This blog has changed a great deal since I began writing in Spring 2015. What started as a reflection on my postnatal depression recovery, and a journal of my remaining struggles, as since grown into something bigger.
There simply aren’t enough words to explain the happiness and satisfaction that I get from blogging. I can’t even pinpoint what it is I love most about it. It might be the wonderful people I’ve met. It might be the way it helps me to reflect on my parenting style. It might be because it helps me to keep my own mental health in check. It could be because I love being able to help others – whether that be relating to something huge like a miscarriage or PND or something smaller like helping them choose a new book for their child or giving them an idea for a new family recipe. I love it because it helps motivate me to be a better parent and try new things with my son. It could simply be that blogging helps connect me to my true identity outside of being a parent. It might simply be because I find the creative writing process so fulfilling.
In truth, it’s all those things and so much more. Blogging takes a lot of time and effort. Some days you doubt yourself – why would anyone care what I have to say? And indeed, why would they? I’m sure many people don’t. But does that really matter? As long as I’m enjoying all the things I’ve listed above then I’ll keep blogging, and I’ll try to keep evolving.
As 2016 draws to a close, I wanted to share my favourite posts from the last year and say an enormous thank you to everyone who has read my words and continues to support me.
Favourite post re emotional health – Five Ways To Feel More Happy, Sept
Favourite PND post – The Hardest Post I’ll Ever Write, Sept
Favourite Caterpillar post – Three, April
Favourite book review – Mum…by Morty Say and Scott Chegg, May
Favourite parenting post – Taking The P7ss: Survival Strategies For Potty Training, July
Favourite product review – Moustache Cookies With BusyBakers Box, June
Favourite family moment – Butlins Just For Tots Review, Oct
Favourite recipe – Chilli & Garlic Lamb Kofte, Sept
Favourite guest post – Single Parenting, The Most Relentless Job In History by Ellamental Mama
Without anyone reading what I write, blogging would feel quite fruitless so I just want to say thank you to everyone who has read or shared any of my posts this year; especially the #pndfamily, the lovely bloggers who also run blogging linkys, the awesome brands I’ve worked with and, of course, my ‘real life’ friends and family who are the best supporters ever.
Happy New Year to you and yours – and I hope 2017 proves to be peaceful and positive for us all x
Well done on your lovely blog! It’s so worth celebrating both that and your “journey” too. Love that you’ve highlighted your favourite blog posts too – what a great idea that is! I wish I could commit to my blog properly – sigh! Wishing you all the very best for the rest of this year and on into 2017 x
A big thank you too for your wonderful blog! Another lovely giveaway – perfect for Christmas! Thank you!
great blog and thanks for this lovely giveaway x
a fantastic giveaway
love to see the best posts of the year – thanks for the review – 2016 was a great year wasnt it?
Thank you for running the giveaway.
What a fab prize, good luck everyone!
Lovely giveaway thanks
This looks like a fab Christmas gift
Thank you! This is a great giveaway x
Kim Carberry recently posted…She’s coming back. #ElfOnTheShelf
Lovely prize for Christmas
Thank you for a great giveaway xx
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great blog, thank u for the chance for us all to try and win this perfect christmas hamper
Great prize….Thanks for the Giveaway
Fab giveaway, looks amazing thank you.
Thank you for hosting this lovely giveaway and your wonderful blog.
Great prize. Thankyou
lovely blog and giveaway x
Thank you so, so much for this amazing giveaway!! xx
wonderful prize! would love to treat my mum x
This would be amazing for my mum 🙂 Thank you so much for the chance xx
Great blog, great giveaway
Lovely prize, well done on your recovery I hope you continue to remain well.
What a lovely way to say thank you to your readers 🙂
Debbie
Random Musings recently posted…Blogger Club UK Linky #46
Fabulous giveaway, thank you.
Fabulous! You can’t beat a hamper as a prize at Christmas!
thanks for the lovely competition x
Delightful prize.
Lovely prize, fingers crossed.
What a fantastic prize x
What a wonderful prize. Thank you 🙂
how lovely! thank you
what a lovely treat this would be, may have to hide it though!
fabulous prize
Congratulations on the success of your blog and many thanks for the giveaway.
Congrats on the success of your blog and a fabulous giveaway
Love the sound of the chocolate marshmallows!
What a lovely prize
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wonderful giveaway xxx
Ooh, what a fabulous giveaway – would love one of those hampers!
what a fab prize to win
Thank you for the amazing giveaway!
