WW47 2019

HOROSCOPES

HOROSCOPES
What’s in your stars this week?

Scorpio Sagittarius

Oct 24 - Nov 22 Nov 23 - Dec 21

Give yourself permission In a quieter and more romantic
to slow down a bit. Some week, you could be lulled
days it feels as though into a false sense of security.
you are in a big bubble Everything is the same as
of happiness. Build on before, is it? Are you sure?
your most precious When someone comes riding
relationships by relaxing in with a load of horsepower,
and helping loved ones it can be a shock. Could this be
do the same. real life or just a fantasy?

Capricorn Aquarius Pisces Aries

Dec 22 - Jan 20 Jan 21 - Feb 19 Feb 20- Mar 20 Mar 21 - April 20

e urge to change your Working and being determined Good things are happening. Are you looking forward to a
image dominates. A one-track to ‘do your own thing’ is fine. It is a time to make friends quiet week? Well, forget that.
mind can be an asset in these Fine, that is, until it becomes and really show what they Right from the start, Mars is
situations. Others want you a problem to loved ones. at mean to you. Don’t assume set to stir things up and get
to do things for them. is one-track mind of yours is that they know how much passions firing. Work is likely
takes time. Could they help a marvellous thing when it you appreciate them. Say it to take second place to your
themselves more? You may be comes to work. It is not so good out loud! e busier that you personal life, but try not to
doing them a favour by helping when it cuts great slices out of become the more things and upset the boss. Be tactful to
them to be more self-reliant. your social and home life. people you have to faze out. avoid problems later on.

Taurus Gemini Cancer COMPETITION

April 21 - May 21 May 22 - June 21 June 22 - July 22 Yes To Skincare is the
perfect range for when girls
Restlessness seems to be Recent changes have led you With Mars around to stir folk start taking an interest in
bothering you. It brings into to think again about your up, the unexpected seems the their skin. Whether you
question parts of your life that future. is is not something norm. Taking it in your stride, are a teen or even a later
you want to change. You are to rush. Whereas you like to you will not be impressed by stage in life, this is the
not sure where you are going. be spontaneous yourself, you pushy people. Avoid being perfect introductory range
Take a step back and decide are not so happy when others overwhelmed by requests of products to spark an
where it is that you want to be. spring surprises on you. from others by being ‘busy’ interest in your skincare
It is better to work with others Sidestep comments and plans yourself. You are beset by routine. Yes To products are
then against them. that do not fit in with yours. temptation of a romantic kind. free of all the nasties and
filled with all the goodness.
Leo Virgo Libra
We have Yes To products
July 23 - Aug 23 Aug 24 - Sept 23 Sept 24 - Oct 23 worth over €15 to give
away. To win all you have to
Temptation seems to be all Your talents are varied and A bit of bad luck or bad health do is answer
around you. Passions are can be quite impressive. Are may have held you back the following
fired in an unusual way in they fully appreciated though? recently. at can really dent question
an unusual place. Were you Not only by others but also by your optimism and confidence. using the
looking for this or is it by yourself? Changes that you Get them back by having form on page
chance? By the end of the would like to happen need a faith in your talents, abilities 49: Which
week you will have your bit more determined input and charm. Get to grips with star sign is
answer. A weary body does from you. Don’t assume that finances, even if it means represented
not mean a weary mind. you are not good enough. planning way into the future. by the bull?

WOMANSWAY.IE 51

TAROT

ASK THE TAROT

What do the cards have in store for you?

