Sometimes, we all need a little nudge, a fresh perspective, or a spark to ignite our spirit. For me, inspiration often comes from the simple beauty of nature, the unwavering support of my family, and, most profoundly, through prayer and seeking that fresh anointing. It’s in those moments that everything just clicks and makes sense.
That's why I'm so excited to share with you something that perfectly aligns with this philosophy: The Poetry Prescription series by the incredible Deborah Alma. You might know Deborah as the "Emergency Poet," who famously offered "poetry on prescription" from her vintage ambulance, and as the founder of The Poetry Pharmacy in Shropshire and London. Her vision is all about making poetry accessible and a powerful tool for healing and inspiration, bringing it directly to where people need it most. She truly believes poetry is an art form for everyone, capable of bringing deep comfort and insight, much like music or painting.
I've been fortunate enough to receive a bundle of her latest two books in this collectible, pocketable series: Inspiration, designed to boost creativity, and First Aid, a soothing balm for wellbeing and mental health. Let me tell you, these aren't just books; they're little packets of solace and sparks, beautifully curated to touch your soul. Along with these treasures, I also received some of The Poetry Pharmacy's famous prescription pills (don't worry, they're chocolate!), and a notepad – perfect for jotting down my own thoughts inspired by these verses.
You know how I often talk about feeling that "flatness," that nagging unrest even when things are going well? That relentless question, "What can I do?" – even now, as I'm pouring my energy into learning about building wealth from every angle. Well, Michael Finnerty, the author of this memoir, perfectly articulates that exact feeling at the start of his story. He was a highly successful journalist, working for big names like The Guardian, seemingly living the dream. But beneath the surface, he was hollowed out, disconnected from anything tangible, and utterly drained by the abstract, often cynical world of media. He felt like his life was moving too slowly and empty and just left him wanting more – exactly how I've often felt, especially when my own wealth-building ventures feel like they're not making headway.
Then, one day, something significant happened that changed everything for him. He was at Borough Market in London, drawn in by its vibrant energy, the genuine buzz of real people doing real things. He found himself utterly captivated by a particular cheese stall, mesmerized by the passionate cheesemongers and the sheer physicality of their work. In a move that truly resonated with my own desire for significant change, he took a radical leap: he applied for a job as an apprentice cheesemonger. Can you imagine?! Leaving behind a prestigious career for... cheese.
The bulk of the book is about his fascinating journey into this entirely new world, and honestly, it’s where the "cure" really takes hold. He dives headfirst into the very real, often pungent, world of artisanal cheese. He describes the incredibly hard, physical work – the long hours on his feet, the bone-chilling cold of the cheese room, the sheer weight of lifting those massive wheels of cheese. It’s a complete contrast to his old desk job, and he finds a strange, profound therapy in this physical reconnection with his body.
When I started reading Chris Guillebeau's book on time anxiety, a powerful realization hit me: I was completely guilty of it. With each page, it felt as though the writer was speaking directly to my soul.
For years, I avoided celebrating my birthday. I'd ask myself, "What have I even achieved?" Is it truly worth celebrating?" I'd go silent, and if someone wished me a happy birthday, I'd feel nervous and anxious all day. Most of my friends didn't even know when my birthday was, and while those who did always wished me well, they never understood the deep questions it triggered within me.
I come from a family where everything I needed was provided. My dad was one of the best graduating students of his time, with many awards. Whenever I looked at him, I exuded such confidence ; he knew his field inside out, understood himself, and could speak eloquently about his journey. He has a loving family, of which I am a part. My dad always encouraged us but never pushed us beyond our limits. Yet, time anxiety never lets me truly enjoy the process of life.
I started working really early, driven by my own desire. My dad initially didn't approve, but he quietly watched me teach students math and English. Right after secondary school, I began teaching at a primary school. There was one girl who struggled with speaking, and her aunt wanted me to tutor her so she could attend school, as English was the language of instruction. I felt confident I could teach her, and you know what? She learned English and today she speaks it well. But I noticed that with every achievement, I immediately asked myself, "What next?" This constant focus on the future prevented me from enjoying the present process.
