Chapter 1: Embracing the Sunny Weekend

What a delightful change it is to experience prolonged sunny weather for a long weekend! I certainly seized the opportunity, soaking up as much vitamin D as possible while lounging in the garden on Friday with my dog, Toby, who behaves like he’s my partner. He occupies the “husband’s chair” when it’s vacant and even challenges the actual husband when he attempts to sit there. Toby follows me throughout the day, keeping me company, and is currently perched on the windowsill in the Sanctuary, vigilantly observing the bin men.

On Saturday, we ventured to Harwich to visit my brother and niece in their lovely new home. It’s such a spacious place that I couldn’t help but feel excited about our future move. We had a wonderful day exploring the old town, where we enjoyed a meal at the Samuel Pepys (fish and chips, of course!). Afterward, we strolled back to my brother’s house along the beach, stopping at a playground with my niece. The fresh sea air left me feeling quite exhausted! Thankfully, I wasn’t the one behind the wheel on our drive home.

On Sunday, we packed our bags and made our way to Canterbury for an overnight stay. Canterbury has been on my bucket list for quite some time, and it’s only about an hour’s drive from us. I’ve seen some stunning photos online, but I often wonder if they truly reflect the reality, as I’ve been misled before! We had reserved a late lunch at a charming Italian restaurant called Pinocchios, which we discovered on Tripadvisor—our go-to for dining recommendations. The restaurant was adorable, and we enjoyed delicious food in the conservatory, complemented by a nice bottle of wine. Afterward, we took a leisurely stroll around the historic city center, which is nestled within the remnants of the castle walls. The winding streets are lined with shops, bars, and restaurants, and we even sat outside a pub by the River Stour, catching a glimpse of the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral. It’s no wonder this city was voted the fifth best place to live in the UK. I would love to live there if it weren’t so far from family and friends.

We stumbled upon Houdinis Magic Bar, which sounded intriguing! We went inside, ordered drinks, and before we knew it, a magician joined us at our table. He handed my husband a card and provided a list of six colors. After my husband picked one, he was instructed to write it down without revealing it to me. Meanwhile, the magician gave me a die with the same colors and asked me to roll it while he turned away, then cover it. I rolled it to blue. When he turned back, I guarded the die fiercely, refusing to let him see the color! After a few unrelated questions, he revealed that my color was blue. I was completely flabbergasted as he moved on to the next table.

The next part involved me moving the die under my hands while ensuring it was always covered. I wasn’t allowed to look at the color, and my husband had to hold up the menu to block any view. I must have turned that die twenty times; he kept requesting that I turn it more without specifying the direction. Finally, I was asked to look at the color on top—it was yellow! He then asked my husband to reveal his card, and it was also yellow! I still can’t fathom how he pulled that off!

On Monday, we took another stroll and grabbed lunch before heading home to a very disgruntled Toby, who was not pleased about being left overnight. I turned in early, hoping to feel rejuvenated the next day. However, on Tuesday, I woke up feeling far from refreshed—more like a zombie. Despite getting myself up and out for a lash appointment at 10:30, the fatigue lingered. A quick trip to B&M for some non-essential items did little to alleviate my foggy mind.

Returning home, I faced the daunting task of writing an entire newsletter, but my brain was blank. All I wanted was to sleep; I felt so drained. I ultimately decided to take a break and watch some TV, wondering if the magician had stolen my inspiration.

Miraculously, around 8:30 PM, I felt a surge of energy—quite unusual! I managed to complete my newsletter, and by the time I retired to bed just after 10 PM, I felt almost normal again.

Even though I woke up feeling more alive on Wednesday, I still struggled to find my words. After an hour of typing and deleting, I opted for some housework and made lunch. Sitting in the garden to clear my mind seemed to do the trick, as the words began to flow again!

However, my mood had dipped slightly over the past couple of days, which I attributed to alcohol. Despite my frequent promises to cut back, I found myself with a glass of wine in hand more often than I should have, leading me to question why I felt off. I am determined to implement positive changes in my life, even though my mind tells me otherwise. I’m not giving up; I just need a bit more focus and discipline. I’ve succeeded with my writing and morning routine, so there’s no reason I can’t apply that same determination to other aspects of my life.

Chapter 2: Seeking Guidance in Focus

In the first video, "How to Get Your Brain to Focus | Chris Bailey | TEDxManchester," Chris Bailey shares practical tips on enhancing concentration, emphasizing the importance of understanding your brain's natural tendencies and creating an environment conducive to focus.

The second video, "How To Stay Focused," offers strategies for maintaining concentration in a world full of distractions, highlighting techniques that can help reclaim your focus and boost productivity.