Today, 10 October, is World Mental Health Day, and it’s something that means a lot to me.

I know what it feels like to become overwhelmed. Working in retail, being autistic and having learning difficulties can bring challenges that other people don’t always see. Sometimes I might look like I’m managing, but inside I need a moment to breathe, some understanding or someone to listen.

That’s why I believe kindness matters so much. A gentle word, a friend checking in or a colleague taking the time to understand can make a difficult day feel a little less lonely.

I want workplaces to be places where people feel comfortable asking for support. Having somewhere quiet to take a moment and someone we can speak to would mean a lot to colleagues who feel overwhelmed.

Today is also a reminder to be kinder to myself. I don’t have to push through everything or feel guilty for needing rest.

To my friends and anyone reading this who is struggling: you don’t need to find perfect words to ask for help. You deserve to be heard and supported.

Behind every smile, there may be a story we cannot see. Let’s keep checking in on each other, today and throughout the year. 💚

Retail has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. At seven years old, I would go with my dad to our family store in Birkenhead Market and watch him serve customers. As I grew older, I started helping him on Saturdays and during the school holidays. Those early experiences sparked my interest in retail and became the starting point for my future career.

I wanted to build on that experience by specialising in visual merchandising, combining my knowledge of retail with my love of creativity. This led me to study Visual Merchandising and Promotional Design at Hugh Baird University Centre.

The course has helped me appreciate and understand fashion while developing my creative interests. Over five years of retail experience, I have had opportunities to work on window displays, arrange mannequins and plan how to use a window space to showcase products.

During my studies, I have discovered different ways to develop and communicate my ideas, from sketching and mixed media to using Adobe Creative Suite. Learning these techniques has improved the quality of my work and given me more confidence to experiment.

My journey through education has not always been easy. At school, I won a regional Learner of the Year Award for my achievements despite the difficulties I faced with dyslexia. That award meant a lot to me because it recognised my determination and the effort behind my progress.

The support I have received at Hugh Baird University Centre has helped me develop strategies for learning and build confidence as I prepare for working life. Having people encourage my creativity has helped me recognise my strengths and become more confident in who I am.

I find inspiration in many places, particularly museums, galleries and my travels. Visiting different countries has introduced me to different fashions, cultures and tastes, encouraging me to keep an open mind. Sometimes a colour, texture or display catches my attention and becomes the starting point for an idea in my university work.

I have always enjoyed making things, especially greeting cards. Creating something personal gives me a chance to bring together the inspiration I find on holiday, in galleries and in everyday life.

From helping my dad in Birkenhead Market to developing my own displays and designs, retail and creativity have always been connected for me. Visual merchandising feels like a natural way to bring those two parts of my life together and build a career doing something I enjoy.

Putting my uniform back on this weekend felt like the final little goodbye to my holiday. We’d already come home from Tenerife, but having a few days off afterwards meant I could hold on to that holiday feeling a little longer. Going back to work made it all feel real.

Part of me wanted to see familiar faces and get back into my routine. Another part wanted to be back by the pool with my friends, wondering what cocktail to have and enjoying the sunshine without thinking about my next shift.

After more than 19 years in retail, you might think coming back would be easy. But I still need time to settle in. Familiar surroundings don’t always stop me from feeling overwhelmed, and I’m trying to be kinder to myself while I find my feet again.

This holiday gave me memories I’ll treasure, especially celebrating my birthday with my friends. But it also brought worry when my friend ended up in hospital. That experience stayed with me. I felt so grateful that we could all come home together, and I won’t forget the two friends who made sure I ate and drank while my mind was elsewhere.

Looking at my holiday photos now means more than remembering the sunshine. I see the people who were there for me, the moments we enjoyed together and how relieved I was to have my friend back with us.

For now, I’m taking work one shift at a time. When I get home, I’m allowing myself a quiet evening and time to unwind. I don’t have to rush straight back into everything.

I miss Tenerife, but I’m glad I have those memories to come home with. This first weekend back is about gently settling into everyday life again—and giving myself a little patience along the way. 

For the last day of my holiday, I wanted to enjoy a little me time before heading back to work. A visit to Mario Lounge with my dog was a lovely way to spend it.

