About me

Me

Hello lovely, my name is Helen.

And I’m so grateful you dropped by.

I am on a quest to be a happier me. I started my ‘100 days of happy’ project to encourage myself to look for and write about something that has made me happy every single day. Well, for 100 days for starters.

Living with a chronic condition (ME/CFS) is a daily challenge. With its ups and downs, twists and turns, and downright squiggly bits, my life has been turned upside down.

I realised I was losing my happy.

So I set out on my own recovery journey. I started practising gratitude and began to look for the little things in the everyday to be thankful for.

Something magical started happening.

I discovered that no matter how bad my day is, there is always something to be grateful for.

And the more grateful I am, the happier I feel.

Mindfulness has also become a huge part of my recovery journey. From meditating regularly to walking meditations, to simply being present in what I am doing at this moment in time, I’ve noticed I feel a lot calmer, and happier too.

I’m also keen to become part of the acts of kindness ripple effect. There’s such beauty in the intention of doing something to simply cheer someone up, to make someone smile, without agenda. For me, with limited funds and energy, this will be a challenge: but it’s a challenge I accept with grace, an open heart and a sprinkling of excitement.

‘100 days of happy’ is my commitment to finding the happy in the everyday little things. My plan is to choose a gratitude, mindfulness and kindness act that has made me happy each day and write about it, for 100 days.

OK, here I go…

Love+Hugs
Helen Xxx

 

57 thoughts on “About me”

  1. Helen, reading and learning about your journey has truly inspired me to be a happier version of myself and reminded me to be kind to others, as simply as smiling at a cashier or helping somebody with their bags. Thank you for inspiring me and so many others, helping to create a happier, more peaceful and brighter world.

    Thank you, Helen.

    Best wishes,
    Rhys

    1. Hello Rhys, thank you so much for your lovely message and very kind words, it really means the world.

      I loved hearing about your kindness acts, it’s these kind of simple acts which can create such a big ripple effect… and I find they lift my spirits too, which is a beautiful bonus!

      Thank you for spreading kindness and thank YOU for making the world a happier, kinder and brighter place.

      Take care of your lovely self,
      Hugs, Helen ♡

  2. Always in awe of my Kindness Queen. I love your kindness calendars and it’s such a wonderful way to spread kindness and positivity.

  3. Thank You Helen,
    I too live with ME & Fibro, MCS, osteoarthritis, diabetes & a few other stuff & use meditation & mindfulness & Reiki to help symptoms as I can not take pain medication.
    I just wanted to send you some hugs & say thank you for the calendar, I share on my FB page & Insta and people say how much it helps them and how they look forward to it each month, which is lovely to read it helps so many

    1. Hello Lynne, I am so very sorry I’m only just seeing this. I don’t know what happened! I’m so sorry to hear of your suffering, that’s a lot to deal with. It’s great to hear you also find meditation, mindfulness and reiki helpful.

      Thank you so much for your kind words about the calendar, it’s really made my day to hear that. And thank you so much for sharing it and spreading a little kindness every month, it really makes a difference.

      Sending oodles of hugs back to you, and keep taking care of your lovely self ♡

  4. Hi Helen

    You are quite simply a treasure of the national variety – thank you for all you do – I shall be sharing your website with all and sundry.

    With affection
    Alexis
    x

    1. Oh thank you lovely Alexis, what a lovely message… sorry I’m only just seeing it! Thank you so much for sharing, Hugs, Helen 🙂

  5. Dear Helen, I read an article on Quora which cited your link/blog as source and it inspired me so tried to check you out. thanks

    1. Hello Aderonke, thank you so much for your message and thank you for visiting here 🙂 I’m not familiar with that article, I’d love to see it, would you be able to send me a link to it? Thanks so much ♡

  6. Happy New Year Helen!
    Working in the health field, I understand your challenge. Your acts of kindness have been shared and viewed by many patients.
    I see you are taking a break to recoup.
    Is there anyway I could assist to keep the calendar going? I would love to be a part of spreading your good works. Just let me know.

