Finding new experiences in familiar places

One of the things that knocked me for six when I was diagnosed was the feeling of vulnerability.

I have always been pretty independent and happy to go to new places and meet new people on my own but this changed instantly when I was diagnosed and I became very clingy with Phil.  To the point that I almost had a panic attack outside Morrisons when I couldn’t find him in the car park! I have been gradually ‘weaning’ myself off Phil for his sanity as much as my own.  Last week I drove to Diss to pick Zora up from the station on my own (20 mins)… this morning I drove to my Dad’s (1hr 20 mins!) 🙂  Phil is helping out a friend with some painting and we received a notification that our power was going to be off for part or all of the day for ‘essential’ maintenance work so I decided to ‘man-up’ and take a trip!

After a quick check up with the doctor, I set off and had a very uneventful journey to Witchford.  Chris made a fabulously decadent roast chicken salad with barbeque charred asparagus and broccoli which we ate in the garden (under the shade of the umbrella!) delicious.  After my nap (one of my favourite new habits 😉 ) we went for a walk in the village.  Dad and Chris have lived in this village for 35 years and today we discovered a new walk and a beautiful meadow!!

It just goes to show how much there is still to be explored and discovered on our own door steps;  we don’t always have to get too far out of our comfort zones to have new experiences.

I am now recovering from a delicious tea of Spicy Seafood stew (totes amaze!) and fresh sweet local strawberries feeling very spoilt and also a little bit braver and more independent than I did yesterday.  It feels good 🙂

Talk to you soon

Lots of love Mand xxx