Some more Goodbyes...

This month sees more goodbyes in my life... as there needs to be yet another change. This is only a short blog as I have a lot to organise again – but a quick update for you.

Very sadly, this month saw my family having to say goodbye to my much-loved uncle Mike, as he lost his very brave battle with cancer. We lost our other lovely uncle Gary last October too, so it’s been a very tough year for us all indeed. My family are all so close, which is such a gift, but it also makes things so hard when we experience loss.

Things here in Derbyshire have sadly not worked out as hoped. I have therefore given in my notice at the clinic job here (finishing this week), so I am also having to say goodbye to the beautiful old cottage in Sheldon that has been a peaceful, safe and wonderful home (with lovely neighbours too) since the end of March. I leave on the 10th November. My landlords here have been very kind, so many thanks to Martin, Dawn and all, for providing me with the most lovely home during my short time here. Sadly the lottery win didn’t come, otherwise you could have stopped looking for a buyer! I have absolutely loved living here, and will miss it terribly.

It has been great to be nearer to Molly, and its going to be really hard to move back down south further away from her again, but I will be making sure we can get a weekend together once a month, to see each other and catch up. I couldn’t be more proud of her as she continues her music degree at Leeds Conservatoire, and continues building her life as an adult! She is a wonderful person who deserves all the good things that come her way, and I’m blessed to be her mum.

I have had some wonderful neighbours here – particular thanks go to Louise and Taz, and Julia, who all looked after me so well recently, when I went down with a horrible bout of Covid this month just after my uncles funeral. Thanks too, to Wendy and Jo, and everyone else who has been so welcoming to me here in Sheldon.

I have been able to see more of my lovely friends Janie and Neil whilst living up here too (who were already living here), and it was great to meet Tracey and her family through you guys as well, so thank you for your love and support. Thanks to Marian and her lovely family (who live in Sheffield) for your love and warmth too – it has been really great to see a little more of you guys while I have been here. It has also been wonderful to re-connect with you Neil Walker – I hope we can keep in touch and arrange a weekend together soon, and that you and Jamie get over the dreaded Covid soon.

I have made a few lovely new friends up here too – so huge thanks to Libby and family (and Sandy the cat!), Faye, Rebecca and Natalie for your kindness whilst I have been up here, and for welcoming me into your worlds, for supporting me and gifting me with your friendships. Meeting you guys has made all the upheaval and difficulties worthwhile, and I really hope to be able to come up and visit you again soon.

Derbyshire is just stunning – probably the most beautiful place I have ever lived to be truthful. And the people (mostly!) have been really welcoming. I will miss seeing the rolling hills, and beautiful landscapes with the thousands of cows and sheep everyday! I will miss the empty roads, and the complete stillness that there is in certain places up here. The way that ‘man’ appears to fit into nature, rather than take it over, and all the beautiful little villages everywhere, that I have been lucky enough to discover. I haven’t managed to see anywhere near all the places I wanted to visit whilst living here, so will definitely have to come back, to experience more of this picturesque county, and all it has to offer. There are so many places still on my list!

I am so very grateful to all of the friends and family that made the effort to come and visit me while I’ve been here – you know who you are – it has been wonderful to discover some of the lovely places up here together, and it has made it feel more like ‘home’ when you’ve been here with me too. Thank you to those friends from down south who have made so much effort to stay in touch with me since moving away, so that I still feel connected to everyone. It has been quite lonely here at times, and I’m so very grateful for all your messages (and gifts) when you have checked in with me over these last 6 months.

I am sad that things have not worked out here, but proud of myself for trying something different, and for trying to find a way out of the financial strain of living in Surrey. Sadly things were not any easier for me here, as whilst the rent is way less, so is the pay in this area. Estate agents are definitely more understanding and supportive here for sure, but with little deposit and a changeable monthly income, they were not able to help me either as I’d hoped. But I won’t give up! Onwards…! I’m learning that resilience is my superpower!

If the job had worked out, then I would have loved to have been able to settle here and build a life for myself, and to be near my unique and brilliant offspring! But it wasn’t to be. I also think though, that there is a lot of truth in the saying that ‘Home is where the Heart is’. Of course the largest part of my heart is obviously with Molly (wherever she is), but with the exception of the fabulous friends and neighbours already mentioned up here, the other part is with all my family and friends down south, so maybe I need to be back there for the time being, and the next chapter of my life.

I have always dreamt about living by the sea, so that might be something for the future. Many thanks to Betty and Jim for your friendship over these last few months in particular too, and for making me see that this could perhaps be a reality in Hornsea - if I ever manage to build up a house deposit, but I am not able to manage it on the south coast, where I would really love to be. It has been wonderful to re-connect with you guys and I hope we can stay in touch, and I will come and visit you again soon.

But for now I need to be back where the most folk who love me are – I have missed them far more than I realised I would. Where wonderful, loyal clients are waiting for me, and where I can be myself, and be celebrated and appreciated for it.

I am sadly not able to afford a place to live and a place to work back in Surrey, so I am going to be moving back in with my amazing mum and dad for a while. I am so grateful that they are willing to put up with me for a bit again! I have found a little place to rent in Holmbury St. Mary to run my therapy business from, so I am very much looking forward to getting back to treating my own wonderful, loyal clients, most of who are welcoming me back after 6 months away with open arms. I will also be offering a few people mobile treatments when I come back, who are unable to get to Holmbury. I have no idea what the future holds, so have to just look ahead, but take one day at a time for now.

I am so immensely grateful to my Soul Space clients for wanting to come back for their regular treatments, and I will do all I can to ensure they are glad they did! It will be lovely to be back working with them, and for them, to support their physical and emotional wellbeing.

I will be looking for more clients too, to expand the business. So if you think you may be interested in joining them, please do contact me for more information. I would absolutely love to hear from you. I adore my work, and I can’t wait to treat more of you looking ahead, and be part of your wellbeing too.