Categories
wellbeing

Some days are harder than others during a pandemic. Thats ok… You’ve got this, and beauty is around you!

Some days you think “I’ve got the hang of this new lockdown way of life”, then others you think its difficult. Missing your family, friends, a fun day out, and even a trip to the hairdressers (goodness, my roots are very ashen looking these days!) All the things you take for granted. Going out for a good blast of fresh air to blow off those cobwebs – really helps your soul. I love going for a walk, soaking up the outdoors and snapping a few beautiful nature pics along the way.

Here in England, all non essential shops are re-opening soon and outdoor dining – so it will make it that bit easier and hopefully avoid another spike in cases – lets remain focussed & optimistic

Breathe in that fresh air, notice all that beauty that surrounds you and go with each day as it comes. This is new to you and I, but we’re riding this storm together, learning and growing each day and have been for over a year now. Days filled with hope are here, now a vaccine is well and truly rolling out.

©️ Bernie Egerton connectwithpoetry.com

Sitting in the garden with a hot cuppa, a stroll in the park while the sun is shining and watching your family playing together: the simple little precious mindful moments that make a challenging time seem so much brighter. Focussing on whatever those ‘special’ things are, that make all the difference in ‘your’ life.

Be kind to yourself and be gentle to yourself. There is so much love and hope surrounding you during a time, when some days it really does feel like that light is harder to grasp. Some days are challenging, and thats ok. Focus on what gives ‘you’ joy.

©️ Bernie Egerton connectwithpoetry.com

Heres to the light at the end of that long pandemic tunnel getting closer each day.

Stay safe, keep smiling and keep writing!

What gets ‘you’ through these times of uncertainty? ❤

Categories
health and wellbeing

Clearing that morning fog, a healthy brekkie & spring!

During a time when lockdown feels like its never ending, you tend to forget the importance of nourishing the body and mind… Do you forget to drink some water? do you forget to eat a healthy breakfast and pack up on those fruit and veggies? I certainly do.

I’ve been a bit too fond of those chocolate treats during lockdown (I really have a sweet tooth) skipping breakfast and running on empty. Its challenging when you have nothing to look forward to during a global pandemic and all you want to do is turn to those snacks and chomp away!

Being a parent and running after two busy toddlers, I’ve recently started focussing on eating a good healthy breakfast to start the day with, and drinking plenty of water (I mix a pint glass with cold and a bit of boiling water as I find it easier to drink).

I feel so much better adding the healthy foods along with water – then you’re ready for whatever work you do throughout the day as well as having energy to run after your little cherubs!

Open those windows, let the fresh air in and circulate! Working from home and more time spent indoors means a fresh working environment is needed to help ‘you’ when you’re constantly confined to a new office space you’ve had to adapt to.

Spring is here, the evenings are brighter, those beautiful blossom trees and daffodils are flourishing, and as my little girls say “mummy, the birdies are singing!”

©️ 2021 Bernie Egerton connectwithpoetry.com
©️ 2021 Bernie Egerton, connectwithpoetry.com

Stay safe, keep smiling and rehydrate along with a good brekkie!

Haiku:

A withered flower

The seeds they grow and flourish

Blossom brighten shine

Bernie Egerton @ connectwithpoetry.com
Categories
poetry writing tips

Ten tips, to help you on your poetry writing journey and some styles!

When I started writing poetry I was eager to learn more about the skills attached to this incredible creative outlet.

The following tips can help ‘you’ strengthen your writing skills and to understand more about the art if you’re just starting off.
Its a few pointers on what helped me (and still does) starting out. I continue to learn every day and I’ve had a few poems published to date.

Ten Poetry Writing Tips:

1. Read a poetry handbook to learn more about the craft, highlighting sections for future reference so you can always refer back to (I still refer back to mine!)


2. Read poetry every day, from a range of different poets, styles, themes, even if its just one or two poems each day.


3. Listen to online poetry readings and recordings, feeling the flow of the words and to connect in a form different to reading.

4. Listen to a poetry podcast


5. Keep writing when in the flow, when inspiration hits and feel that poem.

6. Edit later, or leave for a few days and return to edit with fresh eyes and read aloud.

7. If feeling overwhelmed with writing, give it a breather and read poetry instead (you’re still learning and absorbing all about the art)


8. Find what style you prefer and work on it.


9. Join poetry clubs and share your work

10. Lastly, enjoy the process 🙂

Styles:

Recently I’ve been focussing on writing shorter types of poetry such as Limericks and Haikus.

