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Just Frances

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 on23 February 201320 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

My social worth

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on My social worth

Since becoming a widow, I’ve given a lot of thought to the value of my life; the purpose and the meaning of it. I’ve wondered why…

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Posted on21 February 201320 July 2021Everyday Life, Musings & Ramblings

Nearly 40

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Nearly 40

Today is my 39th birthday. It seems silly to care or to mark the day at all. But it’s my birthday, so I can’t help…

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Posted on9 February 201320 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

A sulk-less Valentine’s Day challenge

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A sulk-less Valentine’s Day challenge

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and I’ve already started hearing and reading comments from people about dreading the day because they’re all alone.…

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Posted on5 February 201320 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

Random fate

by Just Frances2 Comments on Random fate

On Wednesday, 6 February 2002, I was meant to go to St Andrews for the day. Only the friend I was meant to travel with was ill,…

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Posted on26 January 201320 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

I fell

by Just Frances2 Comments on I fell

The truth is, I fell. I fell really, really hard and I spiralled a bit. OK, maybe I spiralled a lot. It started last September…

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Posted on24 January 201320 July 2021Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

My fright in the night

by Just Frances2 Comments on My fright in the night

I didn’t sleep well last night. I didn’t sleep well at all. And, to be honest, I’m ever-so-slightly afraid to be home alone because of…

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Posted on3 January 201326 April 2023Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

To date, or not to date?

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on To date, or not to date?

One week before Paul died, we had a conversation about our futures, should one of us die – a conversation sparked because it was the anniversary of…

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Posted on29 December 201219 July 2021Musings & Ramblings

Only in my dreams

by Just Frances2 Comments on Only in my dreams

There is a man who appears in my dreams who isn’t Paul. In my dreams, we’re madly in love. And much like the widow dreams…

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Posted on26 December 201219 July 2021Widow Life

Survived

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Survived

I managed to survive Christmas alone. I won’t lie and say that it was easy. In fact, it was so very hard. My broken heart…

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Posted on22 December 201219 July 2021Widow Life

Preparing for alone

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Preparing for alone

I’ve decided to spend Christmas alone this year. I know that sounds silly to some people, but it seems like the right thing to do…

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Posted on16 December 201219 July 2021Everyday Life, Widow Life

Failure to launch

by Just Frances2 Comments on Failure to launch

Way back in May, I had a failed attempt at re-entering the dating world – and that was after my ego had already been shattered! At the time,…

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Posted on27 November 201219 July 2021Widow Life

To the birthday boy

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on To the birthday boy

Another year, another birthday. Only he’s still not here to celebrate. My Paul would be 51 years old today, but instead, he will forever be…

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Posted on25 September 201218 July 2021Academic Life, Health & Wellness, Musings & Ramblings

Digital Diaries: Constructing and managing online identities through blog therapy

by Just Frances4 Comments on Digital Diaries: Constructing and managing online identities through blog therapy

To celebrate Social Media Week, I have decided to share a paper I wrote a few months ago about digital diaries and online identities. It…

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Posted on10 September 201218 July 2021Everyday Life

Packing up

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Packing up

I alluded to a big step toward a happier future the other day, but also said I wouldn’t share the big(ish) news just yet. Only…

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Posted on27 August 201218 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Widow Life

The dating game

by Just Frances2 Comments on The dating game

Sometimes I think about dating. Only it’s a confusing topic for me. Not the dating part; I know how to do that. It’s more the…

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Posted on20 August 201218 July 2021Academic Life

That dissertation? Done.

by Just Frances2 Comments on That dissertation? Done.

First, an apology for my absence the last week. I’ve had some website glitches and had to enlist the help of some amazing friends who…

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Posted on12 August 201218 July 2021Musings & Ramblings, Travels, Adventures & Explorations, Widow Life

A year later

by Just Frances4 Comments on A year later

Today marks one year since I hit the reset button on my future. Yes, it’s been one year since I moved back to my beautiful,…

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Posted on14 July 201217 July 2021Widow Life

The cruelty of random memories

by Just Frances4 Comments on The cruelty of random memories

There is something ever-so-cruel about random memories. OK, not always. In fact, most of the time random memories are happy moments. But sometimes, like today,…

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Posted on5 July 201217 July 2021Health & Wellness

Words about me

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Words about me

I am participating in an online thing where a few people are getting together to chat through a moderated forum run by a grief counsellor.…

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Posted on24 June 201217 July 2021Widow Life

They’re braver

by Just Frances6 Comments on They’re braver

A friend of mine sent me a link to a fellow widow’s blog this weekend and I had a wee peek around to see what…

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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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