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Just Frances

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Tag: widowhood

My life as Just Frances is quite intertwined with my life as a widow, so this is a well-used tag. Posts here will be related to grief, but also to the re-imagining of my life as “just” Frances.

Posted on16 November 201410 May 2024Academic Life, Musings & Ramblings

A year of PhD dreams

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A year of PhD dreams

Yesterday marked one calendar year since I matriculated as a research student in the Institute for Informatics and Digital Innovation at Edinburgh Napier University. It’s hard to believe…

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Posted on26 October 201424 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

I am; I want

by Just Frances2 Comments on I am; I want

Yesterday’s writing prompt was to write “I am” ten times, then fill in the rest of the sentence. Today’s was to write “I want” ten…

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Posted on8 October 201424 July 2021Everyday Life, Widow Life

Shooing shoes

by Just Frances2 Comments on Shooing shoes

Well, I’ve done it. I’ve finally bought myself a new pair of black heels – nearly five and a half years after my last pair was purchased.…

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Posted on24 September 201419 November 2022Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Pride to the power of 10

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Pride to the power of 10

My friend, LA, introduced me to “The Bliss Scandal” so I decided I’d sign up and see what it was all about. To be completely honest, I…

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Posted on31 July 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Ancient blogs

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Ancient blogs

In preparing for a talk I’m giving next month about online reputation management, I went back and reviewed some of my old accounts. And that’s when…

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Posted on12 July 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Dating downtime

by Just Frances6 Comments on Dating downtime

No one said that dating was going to be easy, but I didn’t expect it to be as difficult as it’s been. Part of that,…

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Posted on3 July 201419 October 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Exhilarating sadness

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Exhilarating sadness

I was so excited when I saw the Saw Doctors were on tour in Scotland. Well, Anto and Leo, at least. I was even more excited when I…

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Posted on21 May 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Nine years on

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Nine years on

Nine years ago today, I stood in front of God and my family and friends to profess my love and devotion to the man I…

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Posted on18 May 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

Inch by inch: Revisiting Inchcolm

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Inch by inch: Revisiting Inchcolm

I spent a wonderful day on Inchcolm Island, exploring the abbey and surrounding grounds. It was one of those happy days, despite there being a slight…

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Posted on13 May 201416 November 2022Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

My anxiety story

by Just Frances3 Comments on My anxiety story

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, with a focus on anxiety, so I thought I’d share my personal story on the topic. Please know this is a hard…

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Posted on27 April 201423 July 2021Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

Stopping for the (Mel)roses

by Just Frances2 Comments on Stopping for the (Mel)roses

On my way to England yesterday, I made a stop at Melrose Abbey in the Scottish borders. It had been about a dozen years since my last visit…

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Posted on26 April 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Although the storm still rages

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Although the storm still rages

Today marks five years since I lost my beloved husband so suddenly; so unexpectedly. You’d think that after five years it would feel like a distant memory,…

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Posted on24 April 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Talisker 10: A random memory

by Just Frances2 Comments on Talisker 10: A random memory

I bought a bottle of Talisker 10 today, and it reminded me of the last bottle I bought exactly one year ago. It was a happy memory…

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Posted on23 April 201423 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Escaping the comfort zone

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Escaping the comfort zone

Life begins where your comfort zone ends. The magic happens outside of your comfort zone. Success, happiness, excitement, love … it’s all found outside of…

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Posted on14 April 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Dating data

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Dating data

As part of my decision to be a bit more proactive about my return to the dating world, I’ve enlisted the help of a couple of…

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Posted on18 March 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

First kiss fears

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on First kiss fears

It’s been nearly five years since I last kissed my husband goodnight. It’s been that long since I’ve fallen asleep in his arms; since I’ve…

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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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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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