If you are a regular reader of my blog then you will know that I have been on a mission to improve my health, sleep better and overcome the challenges that menopause and being over 50 have bought me.  I often share my thoughts and what has worked for me.  Indeed one of the main motivators for starting my blog was for some accountability! I was contacted recently by Serious Readers and asked if I would like to try, and write about, one of their specialist reading lights.  One of my goals has been to reduce screen time and therefore blue light and read more at bedtime to help improve my sleep quality - so I was really interested in finding out more.

I chose the Serious Readers Alex Floor Light with a lightweight base so I can move it easily and a brass finish to complement the decor in my house.  I had two places I wanted to try the light.  In my bedroom for bedtime reading and in my lounge for close-up tasks like sewing and reading.

I was delighted to do the cover reveal for Unscripted by Claire Handscombe on my blog back in December and now I am reviewing it on launch day.   If you are looking for novel recommendations for your summer holiday beach reads then take a closer look!  I am already getting a good stock of books to read from my sun lounger in Turkey!

I have however, been a bit of a slow reader this month - I've been out a lot and very busy - so I have to own up to not finishing the book yet.  But I am enjoying it and have reached the point where I am keen to turn the pages and find out what happens next!

Talking and sharing my perimenopause symptoms is incredibly personal and I have wondered if I am happy to do so but I do believe that my journey to HRT and what has happened to me, what I have found out, might help someone else who is suffering in perimenopause and needs some support and advice during menopause.  And with Carol Vorderman all over the papers again this week talking about HRT and how it changed her life, I thought I'd be brave, I do believe we need to be more open about menopause, so here goes ...

Are you happy?  Would you like to know how to be happy?  How to be happier?  I have suffered from anxiety and depression on and off most of my adult life, not severe like many but enough to sometimes need help, either medication or counselling.  A few years back my GP asked me if I could remember the last time I was truly happy, that question and the struggle to answer it really concerned me.