I hope that after reading this you…

I hope that after reading this you…

This blog is a labour of love, and it will always be free. Over 1,000 people read every post which is incredible. And if just 100 people donate €2 it means that I’ll be able to continue doing all of this for another year. So if you like the work, it would mean the world to me if you considered making a donation. Thank you to everyone who already has this year. There’s no expectations, as ever, and I hope you have a lovely week. Donate here

I hope that after reading this you feel better. That’s what this is space is for. Sometimes I get it wrong. I can get mix my emotions with opinions and come out with the hottest takes. They unintentionally spurn and cause upset. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen.

I hope after reading this you feel less alone. The weight feel lighter, the isolation feels less all-encompassing. My hope is that if I tell you how I feel, you’ll know it’s okay to feel how you feel. The funny thing is I’m terrible at doing this when speaking, but I can write it down pretty easily. I just want you to feel less alone.

I hope that after reading this you tell someone how you’re feeling. Life is short and it gets shorter by the minute. We need each other. We’re not designed to keep things to ourselves. If your heart is bursting then let it out. If there’s something cutting through you then tell someone. I’ve always found that big emotions seem smaller when it meets someone else’s perspective.

I hope that after reading this you give yourself a break. I hope that after writing this, I take one too. We can be so hard on ourselves. We can expect so much, so persistently. Take the pressure off yourself. No one else is putting it there so relentlessly.

I hope that after reading this you show up for yourself. Stop placating to people who don’t have grá for you, because there are so many others that do. You don’t need external validation to have value. I know I’ve said that a thousand times, but that’s only because I think we all need to hear it more often.

Finally, I hope that after reading this you take a moment to appreciate yourself, in whatever way you can. You will never be everyone’s cup of tea, but you are a cup of tea. And tea is lovely.