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The Happiest I Have Ever Been

By Creativity, Friends & Family, Gay, Health, Life, Love & Relationships, Money / Finances, Thinking2 Comments

Just over a year ago, I felt numb and like I was coasting through life. I was existing, rather than living. I hadn’t been well for a while and had recently been diagnosed with vasculitis.

People with vasculitis have a significantly reduced life expectancy when compared to that of the average person. This diagnosis caused me to re-think every aspect of my life. It caused me to ask myself: Are you happy? The answer was no.

So then I started asking myself: What would make you happier? I had to look at everything: my health, my work, my relationships with others, my passions (including writing), my finances, my home life, my mental & emotional health.

It was a daunting task. Sometimes, it is easier to be stuck in an unhappy and unfulfilling rut, rather than be brave and face the truth. Especially when facing and accepting where I was in my life involved acknowledging the unhappiness and beginning to make changes.

Change is always hard. Our brains like patterns of behaviour. They are key to our survival as a species, but not key to a healthier and happier life.

So I got counselling. I explored every aspect of my life. I started making changes: prioritising my health, changing jobs, working with others to improve relationships – resetting of expectations and putting in boundaries, getting back on the dating apps, working on a more balanced approach to pursuing my passions, reducing my financial outgoings were possible and trying harder to stick to a budget, getting rid of excess clutter at home and generally taking better care of my mental and emotional health.

None of it was easy. And I’m still not where I want to be. But I’m pleased to say my health has improved in some areas such as my diabetes management & mental health. I am also happier than I can ever remember being.

Write soon,

Antony

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Larry Dean Live at Salford Lowry: Funny, Sexy & Fabulous

By Friends & Family, Gay, Gigs & Shows, Happiness & JoyNo Comments

Today, my good friend Simon and I went to see the funny, sexy, fabulous and proudly gay Comedian Larry Dean. We had front row seats for his energetic performance where he mostly spoke about his relationship with his grandma (who had dementia), his autism diagnosis and his partner.

Dean was performing at the Lowry in Salford Quays. Dean had the audience laughing loudly throughout his over an hour long set. My face ached from laughing so much. Dean oozed sexyness and fabulousness. I think it goes without saying, that I’m a Dean fan boy.

I had a great time and can’t wait to see Dean live again soon. Here are some photos of Simon and I taken just prior to the gig:

Write soon,

Antony

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Poetry

By Creativity, Friends & Family, ThinkingNo Comments

Yesterday evening a friend and I went to an Open Mic night for poetry. My friend is a Poet in her very heart and soul. Whereas, I’m more of an appreciator of it as a creative form of prose.

We went to @The.S.Werd’s event in Preston. It was fantastic. Everyone who wants to share their poetry can do so and is given 5 minutes of mic time. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait till the next one.

There’s some really talented Poets out there, but combining poetry with performance really brings the words to life. You hear people’s stories and you feel what the Poet’s were feeling when they wrote their poems. Poems can be funny, deep, uplifting, weird and be about practically any topic.

So if you’ve never been to a poetry open mic night, I recommend you check one out.

Write soon,

Antony

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