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Just Frances

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Tag: self-reflection

Posted on27 March 201423 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Your challenge: Build up, don’t knock down!

by Just Frances4 Comments on Your challenge: Build up, don’t knock down!

I woke up this morning and checked my Facebook feed whilst waiting for my snooze cycle to end. Only what I read angered me so…

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Posted on14 March 201423 July 2021Health & Wellness

The dangers of counting calories

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The dangers of counting calories

I am not fat, nor am I at risk of becoming fat – unless I drastically change my eating and exercise routines. At the same time, I am not…

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Posted on11 March 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Wet toes

by Just Frances4 Comments on Wet toes

I’ve never been a swimmer, but I’ve always loved the water. I tend to dip my toes in slowly to check the temperature then inch-by-inch…

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Posted on27 February 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

I’m ready, but I don’t know how

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on I’m ready, but I don’t know how

I decided quite some time ago that I was ready to date again, though I admit to not actually doing anything about it. It’s not because I secretly don’t…

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Posted on23 February 201423 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Keep living until you feel alive again

by Just Frances18 Comments on Keep living until you feel alive again

“You will feel better than this. Maybe not yet. But you will. You just keep living, until you’re alive again.” I heard this quote the…

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Posted on21 February 201423 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Hello, 40!

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Hello, 40!

I was born 40 years ago today. It was a Thursday and I like to think that it was a day of great celebration.  I…

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Posted on20 February 201423 July 2021Everyday Life

So long, 30s!

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on So long, 30s!

Today is the last day of my 30s, so it seems appropriate to reflect on the decade in preparation for the start of my 40s.…

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Posted on5 February 201419 November 2022Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

De-can’t-ing

by Just Frances2 Comments on De-can’t-ing

[De-can’t-ing is part of my desire to “prioritise me” during February.] I can’t. You can’t. We can’t. But why can’t I, you, we? Maybe it’s not because…

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Posted on31 January 201422 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Prioritising me

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Prioritising me

When I wake up tomorrow it will be February; the shortest month in the calendar year and my birthday month. Yes, by the end of…

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Posted on21 January 201422 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

On the other hand

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on On the other hand

(Updated September 2020; see the end of the post.) I was halfway over the Atlantic when I moved my wedding rings from my left hand…

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Posted on17 January 201422 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Ten ways to win my heart

by Just Frances6 Comments on Ten ways to win my heart

If you asked me what my perfect man looks like, I couldn’t describe him. I imagine he’d be taller than me and I’d like to…

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Posted on9 January 201422 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Why should I settle?

by Just Frances2 Comments on Why should I settle?

It’s been more than four years since my husband died and I’ve yet to enter into a new relationship. I’ve now had four first dates…

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Posted on1 January 201422 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

A new me for a new year

by Just Frances6 Comments on A new me for a new year

It’s a new year, so it’s time for a new me. OK, not a new me, but hopefully an improved me. Yes, it’s time to…

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Posted on31 December 201322 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

2013: A year in (distorted) review

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on 2013: A year in (distorted) review

As 2013 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the year’s ups and downs. I’ve been thinking about the good points and the…

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Posted on8 December 201322 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

That old settled feeling

by Just Frances2 Comments on That old settled feeling

It’s been nearly a month since my return to Scotland and I am finally starting to feel a bit settled. In fact, I’m feeling settled for the…

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Posted on4 December 201319 November 2022Academic Life, Musings & Ramblings

Am I an imposter?

by Just Frances2 Comments on Am I an imposter?

Last night I went to my first Connect talk, and I was left feeling that I certainly need to connect with Connect a bit more! Connect is…

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Posted on11 November 201322 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Under attack

by Just Frances2 Comments on Under attack

Today has not been my best day. I knew it would be a hard one, as I was saying goodbye to my parents ahead of…

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Posted on10 November 201322 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

The hard things

by Just Frances1 Comment on The hard things

I’m packing my suitcases this evening for another return to Scotland. After two months in the Homeland, it’s a bit hard to say goodbye again. But it…

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Posted on25 September 201321 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

On being happy

by Just Frances6 Comments on On being happy

In the past few weeks, I’ve noticed an increase in conversations around happiness and depression so I thought I’d throw some of my own words…

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Posted on29 August 201321 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

The guilt of schadenfreude

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The guilt of schadenfreude

Schadenfreude \ˈshä-dən-ˌfrȯi-də\ (noun, often capitalised) [German, from Schaden damage + Freude joy First Known Use: 1895]1: enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others1 I like to think that I am a…

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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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