About Me

My photo
I'm a 45 year old mother of 3 boys. I live in a beautiful old house that needs a lot of TLC with my youngest son and 2 dogs. I am working hard at keeping myself healthy and fit by working out and doing a spot of running. I'm a creative person and am passionate about keeping traditional skills alive. I cook, knit, bake, garden, preserve, read, write and am now learning to spin and quilt. Oh and I sometimes swear.....

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Why?

Every now and then someone will ask me why I’ve talked about a particular topic on this blog. I could say why not? People keep a blog for different reasons. My other blog was to share info about supporting runners in ultra events with a bit about my life thrown in. This blog is my personal journey through some very difficult times. If you don’t like it, don’t read it. I don’t mind.

When I started writing I said I wanted it to be a record of my journey. I wanted to be able to look back and measure how far I’d travelled. I was writing it for me although I knew that my friends would be reading it too. I sometimes go back and read the early posts and think how naive I was. I genuinely had no idea how bad it would get.

So why did I write about hitting rock bottom yesterday? I hoped that it might help someone else one day. So many people have said lovely things about how they think I’m amazing or inspirational. I’m really not. Some days I struggle to get out of bed, some days I don’t eat, some days I don’t do any housework (ok that’s not a new thing!!) I’m just trying to make sense of stuff that doesn’t actually make sense to me. Writing it down helps me look at it in a different light. Not everything I write makes it on to the blog!

And if I hadn’t gone public with a lot of stuff (here and on FB) then I wouldn’t get the brilliant emails, texts and FB messages that I get. Sometimes people just want me to know they’re thinking about me, sometimes they share their experiences and what helped them. And sometimes I get the TTFU ones too! It all makes a huge difference.

This morning I had 2 lovely emails waiting for me. One told me a very inspiring story and the other told me something that really made my day. In fact I’m still smiling! Taking a few minutes to tell someone you’re thinking about them can change their day.

So, down to business. First proper swim session tomorrow with someone who is going to help me with my technique. Eeeeek! This might just turn into a training blog if I can work out how to do the spreadsheet thingy ;-) xxx

9 comments:

Debs M-C said...

I salute you! I always say, the best blogs are the ones written from the heart. xx

Andy Kerr said...

Ali

Swimming takes patience, I remember when I started and the kids in the Ayrodynamic slow lane were having a good laugh, I'm no great shakes now but don't worry about it. So similar advice for you, don't give up early, persevere, as in life there are knocks in swimming.

As to blogging... I stopped publishing my blog to facebook, became too public, if people choose to read or subscribe it's their choice, if I'm pushing it onto people then I feel they're more likely to form negative opinions, I do it for me when I want to say something, if people choose to read and comment (not are forced to read and comment) then I'm grateful for it.

Just my thoughts, keep it going Ali, live the journey!

Andy

Vicky said...

It's your blog so write what you want. I find writing cathartic. It's important to make yourself happy, grab life with both hands!!

allybea said...

Debs, thanks hun! Best blogs also have funny videos of people falling off bikes ;-) Actually found myself wondering if I should get some roller thingies!!

Andy, really peeing myself at the swimming aspect. Need to be a certain standard before I can even think of joining tri club.

Re blog I'm comfortable with what I put on here. No one is forced to read anything they don't want to. This is my journey, no idea where it's taking me but I hope I end up enjoying the ride.

Vicky, you're right. Writing is very cathartic for me. Sometimes it's not until you see something written down you go "Ahhhh now I get it"

Jane said...

Ali
As you know, I've only just started writing a blog - and I'd like to say a huge thank you to you for your encouragement.
I love writing and I, too, find writing things down to be extremely therapeutic. I've toyed with the idea of writing a blog for some time, but have put it off as I was worried about what people would think of it. Well, my new motto, as said by the great Dr Seuss, is 'Be who you are and say what you feel because those that mind don't matter and those that matter don't mind'.
And I'm thoroughly enjoying now being a blogger (although I don't think I'll ever have anything like as high a readership as you!)
Thanks again Ali and, remember, when you're in the pool or making your way through life, keep your head above the water and you'll be doing just fine...x

John Kynaston said...

Great post Ali.

I think your blog is helping not only you but lots of others so keep it going.

BTW ... If you need any help with spreadsheets let me know!!

Anonymous said...

Who says your not inspirational. You've made me think seriously about writing a blog myself. I call that alone inspirational.

Bob Watkinson

allybea said...

Hi Jane, don't worry your blog will gain readers quite quickly. You've had over 100 hits already. Lovely photos yest!

Thanks John. Blog is def helping me. I'll remember your kind offer ;-)

Bob, blogging and moving up to ultras. Am I a bad influence? Lol!

Anonymous said...

Yeah you are, lol. At least I'll have a blame figure when the pain hits ;-)

Bob W