Bonjour lecteurs! Back to publishing my new Monthly Highlights. After a beautiful summer in France and many adventures, I was ready to get back into routines in September 2022. How did you find going back to school? It sounds like such a far away memory now.
Well, it’s all done, and reflecting on last month, it’s been the toughest in so many ways. I have had a very busy schedule with new projects and many challenges. But I feel like we have a good routine in place now.
Back To School!
Stanley is in year 2. He was super excited to be back to school and find his friends.
And I started a new project/work locally, so it was all very exciting.
Overall, we both love our new routines but the first 2 weeks or so have been quite stressful.
I had to adapt to a new schedule and therefore I am not as much at home.
It’s ok, I feel that Stanley is big enough now and he has his own little life with school and all. So it was time for me to start a new project.
Still, I have endured the guilt of not being there every time. But the good news? I LOVE my new job!
The Queen
I was barely used to my new diary when Queen Elizabeth II passed away.
It was just very strange. I did not feel like posting much. It was not really appropriate and in all honesty, I saw a lot was already said online.
There were so many debates about the monarchy on social media. I am not much of a royalist myself, but it was very strange to see people have such a strong opinion on either side about a person they did not even know personnellement.
Health Issues
On top of it, I have carried on my bad luck from this summer.
I had to do different tests at our local GP and it was a bit of a disaster. Apparently, I now have high blood pressure.
Going back and forward for different tests and check-ups was so depressing. It felt like it was the only thing I was doing when not working…
And the NHS has such poor service at the moment, so there has been no proper follow-up. So all this drama is very unlikely to be over as I am still waiting for further results as I write those lines! ?
But Good Things
But good things happened too! I managed to make it to London in between my work, deadlines, etc.
I got a lovely facial in the heart of Soho and it felt so good to be back in town.
I also treated myself to some Elemis beauty products. L’excuse parfaite to look after myself.
We also tried to get out and cycle beaucoup. Stanley absolutely loves it. He was a bit reluctant at first as we got him a new bike that was quite big. But now, he is rocking it! He loves having une competition to see who is the fastest…
Weekend in Canary Wharf
And we also had a beautiful adventure in Canary Wharf.
If you missed it, we stayed at the stunning Cove Landmark Pinnacle for one night.
We had such a great time! I even caught up with an old friend of mine and it felt so good to see her after all those months.
This is an area of London we’ve not visited much. But after staying at the Sunborn Hotel in the Royal Victoria Dock for my birthday, I really wanted to get back nearby with Stanley.
We had a little tour by night and it was so much fun! At least, after weeks of doubts and stress, I was in my element!
My Little Dino Fan
And while we were there, we made it to the Natural History Museum for my dino fan to explore the prehistoric world. And so much more.
I have so many memories of Kensington, going to the Ambassade, etc.
It’s one of my faves areas in London.
And we finished the day with a Jurassic Afternoon Tea at the Ampersand Hotel. How fabulous does it look?!
Country Life
Eventually, after so many doubts, I was back on track.
And to finish September 2022 en beauté, we enjoyed some beautiful country walks with our doggy friend Jarvis.
Nope, he is not our dog, but how gorgeous is he?
I would love to have a puppy one day. Such a beautiful day out in the Kentish countryside.
September 2022 – New Projects & Challenges
Really, I have not done much in September 2022. It’s been an interesting time where I had to readjust after a relaxed summer.
Now I look back, it was a bit chaotic at the start. But I think we are there and I have a more harmonic work-life balance.
I also feel better physically. It makes such a difference when you are feeling 100%!
Looking back, Life threw a lot of challenges at us over the last few weeks. But we are more determined than ever to make it work.
Live By Your Values
And actually, a good reminder that your life is a reflection of your choices. There are times when you can’t do it all. And that’s ok.
It’s for you to prioritise. I am a strong believer that to be truly happy, you need to consider your values and principles. They are the ones that should lead the way. Otherwise, you will just feel incomplete.
When you act accordingly to your values, you can be more authentic and have a happier life.
The Rest of 2022
And because I love reflecting and reviewing my yearly goals, I decided to prioritise 3 areas over the last months of 2022:
- I want to spend more time outdoors, so no more gym for me. I will probably get back to it. But for now, I want to be more in nature for the pleasure of it rather than ticking a box
- I will also prioritise being more productive.Working hard doesn’t mean you have to do more hours. I need to do it more effectively so I can spend quality time with my loved ones.
