Welcome to Ria's ramblings

…Sometimes writing a book isn’t glamorous.

I think it’s about time we acknowledged my genius.

Instinct is a funny old thing, isn’t it?

In true Ria fashion, I stumbled across my genius today. Just kidding… or am I? I was chatting to my daughter and, as usual, giving her my completely unsolicited words of wisdom (whether she wanted them or not). I said it’s a shame people seem to have to go through so much rubbish (I didn't say that, but I’m keeping this post PG) in life in order to grow. Then I stopped and thought… hang on a minute. What do things grow best in? Fertilizer. (Again, I’m keeping this PG.) So maybe that’s the point. Growth rarely comes from the easy-peasy, light-and-breezy. It usually comes from the mess, the chaos, the tests, and the things that almost break us. Not because suffering is something to celebrate, but because it has a strange way of forcing us to learn who we are and who we want to become. Anyway… that’s today’s accidental wisdom from someone who still regularly thinks she might be chatting absolute nonsense. (PG) But if life’s throwing a bit of fertilizer your way at the moment, take heart. Something might just be growing. Don't allow it to be rage, chaos or bad habits. You never know where it could lead. what's the biggest thing you've grown from?

Did I touch my to-do list today? Erm, nope.

I honestly don’t know where to start with the week I’ve had. Writing Darcy’s journey once was hard enough—it felt like trying to run through treacle. But editing? That’s a different kind of tough. Seeing her struggles laid out plainly in black and white and reading them aloud brought back some of my own traumas in ways I didn't expect.

So, erm... I took the plunge. Today I woke up and thought, sod it. Why not? I have a voice. I may not have a massive platform of followers, neither do I really know what I'm doing when it comes to spreading Darcy's story, I just know that every voice matters. I Genuinely believe in the message I am trying to spread. I HAVE to come to terms with the fact I inspire people. Like Darcy I don't take compliments well. For too long I have whispered in the shadows for fear of judgement. Today was the day I broke free of my own shackles and emailed some very influential people in the hope I can join the people who can give hope. Hope comes in many forms sometimes laughter, understanding and lighthearted messages hit the hardest in the most beautiful way. It shows people that it's ok not to be ok. Nobody has their ducks completely aligned (or most of us don't anyway), many of us are fumbling around, chasing after the bastards, and 9/10 when we catch them, we find that at least one of them is a pigeon! (or a seagull). To anyone reading this, I hope this message finds you well. Keep smiling, keep striving forward and you will get to the point you'll start living, instead of simply surviving. 

This week on the grand old scale has been one of self reflection. I have come a long way from the lady who decided to write Darcy's story. I have found my passion, my niche, my reason to carry on striving forward. Looking back is a powerful tool that needs to be balanced with looking where you're headed.

"Woah, we’re halfway there… and yes, I’m living on a prayer!

Insomnia is a real thing. Darcy's story haunts me at times.  It's so sad, yet she still manages to put on a brave face, fighting to keep going, and with a smile to cover the trauma behind  her mask. In spite of her personal anguish.  she still manages to inspire me. For me, myself, to strive to do her story justice. Some are born with greatness and others have greatness thrust upon them. I think in Darcy's case, it's a little bit of both. I wish I could be a little more like her. Her comedic genius shines through, at times she feels she's backed herself into an emotional corner. When she feels people are going to see the girl in pain, crying out to be  loved.  Sometimes laughter and seeing the funny side is the only defence she has. So yeah, I've been up all night wondering where the story ends? even as the author, my pen surprises me. There is so much to tell that is still unwritten and so much that hasn't yet come to pass. Anyhoo, I'm going to keep on going with the story. To any one reading this, if you are suffering, please do not suffer in silence. The world can feel like a very lonely place at times but there are people like you and Darcy out there to talk to. However this  post finds you, I hope it finds you well. Take care, you lovely lot and Thank you for your support. I'm sure i will get to sleep eventually...zzzzzzzzz

The Power of Being Seen: Why I Keep Driving Forward