Congrats on your blog, it’s really come along beautifully. I’m very glad you’ve gotten so much from blogging and I think other’s have benefited from your blog too x 🙂
Your blog is lovely! Really Interesting, and oh boy I am loving your recipes over on Pinterest 🙂
Gorgeous hamper of goodies thankyou
Lovely prize
Fantastic giveaway!
Lovely to look back on the year of blogging and host a giveaway too.
Erica Price recently posted…Meet Santa at the National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham
This looks so lovely! Have a lovely Christmas x
a really nice giveaway – many thanks
Great giveaway for xmas, love entering these comps
Lovely hamper!
Oooh fab giveaway. What a treat this would be. Fingers crossed x
Merry Christmas LOVELY hamper!
I would love a nice cheery Christmas hamper.
This looks incredible!
great prize
Great prize, thanks for the chnace to win it x
I think you are an amazing woman. You have taken your condition and coupled it with writing (something I often recommend to my counselling clients – although you’ve taken it a bit further…) and helped, not only yourself, but a lot of other people – and not just those with PND.
You can be very proud of yourself.
And ta ever so for such a great giveaway!
A lovely prize to put up. Many thanks and Merry Christmas !
Fab prize
YES PLEASE
A lovely prize thank you so much for this giveaway.
Fab Giveaway thank you.x
Nice prize
It looks a lovely gift
lovely giveaway.xx Merry Christmas.xx
This is a lovely giveaway. What a gorgeous looking hamper.
fantastic giveaway 🙂
such a delightful hamper. fingers crossed!
Sounds lovely, thank you for hosting!
Merry Christmas x
What a lovely giveaway, congratulations on the growing success of your blog! x
A big thankyou to YOU for this lovely giveaway
Hope to win.
Love your blog. It’s really interesting and helpful BUT not in a patronising way. A great read. Thanks for the chance to win too.
thanks for a fab giveaway
Fab giveaway, looks amazing thank you
Lovely giveaway from a lovely blog! Thanks for a great year full of great posts
fantastic giveaway
Lovely prize for Christmas
This is a great giveaway = love to read your blog
I would love to win a hamper!
what a wonderful hamper, thank you
merry Christmas and all the best for 2017 x
Happy Christmas – lovely prize
What a great xmassy giveaway!
Thank you for the wonderful giveaway x
Thanks for running such a great giveaway!
I would love to win this to treat my mum as she moves into her new house in the new year!
Lovely bundle of goodies x Thankyou for the chance.
Here’s to hope & self belief firmly forever in your grasp – great prize btw
It’s lovely to lok back on a year of blogging and memories. Thanks for the giveaway as well, here’s to more blogging in 2017!
Wine and chocolate my favourite things ☺
What a wonderful post 🙂 Such a journey, but what a great one – and I’m sure so much more yet to come! Happy Christmas, and thank you for running the giveaway 🙂
They have some wonderful hampers
Wow so many fantastic products in your post and its great to read what other people think about stuff too.
What a really great giveaway
Thanks for the giveaway
I love your blog and this is an amazing giveaway x
Great giveaway. Merry Christmas
would love to win
Brilliant prize, thanks for running this! I love the sound of dark chocolate with cranberries and hazelnuts, what a great combination.
Lovely giveaway, thank you for the chance to win xx
Super prize….many thanks
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Fingers crossed!
And a big thank you to *you* for such a useful blog 😉
Thanks for all your great posts this year and the wonderful opportunity to win this lovely prize. Hope you and your family have a brilliant Christmas and great 2017! x
Merry Christmas. It looks like there is something for everyone in the Love From Santa Hamper so it’d be perfect for sharing with the family on Christmas Eve.
Love your blog merry christmas
Cool hamper! Merry Christmas
Wow lovely prize. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Merry Christmas
Lovely blog and what a fantastic giveaway. Have subscribed to follow your blog now x
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Such a fantastic prize thank you for the chance x
Great prize
I enjoy reading blogs, parenting does not come with an instruction manual and it’s nice to see how others deal with it and getting some tips. Carry on blogging I say 🙂
Would love to win 🙂
wonderful giveaway thank u for the chance
That would be lovely thanks Merry Christmas! x
Brilliant giveaway. Thanks so much for the chance.
What a great prize! Thanks for hosting the giveaway 🙂
Lovely giveaway thanks
That would be lovely please x
Great prize – have a lovely Christmas!
Fantastic blog with great reviews. Merry Christmas xx
thank you for your blog. great giveaway
Gorgeous to celebrate Christmas in the most beautiful way of all. Thanks for the chance and MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Lovely giveaway, Merry Christmas xx
Awesome prize – I really love the idea of a hamper. Never had one before – thank you x
a fantastic giveaway