    1. Good morning Helen! Happy New Year! I am lost without the January 2019 Kindness Calendar… how can I help?

      Rachelle

  7. Dear Helen,

    As a teacher of English in a Dutch special school I came across the Kindness Advent Calendar. I found it on LinkedIn and then followed the link to your website.

    I want you to know that you inspire me -and many more people- by your positiveness. The calendar has got a nice place on one of my classroom walls. Many thanks!

    John Welling

    1. Hi John. Thank you so much for your message and your very kind words. I always love hearing how my calendars are used in the classroom, and it’s just brilliant that you’re inspiring the younger generation every day to spread a little kindness – thank you! 🙂

    1. Thank you so much for visiting and thank you for your lovely, kind words Alina. I hope you’re having a great day. Love+hugs 🙂

  8. Hi Helen
    We are launching a week of kindness for Red Cross Week 2018 – starting on Sunday 6 May. I love your calendars and wondered if you would consider sharing our kindness calendar too?
    Thanks!
    Victoria

    1. Hello Victoria, a week of Red Cross kindness sounds wonderful. You’re very welcome to post it on my community facebook page: facebook.com/spreadingalittlekindness. Have a fun week ♡

  9. Hello and thanks for these encouraging calendars!

    Is there a chance that you have a version of the December calendars without the word “Advent” in the title?
    Our school is a secular organization, and though we certainly enjoy a “Holiday Season” and even wish each other a “Merry Christmas”, displaying calendars with “Advent” on the title is deemed inappropriate given our very multicultural community.

    Thanks.

    1. Hello Bill, I’m thrilled you’d like to use my kindness calendar in your school. If you can give me your email address (I won’t publish) I will send you a copy without ‘advent’ in it. Warmly, Helen

      1. Thanks for the offer, but I was able to match the font and replace the word “Advent” with “Holiday”.
        We only use the calendars internally on campus, so these modifications will not be published.

        Thank you again.

        Bill

  10. Helen,
    I’m in the US (but from the UK), I teach in a K-12 school, and I send out your calendar to all grades every month. One also goes up in the library.
    I love that it is the first thing the 7th grade check when they come in (they are in the front of their binders), and there is one on the board for us to check off each day.
    It’s lovely. The staff are really grateful, but it is you we should be thanking.
    Thank you so much! Your kindness is reaching a lot of people here, and we are very grateful.

    1. WOW, I absolutely loved hearing this Helen. You’ve honestly made me day 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing the calendar with your students and thank you to all of you spreading a little kindness – what an amazing ripple effect. Thank you for getting in touch, it really is stories like this that inspire me to keep going, especially on my tough CFS days. Hugs to you Xxx

    1. Yes of course Rochelle 🙂 Thank you for spreading a little kindness ♡ (sorry for the late response, for some strange reason your message has only just arrived in my inbox!! Hugs Xxx

  11. Hi, I came to your website looking for an advent act of kindness calendar. A friend shared the Christmas calendar on facebook with our church. Love your website. Any chance you would consider an act of kindness advent calendar?

    1. Hello Kam, thank you for visiting my blog and for your kind words.

      Here’s the link to my Kindness Advent Calendar: http://maketodayhappy.co.uk/act-of-kindness-24-kindness-advent-calendar/.

      I create a kindness calendar for each month, and will be creating a Kindness Advent Calendar later this year too.

      If you subscribe to my blog, you will get email notices, or if you prefer can pop back on on 1st December to see this year’s. Hope this helps Xxx

  12. Helen i need to contact you! I have a great idea and i am on a road similar to yours. I have cancer and i changed the way i think and feel. Please get in touch

    1. Hi Vanessa, you can connect with me via a message sent on my Facebook community page if that helps: it’s ‘spreading a little kindness’. Looking forward to hearing from you. Hugs to you Xxx

  13. This is inspiring me more to do more then the RAOK advent calender, I suffer Type 1 Diabetes. And I will visit your blog daily for now on, to see whats going on.

