Knilly Frickers

This is year so far has been a bit like a rollercoaster - actually no, Rachel doesn’t do rollercoasters, too much of a fearty - make that waltzer ride I got on but never stopped spinning.  It occurred to me in the midst of that, I haven’t posted on here at all!  I’ll start with the fun stuff, I got married a few weeks ago and became a wife! Went on a lovely honeymoon to Toronto on as much of a shoestring as we could! It was lovely and we absolutely want to visit again to visit the things we didn’t manage because there is so much to see and do.  I was particularly pleased with myself for doing the CN Tower - I normally get scared walking up the stairs to a slimming pool slide because it’s ‘too high’  Rewind a few weeks to the wedding, a similarly lovely time for me; though a little bittersweet.  To explain, we have to rewind a little again to March.  In March, my now husband lost both his parents just 22 days apart. We toyed with postponing but my husband fe...

  I’ve seen a lot of reflective ‘last post of the year’ content on my social feeds this week so decided to jump on the bandwagon since I’m nearly at the ‘Out of Office on” point in the week. I didn’t come into 2022 with any new year resolutions because when I haven’t magically transformed into Beyonce by the 9th of January, I conclude I’m rubbish and give up.  I came with a mindset of 2021 and 2020 were mental, come in quietly and don’t startle or spook anything! Looking back, I’ve done some cool things this year:  📚  Started and will soon finish a short course in understanding autism - close to my heart as my stepson, nephew and a few of the kids I volunteer with are autistic 👩‍🍳  Extended my cooking reportoire beyond eggs and pasta - James Martin I am not but the fiance says my curry is better than his mum’s and she can reaaaaallly cook.  🎤  Sang in front of people on my own at a Christmas service - while looking at a christmas tree so as not to ...

So, I’ve been following Alex Marrah on Instagram and moat days she kicks off her stories with how she’s going to show herself love or be kind to herself that day - like taking it easy, seeing a friend etc, and ends it with what she’s grateful for that day.  I’m channeling that today. Head has been buried in data for a lot of this week and my brain has maxed out.  So I’m being kind to myself  by allowing myself to eat as many of the peanut puffs (think cheetos but peanut) as I please and rewatching AJ and the Queen on the ‘ol flix.  While we’re on the subject, that was an epic little gem of programme and not renewing it was short sighted. Sort yourself out ‘flix!  I digress.  Today I’m grateful for: This morning’s hairwash. I’ve checked out on my curls a little over the summer. Hair feels a little more like mine today.  Pesto gnocchi, because pesto gnocchi The knowledge that tomorrow is Saturday and I don’t need to set my alarm 

I’m forty-ish minutes into my working day, I’m not dressed yet, my curly hair has succumbed to bedhead and needs washed and I’m still wearing my muppets pyjama top. However, my morning cup is filled with caffeine and enough flavour that I can’t taste the coffee, so I decided it was time for a blog! Here we!  I was reading an email the other day - I always read mailing list/marketing & comms emails as I know a Rachie somewhere has worked on that and that the stats will help whether I’m a converted to end goal reader or not. Anyhusan, it was about how to get buy in from colleagues for your work and to be honest, I don’t think that’s as big a struggle as getting buy in from myself.  I am forever telling myself not to try things, not to suggest things, not to experience things. And why? Because it might not work? Because someone might think it is or I am rubbish? So what?  Other people try things and it doesn’t work - generally speaking, no bad thing happens. So what’s st...

Clearly, I’m rubbish at blogging. I haven’t written once since September! I think my problem is I use up my creative streak during the day or can’t be bothered when ideas come to me when I’m lying awake at night.  I came on to write a post because I watched a webinar today, yes - another one. I know that’s pretty much all I’ve posted on this blog, I do have original thoughts sometimes and I’ll find a groove eventually. I digress.  The webinar was on uncertainty, how we respond to it and how we can reframe it and convert uncertainty to opportunity. That gave me a wild hair up my butt to write a post, not because I particularly have anything new to add to the conversation but because I was feeling reflective and what do I do when I’m feeling reflective - write it down! I don’t think anyone particularly likes uncertainty and I’ve certainly never thrived on it, I like knowing the script. However, the last few years have given us zero choice but to exist within it. I don’t even nee...

When I started a new job remotely in January I initially worried that I’d struggle to work from home. I thought the lure of the television and my phone might be too strong.  I’ve realised that I actually take to working from home quite well. I thought I’d mention a few things that I’ve learned in case they help anyone else.  Visual notes are my friend and fellow DJ I can take written notes but it really helps to have a visual that I can look at to remind me what happened in meetings, what the key points were that I need to act on. Having a visual also helps me to spur the creative side of my brain.  Planning breaks is important  I like to have my day planned and know what I’m going to work on and when, but I’ve learned if I don’t plan when I will stop for a break to rest my eyes or brain, I won’t. Sometimes you need to stop for a breath, whether that at home or in another workspace.  Working set hours works for me  I can set my hours to a certain extent but...

  Okay, so I’m two days premature of the 30 days but I’m away for the next few days and will most likely forget so I’m going to round this off today.  Over the past few weeks, I’ve been actively trying to challenge my imposter syndrome by making small changes and ignoring the phrase ‘fake it until you make it’  Here’s what I have learned and will continue to keep trying: Repeat it until you believe it - I’ll keep thinking about what my strengths are and reminding myself of them.  Learn that you earned it  - I’ll keep a track of what I am grateful for or what I have achieved  - I’ll keep reminding myself when I have earned something through hard work or skill - it hasn’t just happened.  Practice it until you perfect it - I’ll keep putting opportunities to do better  - I’ll say yes to more opportunities that are outside my comfort zone, provided I can do them.  - I’ll remember that I can say no and set boundaries where they are necessary. ...