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Just Frances

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Tag: hopeful

Posted on31 December 201527 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Wrapping up 2015

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Wrapping up 2015

With 2015 quickly coming to an end, it’s time for a bit of reflection. And as I look back at my hopes for the year, I…

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Posted on25 December 201527 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

A selfie Christmas

by Just Frances2 Comments on A selfie Christmas

Hello and Merry Christmas to you all! As I mentioned the other day, I am spending my Christmas (mostly) alone, but I am doing so with…

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Posted on16 November 201519 November 2022Academic Life

Another year closer

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Another year closer

Yesterday marked two years since I began my PhD studies. And that means I am another year closer to being Doctor Ryan. It’s a title I’ve longed for…

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Posted on24 September 201527 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

The love point

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The love point

Once again, National Punctuation Day is upon us. And that means I am going to talk about one of my favourite things – punctuation! But I’m going to change…

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Posted on13 September 201527 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness

Half BraemarAthon

by Just Frances2 Comments on Half BraemarAthon

My crazy month of races began today with the Braemar Half Marathon – after forgoing last weekend’s planned 10K in favour of a wee ride on the choo-choo train. I am…

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Posted on15 August 201527 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Balancing lonely and love

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Balancing lonely and love

Some days, I think about how lonely I am, and about how I want to find someone to share my life with. I think about…

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Posted on28 July 201526 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Making plans

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Making plans

I’ve talked a few times about my desire to build healthy routines for myself, to get out and be more active, and, of course, to prioritise myself a bit lot more. And…

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Posted on26 July 201526 July 2021Fitness & Exercise, Health & Wellness

Preparing for September

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Preparing for September

At the start of the year, I began thinking about my 2015 running goals. I knew I would want to improve my times, and that I’d…

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Posted on9 July 201526 July 2021Everyday Life, Health & Wellness

The jazz plan

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The jazz plan

As part of my plan to have more adventures – even if I have to have them alone – I picked up a programme for the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival.…

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Posted on3 July 201526 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Certifiably sane

by Just Frances2 Comments on Certifiably sane

For nearly two years now, I’ve been experiencing an extreme amount of stress. Some days and weeks have been harder than others, but there hasn’t…

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Posted on2 July 201526 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Happy things

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Happy things

It’s day two of Journaling July and I’m running out of time to journal. Worse, I don’t really have anything to journal about. So, I thought I’d…

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Posted on29 June 201525 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

Adventuresome

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Adventuresome

I want to have adventures. Ideally, I want to have some of those adventures with someone I love. Or at least I’d like to have some…

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Posted on13 April 201525 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Resetting routines

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Resetting routines

I spoke the other day about the higher-than-normal levels of personal stress I’m experiencing, and that I feel I need a break from my current way of…

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Posted on28 March 201525 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

A widow dating rant

by Just Frances10 Comments on A widow dating rant

I think one of the hardest things about dating as a widow(er) is the guilt that comes along with it. Worse is that some of…

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Posted on11 March 201529 March 2022Chronic Illness, Health & Wellness

My PKD story

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on My PKD story

As part of World Kidney Day and National Kidney Month, the PKD Foundation has asked people to share their PKD stories. This is mine. First, some key bits of information…

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Posted on4 March 201525 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Looking for love

by Just Frances5 Comments on Looking for love

Dating is hard. Dating in your late 30s and early 40s is hard. Dating as a widow is hard. And trying to do all three…

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Posted on1 March 201525 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Just a widow burden

by Just Frances3 Comments on Just a widow burden

From time to time, I get emails from people reading my blog. And today was one of those days. It seems that a relatively new widow, Lucy*,…

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Posted on22 February 201524 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Always the sun

by Just Frances2 Comments on Always the sun

The weather forecast today was for sleet and snow. But I was enticed out for a walk with a friend, so bundled up to face…

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Posted on21 February 201524 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Spa 41

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Spa 41

Astute Just Frances readers may know that today is my 41st birthday. And curious readers may wonder how I celebrated the day. So, that’s what…

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Posted on20 February 201524 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Deconstructing 40

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Deconstructing 40

Today is my last day as a 40-year-old woman. It’s the last day of what I had hoped would be an empowering and fabulous year of…

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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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