{Striking Mums - Being Different}

This week for #strikingmums Kate has talked about being different and she has posed a number of questions for us to consider.

Are you different and, if so, how?

Yes, I think in many ways I'm different. I remember my mum telling me and my sister not to be a sheep and to do our own thing; not follow the crowd. Physically to look at me I think my height makes me look a bit different...I'm taller than your average girl at just under 6 foot. The other day my colleagues were taking the piss about my accent (in a fun way, not a bad way!). I was brought up in Aberdeen, Scotland but then aged 9 we moved abroad to the Middle East for a year and a bit. My best friend was American and I came back to Scotland with an American twang. Couple this with some time spent in Edinburgh and then 10 years in Glasgow and I have a unique accent. My colleagues seemingly think I say 'spider' weird. Anyway, I also remember coming back from our time abroad, where we were very lucky to travel and see the world, but I would get mocked by my school mates because most stories I had started with 'When I was in Doha...'. But then in other respects I'm not different... I'm a single mum, juggling the nursery & school run with work, worrying about finances, trying to keep up with housework etc and wondering if I'm doing a good enough job. 

Do you celebrate your uniqueness or strive to fit it?

No, I don't strive to fit in. I am who I am. But it's taken me a while to be confident enough to say this out loud. I love my height... I wear massive heels and it doesn't bother me if I'm towering above everyone. I just have a better view ;-) I love my accent and I wouldn't want to change it. I don't care if I say words the wrong way, or a silly way. And everyone just has to put up with my crazy stories!

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Are you ever judgemental of other mums who are different from you? Answer honestly even if only in your own head.

I would love to say that I don't judge others, but of course I do. 

Not specific to mums though. I see people out and about wearing clothes that don't fit them well or have hairstyles that don't suit them and I think in my head 'that doesn't look good' or whatever. Don't get me wrong, I've been there myself... my 'pies' hanging out over my jeans for example (this is what I referred to my back fat as! I have learned to buy high waisted jeans!!)... or some of the insane hairstyles that I had growing up. One of my colleagues commented that my bob when I was in 5th year of school made me look like a man's you know what. I just wish that someone had told me! 

I try and not judge other parents... it's a tough enough job as it is. But sometimes it's difficult not to. I remember seeing a mum on a bus and her toddler had a baby bottle full of Irn Bru. Sorry, but I judged her.

What would you like to be different about you?

I would like to lose a bit of weight and to tone up my body. This is for no-one else but myself...My clothes are getting too tight and they're not sitting well. I felt really self conscious when I was at my cousin's wedding the other weekend because my dress was a bit too snug around my thighs (hence why all the photos of me are top half only!). I know that I'll be a bit more confident when I reach my target.

I also wish my general knowledge was better. Sometimes I can be a bit blonde (and I'm not even a natural blonde!).

Hopefully I'll get to the point where I can say I don't want anything to be different.

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Have you even been attacked or bullied for being different? How did that affect you?

Thankfully no, I've never been bullied. 

If you had to write an advert for yourself as a limited edition, what would you say to make people think you were great?

Hmmmm...I'm not very good at blowing my own trumpet.

{Striking Mums - Learning}

I was amazed at the quote Kate shared in her Striking Mums post this week... "Learning brings more happiness than having sex, playing or watching sport or doing the National Lottery". Is this really true?? 

I've always been a keen learner. Since moving to Glasgow 10 years ago, I've completed various night classes... interior design, reflexology, Indian head massage, digital photography... as well as one-off classes in wine tasting, biscuit decorating, flower arranging, trapeze, cupcakes, gin tasting and pottery. I've also done some cookery courses too. 

1. When was the last time you gave your brain a workout? Trying to figure out how to make a loom band bracelet for my daughter took some brain power. I've mastered a simple one, but still need to attempt the more complex ones. If anyone has a decent YouTube tutorial that they could share, it'd be much appreciated!

2. What would you really love to learn? I'd love to learn how to use html and take a night class in digital design. They've been on my list for ages, and yet I haven't really made any effort to make progress with them. I'd also love to learn how to make macaroons. There's even a course on a Tuesday evening for macaroons at The Cookery School in Glasgow that would suit me perfectly as that's a night that the kids are with their dad. Perhaps once I get paid this month I'll just book it :-)

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3. What prevents you learning something new? Simple, it's a lack of time that's my big issue. I seem to be constantly busy and there just aren't enough hours in the day.

4. Who can support you with your learning and how? Hmmm... I guess I should just set aside some time each week and make it a priority. Especially if it's going to bring me lots of happiness as per Kate's quote. I could work on some html tutorials in the evenings when the kids are asleep, even if it's just for an hour or so once a fortnight. I'll try and make it a habit moving forward.

{Striking Mums with Kate on Thin Ice}

Grooving Mums is back... it's been revamped and is now under the name 'Striking Mums'.

Why Striking Mums you ask? Head on over to Kate's post here to find out more.

This is a linky for mum's that are "yearning for the you of yesteryear" and feel it's "time to shake things up a bit"! Are there changes you want to make in your life? Then this is the linky for you! Each week Kate will post something inspirational and ask us all to get involved too.

I joined Grooving Mums way back in September 2011 when I was going through an exceptionally rough patch. The weekly linky helped me focus myself on some goals and as the weeks went by my confidence and self esteem took leaps and bounds.

This week's Striking Mum challenge is to share a blog post about what you want to achieve - anything that will make you feel better.

My main aim is to lose weight and get back to the size I was at the end of 2011, which was 11 stone and a comfortable size 10.

My weight has crept up and up and I'm now at the heaviest I've been in 3 years... 12 stone 8 lbs and a size 12/14. I'm angry at myself for letting things slip and my motivation to get back to the lighter me is at an all time high. I was unable to get into my 'fat jeans'. This is not good :-/

I've been trying to run at least twice a week and this along with some healthy eating should help me towards my goal immensely.

Hopefully with the support of the Striking Mums I can keep up the good work and get into a better routine, one that includes exercise and healthy eating!

So tell me, what are your goals?

Keep on running!