Preface
Welcome to My Journal
Welcome to My Journal
I’m Jacqueline — a woman in her late fifties finding her way through fatigue, exhaustion and burnout, and learning to care for herself with Nothing But Love.
These pages hold my honest reflections: the difficult days, small comforts, hopes and discoveries that are helping me reconnect with myself. My focus is on nurturing mind, body and soul, with room for rest and no timetable for recovery.
Burnout is often associated with work. In my experience, the prolonged stress has come from personal circumstances and the exhausting struggle of navigating legal systems, seeking answers and trying to ensure the truth is heard. I love my work; it continues to bring me meaning and purpose.
Those matters remain ongoing, so I cannot share the details yet. When they are concluded and I am able to speak openly, I intend to tell my story. For now, this journal is about caring for myself while living with uncertainty.
If you are tired of holding everything together, I hope you will find understanding and companionship here.
My vegetarian Slimming World journey remains part of these pages. I share recipes, manageable meal ideas and reflections on emotional eating, alongside learning to respect my energy and my need for rest. Weight loss is one part of my life, rather than the measure of how well I am doing.
Some days, I have energy for something I enjoy. On others, ordinary tasks feel demanding. I am learning to approach both kinds of day with less criticism and more kindness.
Throughout my career as a mental health nurse and trauma psychotherapist, I have spent many years supporting others in the NHS and private practice. Since retiring from full-time NHS work, I continue to work for myself a few days a week, seeing people online and in person. Now, I am also learning to offer myself the patience and compassion I offer to others.
I live in the heart of Sherwood Forest with my husband Andy, our Collies Pip and Clark, our cats George, Slinks and Suzy, and my beautiful little harvest mice. Our home is my sanctuary — somewhere to write, reflect and rest.
Time with my grandchildren brings warmth and joy. When energy allows, I love sharing small adventures: nature trails, local parks, days out and laughter over an ice cream. There is comfort in quieter time together, too. I hope to share these moments as they happen, with all their wonder, giggles and occasional muddy boots.
I also have creative dreams: sewing, crafting, making jewellery and painting. My Pinterest ideas may produce something beautiful or something rather unexpected! I want to enjoy experimenting, without turning every interest into another task to complete.
Photography, wildlife and flying my drone give me opportunities to notice the beauty around me.
The forest offers familiar paths, fresh air and moments of quiet, whether I feel able to take a walk or simply enjoy the view.
At home, comfort can be as simple as music, my aromatherapy diffuser, a cat nearby or a warm drink. Coffee, cake and conversation with friends still have their place, too.
Jacqueline’s Journal is a record of recovery as I experience it — uncertain, personal and full of things I am still learning.
My hope is that these pages help you feel less alone and encourage you to treat yourself gently. You do not have to make every day productive to deserve care.
Welcome to my corner of Sherwood Forest, and to the next chapter of
Jacqueline’s Journal: Nothing But Love. 💛
My tribe
