Blogs by Charlie

  • Halloween

    Are you an introvert? Do you avoid calling round to see people, unless specifically invited? Are you sensitive to sunlight? Do you like dark clothing? Are you drawn to furry animals? Like wolves? Ever enjoyed hanging upside down like a bat? Do you recoil when you see a crucifix? If you answered yes to most Read more

  • Izzy’s birthday (TW CW child suicide)

    CW TW child death suicide bullying These are not my children’s real names. Media attention is not welcome, thanks. I do not consent for my words nor images to be republished anywhere else. Izzy’s birthday is on Monday, but she’s with her dad, my first husband, for half-term. This evening I took her out for Read more

  • How to paint rocks

    You will need some pebbles which are smooth, but not totally shiny (the paint won’t permanently stick to waxed garden centre pebbles). Where I live, there are many suitable pebbles in the stream. Inspiration is easy to find. Just Google “rock painting easy” and look at the images tab. Simple and bold designs e.g. emojis, Read more

  • Online friends and running buddies

    It’s a miserable rainy day and I’ve woken with a cold and sore throat, so I’m not sure whether to run this morning. Running is what passes for a social life in real life for me. Side eye conversations, comfortable silences. It’s a visual and kinetic stim for me, and helps keep me grounded and Read more

  • National Coming Out Day

    I posted the above on National Coming Out Day, and a friend commented this: “I really struggle with why people have to “come out!” I mean “straight” people don’t have to, so why should they? What’s wrong with people just being accepted for who and what they are?” After much deliberation, here is my response: Read more

  • Ok to not be ok?

    #WorldMentalHealthDay #OKNotToBeOK Is it OK to not be OK? This World Mental Health day, I want to challenge the usual rhetoric. “It’s OK not to be OK”… I know what you mean. It means it’s OK to admit to not being OK. Remove the stigma of mental health issues. Encourage people to be open about Read more