Sobbing after watching The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Read the book ages ago but had to check on dog’s prognosis. What a glorious film, both sat here thinking about grief and how it cleaves a relationship. Dog finds a hooman in case you’re like me.
Nobody wants to talk about death but we have to get practical. This week, we had a huge shock (I had to leave the happy island of denial) so this episode means more now than ever. I hope it’s helpful, but suggest taking your time.
Thank you @stellduffy.bsky.social and @susannahconway.bsky.social feeling seen during a crap week.
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
I always feel a bit mixed. I worked on Indie Publishing Pathway course which I’m launching this month and enjoyed the peace, and could feel myself having a panic yesterday about noise/switching back on. But truth is lovely clients and routine is helpful. There is time and breathing space.
Sounds good, they’re just worth it to be safe in this weather. Happy New Year to you!
Alt text: moon over trees in dark blue sky, in the foreground is a wooden fence with snow on top.
That’s the moon, not the sun. Snow has fallen in Cambridge. Incredibly grateful that my office is at home. Stay safe. Recommending Yaktrax, they really do work.
This is why social media was invented.
Petition to make Coldhams Lane in Cambridge safer for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers too. Link to sign
cambridgeshire.cmis.uk.com/ccc_live/ePe...?
The nicest gift to myself is snoring dog, herbal tea, bed and books. Current reading. #books
Hanging out with the legendary Vic Lee #designersujited. Love the Corona Diaries and so much of his story chimes. Freehand and Quark!
In episode 80 of the Full Stop podcast we are joined by activist Michael Barnett to explore identity, queer visibility, childlessness not by choice, and what it means to advocate fiercely for others while holding private grief.
Also an apartment in Sydney, a park in New South Wales, foxglove, a constellation and novel by Edgar Allen Poe which I read thinking how interesting to see my name in print. It was Poe so obviously disturbing not interesting at all!
Imagine growing up with nobody to tell you how to say your name and your teacher saying it’s not how your family say it. How does anyone know. I love it now, but Berenice was tough growing up. Ancient Egypt and Catholic origins.
What an eye catching cover. I love the details breaking out and the alignment. Nice use of a simple colours and fonts that tells a little story of its own.
I winced at the leading on the headline before I read any of it!
The Social Battery Drain
🎭 ADHD masking, RSD anxiety, overstimulation …
🏃♀️ Socializing can feel like running a marathon in your head
🛡 You’re not antisocial. You’re protecting your energy
#ADHDTips #JustStart
#ADHDProcrastination #TinyWins
#ADHDSystems
#ADHDLife #adhdsky #adhdawareness #adhd
The average wage of a Premier League male footballer is £60,000 a week and a woman £900 per week according to a report in Four Four Two magazine in March 2025.
Watch women’s football, cheer them and follow them on social media. Give them recognition.
#Lionesses
Never start a conversation with “do you have kids”, you don’t know what someone else has been through. Try “what brings you here today” or “do you know anyone else here?”.
Me, and many, many others have shared our stories and signed petitions, emailed MPs to create change and recognition of a grief. Is a week long enough, no, but it’s a start. For many, a day or unpaid leave, an afternoon and often, no time at all as it simply wasn’t recognised.
Loss is loss.
I’m capable and able to hold my own, but if my health wasn’t so good I don’t know I’d be that confident. I have informed police on non emergency but it’s unacceptable. I might look like a white Brit woman but like many, I’m much more. As I said to them, even in death, I’d never vote for you.
Accosted by Reform campaigners on my travels today. Very proud of my East European ancestry and many reasons why I’m not the target market, was firm and polite . The man and woman followed me telling me I was a lefty. At which point I told them to go away (you get the gist)
Wishing everyone a safe, unifying and joyful Cambridge Pride. So very sad to miss the events today and sad to see a minority of idiots proving why it’s needed. I love that it’s gone ahead at a time when events suffer with lack of volunteers, congrats to those who gave up their time. #cambridgepride
A white thatched pub with chairs outside and a lawn on the left.
Diamond wedding celebrations for my parents this weekend, we had a lovely meal out minus dog who chilled out with a dog sitter at 3 Horseshoes in Madingley. More celebrations during the week, I’m feeling blessed to have them safe and well in my life. 60 years, blimey!
This is a short read on how I deal with FOMO (fear of missing out) after the topic came up in an online space this week. It's real and it can affect our mental health.
medium.com/@berenice_ho...
Best night at @cambridgejunction.bsky.social Sung myself hoarse enjoying the Ale House Boys and recreation of tavern music from Cromwell period. History, cursing and music 👌 nice.
A black dog with a red collar lying on a lawn
I thought I’d be Monty Don and Lady Molly Lickalot would be Ned. True to form she has arranged a ball wherever I want to plant and tried to dig more holes, despite her advancing years.
Well, that's a lovely surprise. Thank you Digital Women ® for a lovely end to the week and the month of May. *** Image of purple and yellow background with the words Finalist Digital/Graphic Designer Berenice Howard-Smith Digital Women Awards 2025. In a circle is a picture of Berenice with curly blonde and red hair wearing glasses and a grey jumper, looking at the camera, behind her is a green wall with a pink, orange and blue print.
A lovely end of the week and end of the month.
Digital Women enable and empower women in digital skills, including design. I support them because they also have a carer award that honours the many ways women care, thereby enabling childfree and childless women to take part.
This is my main activity today. I would genuinely up sticks and leave beautiful Cambridge and land in Hay, one of the nicest places I’ve ever stayed in.
