Starting again…

Last Updated on June 16, 2025 by HodgePodgeDays

Last week, this blog blew the candles out on its 12th birthday cake. Twelve years is a long time to have a blog, and although it’s been a bit, well, neglected of late, there’s a good enough reason for that – which I’ll explain shortly. Like most people, a lot of life happens in a 12-year period, and I’ve grown and evolved in that time. More recently, I’ve neglected this corner of the internet, but now I’d really like to get back to loving it and tending to it – like a garden, but with words and nice pictures of things we’ve done, places we’ve been, and things we’ve eaten. It’s time to start again.

When I started this blog in 2013, it was a space for me to empty my head of a million worries. I was recovering from two back surgeries, which left me with chronic pain and the inability to pick my toddler up and twirl him around in the air. I had to leave my job in the NHS because I was in such a poor state, mentally and physically, that I was unable to function beyond being a mum for a number of years.

HodgePodgeDays grew into a fun way to earn a few pounds and to give my son experiences we wouldn’t normally have had. We had an absolute blast, and one of the reasons I’ve kept this fairly dormant blog ticking over was because it holds so many special memories for us.

Then my dad died in 2016, and things both fell apart and came into sharp focus. Something needed to change. I was broken from losing him, but it showed me life was too short, and I needed to sort myself out. Slowly, I grew physically stronger. I found the courage to join a gym and begin some physical rehab. I went to therapy and managed to sort my head out quite a bit too.

In 2019, I separated from my husband. We ended up sharing the marital home until November 2024. These were not easy years. There was the pandemic, I had 18 months of cancer scares, and my mum – bless her – got cancer too, which she fought until she passed away earlier this year. It’s been rough.

Sometime during the divorce, I lost my voice. I didn’t feel like I had the energy to blog anymore, so I took a break. It was only supposed to be for a few months, but it stuck. Every time I sat down to write, there was nothing. I don’t think I’ve been depressed, but all of my energy for the last few years has gone into survival. Yes, I’ve somewhat glossed over most of the awful things that have happened over the last six years, but I don’t know how to articulate them without it becoming 1001 Reasons Why I’m Sad.

I know there are some people who would enjoy the 1001 reasons, but it’s time for me to shut the door on those times and look to the future. I have a lovely little terraced house that’s mine – all mine. I have the most incredible, kind, loving teenager who still enjoys hanging out and doing fun things with me. I have amazing friends who’ve stood by me throughout, and I have a new partner who is supportive of my blog and keen for me to start filling it up again with recipes, days out, fun things we’ve done – and just more joyful words than he’s heard from me in a while.

So here I am, with a blank sheet of paper in front of me. A blank canvas. A new start. I’m not sure what I’m going to write about – if you’ve got any suggestions, let me know. All I know is, I want to get back into it. I’m feeling the embers of my love of baking coming back to life, and my son and I have been on a few gentle adventures recently that I’d love to tell you about – if you’re interested.

Thank you for reading this far. Thank you for your patience and the kindness you’ve shown me. It’s good to be back, or at least lurking in the doorway hoping to return properly soon.