A Haiku consists of 3 lines in total and the traditional rules are:
Line one has 5 syllables
Line two has 7 syllables
Line three has 5 syllables

A Limerick consists of a five line poem and it can be witty and fun to write. Traditional rules are: First second and fifth line rhyme
Third & fourth line rhyme (AABBA)
First, second & fifth lines have between 7-10 syllables
Third & fourth lines have between 5-7 syllables

Hope these tips help ‘you’ with your poetry writing – its what helped me when starting out!

A haiku to start your day with!

Turning the page to

A crisp new day, breathe a smile

Wipe away the dust

Connectwithpoetry.com

Stay safe, keep smiling and happy writing 🙂

Categories
relaxation

Visualization, connecting with nature and relaxation…

During a time when our busy lifestyle can make us feel tired, stressed and exhausted: taking time out for some mindful moments can help you to find that balance needed to reconnect with yourself. Visualization exercises are great for finding that balance needed and for a bit of ‘you’ time.

Connecting with nature:

A walk along the beach is so relaxing.  There’s something peaceful about being near the sea, listening to the swishing sound of that ocean, as your bare feet glides through those ripples. You can feel a sense of calm and connection to this beautiful environment, as you dip your toes into that water, feeling the smooth sand sinking under your grounded feet, being mindful throughout and soaking up that peaceful scene.

©️2020 Bernie Egerton
©️2020 Bernie Egerton

Its tough when you’re feeling anxious and trying to stay motivated and relaxed, especially during a global pandemic. Throughout lockdown, I found going for a brisk 20 minute walk outside and connecting with nature helped to clear my mind and reconnect with myself. Also being a mum, its important to have a bit of ‘you’ time, refreshing the mind and to relax if feeling overwhelmed.

©️2020 Bernie Egerton

Relaxation exercises are helpful if you are having trouble relaxing or sleeping. I’ve been practicing vizualization exercises on occasions where I struggle to fall asleep at night. Helping me to focus and relax while taking deep breaths throughout.

Visualization exercise:

The following technique, can help anytime when you’re feeling stressed. it can be very beneficial, especially after a busy day!

  • Close your eyes
  • Inhale deeply for 3 seconds
  • Exhale for 4 seconds
  • Visualize the soothing swishing ocean and the scene of that calming beach
  • Repeat, inhaling for 3 seconds and exhaling for 4 seconds

Deep breaths

Visualize

Relax…

Take some time out during periods of stress for relaxation exercises to recharge those batteries. You deserve it!

©️ 2021 Bernie Egerton

Categories
Humour

A Lighthearted Spin on a Covid-19 Home Testing Kit!

Now, If anyone had told you this time last year that sticking a gigantic cotton bud up your nose, and swirling it around your tonsils was the new normal; you wouldn’t believe it and would’ve laughed your head off! Well here I am, giving a detailed account through an instruction type poem of my experience (overall it wasn’t that bad) of such a test. We all need a bit of lightheartedness right now!

Pilot Home Testing Kit

Covid-19 test arrives in the post.

Contents:
Instructions pamphlet (here we go)
DIY flat cardboard box the size of an Ipad.
Small clear plastic bag and a slightly larger bio hazard bag (scary)
Swab (a gigantic cotton bud, note to self – DO NOT insert into ear)
Pretty lilac cap test tube with saline solution and barcode (so cute)
Security label.

Test:
I wash my hands thoroughly for 20 seconds as instructed.
I unwrap and place the gigantic cotton bud swab into the back of my throat (thrilling)
Rub each tonsil 5 times (as instructed, trying so hard not to gag of course).
Best bit to come…
I Place the gigantic cotton bud swab into nostril and twist while
going as far up as I Can (lovely)
Test over.
Relief.
I sneeze about twenty thousand times before washing my hands yet again!

Final part:
Unscrew pretty lilac cap, place swab into tube with clear solution –
while snapping end off (as instructed, just so you know)
Place into clear plastic bag, seal, then place into scary bio hazard bag.


