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Just Frances

Just Frances

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Category: Musings & Ramblings

Posts under this category tend to be reflective and at times a form of my own “talk therapy” as the act of writing down my thoughts and feelings can sometimes help me to work through them. I try not to be political or controversial in what I write, so you won’t find many of my “world views” shared here. (But in this COVID-pandemic world, I urge my fellow humans to wear a mask, social distance, and get the blood vaccine when it’s offered to you!)

Posted on1 January 20223 February 2022Chronic Illness, Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

2022: Life, the Universe, and Everything

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on 2022: Life, the Universe, and Everything

It’s another new year, and I feel it’s going to be a chaotic one. Which is more reason for me to set some goals and…

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Posted on31 December 202129 January 2022Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

A joyful review of 2021

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A joyful review of 2021

OK, 2021: It’s time to say goodbye! I don’t know how best to summarise this year because it was filled with so many highs and…

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Posted on31 December 20212 February 2022Academic Life, Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Goals 2021: Reviewing and recapping

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Goals 2021: Reviewing and recapping

As always, I had some pretty bold ambitions for 2021. And, as always, I had to let go of some of my goals along the…

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Posted on12 December 202122 December 2021Musings & Ramblings

RIP, my 5-mile tree

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on RIP, my 5-mile tree

I lost a dear friend two weeks ago to Storm Arwen. Not a “human” friend, but rather a tree friend. My lovely, encouraging, and inspirational…

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Posted on1 November 202112 November 2021Academic Life, Musings & Ramblings

The visa anxiety cycle

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The visa anxiety cycle

It’s been a month since I shared that the start of my job was delayed for a few days as I was still waiting on…

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Posted on20 September 20219 May 2022Chronic Illness, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

ITP Awareness Week: ITP in a COVID19 world

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on ITP Awareness Week: ITP in a COVID19 world

Today is the start of Global ITP Awareness Week, an international event that takes place during the USA’s National ITP Awareness Month. And so, as…

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Posted on18 September 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

20 years of Scotland

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on 20 years of Scotland

Today marks 20 years since I first arrived in Scotland for “just one year” as a study abroad student. At the time, I never expected…

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Posted on5 September 202113 September 2021Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Running with nature

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Running with nature

A few years ago, I shared my thoughts on (and reasons for) running with music. Despite previously being a “no music” runner, widowhood meant that…

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Posted on22 July 202121 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Older by a day: 47+

by Just Frances4 Comments on Older by a day: 47+

Today is not my birthday. But it does mark the day that I am older. Oh, sure, every day is a day that we are…

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Posted on14 July 202127 November 2021Academic Life, Musings & Ramblings

The chaos of static change

by Just Frances2 Comments on The chaos of static change

Life has changed so much in the last 16 months, but life has also been very static. Yes, everything has changed, and nothing has changed,…

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Posted on1 June 20212 July 2021Chronic Illness, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Re-joining society: The practical steps

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Re-joining society: The practical steps

Now that I am fully vaccinated and the COVID19 situation in Scotland seems to be improving, I am beginning to take baby steps back into…

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Posted on10 May 20212 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Mental Health Awareness Week: Nature as therapy

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Mental Health Awareness Week: Nature as therapy

Welcome to Mental Health Awareness Week! This year’s theme is “Nature as Therapy” and is a theme I can really get behind. I mean, I…

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Posted on1 May 20212 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

A mindful May for motivation

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A mindful May for motivation

It has been more than a year since my COVID19 isolation began. In that time, I have slowly lost more and more of my motivation…

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Posted on28 April 20212 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Walking with grief

by Just Frances2 Comments on Walking with grief

I met a man when I was out walking the other day and the encounter provided me with so much to ponder about life –…

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Posted on26 April 20212 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Twelve years forward, mostly

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Twelve years forward, mostly

Another year has gone by without my husband by my side. After 12 years of this horrible widow life, I have come to know what…

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Posted on18 April 20214 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Stepping into society

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Stepping into society

After more than a year of various COVID19 restrictions, including fairly strict lockdown measures for the last three months, we are starting to “open up”…

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Posted on28 March 20214 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

The renewable carpet factory

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The renewable carpet factory

What do bleach, carpet, and wind have in common? The Roslin Glen! OK, it’s a bit of a corny opening line, but I get a…

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Posted on23 March 20214 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

The year that wasn’t: My year of COVID19 isolation

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The year that wasn’t: My year of COVID19 isolation

Today marks one year since the UK’s COVID19 lockdown measures became “law” – three days after the “stay home” orders were announced. Since then, the…

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Posted on13 March 20214 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Twelve months of isolation

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Twelve months of isolation

Twelve months of (mostly) isolation. Wow! I still can’t figure out how that happened, given that at the end of Month Two we were still…

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Posted on21 February 20214 July 2021Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

47 furlongs for 47 years

by Just Frances4 Comments on 47 furlongs for 47 years

Today is my 47th birthday and to celebrate, I ran 47 furlongs! Which I know seems weird, but I like to have a bit of…

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About Just Frances

Just Frances is a personal website maintained by me, Frances Ryan. I am a quirky runner, writer, thinker, drinker, crafter, adventurer, and researcher. I am also a daughter, sister, aunty, friend, and widow. But mostly, I am just Frances. (She/Her)

I blog about my life, including my travels and adventures, my experiences with PKD and ITP, my life as a young(ish) widow, and my life in general, really. Learn more about the topics I write about here.

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