Hi Spells8 Family,
I’m so sorry for my absence recently - I have had some struggles with my mental health and needed to step away from social media platforms for a while. I am feeling much better now, however, and am in a MUCH more positive place 
, so I thought I would jump on to see how you are doing? 
How was your Xmas? New Year?
Any plans for the coming year? Resolutions?
I’ve missed you all a lot 
cant wait to catch up!
XXX
Glad you were able to find some comfort and support for your mind. ALWAYS A GOOD PLAN when life becomes too much. I get the removing yourself from Social Media… I did the same for the same reasons. I walked away from a lot of friends (and some relatives) that only use Facebook to stay in touch. I am not sorry for my choice.
New Years was quiet for us - not unexpected and rather blissful.
Funny that my New Years plans are to spend less time with technology and more time sorting and scrubbing (I live with my Dad in his house - we have too much stuff.)
I have recently become much more dedicated to my practice of witchcraft so there is a lot of “stuff” that comes with that as well. I am determined to simplify my life now that I have direction.
I hope that focusing on those goals will set me up for a good year ahead.
I am so glad you are back @Abs53 and I hope you visit often.
Berta
I was just thinking that I hadn’t seen you for a while. I’m happy that you took time for yourself and to work on yourself. I have had to do the same before just to get myself centered again. I completely understand.
I had a good Christmas & New Year’s. I don’t necessarily have any resolutions but I am focusing on good health, self-care, and positivity. How were your holidays? Do you have any resolutions?
I just found out yesterday that because I am doing so well with new coping skills that I have been working on, I don’t have to continue to go to counseling unless I ask to go or I have been referred again. It feels like I came such a long way and I am in a much better place also.
I have missed you and I am happy that you are able to be back with us. I look forward to seeing you more! Have a great day!
Oh, @Abs53 I’ve missed you so much here!!!
I’m glad you took a break from the social platforms. I think I could benefit from it once in a while. But I’m so happy to see you here. 
How was you new year? Mine was ok, I slept through the new year celebration. Lol. I graduated from the crystal healing course. Now onto the advanced course.
Don’t be sorry hon! You have to take care of yourself first and part of that is stepping away from social media. I’m just glad you’re doing better right now. We’ve missed you!
I had a quiet holiday season, with the exception for a few health scares. I’m going to be trying to get my physical health in order this year as my resolution. Not much else going on with me. How are you doing? Besides the mental health thing? Did you have a nice holiday?
Same here! I stopped using Facebook about a month ago, and it’s great! 
l I have some fitness and health resolutions, as well as personal project goals. Also to try to celebrate the sabbats with friends in person (outdoors) and making my own candles 
@berta I am glad you had a nice New Year! Simplifying your life is such a good idea, one that I’m taking on board too! 
@Susurrus good health, self care and positivity all sound like fab things to focus on 
That is fantastic that you’re doing so well, I’m so happy for you! 
@christina4 putting your wonderful skills to good use I see! good luck with the advanced course, you’ll smash it, I’m certain! It was a well needed break! I think with all the restrictions still in force in England, it got so hard to “see” people on SM without actually being able to see them in real life I just had to withdraw and heal for a bit. It helped a lot.
@Amethyst Thank you for your kind words, as lovely as ever 
I hope you’re doing ok. Physical health is one of focuses too! I’ve let a lot slide in 2020 health wise, I need to get back on track!
@Francisco such a good idea, I had 6 months away from FB at the start of 2020 and it was such a relief. I’m thinking of coming away from it again permanently. Candle making is a wonderful one 
Cant wait to see your creations!
My Xmas and New Year were quiet and very different than normal but we made the most of it with lots of games and Connie was rather more spoilt than usual!
This year I’m focusing on more moon work, as that seems to bring me the most peace and happiness 
I’m drawing up a business plan this New Moon (Capricorn New Moon, perfect time for it! - I’ll share a post soon!) and I’ve purchased the Moonology Diary 2021 by Yasmin Boland which I’ve been reading through and checking off all the “peak” moments for moon work this year.
Me and my husband are really focusing on cleaning up our health, physical and mental. He had a few problems with drugs in 2020 but he’s really focused and is doing so well at the moment, I’m really proud of him. 
We’re both eating clean and doing daily exercises, daily yoga and trying to get out in nature more 
when my mental health flags I withdraw in and I really really miss the benefits of being outdoors, so I’m trying to ensure I go out a little each day.
The Virgo 
in me has taken control and I’ve got a new routine I’m working too; rising early and reading each night before bed 
Small achievable goals each day. Keeping myself busy but allocating down time and I’m really working on more active parenting. I realised late last year just how much my mental health effects my little girl and how much I hate it - when I get sad and stay in bed for example, she knows “Mummy’s sad” and she comes in and gives me cuddles and stuff 
She’s 6, she shouldn’t have to put up with that crap. So I’m focusing on making life FUN for all of us. 
Next week, in between home-schooling and work, we’re tye-dying clothes 
, growing crystals and baking cookies 
I’ve accepted in England this year probably wont be much different than last, but I’m determined to use that as a reason for self development instead of wallowing. It’ll be all the better when we can finally all meet with loved ones again all healthy and happy!
