Living with a violent pet but unable to let go. I love my cat. Perhaps obsessively so. He is a unique little creature. One of those animals with a personality that seems to dominate a room, demanding to be part of the conversation. …

Sometimes having a bad mental health day can be like being smothered by a dark blanket but there is always a little bit of light that gets through even the thickest weave. — Yesterday I had a mini panic attack bringing the bins in from the curb. It isn’t the first time this has happened. But it is the first time it’s happened at my own home. I walked out of the gate feeling ok (for me at the moment anyway) but once…

If only this were a fictional tale. — The mornings begin quiet with the exception of birdsong. The sun begins to warm the air, the morning dew soon evaporates. Calm surrounds my garden. As I hang the family washing, I smile to myself and think what a beautiful day. But then… Then… an unholy roar comes from the…

This is shaping up to be the worst joke in history. — Picture this. It isn’t even 8am, breakfast has yet to be digested in the stomachs of those in the house, the good mornings were barely audible but the raised voices, the anger clearly is and is enough to bring the cat in. Meowing to tell us he doesn’t like it…

Gratitude and feeling worthy — A couple of weeks ago I received the most beautiful bunch of flowers on my doorstep. Along with them was a note. I never receive flowers so this made my day already. But the note. It made me cry. It said: “You’re a very special lady. Thank you.” No, it…

Night-time panic attack. A brief glimpse. — Eyes shot open in the darkness. Body tethered to the bed in fright pulling me under, squeezing life out of me. Breath panicked. Short. Mattress sucking me in, folding me in half. Trapped in my head. Eyes darting about. Seeing nothing. Nothing but darkness. Where was my husband? Was he…

Denial or die trying: facing or fixing a crumbling marriage. — My marriage might be crumbling before mine and my husband’s eyes. I don't think we want to face up to it. That would be a big, deep, dark rabbit hole ending in a cul de sac of hell. If we stay in denial and ignore the giant signs maybe we…

Transformation from Sith to Nordic Goddess (ish). — This week I was sitting in my dressers getting transformed into what I hoped would be a blonde bombshell. Clenched fists and gritted teeth and a good book can get you through the transition stages of the process. This is how it went — my transition from beige bummer to…