wrote an article for a soon to be released new magazine and then last week did some public speaking…with the editor Sarah. I didn’t even register that it was going to be her even though I read her name a hundred times, it was a lovely surprise to see her. Afterwards we were chatting and got around to talking about my surgeries and I mentioned all the pain I have. Turns out she’s also a massage therapist and has her own business Bloom Wellbeing so I popped along to see her this week for some scar release work. I’m a massive fan of a massage but since surgeries it’s been hard finding the right one for me. A thorough assessment followed by some hands on work and some exercises to do at home and for the first time I have hope, hope that going forward I can live a life with less pain and less restriction. Yup, I actually shed a tear of relief on the way back to the car.
I’m also on a waiting list to start back at Pilates, just one session a week (because that’s all I can afford) but along with yoga and my new exercises to do at home it should really help. Oh, and my massage girl Sarah, is also my Pilates instructor! That’s the two of us together 🙂
Speaking of yoga, I’ve had two weeks off and now can’t touch my toes because my hamstrings are so freakin tight! It’s not funny, but it is an eye opener as to how ‘connected’ our body is. One ‘fall’, heavy thoughts, inactivity and BOOM…my body gives me the middle finger.
My friend Chantelle from Fat Mum Slim is about to start yoga for the first time (all the YAY) and wrote a post asking people their thoughts on yoga. It had some great responses and tips, if you’ve ever thought about starting yoga you should really read her post HERE.
So this past week has been about slowing down, letting go of expectation (especially those ones I put on myself) and just hanging loose. I’ve been catching up on some long overdue jobs at home which has actually been kinda nice. I realised I was ‘all about the blogging’ and had let a few things ok, a lot slide so needed to take a step back and reassess…which is a good thing to do. Sometimes we get so busy and so immersed in some things that other things slide and that’s when our lives and minds become whacked unbalanced…which isn’t so great.
Over the long weekend I did some touch up painting, cleaned out cupboards, baked (a lot) and sorted master 17’s bedroom…so satisfying to get on top of all those things. The roast chook I cooked was super satisfying too! How about you, did you get stuck into some home jobs over the long weekend?
I’ve tipped the scales back a bit this week and life is feeling more balanced, wish I could say the same for the bathroom scales. What is it with winter? The first hint of cold and wet weather and I turn into a bear feasting for hibernation. Winter food is so damn tasty and comforting…damnit! Are you the same? Do you like a winter feast?
I’ve got a busy week ahead and even though it’s a short week I promise I’ve also got plans for a ‘style ‘post for you all. Can you believe it’s June? Me neither…what happened to March? I swear we were just in March! Mid year sales have started already, if you are planning on some bargain shopping you can read my tips HERE.
How’s your week been? Have you been feeling a little out of balance like me?
Kathryn says
June 9, 2015 at 5:18 amGreat post Jen, like reading a letter from a friend, as usual. So sad about your friend. Your ideas on passing away at home make a lot of sense too, I guess it’s the way we would all like to go surrounded by our loved ones and not in a hospital. Your chook looks great! I did a lot of housework over the weekend, got a new cupboard to display my china in and rearranged the room while I was at it. I have a big platter that my Nana left me, her grandmother brought it out from Ireland many many years ago and I finally have it on display. So busy plus happy, because I can’t relax when things need to be done. Did some yoga too! Kathryn 🙂
Jenni says
June 9, 2015 at 8:29 amEnjoy your new display cabinet, and how lovely to have your Nan’s platter on display 🙂
Barbe says
June 9, 2015 at 6:58 amso important to take time out for you and sort of “file” your life and thoughts when you have been putting it off. I think I need a month of to get everything done I am supposed to but I will get there.
Looking forward to seeing your stylish photos again, but I am glad you recognised that Time Out was needed.
Take care of you,
B x
Jenni says
June 9, 2015 at 8:32 amI think that before I cancer I used to just ‘push on’ and then fall in a heap, these days I listen to my body a little better. Felt good to tick off some of those jobs too 😉
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
June 9, 2015 at 7:34 amHow lucky were you to find Sarah? (Such a gorgeous pic of you two, by the way) Sometimes life is so busy and we get so caught up, it’s so easy for things to get off balance. I’m so pleased you took the time to “recalibrate” and have some time out. Hope you’re feeling heaps better and that you have a wonderful week xx
Jenni says
June 9, 2015 at 8:33 amThanks Sammie, Sarah is awesome and I just love how the universe works 🙂 Feeling much better thanks lovely lady xx
Sarah poppy says
June 9, 2015 at 8:20 amSo glad you took the time out to look after you and take some time out. I often get too caught up in everything else and forget about me.