I’m over joyed reading how well you’re doing! I know and understand mental health. My kids know when I’m in bed, I’m sad too. But, being creative is fun. Ooh 
My face light up when I read this:
My kids and I have these planned as well! All of these activities. I bought him a tye dye set with a tee shirt and a crystal growing kit for Christmas, and my daughter loves baking. I guess we have more in common than I thought 
That is wonderful that you have so many things working for you. I like the small achievable goals each day and I do some of the same things. My daughter is 11 and I feel the same way that she shouldn’t have to put up with my things whether they are physical or mental. She has become somewhat of a nurse and she should be doing other things. We do a lot of baking too! It’s good indoor activities like that so we don’t go too crazy staying home more. I try to get out each day too I find that I feel better if I just take the short walk up to the top of my street and come back.
I’m happy to hear that your husband is so focused you both can come up with a great plan together for the family. I hope everything continues to work out for you. It can be hard when you’re in the house for so long together to get some down time or even alone time. I’m so happy that you have found a way to do so with your family.
I hope you continue with your successes for this year! Even little steps forward are steps forward. You’ll do great! I’m very happy for you.
These are times that try people’s souls. It’s not looking like any improvement coming this year. Stepping back and regrouping is the way to go. There’s a lot coming at us.
@Abs53, welcome ! Great too see you! Hope everything is better. Completely understandable. We need to detach ourselves, now and again from social media. I quit FB, like 4 years ago and haven’t looked back. Hope your holidays were pleasant and the New years started off magnificently!
Good goals-start of new year. Enrolled in a Veterinary Technician degree program, to improve and focus on a new career. (Plus be great to work with animals)
Also, focus on my Wicca and spell work. Trying to dedicate more time to it.
Thank you,
Blessed be.
Welcome back! I know what mental illness can look like and how this past year can take it’s toll. I didn’t get to know you too well before your absence but I have linked to your material while you’ve been gone because it was so helpful to me and to others on here. 
I only use Facebook to talk about my recovery, eclectic wicca, and to chat with friends on Messenger. If a friend talks politics in their own feed, I unfollow them for 30 days to keep my sanity. I am so thankful for the few friends from here that I am friends with there, too. If they left Facebook, I probably would, too. All this to say, I get the whole leaving it behind idea.
I love Yasmin Boland’s Moonology Oracle Cards! 
I wonder if I would like the diary, too.
We have an energy exchange round up that I update every two weeks. If you want to be on it, you can comment on their or just let us know here or somewhere else on the site. So many are struggling with the feeling of being stuck inside and with the rolling lock-downs it has made the feeling worse. I am so happy you are taking the time to get outside and ground with the earth.
Blessed Be!
You’re welcome sweetie! I’m doing pretty good. Going in for tests on my heart tomorrow and I’ll see what comes of them next week. Hopefully, it’ll be alright.
I’ve got the Moonology oracle cards, those are nice. I hope the Moonology diary helps you connect to the moon more. Where I live I can’t really see it out my windows and it’s not safe to go out at night so I really miss seeing it.
I’m glad you and your husband are doing better and yay to your husband for dealing with his problem. That’s always difficult. I hope you’re able to make life good for all of your family, six-year-olds included.
It sounds like you have a good week planned! I always wanted to grow crystals but was afraid I’d muck them up.
Hopefully, the new vaccines out will protect us from this new Covid strain and we’ll be able to meet up with our loved ones soon! We’re thinking of you and wishing you good luck darling! Keep up the good work!
Sure sounds like everyone has a lot going on! I’m just planning on staying as true as I can to the path laid out before and seek improvement as always. 2020 was a very enlightening year for me and I feel I still have quite a ways to go. I’m looking forward to the continued effects of Witchcraft on my life.
I feel that 2020 was definitely the year of the Tower: Destructive and sudden changes, but with an underlying sense of higher learning and liberation… In the end, it will all be for the best.
Welcome back, @Abs53!!!
So glad to see things are looking up for you and your loved ones- you have been missed, it’s always great to hear from you 
The new year is off to a bustling start here with work projects and other responsibilities. The holidays are over but I’m already craving another vacation- who knows when that will be! 
I hope your holiday celebrations went well and you have many wonderful things to look forward to in the coming months.
Blessed be! 
I hear you @john4. The best we can do is hunker down and keep plodding ahead. Hang tough.
Hey @Abs53! Nice to see you back!
I’ve also been absent… my phone broke a week or so before Christmas, but I’ve ot a new one now, as well as so much good news!
☆ A raise/promotion for Christmas… I’m now the co-manager of the coffee shop! It feels great to have advanced this fast, plus I LOVE my job! Its a little more than the part time I planned on, but its working for me!
☆ My art is going well, at least with people I know & FB sales. For some reason, etsy has been a complete flop for me. My best friend’s shop has blown up, though, so I’m not going to give up just yet!
☆ I am 60% done with my hepatitis treatment. Its been extremely up & down… some days I feel great and some days my head stays in the toilet. Those days are hard, but I remind myself that it’s my body fighting off this disease & if it’s effecting me, it must be working!
☆ Goals for 2021: I want to continue to grow in my craft. I’ll be getting back to doing a ritual on every New and Full moon… I slacked a bit at the end of 2020 and I felt it! I’m finally getting my apartment decorated the way I want (it only took 5 months lol) and I feel so much more “me” having art on the walls. And lastly, continue getting my health to where I want/need it to be – mentally, emotionally & physically! Life is ALL about balance & I want to achieve it in as many parts of my life as possible this year!
I’m so happy everytime I come back after a small break and see SO MUCH POSITIVITY here! The world is a confusing, scary place right now, but in my witchy world, there is always plenty of sunshine!
Xo
@haley, great news all around for you! That’s amazing! I love to hear when others triumph and succeed! It’s a great positive feeling !
Wow, @haley! I’m glad things are going well for you!