Today I’ve been asked to “Name one thing that I’m proud of”. This is something I’ve been working on as when it comes to celebrating my own successes, I’m a little bit rubbish. I now take more time to reflect on my day, and if I can look at it and say “well done Jo. You nailed that today” I’ll treat myself. Whether it’s with a nice hot soak in the bath, a gin (contrary to common belief I don’t drink on week nights!) or something nice for tea, I make sure I celebrate my successes and take some time to be proud of me.

The one thing that I’m most proud of is upping sticks from my hometown in Essex in 2010, and making a new life for myself up North in Wigan, just outside of Manchester, which some of you reading this may know.

At just 23, I chose to relocate through work. Aside from a few work colleagues, I knew nobody. What I did know was that I needed to spread my wings and start afresh.

It took me 3 years before I found Dave and his gorgeous family, all of whom I adore as much as I do him.

It was another couple of years before we got Poppy (our gorgeous doggo) and all that’s missing right now is a home together, which hopefully isn’t too far off in the future 🙂

Although I have a couple of friends who have been around for years, in the last couple of years I’ve made the greatest group of friends that I’ve ever had.

Life isn’t perfect for me right now, but I’m proud of the fact that I’ve successfully built a life, where I’m happy and where I’ve got the right people around me, to help me get through whatever comes my way.