Blue frosty background with a lantern light in the middle, frosty wintery image and below is the title Top New Year Mental Health Tips on Journeyofsmiley blog

Thriving in the New Year: Essential Mental Health Tips for Lasting Change

6 Comments / Faith, Mental Health, Silver lining - personal development, growth / By

As the new year begins, it offers a fresh opportunity for growth, transformation, and self-care. While many focus on setting resolutions centred around external achievements, to truly thrive in the year ahead, it’s essential we prioritise our general well-being. To take a holistic approach that nurtures our mind, body, emotions, and spirit. After all, mental, …

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Christmas decoration, a star and bells on the left side and the title Coping With Grief At Christmas on Journeyofsmiley on the right side of the picture

What Grievers Find Helpful: How to Get Through Christmas Grief?  

15 Comments / Faith, Grief and Loss, Mental Health / By

A few years ago, I visited a Christmas market with my husband and friends. As the familiar tune of “This is the most wonderful time of the year…” played, the wave of grief hit me. My mum and I used to visit markets together every Christmas. In that moment, surrounded by holiday cheer, I realized …

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A person walking on the beach looking forward, with her head back and wearing a hoodie. The title is Does grief ever go away on Journeyofsmiley.com

When Will My Life Go Back to Normal Again, and Does Grief Ever Go Away?

12 Comments / Grief and Loss, Smiling though the pain - healing, self-care / By

It was the night before All Souls Day. As is often the case at this time of year, I found myself thinking about the loss of my mum. I could feel a lump in my throat and shaking in my stomach. And the question, ‘Why, God?’ was on my mind again. ‘Why does it still …

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A woman standing over the flowers, holding one in her hand and smelling it on Journeyofsmiley blog

Inspired by Flowers: Blossoms of Being

3 Comments / Silver lining - personal development, growth, Uncategorized / By

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to participate in the Flower Power event. This enjoyable family event took place at the Weald and Downland Living Museum in West Sussex (UK). They invited the literacy community Words Out Loud, which are based near the museum, and who invited submissions for the event. For this …

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A woman looking in front of her at a lake and the title PTSD What Trauma Survivors want you to know on Journeyofsmiley blog

What Trauma Survivors Want You to Know About PTSD

7 Comments / Mental Health / By

Prior to experiencing PTSD myself, I had never met anyone who openly admitted that they have PTSD. Although I had heard the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and even studied brain development during my University studies, I never really knew what it entails until I experienced it myself. After my PTSD diagnosis, following my traumatic …

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Coping With Grief: 10 Hard but Valuable Lessons of Loss

6 Comments / Grief and Loss, Smiling though the pain - healing, self-care / By

With the loss of someone or something precious to us, our first reaction is often denial. We might be lost for words and numb for feelings. It’s just too hard to believe that we will never see our loved one again. Our heart is broken. It hurts, and we believe it will always be this …

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A pen and a paper with some writing and the title A message to my dear mum in heaven, I miss you, on the Journeyofsmiley blog

‘I Miss You,’ a Message to My Dear Mum in Heaven

4 Comments / Dancing in the rain - relationships, wellness, Grief and Loss / By

Dear Mum, I miss you so much. Every single day. This Mother’s Day, I want to shout the message, “I miss you,” to you my dearest mum in heaven. Aren’t special days and anniversaries supposed to be happy occasions? But when the ones dearest to you aren’t here any longer, they become really hard. Saying …

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