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How Travelling Can Be Soothing For Your Mental Health

April has already been a busy month. As I sat on the long coach journey back to Cornwall, with "Younger Now" by Miley Cyrus blasting through my headphones, I reminisced about my recent visit to my home town...

My partner and I recently travelled up to Bedfordshire to visit my family. I haven't been there for a few years, and it was strange to go back to the place I called home for the first seven years of my life.
















Staying at my Grandparents was very relaxing. There was no pressure to be someone I'm not and I was surrounded by people who love me unconditionally. People who were happy to see me and who enjoyed my company.




















It felt freeing to be away from Bristol and in a different environment, to break out of my normal routine, but at the same time to fall into a healthier one. And most importantly... I had cuddles with my Nan's cat.




Whilst we were there, I took my partner for a walk around the Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, to the Forest Centre where I spent much of my childhood. We breathed in the country air and the beautiful scenery. We laughed along as I shared my memories. It's amazing that I have finally found someone who I want to share my life with. And it's even more amazing to have found someone who wants to listen.







I also took him to visit my Great Grandad's grave. The graveyard itself is rather creepy, and I told him the tale of the Devil trying to steal the church tower, but it was too heavy to carry so he dropped it next to it. Apparently if you walk backwards around the church thirteen times, the devil appears. Which, my mum has tried drunk before.

We also went to Milton Keynes for a cute date night, and to my old home in Woburn Sands. Luckily we were able to miss out the majority of Bedford!













The main reason we went up there was for my auntie's 30th birthday party. It was so much fun, it was nice to just let my hair down and spend some time with my cousins. Best of all: there was a bouncy castle.



















Leaving for Bristol, I felt slightly sad... even though I'm seeing my Grandparents over Easter weekend in Cornwall. However, I also left feeling completely content and relaxed. As much as I love living in Bristol, it was so nice to get away from it. To just break free from what I know did a world of good for my mental well-being.

Don't get me wrong, I could never live in Bedford again. And I'm happy to be back in Cornwall now. But I feel like I've been running my whole life from who I used to be and where I'm from: it was nice to finally stop running and accept myself.



Until the next time,

Char.
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