Love the pic of you and Sarah.
I didn’t realise you had written an article for the magazine! Such a small world!
I look forward to more style posts from you!
Hope you enjoy the Pilates class. I have been saying for ages that I want to try it!
Very sorry to hear of your friend – thinking of her and you xx
Jenni says
June 9, 2015 at 8:36 amThanks Sarah, isn’t it funny how ‘connected’ we all are 🙂 love that! Come try Pilates, I did it a few years ago and loved it.
Maggie obst says
June 9, 2015 at 10:29 amLovely to have your words back, everything you write comes from your soul. Hope you are feeling refreshed and looking forward to be back. We all need timeout from time and you my lovely certainly needed that. Love and best wishes coming your way
Jenni says
June 9, 2015 at 7:20 pmThanks Maggie, isn’t it important to listen to our bodies…and act
merilyn says
June 9, 2015 at 5:53 pmoh jen! sorry to hear things haven’t been that great for you hun!
I was concerned a few weeks back that maybe you were over doing things!
none of my business right! … I just care!
“balance is the be all and end all” howard kent a yoga guru in the 90’s!
listen to your body! no pressure on yourself lovely!
much love m:)X
Jenni says
June 9, 2015 at 7:22 pmSo lovely that you care thanks M yes, sometimes I do take on too much…we all do im sure. It’s crucial to have balance though xxx
terri says
June 9, 2015 at 6:46 pmHi Jen
I also love reading your words. You are so refreshingly real and honest and I am often moved by your stories of friendship and love. I also love your styling ideas. I have for the first time in my life just purchased a couple of pieces on your recommendation from the …. I think…is called 17 Sundays. I am very excited. I also am a busy employee…I love my job….a busy mum…adore my beautiful children and everything else in between, a wife and a daughter of ageing parents so I absolutely get it. Sometimes I just gotta get off the bus. Even if it just for a day. To refresh the soul. Remember what is important and then just hop on again. Look forward to reading your words. Terri.
Jenni says
June 9, 2015 at 7:24 pmOh how exciting about your new purchases, good on you. Enjoy your new pieces and have fun styling them xxx
Kirrily says
June 9, 2015 at 9:36 pmGreat post Jen. Good to hear about your rebalancing. Sorry to hear about your friend. I know how heartbreaking supporting the palliative care friends are. Know all about the wanting to get angel wings at home, Stace has been very clear of the same wishes.
Much love to you xx
Jenni says
June 12, 2015 at 8:05 amThanks Kirrily you have certainly had your fair share of ‘Angels’ lately. Looking forward to seeing you soon xx
Sandra Kelly says
June 9, 2015 at 10:56 pmThat’s such a beautiful pic of you two! Such a bummer that it often takes a little spanner in the works for us to re-focus and find some new welcomed clarity. Hope the funk stays well away for you. Xx
Jenni says
June 12, 2015 at 8:06 amThanks Sandra, sometimes we think we are invincible which is the perfect recipe for tipping our lives out of balance
Shell Parsons says
June 10, 2015 at 4:36 pmHi Jen. Yes I’m feeling out of balance too at the moment. I have so manyu things I should have been doing around the house over the long weekend but to be perfectly honest…I just couldn’t be bothered! Instead I spent the weekend online, studying posts on a coeliac support group I have just joined. My 14 year old daughter has recently been diagnosed and it sux. The poor little thing is still in a lot of pain despite 5 weeks gluten free. I just wish it could all settle down so she can see the benefit of living GF. I just want to wrap her up in a big fluffy blanket and make it all better…but I can’t. I wish it was me. There are worse things people are going through I know but I just hate to see my kids in pain. Glad you’re slowly on the mend. It’s good that you are listening to your body and taking a step back and recharging. P.S. That roast chicken looks divine.x
Jenni says
June 12, 2015 at 8:08 amThe roast chicken was yummy in my tummy!! I hope you find all the information and support you and your daughter need to navigate her through this health challenge. X