I enjoyed a few drinks, a hot chocolate and some lovely hot halloumi fries. My dog even had a little halloumi treat too! Being able to take her along made it extra special—some me time with my favourite little companion. ❤️

After my holiday and a few days back home, I wasn’t quite ready to return to my usual routine. It felt good to sit down, relax and enjoy those last few hours without thinking about the next shift.

There’s always a little sadness when time off comes to an end, but I’m glad I gave myself this moment. Nothing big or fancy—just a little treat and time with my dog before swapping holiday days for my work uniform again. 🐾☕

And just like that, my holiday has come to an end. Today, it’s back to work, back into my uniform and back to the everyday routine. Part of me wishes I could hold on to that holiday feeling for a little longer.

After two weeks in Tenerife and a few extra days at home, I’ve enjoyed having time away from work. There was no rushing to get ready for a shift, and there was space to relax, spend time with friends and enjoy myself.

This holiday gave me so many lovely memories: sunshine, pool days, delicious food, cocktails and celebrating my birthday. It’s those little moments I’ll miss too—sitting together, chatting and laughing without watching the clock.

But there were difficult moments as well. My friend ending up in hospital was frightening, especially being away from home. It was hard to switch off when someone I care about was unwell. I’m so grateful we were all able to come home together, and I won’t forget the friends who supported me through those worrying days.

Having a few days at home before returning to work gave me time to unpack and settle back in. Last night’s pamper evening was my little way of making the most of those final hours off.

Now, putting my uniform back on makes it feel real. After more than nineteen years in retail, the routine is familiar, but that first day back still brings a mixture of feelings. I’m sad the break is over, and I know it might take a little time to find my feet again.

For today, I’ll take it one shift at a time. My holiday may be finished, but I still have the photos to look through, the stories to tell and the memories that make me smile.

Thank you, Tenerife, and thank you to the friends who made this holiday mean so much. ☀️

💖

Tonight, I’m having a pamper evening before my first day back at work tomorrow. It’s my last evening of annual leave, and I’m trying to enjoy it without thinking too much about the alarm going off in the morning.

After two weeks in Tenerife and a few extra days at home, I’ve got used to having time to myself. There’s something lovely about waking up without rushing and deciding how to spend the day. Knowing that tomorrow my uniform will be going back on feels strange.

I’m feeling a mixture of emotions. It will be lovely to see familiar faces again, but I’ll miss the freedom of being off. Even after so many years working in retail, that first day back can still feel a little daunting.

So tonight, I’m giving myself some time to relax and feel looked after. A little pampering won’t take away every worry about tomorrow, but it gives me a chance to slow down and enjoy the evening.

This holiday gave me memories I’ll treasure, and some emotional moments too. Coming home doesn’t mean leaving those feelings behind. I’m grateful for the time away, the friendships and the moments that made me smile.

Tomorrow, I’ll get ready, walk through those work doors and settle back into my routine. I don’t have to feel completely ready tonight.

For now, I’m enjoying a little peace and a little time for me. Tomorrow can wait until morning. 

Today is my last day off before going back to work tomorrow. After Tenerife and a few quiet days at home, I’m feeling emotional knowing my annual leave is coming to an end.

This holiday gave me lovely memories, but also some worrying moments that reminded me how much my friends mean to me. ❤️

Tomorrow, it’s back into my uniform and through those work doors again. I’m not quite ready to let go of that holiday feeling, so today I’m enjoying a little more rest before the early alarm and reality return. 🌴✨

Today was a day out in Liverpool, but somehow it felt a little more special than usual.

After spending two amazing weeks in Tenerife, coming home has been a mixture of emotions. Part of me is happy to be home, but another part of me wishes I could turn the clock back and be sitting by the pool again with my friends.

This holiday gave me so many wonderful memories, but it also had some frightening and emotional moments when my friend ended up in hospital. Being away from home when something unexpected happens really makes you think about what matters most.

So today, walking around Liverpool, I found myself appreciating the little things more.

Familiar streets. Being back somewhere I know. Having lunch and enjoying a toastie, soup and halloumi fries. Laughing, relaxing and simply having a normal day again. ❤️

Sometimes it’s the ordinary days that mean the most after you’ve been through an emotional time.

