The Barefoot Storyteller

I’m currently staying in Finland with my sister (who has lived here over 20 years).  This is a wonderful country for bringing up children – there is an overwhelming sense of freedom here.  Kids cycle everywhere, they play outside all the time – there seem to be playgrounds on every corner…Zoe is having a wonderful time - evidenced by the fact that her television watching has dropped to zero! YEAH!

 Oh, and I’m enjoying recharging my batteries, sitting on my sister’s deck in the morning sun with a good cup of tea!

I haven’t updated my blog since April…why…? Because most of May and June were spent under the duvet (apart from when I was keeping my storytelling engagements).  But at the beginning of July the door of my prison opened and the sun started to shine again in my life.

I suffer from chronic depression – there – I’ve said it.  Most people who know me, would never guess that I suffer from depression.  It’s not that I hide it, but most of the time I just don’t show the depressed me to the world (who wants to inflict a miserable person on anyone else?).  But I’m not ashamed of my depression and I am very open about it (normally when I’m well again).  I’m really hoping that this latest, long bout of the black dog will be my last.  But who knows?

 Anyway, I’m well again and it is truly like emerging from a prison into the sunlight.  It feels good to be alive, enjoying the summer and having lots of creative ideas once more!

To everyone out there – stay well!