Fraser Duncan

That Was The Week – Beginning on 7 October 2024

Image of diary with text of 'This Week' used to illustrate post

Every so often, I question whether I am using the best tools for the job (of writing), and none more often than when it comes to journaling. For me, a writer for wellbeing, the backbone of what I do centres around journalling. Whilst I engage in other forms of writing, this is the one that […]

Reminders – Of how we fall and rise

Image of a foggy woodland, used to illustrate post

summer refuses to give wayas autumn pushes forwardthe sun would have us still outand about and wearing onlyslightly more clothes now but autumn keeps pushingand sends summer awayas the temperature dropsand the leaves fall and wefinally bring everything in we know what is comingthe dragging mornings andthe damp beginnings thedays drawing inwards tolessen the distance […]

Mouse and Fraser – Who will win this war?

Image of person holding mouse in hands, to illustrate post.

So, here we are. I have to say that Fraser hasn’t exactly been welcoming. When I came into his apartment, I was pretty unobtrusive really, the odd nibble here and a little scurry here and there. Ok, maybe I’m not the cutest little mouse around, having been around for a while, and been in the […]

How To Make Sure Things Get Done – Despite the distractions

Image of a person using a remote control to watch TV, used to illustrate post

The distractions in life are where many of us find ourselves before too long. We may have started-off with good intentions to do this or write that, but soon we are consumed by the news, the politics, the gossip, TV, the game, the movie, the people, the book that grabs our original intention, and grinds […]

That Was The Week – Beginning on 9 September 2024

Image of the International Space Station created by the European Space Agency, used to illustrate post

For me, this week was characterised by different kinds of writing, from poetry workshop to increased journalling to following prompts based on existing poetry. And I have had another piece of writing published by ‘Know Thyself, Heal Thyself’: How to Make Your Fish Ride a Bicycle — When all it wants to do is climb ladders. […]

Seneca, Asthma and Me – Making a connection over the centuries

Image of a bust of Seneca The Younger, used to illustrate post

Seneca The Younger was born at the same time as Christ, but that is not why he grabs my attention. I am drawn to the fact that he writes about his experience of Asthma, something I have had to deal with in my life more than 2000 years later. Nowadays, I can usually keep the worst of […]

Drifting – Slowly escaping

Image of person fishing from a dinghy to illustrate post.

long stretch of sandy beachin cold-weather Scotlandwaitlast two weeks in Julywe have a summerGlasgow invasionand huffy locals soft and warmgolden sandsgallons of alcoholmost populartowelsbathingsleepI pick my way pastwith shovel in hand I want cold hard ridgeslugworm beneathbaited hooksbobbing dinghyout in the bayaway and awayfrom the maddening crowd bite on the lineflurry of activitycrash landingsea creaturemurdered […]

Renewed, Refreshed, Replenished – Leaving summer break behind

Image of a sunset over the sea, used to illustrate post

Here I stand at the beginning of a new academic year, ready for all that it might bring. I see it as the opportunity to renew learning, and to remind myself of positions I might choose to adopt when it comes to writing, and how I interact with the world. In that respect, I am […]

I Will Be Right Back – After my summer break

Image of sun shining on tree-lined path in the park to illustrate post.

Following on from my post last week, I am exercising my right to work when I want to work, and therefore to take breaks when that feels right for me. And so, in the spirit of self-care, this will be my last post until 1 September, at the earliest. I am looking forward to refresh my […]