Feeling inadequate is such a horrible feeling. I usually work hard to overcome it, but there’s one area where I just can’t seem to make progress: computers! I’ve had this lovely new laptop since the summer, but it’s practically useless to me. Nothing works the way I need it to, and even the simplest things take me hours to figure out. I just have no intuitive understanding of technology. Nothing stresses me out quite like an email from colleagues asking me to configure my children’s iPads or install updates. My mood immediately plummets. And here we go again 🤍

Late lunch: Gnocchi with chicken and vegetables in a creamy sauce, baked in the oven. Just the thing for this grey last day of October 🤍 #foodstr

The kids have made our house Halloween-ready. It’s not really my thing, though. I’d much rather celebrate #WhitePaperDay 🤍

A tired #GM. Having animals sometimes comes with unpleasant surprises in the morning. Best not to go into details. #Coffee first 🤍

I had such a lovely afternoon with a good friend. Exactly what my soul needed today 🤍 #GN

My sister is at rock bottom. The home where this picture used to hang no longer exists. So far, her stay in psychiatric hospital. hasn’t helped. I’m doing okay. I’m strong. But there’s an entire country between us, and I can’t hold her in my arms 🤍 #family #love

#GM Friday 🤍

Sometimes it’s not so easy to stay true to your values. When I say yes to something, I want it to be a genuine yes, not a disguised no. And I think it’s okay to do something you don’t particularly feel like doing for someone else’s sake. You can still say yes wholeheartedly because you’re doing it for them. But it has to be genuine. Sometimes, though, you feel morally obligated to say yes to something when deep down, you feel a no. Family gatherings are a good example. Perhaps you don’t feel like going, but you know the person who invited you is looking forward to seeing you. Other family members also expect you to be there. So, do you say yes or no? Which value do you stay true to? The one that tells you only to say yes when you genuinely mean it? Or the one that tells you to say yes for the sake of someone you care about? 🤍 #family #love

Home 🤍 #germany #mecklenburgvorpommern

At our school, you’re allowed to take your birthday off, whether you’re a student or a teacher (unfortunately, my birthday has always fallen during the school holidays so far). My daughter knew straight away that she’d rather come to the stables with me than go to school. And as you can see, she had a great time 🤍 #kidstr #dogstr #horsestr

#GM 14 years ago today, I became a mother for the very first time. Happy birthday to my wonderful daughter 🤍

Preparing for tomorrow 🤍 #GN

Whenever I’m in the shower this time of year, I always think of my British friend from university, who once said, “Thank God leg-shaving season is over.” 🤍

Finally done with work and back home. The autumn light is absolutely beautiful right now. But I can’t stop thinking about the conversation my children and I had in the car. My eldest told me that she and a friend had watched a documentary about the 2001 Love Parade disaster. She, and especially her younger siblings, couldn’t understand how something like a crowd crush could happen. I did my best to explain it to them. For them, it’s just a historical event that happened before they were born, much like when my parents told me about things from the 1970s back when I was young. But for me, it was a defining moment. I remember watching it unfold live on television. And then, not long afterwards, 9/11 happened. Every one of us adults knows where we were and what we were doing at that moment. For teenagers today, it’s simply history 🤍 #momlife #history

#GM New day, new horse. Hoof trimming days 🤍 #horsestr

Choosing and wrapping presents. One of my main occupations from October through December 🤍 #momlife