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Tag: hopeful

Posted on23 May 201423 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness

Running excuses

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Running excuses

It’s time once again for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival, which means it’s time once again for me to make some lousy excuse for why I will…

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Posted on13 May 201416 November 2022Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

My anxiety story

by Just Frances3 Comments on My anxiety story

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, with a focus on anxiety, so I thought I’d share my personal story on the topic. Please know this is a hard…

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Posted on26 April 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Although the storm still rages

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Although the storm still rages

Today marks five years since I lost my beloved husband so suddenly; so unexpectedly. You’d think that after five years it would feel like a distant memory,…

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Posted on23 April 201423 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Escaping the comfort zone

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Escaping the comfort zone

Life begins where your comfort zone ends. The magic happens outside of your comfort zone. Success, happiness, excitement, love … it’s all found outside of…

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Posted on17 April 201423 July 2021Health & Wellness

An unexpectedly sweet day

by Just Frances2 Comments on An unexpectedly sweet day

For the last few weeks, I have been struggling to overcome my desire to eat loads of candy and sweets as part of my Lenten sacrifice.…

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Posted on18 March 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

First kiss fears

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on First kiss fears

It’s been nearly five years since I last kissed my husband goodnight. It’s been that long since I’ve fallen asleep in his arms; since I’ve…

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Posted on11 March 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Wet toes

by Just Frances4 Comments on Wet toes

I’ve never been a swimmer, but I’ve always loved the water. I tend to dip my toes in slowly to check the temperature then inch-by-inch…

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Posted on27 February 201423 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

I’m ready, but I don’t know how

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on I’m ready, but I don’t know how

I decided quite some time ago that I was ready to date again, though I admit to not actually doing anything about it. It’s not because I secretly don’t…

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Posted on24 February 201423 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Dreaming dilemma

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Dreaming dilemma

The alarm clock is set for 7 o’clock, but something has woken me at 6, stirring me from a pleasant dream that I want to…

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Posted on23 February 201423 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Keep living until you feel alive again

by Just Frances18 Comments on Keep living until you feel alive again

“You will feel better than this. Maybe not yet. But you will. You just keep living, until you’re alive again.” I heard this quote the…

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Posted on21 February 201423 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Hello, 40!

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Hello, 40!

I was born 40 years ago today. It was a Thursday and I like to think that it was a day of great celebration.  I…

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Posted on20 February 201423 July 2021Everyday Life

So long, 30s!

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on So long, 30s!

Today is the last day of my 30s, so it seems appropriate to reflect on the decade in preparation for the start of my 40s.…

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Posted on18 February 201423 July 2021Academic Life, Musings & Ramblings

Finding money

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Finding money

A year ago, I was excitedly talking about applying for PhDs and how I wondered how I would ever afford to actually study if I was accepted somewhere. My…

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Posted on6 February 201423 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

The meet cute

by Just Frances4 Comments on The meet cute

Way back on 6 February 2002, my friend bailed out on a day trip to St Andrews. With nothing better to do, I decided to walk…

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Posted on5 February 201419 November 2022Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

De-can’t-ing

by Just Frances2 Comments on De-can’t-ing

[De-can’t-ing is part of my desire to “prioritise me” during February.] I can’t. You can’t. We can’t. But why can’t I, you, we? Maybe it’s not because…

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Posted on4 February 201423 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness

A year of halfs

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A year of halfs

This is a hard post for me to share because once I say it I have to follow through with it. But here goes: I…

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Posted on31 January 201422 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Prioritising me

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Prioritising me

When I wake up tomorrow it will be February; the shortest month in the calendar year and my birthday month. Yes, by the end of…

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Posted on21 January 201422 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

On the other hand

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on On the other hand

(Updated September 2020; see the end of the post.) I was halfway over the Atlantic when I moved my wedding rings from my left hand…

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Posted on17 January 201422 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Ten ways to win my heart

by Just Frances6 Comments on Ten ways to win my heart

If you asked me what my perfect man looks like, I couldn’t describe him. I imagine he’d be taller than me and I’d like to…

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Posted on9 January 201422 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Why should I settle?

by Just Frances2 Comments on Why should I settle?

It’s been more than four years since my husband died and I’ve yet to enter into a new relationship. I’ve now had four first dates…

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About Just Frances

Just Frances is a personal website maintained by me, Frances Ryan. I am a quirky runner, writer, thinker, drinker, crafter, adventurer, and researcher. I am also a daughter, sister, aunty, friend, and widow. But mostly, I am just Frances. (She/Her)

I blog about my life, including my travels and adventures, my experiences with PKD and ITP, my life as a young(ish) widow, and my life in general, really. Learn more about the topics I write about here.

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