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Just Frances

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Tag: widowhood

My life as Just Frances is quite intertwined with my life as a widow, so this is a well-used tag. Posts here will be related to grief, but also to the re-imagining of my life as “just” Frances.

Posted on1 January 201916 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

A mindful 2019

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A mindful 2019

As is tradition, a new year means a new resolution. Generally, my resolutions are set as a way to focus on self-improvement in realistic terms.…

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Posted on7 December 201729 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Holiday favourites

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Holiday favourites

Today’s post* is brought to you by a writing prompt. The prompt is to “write a list of your favourite holiday activities”. I wanted to…

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Posted on15 October 201729 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Grief and the art of “moving forward”

by Just Frances6 Comments on Grief and the art of “moving forward”

I am a widow. I was widowed when I was a young woman of 35 and my life has never been the same since. In the…

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Posted on16 June 201729 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

It was his loss, too

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on It was his loss, too

When we think about the grieving that happens after the death of a loved one, we often think about the suffering those left behind are…

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Posted on22 May 201729 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Toasting twelve years

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Toasting twelve years

Yesterday was (would have been?) my 12th wedding anniversary. And much like last year, I spent the day distracting myself with my PhD before taking some time to…

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Posted on8 May 201729 July 2021Health & Wellness

Mental Health Awareness week: Knowing my limits

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Mental Health Awareness week: Knowing my limits

It is Mental Health Awareness Week here in the UK, so I thought I’d share a bit about my recent efforts to keep my mental health in…

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Posted on26 April 201729 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

A shattered heart, still beating

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A shattered heart, still beating

Today marks eight years since his heart stopped beating. And in that very same moment, my own heart shattered into a million pieces. Remarkably, my shattered heart…

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Posted on25 January 201729 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Reflecting on dangerous widows

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Reflecting on dangerous widows

When the Dangerous Women Project was launched last year, I immediately found myself wondering if I was a dangerous woman. I wondered if there was anything about…

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Posted on18 January 201720 August 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Dangerous widows

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Dangerous widows

In the early twenty-first century, a young woman’s choice in the West to live unmarried is widely accepted. Equally, thanks to the divorce law reforms…

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Posted on2 January 201729 July 2021Chronic Illness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Dating disclosures

by Just Frances2 Comments on Dating disclosures

Since (a few failed attempts at) re-entering the dating world post-widowhood, I have learned that there are many struggles to dating in the modern era. From the drama…

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Posted on23 December 201628 July 2021Everyday Life, Widow Life

A Christmas graduation

by Just Frances2 Comments on A Christmas graduation

It’s Christmas Eve Eve (which means that tomorrow is Christmas Eve) and I am acutely aware that this Christmas is different from all of my…

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Posted on7 November 201628 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

I wobbled

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on I wobbled

Sometimes in life, you wobble. And no matter how strong and sturdy you thought you were, you begin to sway back and forth; wobbling. That’s…

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Posted on24 September 201623 March 2023Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

With love from Zadar

by Just Frances2 Comments on With love from Zadar

I love Zadar! I really do. I arrived here last Sunday for an academic conference and I will be travelling home tomorrow. But in this one week, I fell in…

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Posted on27 August 201628 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

Third passport firsts

by Just Frances2 Comments on Third passport firsts

I received my new American passport yesterday. But despite this being my third passport, it will also mark several passport firsts in my life. But…

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Posted on14 August 201628 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Fostering love

by Just Frances2 Comments on Fostering love

My life was forever changed on the day I opened up my home – and my heart – to a young girl who needed me. The year that followed…

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Posted on10 July 201628 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Only the lonely

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Only the lonely

When you live your life without a partner, it can be lonely. Even if you fill your days with friends and acquaintances, it can be…

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Posted on22 June 201628 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Representations of me

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Representations of me

I attended a PhD workshop the other week. It was one of those touchy-feely things where they wanted to talk about coping strategies for balancing…

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Posted on21 May 201628 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Dream day

by Just Frances2 Comments on Dream day

Eleven years ago, I entered a beautiful dream world: The dream of happily ever after with my amazing new husband. And whilst being a Mrs…

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Posted on26 April 201628 July 2021Widow Life

April flowers

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on April flowers

Another year has passed since my beloved Paul died. And so, another year has been spent making the journey to lay flowers on his grave. I’d…

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Posted on17 February 201628 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Dilapidated beauty

by Just Frances4 Comments on Dilapidated beauty

With my birthday just around the corner, I am more aware than normal that I am getting older. I am ageing; I am becoming more…

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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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