Gum on My Shoe

It’s been a couple of years since I shared my secrets of a successful blogging workflow . The essentials haven’t changed but I’ve streamlined and improved the process since then. I thought it would be useful to provide an update. What’s Changed? I’ve moved away from needing to use my desktop computer. Instead of phone plus PC, I now complete the entire workflow on my Android phone and tablet (Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy A8, respectively). I still have my Maplin N87EN Bluetooth keyboard, but now work primarily on a Logitech K380. Its hot key function allows me to swap between my phone and tablet at the press of a button. I continue to use Microsoft Word as a formatting tool, but now use the cloud-based Word app rather than Office Professional on my PC. The most significant change is the introduction of Quick Edit Text Editor Pro . This allows me to easily add HTML tags, links, and perform live link testing before I move the article into Blogger for publication. Here’s my ...

By his blogging bestie, Aimee Wilson As soon as Martin told me he was writing a blog post about what a person can “bring” to a friendship; I thought it might be nice to talk about all the reasons why he’s one of my best-friends, my inspiration in so many ways, and genuinely the kindest and most supportive man I know! Immediately after I first recognised that I was making real progress in my mental health recovery, I felt the need to think about who and what had helped or made it happen. This meant that I’ve grown to really believe in the importance and significance of showing gratitude and appreciation for the people and the things that have really shaped your life in so many different ways. It is that which has encouraged me to tell you all that Martin is actually as lovely in real life as he is on Gum On My Shoe! The part of my life he is probably the most important for is in everything to do with blogging — and I don’t want that to sound superficial or insignificant — my...

Fran and I were on one of our daily calls when she said something that gave me pause for thought. “Friendship is my only currency.” We were discussing friendship in general, and a few issues we were each having with friends at the time. I asked what she meant. Fran explained that she has only her friendship to offer people. She has no car for rides, day trips, or excursions. No spare money to lavish on expensive meals or treats. She has a nice apartment, and a timeshare, but no second homes in exotic locations for friends to visit. Her only coin is herself. Who she is. It was clear she was wondering if it was enough. I understood, precisely because I do have more to offer than just myself. I have a driving licence which means I can supervise learner drivers. I don’t own a car but I rent sometimes. When I do, I can take friends to appointments, visit them at home or in hospital, or go out for trips. I have money to lend or gift when it’s needed, to treat friends to gif...

I think everybody should get rich and famous and everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that that’s not the answer. (Jim Carrey) At certain moments, I find myself asking some of life’s great unanswerable questions. What is my purpose? Is this all there is? Is it enough? And, come to that, what does “enough” mean, anyway? Two songs offer contradictory insights: “ Alone Tonight ” by English rock band Genesis, and “ Never Enough ” from the musical drama film The Greatest Showman . Alone Tonight It’s not enough, it’s not enough This feeling I’m feeling inside I’ve known the Genesis track most of my adult life. Its cry of not enough echoes from a place of almost existential emptiness. There’s an emotional paralysis too; an inability or unwillingness to imagine things will change or improve. It’s the archetypal cry of the lonely, and I know it well. I included it in a post on loneliness for Mental Health Awareness Week 2022. My earliest memory of loneliness goes back to...

Check out our top posts for the past month. Posts are listed by the number of page views they attracted during the month, most popular first. Exploring Bipolar Disorder and the Sister Diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder. Is My Friend or Sibling Underdiagnosed? An Open Letter to My Dad 21 Image Prompts for the Mental Health Blogger Our Top Posts of the Month (May 2023) How to Use a Spreadsheet for Wellness and Self-Care Waiting for the Kettle to Boil I Hope We All Make It How Are You, Really? Eight Things I’ve Learned About Suicidality and Self-Harm How to Write the Best Acknowledgement Page for Your Book Learning to Manage My Bipolar Disorder Our most visited pages were: Contact Us Resources Our books About Us News and Appearances Testimonials   Photo of Alnwick Garden by Martin Baker