Just getting it down on paper or Substack

It's been a while since I've sat down to write for my blog or Substack and share anything, so here we go, in an attempt to put a re-set on my writing and find my voice again.

Hello, my lovelies I hope you’re all well.

Before we get started, instead of the ‘C’ word I’m going to mention the other ‘C’ word ‘I’m a Celebrity’. Who do you want to win in the final tonight? For the first time in years, I’ve downloaded the app and been voting for Sam Thompson - if he doesn’t win, then we know there’s something dodgy going on with the voting. I mean, how on earth is Nigel Farage still in there?

Right back to the post, as my intro hinted at, it’s been a while since I’ve sat down to write on Substack or my blog - there’s just been an annoying block holding me back.

In the past, I’ve always joked that writing is my therapy and I find it cathartic. So this is what this Substack is all about - letting go. So apologies if it’s a thread of nonsense, it is probably a reflection of where my head is.

The Great British Weather - I’m not sure about where you are in the country/world. but it feels like this autumn and now winter has been the hardest one to date. We usually turn our horses out daily in a meadow field, and the only species enjoying it at the moment - are the resident swans.

The horses have never been stabled so much. They’re just about holding it together although yesterday we did have a brand new experience - I frustratingly got bucked off on a ride. It was all slow mo, I can usually sit to a forward-moving buck - but this was on the spot and I slid off into the mud. Not to mention getting bitten on my stomach yesterday. Roll on the shortest day - Friday 22nd December for anyone who needs to know.

Werk-werk-werk - so this year has probably been one of the most challenging ones to date. This year has seen quite a lot of change. Sadly I can’t go into detail as I’m a professional and all that. But I’ve not been as emotionally drained as I have this year. Fingers crossed 2024 is smoother!

The Horses - as mentioned in my joys of Great British weather section, the relentless weather dodging has been challenging. With the horses permanently stabled at the moment I’ve taken to squeezing in pre-work hacks - which when the weather plays ball is a lush way to start the day and clear the head. We’ve managed to get out to a few comps with Leo - dressage and British Showjumping - and even picked up our first win which made it very worth it. Sadly in the next class, my uber-competitive side kicked in and I mucked up a line to the last fence in the jump off making it near impossible to jump, so we had a shoulda, coulda, woulda moment - but we learn. Some happiness and sadness at the moment with the horses, which will be shared in 2024, but for the moment I’m enjoying every moment I do have with them - despite getting drenched, bitten and bucked off!

Relationships - sorry what are those? I mean of the romantic kind. I can’t tell you how many times I get asked at dinners or DMs from friends about my dating life. So, I’ve pressed pause on it all. I mean has anyone checked out a dating app recently? It is rather depressing at times. And with my head not being quite in the right place it’s not fair to bring anyone into that. I cancelled a date due to the weather (hurrah for Storm Ciaran), although the guy in question couldn’t drive - so long term, how was that to work with a country bumpkin? I’d love to know if anyone has had any success with dating apps and which ones I should be using.

Please don’t see this post as all doom and gloom - for me it’s about letting go, getting it out in the open to help move on. There is probably more I could share - but it would have consequences, so keeping it PC. I’m really okay and have a good network of friends around me including my mum. The doom and gloom does make me chuckle - and I do often check in with friends & joke that I can’t make up some of the things that happen - there are days when it does feel like an episode of Eastenders or even Made in Chelsea.

Things to look forward to… there are lots from a few days off in December catching up with friends, riding the horses x3 (small hint), sauna dates and a winter adventure.

If you’ve got this far in reading - thanks for sticking it out. So that’s a snapshot of what’s been happening and what’s been on my mind. It might even help someone to know they’re not alone during this winter.

What’s to come… I’m putting it here in writing, there will be more Substacks - writing is my ‘happy place’ and I’ve missed it. If you’ve not had a look around Substack before - please do there are some wonderful writers on there to help inspire you, writing on all sorts of topics.

If you do enjoy my writing - check out my blog at www.countrybumpkinchic.co.uk and I also share more over on my Insta @becky_wren