Last September, I was grossly overweight, fed up with my lot in life and hoping to find paid work.
My instincts told me I would only change with the back-up of other women. I decided to set up a blog hop and was so pleased when other mums came forward and said they wanted to effect changes in their lives too. Inspired by all things Eighties, I called us the Groovy Mums and we set off with our knapsacks on our virtual backs towards an undefined but a “It’s got to be better than this!” future.
There was a definite first set of mums who got involved and there was lots of accompanying banter and support on Twitter as well as via blog comments. That has got less probably as we got involved in various tasks towards getting our groove back.
We found that when mums were struggling, some would not post at all and some would in great detail and end up helping others with their sadder posts as well as with their happier ones.
9 months on, I am aware that some participants found that Groovy Mums was not for them or could not find the time to join in. I am proud to see all the changes that mums have made, both baby steps and huge ones. I think we have worked out that when we achieve some things, a lot of us still want to move on to new ways of thinking and different activities. Perhaps there is not a destination after all but rather a fascinating journey.
So where now for Groovy Mums and me?
My life has changed a lot since last year. I lost a considerable amount of weight so feel better health wise. I have stones and stones to shift still but I know I can do it now. Nothing seems hopeless anymore and that is largely down to the impetus of the Groovy Mums. Thank you.
I have paid work now and can see new opportunities to acquire more at a pace that suits me and my family.
I am a member of the BritMums team and am speaking at BritMums Live in less than two weeks. There are nerves naturally but my reality is now that I will be fine and contribute well to the event. My thinking has shifted about what I am capable of.
I am involved in supporting charities and am a proud ambassador for Give As You Live, the organisation that ensures that money goes to charity when you shop online (but you do have to sign up and can do so here http://www.give.as/savingbabieslives ).
So I have changed and I feel ready for a big adventure after BritMums Live. I am working on the finer details but I feel the time is right for me and look forward to sharing in due course.
I have noticed that less people are linking up when I do Groovy Mums posts and challenges. On a level, this does not matter but on another if I am going to be busy and the posts are not helpful to folks, I wonder if I should continue with them.
We have had a few Groovy Mums Twitter parties which appeal to a wider audience and seem to assist in linking up mums who can help each other in terms of support, tips and information. Should we do some more?
I never was a great guru and never had all the answers. I was just a fat mum stuck in a small village who wanted to feel like herself again. Groovy Mums was as much about helping myself as reaching out to others.
So although I feel quite clear about where I should go next and what I should do, my question is where next for Groovy Mums?
Should it be allowed to die a natural death?
Should it continue in the same way?
Should it change radically?
Should I share the load more as some mums seem keen to help out in some way?
I would love to know what people think whether they join in with Groovy Mums or not. I am also not going to make any major decisions on the future of Groovy Mums until after BritMums Live because sometimes I too need to take time out to reflect and to ease up on myself.
Over to you …