I graduated with a degree in General Medicine, but while I was studying, I also worked as a model and blogger, sold shoes, and collaborated with agencies to help international students travel. I wasn't lacking anything; my dad made sure I had all I needed. But I never rested. Some might say I was just hardworking, not letting my comfortable family background make me complacent. But knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have done it without truly enjoying the process. I was so fixed on the result that I missed out on the journey. I always had something to do, always a goal; there was no time to relax. I can't recall a single time in Ukraine when I went out to simply chill without feeling guilty that I could be doing something more "productive" than resting. It took me a long time to understand that resting is a crucial part of the process. So I kept racing.
Oh my goodness, you guys! I just had to sit down and gush about the latest book that's completely captivated me. I mean, you know me, I've got a pile of books probably taller than I am, lol just kidding, but every now and then, one just hits different. And that's exactly what "The Garden Against Time" by Olivia Laing did.
Finding My Reading Nook: A Little Bit of Barons Haugh Magic
So, before I even dive into the book, let me set the scene. I took this beauty with me to Barons Haugh Nature Reserve to do some reading in nature – honestly, there's nothing quite like it. It's such a peaceful spot, perfect for getting lost in a good book. I actually took some photos there (you might have seen a sneak peek on my Instagram), and while it's gorgeous, I won't be sharing too much about Barons Haugh just yet. We didn't get to explore it quite the way I wanted to this time, so we're definitely planning a proper return trip. For those of you familiar with the area, think of it as another lovely spot, a bit similar to the feel of Lochwinnoch but with its own unique charm. It was the absolute ideal backdrop for this particular read.
"The Garden Against Time": More Than Just a Book About GardensNow, onto the main event: Olivia Laing's "The Garden Against Time." Guys, if you're expecting a cozy guide to planting petunias, you're in for a surprise. This book is so much more than that. It's truly a masterpiece of non-fiction, blending so many genres that it feels like a whole new literary experience.
Olivia Laing, the writer, is just brilliant. She has this incredible way of weaving together her own deeply personal experiences – in this case, the very physical, sometimes grueling, work of restoring an overgrown walled garden in Suffolk – with vast stretches of cultural history, literary criticism, and nature writing. It's like she pulls a thread from her own life and it unravels into centuries of human thought and emotion.
What she really digs into is this idea of gardens as a kind of paradise. We all have that image, right? A perfect, serene escape. But what Laing does, so intelligently and unflinchingly, is she peels back the layers to show the hidden costs of creating these beautiful spaces. She doesn't shy away from the darker side of history – the links to power, privilege, even exploitation. She makes you really think about how many of these idyllic visions were built on the enclosure of common lands or even colonial legacies. It's a challenging, necessary conversation to have, and it completely shifted my perspective.
But here's the thing: it's not all doom and gloom. Even amidst these profound critiques, Laing manages to find so much hope and even radical possibility within gardens. She highlights figures and places where gardens became sites of incredible creativity, resilience, and even a kind of defiance against conventional norms. She shows us how working with the land, understanding its cycles, can be a way to connect with something much bigger than ourselves – to grapple with time itself.
Reading this book felt like having the smartest, most insightful friend gisting you about the world, history, and humanity, all through the lens of something as seemingly simple as a garden. It’s beautifully written, thought-provoking, and utterly absorbing.
If you love books that make you see the world differently, that blend the personal with the profound, and that aren't afraid to ask big questions, then you absolutely must add "The Garden Against Time" to your TBR pile. It's a genuine journey, and one I highly recommend you embark on.
Go grab a copy, maybe find your own quiet spot in nature, and let me know what you think!
Body image is such a big deal these days. Yesterday, while having a destress day with my partner at Loch Lomond, I carried the book "Body Confident You, Body Confident Kid" by Dr. Charlotte Ord.
Before I even started reading, I browsed through the entire book. I wanted to understand how it was structured. This also helped me get to know more about Dr. Ord. As I read, her intentions became clear. Books like this are essential for parents, especially those who are struggling with their own body image. This can happen at any point in life. Although I haven't finished it yet, some chapters really grabbed my attention.
One thing I've always known is that a parent's struggle with body image can be passed on to their child. On the other hand, confident and positive parents tend to raise confident kids. In a society where everyone compares themselves and strives for an outward appearance of perfection, being a confident parent can make a huge difference for your children. Never underestimate the knowledge your kids gain from you. They learn primarily by observing how you carry yourself.