My partner and I have two King of Cups is strong and boundaries in place with your with bad behaviour, then Illustrations by Jeffrey ompson | Dreamstime.com
children together and like capable, but he also needs partner. is will be a difficult that’s exactly how they’ll
most, we argue about how support – otherwise he can thing to do, but the cards state treat us. By enforcing these
best to raise them. Bedtime feel isolated and as though no that it is absolutely necessary. boundaries, no matter how
agreement is a big one as I one cares about him. difficult, we show them that
always have to give in for e Hermit tells me that we desire a certain amount
peace. He does shift work Judgement, next out, tells you’re on the brink of a of respect and, if they’re not
and I understand where he is me that your partner is not very deep personal change, willing to give us the respect
coming from but their welfare giving you the support you which will occur over the we deserve, then we can
is paramount. Since having need and hasn’t for a long next 12 months. I see you easily let them drop out of
them I’ve had certain issues time. I do feel that you’ve rediscovering your sense of our lives. Relationships are a
which mean going back to tried to speak to him about self-worth and this will have two-way street and from your
work isn’t an option. And this and to ask for his help, a hugely positive impact on email it sounds as though your
when things get out of hand but he just won’t hear you. your life. However, in order partner is getting his needs
he can be cruel and nasty. I to cement these beautiful met, but at the expense of
am wondering will any of this e ree of Cups next qualities into your life, you yours. You deserve to be loved
damage my children and can tells me that perhaps your have to make your boundaries within a relationship. I would
they grow up ‘normal?’ friends or family have non-negotiable. encourage you to read up on
ANON, VIA EMAIL expressed concerns about his boundaries and start enacting
unwillingness to give you the I would encourage you to them in your life. Trial it for
I’m sorry to hear about your help that you need, and I feel sit down with your partner a period of six months and
difficulties. e King of Cups as though you would do well and lay things on the table: then reassess the situation. If
is first out and, like all court to listen to them. enforce the boundary that nothing has changed, it might
cards in the tarot, he can he is not allowed to speak be worth looking at whether
represent a man or a woman. You say that your partner to you in a nasty fashion this is a relationship that’s
In this case, I feel as though can be cruel and nasty. I just and if he does, you won’t ultimately right for you or
he represents who you are. want you to know that no one engage with him. I would not. I would also encourage
You are a very emotionally has the right to speak to you also encourage you to have a you to seek support if you
strong person and you’ve in an abusive or nasty way frank conversation with him need it. Counsellors can
been through a lot in your – it doesn’t matter if they’re about what’s best for your be fantastic for helping us
life. You’ve carried all these family, a partner or a friend. children regarding bedtime begin the practice of self-
burdens well, because you’d It’s simply not okay. I feel and to get him to agree to a care and self-empowerment
rather be the one to carry called to point out to you that compromise. If he breaks this in our lives. You can find a
them than anyone you love. children are like sponges and boundary, then there will be counsellor in your local area
However in the past few that if they see an unhealthy consequences for his actions. by logging on to the Irish
months, things have been relationship modelled, they Association for Counselling
weighing on you and feeling will grow up believing that It’s important to understand and Psychotherapy website:
more difficult than usual. e it’s normal for two adults to that we show people how to www.iacp.ie
treat each other that way. I treat us. So if we have weak
don’t say this to scare you, but boundaries and continually
to encourage you to put some allow someone to get away

PLEASE NOTE: Tarot is not designed to replace any medical or financial advice or your own free will. Tarot can guide you and show you options of what
may happen. Remember, when it comes to making choices, you are the master of your own destiny. Have a question you want Amy to answer?
Write to: Tarot questions, Woman’s Way, Harmonia, Rosemount House, Dundrum Road, Dundrum, Dublin 14 or email: [email protected]

52 WOMANSWAY.IE

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Health newsCOPING WITH GRIEF Say goodbye to dry THE PERFECT
MILK GIFT
The Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) We all know that cooler
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THINGS
HEALTHY Hearing for health

Ireland recently topped the list in a global STAY SAFE
survey for putting off treatment for
hearing loss, with 22 per cent of The Asthma Society of
people admitting to waiting five Ireland is calling on the
years or more before seeking 380,000 people in Ireland
help for hearing loss. During who have asthma and
the month of November, to the 500,000 people
encourage more people to who have Coronary
get their hearing checked, Obstructive Pulmonary
Blackberry Hearing will be Disease (COPD) to speak to their GP about getting the flu
giving away a free Widex TV vaccination. If you have asthma or COPD, you are at higher
Play worth €275 with every risk of catching the flu which can be potentially fatal. Speaking
purchase of a pair of Evoke 440 about the flu, CEO of the Asthma Society Sarah O’Connor said:
hearing aids. “It is really important that people with asthma or COPD and
For more information log on to their friends, family and co-workers, make every effort to avoid
contracting the highly contagious flu virus.”
www.blackberryhearing.com For more information call 1800 445 464 or log on to
www.asthma.ie or www.pneumo.ie