    -Noah Wehner Age: 11

    1. Hello Noah, I’m sorry to hear you suffer from Type 1 Diabetes. I’m so happy you’re joining me spread a little more Christmas kindness. I think you are AMAZING. Love+Hugs to you, Helen Xxx

      1. Love the whole attitude… I would love to help in some way Helen. Your blog and kindness calendars are brilliant. I choose joy every day and see that you do too… Happy New Year I wish for you all the joy your heart can hold.

        1. Thank you for your kind words lovely Elaine, they’ve really warmed my heart ♡ Choosing joy is such a life-changer isn’t it. Love+hugs to you Xxx

  14. I understand ur pain,im disabled with pain every day,so I pray that you bring me a blessing cause u r a blessing to me thank you may God bless you!

  15. Hi Helen,
    I think it’s wonderful what you are doing. I have suffered from Fibromyalgia which is a similar condition to CFS. The root of the problem is restorative sleep and believe it or not, a healthy diet. Since resolving these issues, I have improved my health tremendously. It does not happen overnight, but it does help over time. I take melatonin every night and it has helped me get more restorative sleep. I am also on a natural diet and have cut out all processed foods, especially sugar. I do not have the muscle pains or brain fog I once had. I just wanted to take the time to tell you this, because our bodies are crying out for us to do something differently. Unfortunately, the health industry wants us to take drugs and that is the last thing your body needs. I sincerly wish the best for you.

    1. Thank you so much for sharing your recovery tips lovely Michelle. I am so happy to hear you found your recovery journey, and I agree – when I cut out sugar, gluten and dairy I feel a whole lot better. I’m having trouble sleeping through the night at the moment and so will try melotonin. Love+Hugs to you Xxx

  16. Thank you Helen, your efforts are appreciated and shared.

    I posted your Kindness Advent Calendar on my personal fb page Shauna Mare MacDonald as well as my Gratitude fb page Cultivating Gratitude.

    Have had wonderful response in the first hour…

    Hugs and seasons greetings.
    Shauna
    Calgary, Canada

  17. I love your attitude and positivity..well done to you.
    Every night I say my thank you’s and gratitudes to the angels and spirit.. it makes me focus on the good of the day.
    You sound a lovely person and I am sure you are inspiring many others.. go girl!
    Big hugs to you x

    1. Awww thank you Heather, what a really lovely kind message ♡ The power of gratitude is incredible isn’t it. Love+Hugs to you Xxx

  18. I believe in what you are doing. I, too, feel happier when I am spreading sunshine on others. I also can relate to your illness, as I suffer from the same. I was diagnosed in 2002. It is at times difficult, but so is what others deal with on a daily basis. We all have our crosses, and most of us wouldn’t change our own for someone else’s…really. Keep fighting the good fight. Treat yourself well. Rest when you need to. Don’t overdo if you can help it. I know what it takes on the other side of over exertion. So much in life is good, if you only look for it.

    1. Thank you for your kind words ♡

      I’m sorry to hear you’re suffering too. I love your expression ‘spreading sunshine’ and that’s exactly how it feels ☆

      I am feeling rather wiped out after all the excitement and activity, so have sadly had to put more kindness ideas on ice for a while. But all is as it’s meant to be ☆

      Take good care of your lovely self too ♡

  19. My partner and I met you today whilst you were with BBC radio nottingham at the retail park. We love what you’re doing and think you’re a fantastic lady!!! We bought you a little gift as a thank you for making us smile, when we came out of the shop you were gone! Is there any way we can get it to you? Xxx

    1. Oh wow lovely Emily, thank you for getting in touch. Your email has made me smile and smile and smile. I’m so happy to hear my kindness act made you smile, this is what it’s all about for me and honestly, that is reward enough 🙂 It’s incredibly kind of you to get me a little gift, I am really touched. I have an idea: perhaps if you feel up to it, you’d like to pay it forward and give the gift to someone else and make them smile with your lovely act of kindness? Thanks again and keep smiling 🙂 Love and hugs to you Xxx ps the radio piece goes out tomorrow (Tues) between 9:30-11:30am Xxx

  20. Helen, I heart you & your bravery. I’m looking forward to following your journey with you & continue to be inspired by your infectious spirit xॐx

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