For me, my parents always told us we were beautiful. My mom consistently praised herself and talked about how lovely she looked. This really built my confidence. Because of this foundation, you can't tell me anything negative about myself. I know I am beautiful. This feeling held true even when I had a girl around me during medical school. She constantly tried to undermine my confidence. She would say things like, "Oh, you're so slim and have no flesh. Your breasts are small; what will a man touch? You don't have big bums, what will a man grab?" She was constantly trying to destroy my confidence because she saw how confident I was. I always wondered why.
Mind you, I have never had any issue with this girl, not for one day.
However, knowing what I know now, she was projecting her own insecurities onto me. Facially, she wasn't ugly. In fact, she was also beautiful, though not as beautiful as me – and I say that as a matter of fact. She was a larger woman, with good height and nice skin, but she had very low self-esteem. This led her to try and belittle me with her words. One of her friends even laughed and said she was jealous of me and wanted to look like me, which is why she always had something negative to say.
I knew that. However, there's more to the situation. She constantly talked about her boyfriend at the time, saying he liked thick women and could never be attracted to someone like me. I honestly didn't care about his preferences. Yet, somehow, I was always the topic of her conversations— always on her lips. Eventually, he ended up asking me out, and I definitely wasn't going to let that slide. Here's how it unfolded:
We all lived in the same house. I was in the kitchen one day when he came up to me and said I looked sad. I was sad because I had just received bad news that made it feel like my world was falling apart. I had failed my first trial after a lot of studying. One day, I'll share that experience and how it shaped me for life. To make the story short, he offered me a hug. While I initially thought it was a harmless gesture, his grip was uncomfortably tight. I thought, "Maybe this is just how he hugs," but he wasn't letting go. I had to physically pull away. Before this incident, he would frequently comment on my hair in the kitchen, saying things like, "Oh, your hair is beautiful, can I touch it?" in a way that was more personal than just a compliment. I would always respond with a simple "thank you." He commented on my style sense a lot—not in the right manner but in more of an I like you way, but I never took it to heart.
After the hug incident, I packed my things and moved out of the house I shared with his girlfriend the next day. She was angry about the way I left, even though our other friend, who also lived there, told her I left because of her actions. She never understood what our friend meant.
That girl tried to bring me down and criticize my features, which were the same features her boyfriend was attracted to. He ended up dating a woman who had my body type. "He left her in a disrespectful way." She found out from her friends that he was dating another woman.
There are many people who struggle internally. Instead of seeking help, they create fake accounts on social media and insult others. Some have friends they admire, but instead of complimenting them, they constantly bring them down and give bad advice. Sadly, those friends might not realize it until it's too late. People who never let you make your own choices, always deeming yours as bad and only theirs as good, often suffer from low self-esteem. I've experienced this firsthand. I can confidently say that my parents did an excellent job of complimenting every aspect of me. Today, no one can tell me anything negative about myself. I know I am beautiful, and that's the end of the story. If you don't like my size, take it up with God.
"Body Confident You, Body Confident Kid" is such an inspiring read. It doesn't just focus on body-confident parents but also on how to raise body-confident kids. One thing I particularly appreciate about the book is the exercises you can do with your child.
On page 216, she discusses how exercise is often viewed as purely a physical process by many. Exercise can be tough for some kids, and not just physically. If you don't feel like you have the "ideal" body, have sensory sensitivities, or aren't naturally athletic, gym class and sports can make you feel more self-conscious and ashamed. It's like you're already worried about how you look or what you can do, and then exercise just shines a spotlight on all of that.
Plus, let's be real, working out can suck. It can hurt, you get all sweaty and out of breath, and it's just plain uncomfortable sometimes. So, it makes total sense that as kids get older and start thinking more about themselves, they're like, "Nah, I'm good on that."
It's like we're wired to avoid pain, right? Whether it's your muscles burning or feeling embarrassed. And for a lot of kids, exercise is both of those things rolled into one. It's even worse when some adult is telling you exactly what to do and how hard to push yourself, like in PE. You can't even listen to your own body and what feels okay.
The writer also added that she even remembers this time in school when everyone had to run this super- long race. She was into sports and loved the challenge, but she saw other kids just chilling and chatting their way through it. At the time, she didn't get it. But now she realizes that those kids just didn't care about winning or pushing themselves like she did. They valued hanging out with their friends more than some dumb race, and they were smart enough to not do something that felt bad.
