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Tag: self-reflection

Posted on5 January 20204 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Stronger holidays

by Just Frances1 Comment on Stronger holidays

My primary goal for 2020 is to be a stronger and more confident me. But if I’m honest, it’s a goal that I have been heading…

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Posted on31 December 201916 July 2021Academic Life, Everyday Life, Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

A look back at 2019

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A look back at 2019

And with that, it’s time for another annual re-cap post. Although quite how we’ve got to 31 December 2019, I couldn’t tell you! Yet, here…

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Posted on13 October 201916 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Saying goodbye to obligatory friends

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Saying goodbye to obligatory friends

Last year, I conducted a massive “friend cull” on Facebook. It took about a week to complete the process that, ultimately, led to severing Facebook…

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Posted on7 September 201916 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Thoughts on crumbling stones

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Thoughts on crumbling stones

On my way to the Death Café a couple of weeks ago, I wandered through a couple of old kirkyards at the base of the Edinburgh Castle.…

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Posted on30 August 201916 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Death and cake

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Death and cake

I attended my first “Death Café” last weekend. I had heard about these events in the past but had never had the time to attend,…

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Posted on6 July 201916 July 2021Academic Life, Widow Life

The doctor is in: Frances Ryan, PhD

by Just Frances5 Comments on The doctor is in: Frances Ryan, PhD

It has been a long time coming, but I am finally a doctor. Oh yes, I am now officially Dr Frances Ryan. The PhD kind…

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Posted on28 April 201916 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

The border of Berwick and grief

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The border of Berwick and grief

On my way home from visiting my late husband’s grave, I stopped off in Berwick-Upon-Tweed for some adventuring. I thought that it would be a good way to…

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Posted on26 April 201916 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

Ten years a widow

by Just Frances1 Comment on Ten years a widow

Today marks ten years of widowhood; ten years since my darling husband died so unexpectedly in the middle of the night. These past ten years have…

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Posted on3 March 201928 September 2022Academic Life

Passed, with minor corrections

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Passed, with minor corrections

I am very pleased and extremely relieved to be able to (finally!) announce that I have passed my PhD viva – and with only minor…

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Posted on1 January 201916 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

A mindful 2019

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A mindful 2019

As is tradition, a new year means a new resolution. Generally, my resolutions are set as a way to focus on self-improvement in realistic terms.…

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Posted on31 December 201830 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Reflecting on 2018

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Reflecting on 2018

As 2018 winds to a close, I find myself reflecting on the year and how I’ve fared over the last 12 months. And, as always,…

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Posted on15 November 201830 July 2021Chronic Illness, Health & Wellness

November down

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on November down

Remember when I talked about the frustrations of the chronically ill? Well, my failed plans for an active November are a part of that frustration! Yes,…

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Posted on17 July 201830 July 2021Chronic Illness, Musings & Ramblings

Frustrations of the chronically ill

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Frustrations of the chronically ill

I have been thinking about illness a lot lately. Especially about the frustrations of being chronically ill. Even more about the frustrations of being chronically…

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Posted on14 May 201830 September 2023Chronic Illness

Tolvaptan tales: A one-year review

by Just Frances6 Comments on Tolvaptan tales: A one-year review

This past weekend marked one year since I started taking tolvaptan. In that year, I have learned quite a bit about how to manage the medication…

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Posted on31 December 201729 July 2021Academic Life, Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

2017: Undone, indeed

by Just Frances2 Comments on 2017: Undone, indeed

2017 is over. It was meant to be my “year of doing” but, alas, it would seem that it was a year undone. Undone, indeed*.…

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Posted on7 December 201729 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Holiday favourites

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Holiday favourites

Today’s post* is brought to you by a writing prompt. The prompt is to “write a list of your favourite holiday activities”. I wanted to…

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Posted on15 October 201729 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Grief and the art of “moving forward”

by Just Frances6 Comments on Grief and the art of “moving forward”

I am a widow. I was widowed when I was a young woman of 35 and my life has never been the same since. In the…

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Posted on8 May 201729 July 2021Health & Wellness

Mental Health Awareness week: Knowing my limits

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Mental Health Awareness week: Knowing my limits

It is Mental Health Awareness Week here in the UK, so I thought I’d share a bit about my recent efforts to keep my mental health in…

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Posted on26 April 201729 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

A shattered heart, still beating

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A shattered heart, still beating

Today marks eight years since his heart stopped beating. And in that very same moment, my own heart shattered into a million pieces. Remarkably, my shattered heart…

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Posted on25 January 201729 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Reflecting on dangerous widows

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Reflecting on dangerous widows

When the Dangerous Women Project was launched last year, I immediately found myself wondering if I was a dangerous woman. I wondered if there was anything about…

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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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