Register barcode online to register your name and details (why of course)
Fiddle about assembling the small cardboard box while flustered/annoyed. Place bag with pretty lilac cap test tube, and swab into box (while flustered/annoyed after assembling).
Attach security label and seal with a kiss (maybe not)
Skip to the nearest priority post box, and post.

Two days later I receive a text:
“Your test result is negative” (Woo hoo)
“You did not have the virus when test was done” (oh ok)
Pilot home testing kit complete.
Great –
I will not be included as a daily figure stat.
I cough –
Oh no…

(A mummy trying to stay sane
during a global pandemic!)

Categories
paddys day

Heres to You Paddy! A Limerick For the Day Thats in it…🍀

So being from the Emerald Isle, I wish you a ‘Happy St Patricks Day’. Whether you’re Irish, whatever your connection is. I hope you manage to drown that shamrock over your favourite drink!

So paint those cheeks (now, now, now I meant cheeks on your face), get the music pumping – the irish dancing shoes on and show that kitchen who rocks!!

Limerick 🍀

So Paddy your Shamrock is here
Parades bloody cancelled this year
But your spirits so big
We’ll dance an auld jig
As we toast with a cold bottled beer!

Stay safe, keep smiling and may the luck of the shamrock be with you 🍀

Categories
happiness

Happiness during a pandemic? I know. A short poem and something to think about…

What’s this, a poem about happiness during a global pandemic I hear you say? I know. It’s hard for you to think about such a word. But it’s during this pandemic when I wrote this poem (end of page) and, when my poetry journey began.

Digging deep from within and thinking ‘what is happiness’?  Is when you realise it’s the precious, daily things and not constantly chasing this ‘BIG’ idea of what makes ‘YOU’ happy.

We now have so much more time to think about and appreciate life during this Covid rollercoaster. Normal life stands still at the moment, and normality is that little bit away yet. But the light (although it seems far away) is beaming through those clouds, as this vaccine rollout continues and strives.

It’s a little piece of rhyming poetry to hopefully bring a smile to ‘your’ face and something to think about.

Happiness

Happiness is hearing your children giggle, Playing without a care.
Happiness is having a stroll on the beach
Inhaling that fresh air
Happiness is drinking cups of tea,
Relaxed without a worry.
Happiness is listening to music,
Lost but not in a hurry.
Happiness is watching flowers in bloom,
The warmth on a summer’s day.
Happiness is time with family and friends
Laughing and chatting away.
Happiness is laughing so hard,
Your eyes fill up with tears.
Happiness is sharing stories,
With family, friends;  no fears.
Happiness is the simple things
In life that make you feel whole.
Happiness is a connection –
Touching deep, within your soul.

©️ 2020 Bernie Egerton @ connectwithpoetry.com

Bee happy 🐝

Categories
motivation

A Limerick to Spur You on & how we Miss our Family & Friends

Limerick

Together we’re witty & wild
Loving our true inner child
Connections so strong
Oh its been too long
And that’s just putting it mild!!

Oh you do miss the banter (as we say in Ireland) with great friends and family. Its hard in lockdown – with all the restrictions in place and family/friends being spread out in different countries. But, all the funny moments and the memories are precious – making the much needed hug when all this is over, even more special!! A drink of choice over a video call will have to do for now, but thats ok.

Family and friends

Tea with milk

The perfect blend

-connectwithpoetry.com

Categories
mindfulness

Mindfulness

I wrote this reflective poem, just after a mindful walk. Being present, focussing on nature and the beauty that surrounds you, while appreciating the small but important things; makes such a difference!

Lost in the Moment of Life and its Art

A Flock of wild birds
they fly in chilled air
I walk, embracing
the earths open heart.
A seagull it sweeps,
alone with no care
lost in the moment
of life and its art.
The ring of church bells,
white tracks,
a blue sky,
children,
they giggle
dog walkers pass by.
Bare trees that stand tall
with nests where birds grew,
leaves lying crumpled
and soggy from dew.
Clear beads as they rest
on blades of green grass,
autumn alive,
soft clouds as they pass.
A squirrel,
It dances,
I watch, he’s aware,
Its bushy long tail,
he captures my stare.
This vision absorbed,
the rush is no more,
nature alive
unlocking my core.
Connections so strong
I open my heart,
lost in the moment
of life and its art