Some thoughts about “Stolen Focus” by Johann Hari
A friend of mine asked me if I’d read this book and was interested in what I thought about it. I hadn’t, so I did. On balance, it was thought provoking enough that I found it a worthwhile read but I’d hesitate to recommend it. Here’s why. Johann Hari is a frustrating writer. He makes […]
Orchids, dandelions and self-care
Some people are more like orchids, the metaphor goes. They’re fussy and high maintenance and need conditions to be just right for them to survive. Others are like dandelions: resilient and good at thriving even in the harshest conditions. I’ve seen people on social media using this metaphor to explain why we should all endeavour […]
What’s in a label?
I’ve been trying to write this blog for over a year now, but haven’t been able to figure out where to start. Then recently I spotted a tweet that inspired a response (thanks, I think). I’m someone who has long been resistant to labels, and once upon a time I might have agreed with this […]
Politics and mental health
For all the work that’s gone into reducing stigma about mental health recently, this still feels like a hard thing to write. I’ve not been well recently. This isn’t a new thing; I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression periodically since being a teenager. There have been episodes over the years where things have been particularly […]
Dam(n)!
After arriving in Milan airport this morning and then driving up to Luzzone, we got our first look at the dam this evening. This is what we intend to climb tomorrow (although if the weather isn’t good, or anything doesn’t go to plan, we’ve left Friday as our backup). I’ve been meaning to write a […]