Thanks Sabrina! Ah, I would've loved to have seen you but even though London is just an hour away from my hometown I just cannot seem to find the time or space to get up to the big smoke on these trips home at the moment. This was my 3rd trip back without making it up there (which kind of sucks as my bf used to live there and we wanted to go back to his old hood, too), but hopefully I'll be able to squeeze a trip up there soon. The only way I managed to squeeze in seeing friends this time was by going on a family and friends day out - my dad, brother, sister, her wife, their baby, me, my partner, our two dogs, my friends, their baby, and their dog. It was chaos but fun, too 😂🙈 xx
Thanks for sharing your unfiltered journey, Cassie! This line in particular really stood out to me, “To try and embrace control of the things I do have control over, and let go of those I don't.” It makes so much sense, yet it’s so hard to do, right? Sometimes I tell myself that life has its own plan for me so I just need to let the fuck go. I know the experience with your mum and family will be (has been) a tough one, but what helps me is to try and find the small moments of joy in the chaos. And also the vulnerability in it all, if that makes sense. I’ve done things now like help my mom eat, go to the bathroom, and get dressed and while it’s extremely hard to swap roles in a sense, it’s in these moments that I feel closer to her. 🫶 Lots of love!
Thank you so much for sharing, Alexis! I'm so sorry you're going through all this too but I find such solace in knowing we're not alone in it as well. It was so surreal seeing her again this time. Even though she recognised me for a few seconds on the first day, it didn't feel like it was her at all. Instead, she was just a strange robot-like version of herself who spent most of her time fiddling and smushing food around and pouring drinks over herself. It was weird. But I cried looking through all her old clothes and jewellery and photos and found a piece of paper from a few years ago where she'd written down all our names and ages and dates of birth so she didn't forget. It was so sad, but I'm also really glad I went back too. You know how it goes, I'm sure. Sending you and yours lots of love as well 💜
Buying that rolling suitcase was honestly the best thing I did in preparation for this trip! I try to avoid buying too many new things these days and it felt especially frivolous knowing I already had luggage at home that would've "done the job", but I am so glad I pushed past that resistance and bought it. You can't fix "waiting mode" or chronic pain, but the rolling luggage definitely helped take the edge off both! I guess I'm a real convert now 😂💜
Bratislava seems like such a cool place! I hope the rest of your trip can be memorable for all the right reasons, Cassie. Always here if you ever want to message or voicenote 💛
Thanks Sarah! I appreciate you so much and have a feeling your beautiful snaps of the UK and all the colours of the changing seasons are going to help me in this transition period as I ease back into life here so much. Can't wait to dive into your card deck once it's out, too. I have so many new ideas and thought about branding and my website after this trip. It's funny how travel can help us see things in so many new ways, even if I know it'll be a while until I'm actually ready to make any changes! Xx
Good luck with the journeys ahead - both physical and emotional. Say hello if you're near London at any point!
Thanks Sabrina! Ah, I would've loved to have seen you but even though London is just an hour away from my hometown I just cannot seem to find the time or space to get up to the big smoke on these trips home at the moment. This was my 3rd trip back without making it up there (which kind of sucks as my bf used to live there and we wanted to go back to his old hood, too), but hopefully I'll be able to squeeze a trip up there soon. The only way I managed to squeeze in seeing friends this time was by going on a family and friends day out - my dad, brother, sister, her wife, their baby, me, my partner, our two dogs, my friends, their baby, and their dog. It was chaos but fun, too 😂🙈 xx
Thanks for sharing your unfiltered journey, Cassie! This line in particular really stood out to me, “To try and embrace control of the things I do have control over, and let go of those I don't.” It makes so much sense, yet it’s so hard to do, right? Sometimes I tell myself that life has its own plan for me so I just need to let the fuck go. I know the experience with your mum and family will be (has been) a tough one, but what helps me is to try and find the small moments of joy in the chaos. And also the vulnerability in it all, if that makes sense. I’ve done things now like help my mom eat, go to the bathroom, and get dressed and while it’s extremely hard to swap roles in a sense, it’s in these moments that I feel closer to her. 🫶 Lots of love!
Thank you so much for sharing, Alexis! I'm so sorry you're going through all this too but I find such solace in knowing we're not alone in it as well. It was so surreal seeing her again this time. Even though she recognised me for a few seconds on the first day, it didn't feel like it was her at all. Instead, she was just a strange robot-like version of herself who spent most of her time fiddling and smushing food around and pouring drinks over herself. It was weird. But I cried looking through all her old clothes and jewellery and photos and found a piece of paper from a few years ago where she'd written down all our names and ages and dates of birth so she didn't forget. It was so sad, but I'm also really glad I went back too. You know how it goes, I'm sure. Sending you and yours lots of love as well 💜
Beautiful and real thank you for sharing. X
Thanks Bel! I was a little anxious about sharing this one but I'm glad it seemed to hit home for so many other people too! 💜
Waiting mode, chronic pain, and a need rolling luggage - I could relate to all of this. Thank you for sharing, Cassie!
Buying that rolling suitcase was honestly the best thing I did in preparation for this trip! I try to avoid buying too many new things these days and it felt especially frivolous knowing I already had luggage at home that would've "done the job", but I am so glad I pushed past that resistance and bought it. You can't fix "waiting mode" or chronic pain, but the rolling luggage definitely helped take the edge off both! I guess I'm a real convert now 😂💜
Bratislava seems like such a cool place! I hope the rest of your trip can be memorable for all the right reasons, Cassie. Always here if you ever want to message or voicenote 💛
Thanks Sarah! I appreciate you so much and have a feeling your beautiful snaps of the UK and all the colours of the changing seasons are going to help me in this transition period as I ease back into life here so much. Can't wait to dive into your card deck once it's out, too. I have so many new ideas and thought about branding and my website after this trip. It's funny how travel can help us see things in so many new ways, even if I know it'll be a while until I'm actually ready to make any changes! Xx
You bring out such a mixture of emotion in this piece, which is so true to life. Thanks for sharing. Bratislava does look amazing. 🧡
Thanks Phoebe! I highly recommend visiting if you ever get the chance :) x