Welcome to PocketPinsUK.
The idea to share locations in the UK came from wanting to have a place to record where I have been and what I learn about the places I visit and hope to encourage others to stay active and get outdoors when they can. As much as I love walking for my mental health, exploring and completing routes on my hiking app, I have a natural desire to learn about the places I seek out and stumble upon. I feel truly lucky to be able to hike, explore and get to see sights and scenery that heals my soul. I feel the places and sights I get to experience are worth sharing for those who can’t explore or those looking for different places to go themselves. I live a life where balance is extremely important. Scheduling in weekly walks or hikes has become part of my self care, reflection time and being at one with nature. These walks have become a big part of my healing journey and how I cope and mange depression naturally in order to show up for my kids the best I can. I make content for all the places I go for people who like videos and appreciate the beauty of the UK. I write blogs for a deeper understanding of those places with some facts and any history associated to the location.
My deeper background which pathed the way to who I am today is that I grew up in a domestic abusive household with one parent getting convicted in my early teens. I was diagnosed with depression at age 14 and put on medication with no explanation or choice. At age 19 I found myself with no where to go and forever thankful to the aunt who let me share my cousins bedroom, for months, or I would have been sleeping on the streets.
I am now a single mum with two amazing teenagers with ADHD and Autism. My youngest has Pathological Demand Avoidance, a profile of autism not yet understood by professionals. Despite trauma from childhood, trauma from a narcissistic relationship and relocating for the safety of my children, losing every friend and family relationship we had, I strive to be the best mum I can be and remain a kind understanding person. Over the years I have learnt this means taking care of me and my mental health to be balanced and regulated for my children. I have a Facebook account, PocketPins Mental Health, where I post short self care reminders for now and in the future might write about my journey and what helped me through.
We lived the conventional life of school, work, friends and family for many years in the children’s younger days. This eventually put us into crisis. Now we live unconventionally and do what works for us as a special needs family. The youngest’s PDA means rarely leaving the house these days and when he was younger, lead to complete isolation. Having survived years of that, now they are older, I spread my wings when I can and appreciate every moment of it. The children are always invited, with only my eldest sometimes joining me and providing better pictures of the day.
There are so many talented exploring content creators online, regularly reaching peaks and exploring vast dream locations. I’m lucky enough to have visited a few of these places throughout the years, and will share them but, I’m not climbing mountains and chasing waterfalls every weekend. Humbly accepting I can’t live that life, You’ll mainly find me wondering through woodlands, counting miles through scenic countryside and scoping churchyards, ancient buildings and megaliths aswell as talking to the wildlife and dancing to cows. I see my time outdoors as spending time with nature and the universe and it’s really helps me with mindfulness and being in the present moment.
I hope my blogs, social media platforms and content helps or inspires even one person.