54 WOMANSWAY.IE

WHAT TO DO Manage your diet HEALTH NEWS
IF YOU’RE
WORRIED ABOUT When we’re feeling tired GET SOME SUNSHINE
SEASONAL and rundown, it’s easy to
AFFECTIVE reach for sugary foods like According to recent research published in Frontiers in
DISORDER chocolate, cakes and biscuits Microbiology, getting some sun exposure could be good for
to boost our blood sugar our gut health. In the study, 21 women had their vitamin
Far from being just a levels, but dietician Helen D levels and microbiome tested. ey were then exposed
touch of ‘winter blues,’ Bond says the energy boost to UVB light over the course of a week. ey study found
seasonal affective disorder – will be short-lived. that vitamin D levels increased amongst the majority of the
otherwise known as SAD – is participants and the women who were most deficient in
a form of clinical depression “It’s much better to go for vitamin D at the start of the study, also saw an increase in
that has a clear pattern, healthier choices, which will diversity in their microbiome. However, it is important to
occurring at the same time give us a longer lasting source note that more research is needed.
each year during winter. of energy, such as fruit, nuts
and seeds, yoghurt and oat Did you know?
“People with SAD cakes.”
regularly feel low in The scent of a green apple can help to relieve the stress
mood during the winter Sort out your sleep routine associated with claustrophobia and many real estate agents will
season, but recover diffuse the scent of a green apple in a house they’re selling to
during the summer,” says Feeling lethargic and sleepy make it seem bigger to potential buyers.
LloydsPharmacy pharmacist during the day, or sleeping for
Anshu Kaura. longer than normal, are key IN THE
symptoms of SAD, so taking NEWS…
“You might notice a loss steps to manage the time
of pleasure or interest in you spend in bed can help to Marvellous Med
normal activities, feeling keep both body and mind in a
irritable, worthless, guilty or healthy routine. We all know that the
in despair, a lack of energy Mediterranean diet has a host of
or lethargy during the day, Dr Irshaad Ebrahim, health benefits associated with it,
and struggling to get up in medical director of e but according to new research, it
the mornings.” London Sleep Centre, says, can also help us to keep our guts
“Everyone is different and so in tip-top condition. Researchers
ere are lots of different is the amount of sleep they from The Netherlands found that a
ideas about why SAD occurs, need each night.” Mediterranean diet that’s heavy in
but evidence seems to point plant-based foods can help to promote healthier gut microbiota
towards lack of sunlight Ebrahim believes the quality and lower levels of inflammatory markers in stool. Researcher
being a trigger for some of sleep is more important believer that a plant-rich Mediterranean diet may help in
people. Less daylight hours than the amount of sleep – protecting the body against intestinal diseases.
in winter means the body and if you don’t get enough
produces more of the sleep good quality sleep you’ll feel WOMANSWAY.IE 55
hormone melatonin, which tired the next day, no matter
can cause lethargy and how many hours you’ve had.
symptoms of depression.
“We need the perfect
WHAT CAN I DO TO conditions for optimal sleep –
COMBAT SAD? this includes the temperature
Try getting more exercise of the room.”

Kaura explains: “If you In the winter, we often
experience SAD, lifestyle rely on central heating to
changes like regular keep us warm, but Ebrahim
exercise and getting as explains that, naturally, our
much sunlight as possible body temperature drops and
(for example trying to raises whilst we sleep. So
take at least a 20-minute try keeping the heating off
walk outside every but having a few layers of
lunchtime) can make all the bedding instead.
difference.”
IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING…
Other behaviour
habits – like making your If you’ve tried self-help
workspace light and airy and lifestyle measures
and sitting near windows and SAD is still affecting
when you’re indoors – can your day-to-day
have a positive effect on life, talk to your GP
your overall mood too. or pharmacist. An
accurate diagnosis can
be really helpful and
there are treatment
options that can help.
By Amy Wall
By Liz Connor

OTHFEPAPPOEWRER
A psychiatrist shares why starting a journalling
practice is one of the ultimate forms of therapy

