The Portuguese mini break was an utter success, thinking about it, there were a few key components to this one.

• Flying from a local airport
• Having a convenient and nice place to stay
• Sunshine
• Great company
• Delicious food
• No real agenda
• Avoid reading the news; specifically about Trump or Brexit

I was able to ignore my standard list of jobs for a few days and I was happy! It also amazes me that I really can’t recognise that I needed a break until I come back from one.

Back to reality, it’s cold, the house is not quite tidy and I have a lot to do this weekend…

• Work
• Family
• Household chores
• The endless jobs

With all of these lists in mind, I was sad to hear about the death of Scott Hutchinson [ Frightened Rabbits] it feels to me that we are all putting an untold amount of pressure on ourselves to be successful and brilliant all of the time. This manifests itself in many ways, me with my lists, endless activities for our children, looking effortlessly perfect all of the time, it’s never ending. We have to ask who are we doing this for and why? If we don’t care enough about our own wellbeing, why on earth should anybody else?

#livingthedream #backwithabump #mentalhealthawareness