Heightened (adjective): More intense than normal I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all definition for normal, but I think we all know what feels normal for us. And I just don’t feel normal – even though all my medical test results …
That Poor Camel
The straw that broke the camel’s back (proverb): Describes the seemingly minor action that causes an unpredictably large and sudden reaction, because of the cumulative effect of small actions You’ve heard the above proverb, right? Well this is going to …
Labels
Taboo (adjective): A subject prohibited or restricted by social custom Some labels you can’t choose: I’m female, I’m in my 30’s, I’m of Indian origin. Some you can: I work in the City of London, I love to travel. Some …
A Pathetic
Apathetic (adjective): Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm or concern I care about so little at the moment, so little about the things that used to fill my days – social occasions, trips away, family drama, birthday presents, politics – …
Today
Backwards (adverb): Of an object’s motion, back towards the starting point Usually when I blog, I have a rough idea of what I want to write about. Today I’m just writing through tears, trying to figure out what’s wrong. Why …
Out Loud
Sheltered (adjective): Protected from difficulties or unpleasant realities I’ve been vocal about baby loss… From the privacy of my own home. I’ve written about how it all feels… From the security of my desk and computer monitor. I’ve touched people …
Agony
Torture (verb): The action or practice of inflicting severe pain on someone as a punishment In my processing grief journal, I wrote that losing a child is torture. What I didn’t notice is how so much of it is self-inflicted. …
Then and Now
Defining moment (noun): An event which typifies or determines all subsequent related occurrences For anyone dealing with bereavement, there’s always a ‘then and now’, a ‘before and after’. I’m feeling so angry at the moment, I can’t shift it, so I’m …
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Snapshot (noun): An informal photograph taken quickly, typically with a small handheld camera Have you seen this photo of James and me? I’ve come to think of it as the ‘defining’ photo. We have it framed at home, alongside one …