For anyone struggling with written, we usually have a being that our blood pressure personal growth during the
emotional and psychological different perspective. We may and stress hormones such as course of such a therapeutic
difficulties, the cheapest, find ourselves more neutral cortisol can spike. Research engagement. Writings are
most available and potentially about an event or a problem. at the University of Austin, also resources to solve future
powerful form of therapy We may be more observing Texas, suggests that journalling problems and a quick refresh
may be a blank page, your of ourselves, more objective actually boosts the immune of previously inscribed notes
favourite writing instrument and less emotionally aroused system, repairing some can be more efficient than
and available time in which to even as we occasionally of the damaging effects of booking top-up face-to-
use them. In writing a journal flinch with embarrassment those cortisol surges. Writing face therapy sessions in
and recording our plans, when we give thanks that accesses the left hemisphere navigating troubles along
thoughts, feelings and desires, we didn’t show our initial of the brain (our rational and life’s journey.
people literally get to read scribbles to another human analytical abilities) which
their own mind. being. e page, which is like is central in processing A page can also contain
a therapist, absorbs every painful emotions and solving lists – namely lists of tasks
Journalling, or the keeping statement without question, problems generally, but our and jobs to be done – all
of letters and diaries as it is judgement or reprisal. e right brain is thereby free to waiting to be crossed out
commonly termed, is a time- page is always available intuit, feel, create and clarify as we proudly accomplish
honoured tradition whereby to us day or night and it our thoughts and feelings as them. Such lists can act as a
we etch our observations of ‘holds’ us as it receives these we grow in self-awareness, scaffolding for our memory,
life onto paper for posterity, outpourings without rushing having taken the heat out of taking pressure off our busy
but equally as a way of to reassure, but works quietly those initial raw emotions. No brains, avoiding a wrestling
expunging the spectra of in the background to reframe wonder journalling has also match with ourselves as we
stressful emotions. We all our sentiments, sensitivities been termed ‘therapeutic try to remember important
know as a choice of weapons, and biases. writing.’ facts and chores. It’s a
pens win out over swords truly terrible cliché to say
eventually, but paper is the IT’S IN THE (BRAIN) CRAMP NOT YOUR STYLE that there’s a book inside
blank canvas which can be re- ANATOMY everyone, yet there is more
read and rewritten, re-crafted ere’s no doubt that writing
for sharing or destroyed to We know that writing helps with solving problems,
maintain the privacy and about painful emotions and feeling calmer and being
control of the writer. traumatic events helps us infinitely less stressed. It can
come to terms with them, be a great problem solving
COMING TO TERMS particularly if we find it tool when it comes to sensibly
difficult to verbally express resolving disagreements and
Writing about emotionally- our feelings. Such inhibition conflict, and the very act of
laden events essentially helps can result in a tendency to writing a paragraph with the
us come to terms with them. repress or bottle up these sub-heading ‘Other person’s
A large measure of relief is concerns instead, which if perspective’ will lay the
even available from the first habitually practiced, can groundwork for resolving
cathartic out-pouring, but damage our physical and many disputes. Retaining
redrafting what we have emotional health. Hostility material or homework used
composed allows us to gain and anger or shame and guilt in psychotherapy will enable
more subtle insights into are examples of emotions you to track patterns and
patterns of response and that we may suppress rather trends in one’s own thinking,
we can be sure that when than display, with the result as well as improvement and
we return to what we have

56 WOMANSWAY.IE

HEALTH FEATURE

By Dr Declan Lyons than a grain of truth in avoid the keyboard, at least takers and their captives, the GETTING STARTED:
this. Almost everyone has initially, as you’re likely to movie scripts you could write, WHICH JOURNAL IS
a perspective to share, a be less expansive in your the interviews you could BEST?
thought-provoking take on initial writing, to have your prepare for.
life, a multitude of worlds to eloquence curtailed and The beautiful thing about
ponder – real and imagined, brainstorm less with any MY FRIEND, MY JOURNAL journalling is that it can be
thrilling and troubling, plug-in intermediary such as as simple or as indulgent
conflictual or comforting. a laptop or a tablet. Your journal is an all as you like. While many
Not every chapter in life accepting, non-judgemental people don’t think much
has a fitting title until much I believe in the power of friend and no gadget can about the type of journal
later in life’s journey though, pen and paper over digital, as replace the reassurance of they use, some people like
but if we persevere, it will illustrated by the imagined paper yearning to be written to spend slightly more on a
eventually emerge in our un- scenario of a hostage seizure. upon. It is a repository of our journal in order to make the
distracted moments. If we knew we were going to observations both internal act more enjoyable. If you’d
eventually survive such an and external, the least costly like to treat yourself to a
TRY IT YOURSELF – ordeal and we had to choose and most accessible source nice journal, here are three
HOW TO START one item to accompany us, of therapy and we owe it to things to consider.
which would we choose ourselves, and to the rest LOOK AT THE PAPER
e most important way to to freely use during our of the world, to write what When it comes to
begin journalling is to devote incarceration – a Nintendo, a only we can write – our journalling, heavier paper
20 minutes per day to the novel or a notebook and pen? perspective, our insight, our is usually a good choice.
task, suspending one’s inner For me the blank paper and story. WW Opting for a journal that has
critic and begin by writing pen would win hands down. heavier paper means you
quickly, free from any brain Just imagine all the details Dr Declan Lyons is a can avoid annoying issues
blocks or inhibitions. For within that situation you Consultant Psychiatrist for like ink bleeding through the
this you will need privacy could record – the words and St Patrick’s Mental Health page. However, if you plan
and space. It is best to the behaviours of the hostage Services in Dublin on writing with a fountain
pen, it’s important to
look for a journal that has
fountain-pen friendly paper.
BINDING
Most journals are stitch-
bound or spiral bound.
Stitched journals are usually
more durable but spiral
bound journals lie flat and
can be folded in half, making
them slightly easier to work
with. When it comes to
binding, it really is down
to personal preference and
what works best for you.
SIZE
When it comes to choosing
the size of your journal, it’s
important to think about
how you’ll be using it. Will
you be carrying it with you
at all times? If so, a small
journal might be the best
option. Do you enjoy the act
of writing and want to get
more bang for your buck?
Consider a larger, A4 style
journal.

