Welcome to my little corner of the internet at ‘A Life of Well’, or at least my journey to shaping one.
I am in my early 30’s and in my time on the planet have gained many useful skills: I can set up household bills, feed and wash myself, drive, use search engines and identify several types of UK birds and animals. I’ve lived with my parents, camped on a sofa bed, rented and am now the proud owner of a large mortgage. I grew up in Surrey, went to university in Manchester, worked for a while in Teesside and now live near Durham and Newcastle. I’m married to my best friend and we share our home with Queen Bozzle, a ginger tabby cat.
I’ve worked in manufacturing for nearly 10 years after earning a degree in engineering, and enjoy learning even after so many years of exams! I have a diploma in Natural Beekeeping, and a Level 2 qualification in Food Hygiene, and am excited to be starting a Level 1 welding qualification in September 2021.
I enjoy writing and running and combined both in my first blog reviewing racing events mostly in the North-East of England, which you can find at www.bluerunnings.com. I also frequently fatten up my friends and colleagues with my latest baking creations – they’re not usually pretty but they disappear quickly and noone’s died yet!
In short, I sound like an adult in possession of a pretty well-rounded and happy life. In general, this is true! The big important stones of my life jar are present and correct, but I do wish they’d stop rattling or in some cases growing bigger than they’ve any right to. This blog is to track my progress and give accountability to myself for developing balance between the things that are important to me and keeping those which are less so in a healthy place, while hopefully sharing some useful insights with others.
As with many people, I am guilty of putting myself and particularly my health secondary to other concerns – most particularly work. I enjoy many aspects of my job, but can sometimes resent the energy it seems to require. I eat well whenever things are going well but reach for the chocolate in vast quantites and chuck the exercise out the window as soon the going gets tough.
I want to be able to keep my health secure even through the difficult patches – to establish habits when life is not launching grenades so the beneficial behaviours are second nature and require less energy to keep going when I’m dodging landmines. I don’t want to put myself to one side ever – I want my health to be able to exist alongside trouble at work, family needing support, money turbulance, bad weather, whatever it is and in this way being more useful to myself and others.
A dream perhaps, but I hope you’ll join me as I work through to a more balanced and present existence.
Sarah
A Life of Well 