- And last but not least, I want to learn and educate myself even further. I have been so tired lately, I have not been great with my readings. When usually, I am always so eager to learn and discover more.
Let’s do it! Less than 3 months into 2022. So what do you want to prioritise over the last quarter?
What are the most important values to you? What matters the most? Do you sometimes feel like you give too much importance to silly things that should not even invade your mindset?
Disclosure: This post might feature some sponsored content I recently published but it is merely a list of my highlights of the month! This a post where I share some reflections as a mum in the country. I hope it will inspire you to get on more family adventures and rock those dreams of yours, always ?
My boys used to love the natural history museum when they were younger. I saw your afternoon dino tea on your instagram. The smoke effects were amazing!
Priorities are key to happiness – harder sometimes to stay with them
Wow what a busy month. Hope Stanley is enjoying being back to school. Dinosaur afternoon tea looks rather cool
Author
He loves being in year 2, thank you so much 🙂
Work smarter not harder is a lesson I learnt in my 30’s. Sometimes we are on this merry go round of life and it gets faster and faster, we have to jump off and appreciate life instead of it whizzing past in a blur. Hope you feel better soon!
Love this I have learnt since the pandemic and losing someone in 2021 that life is for living. Making memories are what life should be about
I have loved the outdoors and doing stuff out and about more and more as I have grew up and even more so now I have kids. Love the great outdoors.
My son is such a massive dinosaur enthusiast, he really wants to go the natural history museum!
My priorities for the remainder of the year is to completely declutter my house before christmas!
As a mummy with a rare genetic disorder I know how hard it can be with the constant appointments and check ups. Chin up you’ll get there it just takes time ??
My little Dino fan looks like he’s having so much fun
Prioritised my health – hopefully improves soon
Always good and bad in a month. Glad you had some good things too.
Very well said! Life shouldn’t be just doing things people expect from you, or what society expects of us. It shouldn’t be about ticking boxes but ultimately carving our own pathway in life, going in the direction that makes us happy. In the end we have just one life and we shouldn’t just follow the footsteps of others or do things to please people. We do should live life to fullest our needs and our goals too. So ultimately, if spending more time outdoors and with your family is what you want to do, then make it happy, The people around who love and care for you will accept that if they want you to be happy.
I think you’ve done great despite what life has thrown at you. The NHS can be awful but you manage to focus on the bright side of things like your travels in London and your family. I am very fortunate to be living in Greenwich and I honestly love being around the Millwall and the rest of the Dockland area. The walk from Emirates to Sunborn Hotel is so nice and peaceful. Of course I also feel very lucky that we have so many free museums in London that we can take our kids to and educate them about the world.
I hope you can achieve all your goals and aspirations in the coming months. I have no doubt you will make the most of it like you always do x
Author
oh thank you so much, such a beautiful comment and I think you summed up very well what life is about.
You’re welcome. Sorry for my poor grammar. Should have crossed check it before I hit the sent button ?
Author
Don’t be silly! It’s always lovely to see what my followers think and I love chatting with you! My grammar is not perfect either!
Life is full of ups and downs but you have still managed a full month of activities with Stanley. Sometimes we just have to change our priorities and think more of ourselves
My daughter now matters the most to me.. and the family I still have alive. ♥
We just want to get the house renovations finished so it’s one less stress
Looks like you had amazing days out
Wow that Jurassic Afternoon Tea looks amazing! Definitely one for my list of things to do with my son!
Family means the most to me and I definitely want to get outdoors more like you have said. I’m usually a sucker for days inside during the winter months but I know my son would be outside come rain or shine!
Wow what a busy month you have had
We’ve had some health issues in our family too the past few weeks. Looks like you’ve had a great month though. My kids were also very excited to go back to school
Looks like you had a lovely time in London! I’m so jealous of the facial! Just don’t seem to get any me time at the minute!!
It’s always great to visit London, there is always something different to do. Sorry to hear about your high blood pressure and the problems you have experienced in the NHS. Love to see that you’re so positive and keep going! You have to with kids!
The dinosaur afternoon tea looks amazing fun for little ones!
I constantly feel I give too much time to things that don’t really matter. I try to make a point of not sweating the small stuff but it’s not always easy.
Author
yes I totally agree, it is not always easy
I have 3 year old twins and would love to do something like London with them. I would love to do more with them but the two together and just me, isn’t really possible. I am definitely outnumbered.
Afternoon tea looks amazing
I want to get into a better position to be able to move