Tenerife will always hold some very special memories for me — the sunshine, laughter, birthday celebrations and time with my friends, but also the moments when we looked after each other and realised how important friendship really is.

Now I’m home, my suitcase is unpacked and reality is slowly starting again. I’m back at work on Saturday, so today felt like one last chance to enjoy myself before putting my uniform back on and returning to everyday life.

I might just have been having a day in Liverpool, but today reminded me to appreciate where I am, who I have around me and all the memories I’ve been lucky enough to make.

Sometimes coming home makes you realise just how much you’ve experienced. ❤️

photo taken by dave wood

After an amazing two weeks in Tenerife, I arrived back home in England on Sunday. 🇬🇧❤️

It felt strange being back after two weeks of sunshine, relaxing by the pool, enjoying lovely food and cocktails, and making so many brilliant memories with friends.

This holiday certainly had its emotional moments too, especially when my friend unexpectedly ended up in hospital. Those few days were worrying and something none of us expected to experience while away. Thankfully, everything turned out okay, and it reminded me just how precious friendship and having good people around you really is. ❤️

Coming home on Sunday meant I thankfully had a few days to myself before going back to work. I really needed that little bit of time to unpack my suitcase, catch up on sleep, look through all my holiday photos and slowly get myself back into normal life.

But now that first morning back at work is getting closer, and I know it’s going to feel emotional.

When that alarm goes off, I think that’s when it will really hit me — the holiday is officially over and normal life is starting again.

Putting my work uniform back on will probably feel strange. Only a short time ago I was getting ready for another day in the Tenerife sunshine, deciding whether to relax by the pool or what we were going to do that evening. Now I’ll be getting ready for another shift on the shop floor.

I know I’ll probably stand there for a moment before leaving the house and wish I could put my holiday clothes back on, grab my suitcase and head straight back to the airport! 😂✈️☀️

Then comes that moment of walking through the doors at work again.

After being away for two weeks, seeing all the familiar faces and hearing the familiar sounds of the shop will probably feel a little overwhelming at first. Part of me will be happy to see everyone again, but another part of me will be thinking, “Was I really sitting by a pool in Tenerife only a short time ago?”

After working in retail for so many years, work is such a big part of my normal routine. I know that once I get through those doors, say hello to everyone and start my shift, I’ll slowly settle back into it.

Before I know it, I’ll probably feel like I’ve never been away!

But I don’t want to lose that holiday feeling completely.

Tenerife gave me two weeks filled with sunshine, laughter, friendship and memories. It also gave me some difficult and emotional moments that reminded me not to take the people I care about for granted.

So when I put that uniform back on and walk through those doors, I’ll be returning to the same job and the same routine — but I’ll be carrying a lot of new memories with me. ❤️

The holiday may be over, but the memories aren’t.

Goodbye Tenerife sunshine, hello shop floor. Back to reality I go… although a little part of me will definitely still be sitting beside that Tenerife pool. ❤️☀️✈️🛒

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If you’re looking for a relaxed lunch spot with a beautiful waterfront setting, Brasco Lounge on the Liverpool Waterfront is well worth a visit. I recently popped in for lunch and had such a lovely experience from start to finish.

The atmosphere was welcoming and laid-back, making it the perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy a break from the day. I really enjoyed taking in the surroundings while having a leisurely lunch.

For my main meal, I chose the toastie and soup deal, which offered great value for money. It was ideal for lunchtime and surprisingly filling without feeling too heavy. I also couldn’t resist ordering the halloumi fries — and they were absolutely gorgeous! In fact, they were probably my favourite part of the meal. 😋

The staff were friendly, attentive and welcoming, while still giving me plenty of time to relax and enjoy my food. I never felt rushed, which made the whole visit even more enjoyable.

Overall, it was a simple lunch out, but one I thoroughly enjoyed. With tasty food, friendly service, a relaxed atmosphere and a beautiful location overlooking the Liverpool Waterfront, Brasco Lounge is a lovely place to unwind.

I’ll definitely be back again — especially for those halloumi fries! ❤️n