The Milena Alphabet

This alphabet is inspired by Susannah’s ABC of important things. Having enjoyed reading hers so much I thought it would be a fun way to see what I consider definitive parts of my own life.

The Milena Alphabet

A is for artwork. I stopped creating when I left school and for many years I shied away from it; suppressed it for fear of not being good enough and because I wasn't in the right mind space to open up to the joy of creating. Here is my latest piece to prove that those times are done and dusted.

B is for blogging. I love this space dearly for being able to document part of my life, and wish to develop it in much more depth this year...watch this space!

C is for cats. I am a mad cat lady. Shadow, Charlie and Smudge, who all had terrible starts to their furry lives, but who are all truly contented puddies now, bring much meaning and love into my life. 

D is for detective series. Monk, Marple, Poirot, Murdoch Mysteries, Jonathan Creek, Body of Proof, Risoli and Isles, Silent Witness, Maisie Dobbs - yes there are many ( and I know my husband will roll his eyes at this list;)

E is for e-courses. Life lines. Sources of knowledge and wisdom. Wondrous communities that I can feel a part of, not an outsider.

F is for fatigue. This seems to have become my constant companion. Sometimes I can sit with it, more often I feel such frustration. 

G is for garden retreat. My favourite mug states: I garden therefore I am. 

H is for hurry. I do far too much of this, and know very well that if only I would slow down, many things would become more meaningful, easier, more developed, richer, healthier etc etc etc

I is for introvert. I always smile at myself when I call myself this because as a teaching assistant it is impossible to be an introvert. Somehow I have mastered the art of shaking off the introversion with children but the rest of me fits totally into that definition. I like quiet, I like time with myself, people and events tire me greatly even when I am really enjoying them. For years I thought there was something wrong with me but now I wear the word as an invisible crown.

J is for journaling. I have writing diaries since my teenage years, oh the stories they tell!

K is for kindred spirits. Ever since the first time I watched Megan Follows as Anne of Green Gables this phrase  has struck a chord in my heart. I have always searched for them and when I find one it is like opening a treasure chest.

L  is for lights. Twinkle lights, lamp lights and candles. Magic in the making. 

M is for mental health. This is a topic very close to my heart and I am feeling inspired by the current Time To Change campaign, which sets out to break the stigma attached to mental health. Find out more here.

N is for nieces. Those two little girls have stolen my heart so completely.

O is for observation. I am a people watcher, a people listener.

P is for photography. Had you asked me a couple of years ago what I thought of photography, I would have shrugged and said that it was not my thing. However, since taking Susannah’s Unravelling course two years ago, I am hooked and on a tremendous journey.  I’ve just seen one of these lovelies and would love to add its instant wonder to my collection for that  finite thrill of not editing.

Q is for quality. I would rather do something to the best of my ability than to do something that is average. This of course leads to self doubt and that old devil Perfectionism ( see how important it feels, I even gave it a subconscious capital), but when I have achieved something that my quality standards approve of, tis the most satisfying feeling in the world.

R is for reading. There wouldn’t be a Milena without books. 

S is for stationary. I am an addict and proud of it. Currently I am into the delightful Smash journals thanks to Liz’s video. I’ve just found this gorgeous washi tape to use within too. Do share your online stationary shops with me :)

T is for teaching. Believe it or not, something I swore I would never enter into throughout college and even university!

U is for unabridged. I am working hard on being the whole me, expressing truthfully who I am, facing the fear in some cases and being me anyway. I think I have a habit of showing different parts of myself in different circles, quite often because I feel the situation and the people involved demand it of me. But I feel I am getting stronger as I learn more and more about myself. 

V is for vocabulary. Something I really wish to extend. I read such delicious words used by others and long to magpie them and use them myself.

W is for wolves. Women Who Run With Wolves. Life changing. 

X  is for eXperiment. Outside of the comfort zones. I need to do more of this.

Y  is for yoga. Marianne changed my whole perception of yoga with her brilliant online courses. She made me realise that there is yoga out there for everyone. Yoga doesn’t have to be perfect to heal and strengthen, for each body is unique and will do what it is able to do.

Z is for zoo. Twycross Zoo is truly special to me for the care and conservation that defines it.