Daily: Reflect on 5 accomplishments.

1. Walked and visualised my niece through her route to school, which she is walking for the first time tomorrow.

2. Left the house for the first time in 2.5 weeks – hurrah! Went to GP’s and as above, went out with my niece. Walking like the frail elderly, wearing not one item of clothing that matched another, and with BAD glasses on – my niece elicited looks of deep sympathy from passing Dulwichites who thought she was taking her care-in-the-community mother out for a walk, but I cared not – I just enjoyed the sight and feel of PAVEMENT!

3. Made tentative steps towards organising thoughts on the big decisions I need to make but am avoiding.

1. Taught my niece how to play black jack and shuffle cards; am feeling faintly subversive. I have also taught her useful stuff like how to cross roads, never to quit etc but this was spontaneous and fun – and some useful social currency for secondary school!

2. Stayed on straight and narrow diet-wise for 18th day post-surgery. Full range of vits and herbs, nasty cleansing cocktail thing, big veggie juice/berry smoothie combo, protein and veg. Am making an excellent recovery.

3. Found myself a holiday and committed to taking the time and spending this money on myself; is time to invest in my wellbeing.

That’s all today..

1. Drank disgusting yet supremely healthful cleansing cocktail (wheatgrass juice, aloe vera, propolis and citricidal) for 10th day in a row in the spirit of health and healing.

2. Stayed calm in the face of maternal combativeness. Is counterproductive to my recovery and I am not engaging.

3. Tidied my room.

4. Ordered birthday present for my mum. If I manage to get Carmina Burana tickets as well will be a happy bunny.

5. Appear to be staying sane in the face of being in my own company for longer than I have ever been.

1. I suddenly realised that if I can drink herbal tea without sugar, there is no reason why I have to put 3 tsps of sugar in my ‘normal’ tea, as I always have. Went cold turkey, and it was fine. Instant progress – fantastic.

2. Avoided succumbing to the lure of a full English breakfast.

3. I started researching how to qualify as a nutritional therapist. This may also mean I have finally decided what I want to do with my life…!

4. Cooked up a delicious Sunday lunch – succulent and tasty chicken, perfect brussels, crispy roasts, proper gravy. Was deeply satisfying!

5. Broached a difficult conversation with my stepfather and stayed calm. I respected his wishes and in doing so accepted that some things you just have to deal with yourself. Felt a bit more grown up afterwards!

4 of 5 about food – this is good!

1. I went in to work and prepared/organised myself for a very heavy week next week. Feel a lot calmer as a result.

2. I completed everything that I wanted to do.

3. I managed to make some healthy eating choices today; I battled with the voice that said ‘just buy the crisps/almond croissant/spaghetti bolognese’ and won.

4. I chose not to have an argument with my partner. I chose instead to just let go. Letting go of the issue is, in a small way, letting go of him, which is a good and necessary thing.

5. I started doing the washing and preparing tomorrow’s dinner.

1. A major high-stress day, and the first one in the two months since I quit smoking that I was really tempted. I did not succumb.

2. I kept my head and ploughed through.

3. I found the right thing to say to L to comfort her this morning.

4. I got up early and got to work early.

5. I managed to be civil to my boss! A major challenge as he is being unbelievably obnoxious at the moment.