WOMANSWAY.IE 57

HOW TO… Make a showstopping dining
room table arrangement

Christmas is the perfect time of YOU WILL NEED between the candles down from holly. I find the berry on
year to, not only make the most Some of the items you will through the centre of the foam. the holly is so low down on
of the gorgeous foliage readily require are: You will find you will cover the the stem, normally it remains
available, it’s also a lovely foam easier if you insert these hidden in this style of design.
opportunity to get creative › Double spray tray container pieces on a slight angle into the It is also an option to replace
with the decorations around › 2 blocks of floral foam, foam. At this stage you have the berries with some artificial
your home. Here, Deirdre the outline and centre of the berries.
from Kay’s Flower School has trimmed and soaked arrangement outlined. Your
created an easy-to-follow next step will be to cover in the Step 5. Add some luxury to
step-by-step tutorial, meaning › A roll of Anchor tape to remaining pieces of floral foam your design by dividing up
you can create this stunning with foliage. some large-headed roses
centerpiece in your home. strap the foam into the throughout the whole design.
container Step 4. If you cut the The variety we have used is
Step 1. Use the Anchor tape to remaining selection of foliage Rosa Paris but you will find
securely strap the floral foam › A sharp knife and scissors into 12cm lengths and again Red Naomi and Grand Prix Red
into the container. Trimming › A selection of taper candles inserted angled into the foam Roses, available from your local
the corners from the foam in the area that is showing, florist, are perfect alternatives.
will make it easier to insert and plastic candle holders you will now find it easy to
fresh material. Decide on what camouflage and hide all of Step 6. Keeping with the
length you would prefer your › Florist wire for wiring the floral foam. Divide up the Christmas theme, we decided
arrangement to be and cut two 20 stems of Hypericum Berry to add some artificial glitter
long straight pieces of Spruce artificial glitter decorations throughout the whole design. If material in among the roses
(approx. 25cm). Insert these All of the above materials can you prefer you could use berries and berries. Similar items to
pieces into the foam to give the be bought from your local
overall length of the display. flower shop or garden centre.
Insert the candles securely
into the foam using the candle The fresh material you could
holders. use are:

Step 2. Cut a selection of › 20 large-headed roses
foliage to around 15cm of each, › 20 stems of Hypericum
Spruce, Eucalyptus and Sussex
Silver (approx. 10-15 pieces of Berry
each type). Follow the outline
of the double tray using these › A selection of winter
pieces making sure to insert
them low down on the floral foliage, such as Spruce,
foam so that the completed Eucalyptus, Silver Sussex
arrangement will be resting and holly
on your table. You will find it You could substitute any of
this for foliage you may have
growing in your own garden or
some you can forage locally.
If you wish to add Christmas
decorations you can include
some pine cones, mini
baubles, and glitter foliage.

easier to first insert the Spruce
and then add some Eucalyptus
and Silver Sussex in between
and layered onto the Spruce.

Step 3. Using shorter pieces
of foliage (approx. 10cm in
length) create a line of foliage

By Michelle Newman

58 WOMANSWAY.IE

INTERIORS

what we used are available in your Tip
local walk around shops. To make
them more economical, we have Insert the candles
cut them into short segments and into the holders
secured a florist wire to the end of before inserting
each stem. This will also make it into the foam
easier to insert into the floral foam.

Step 7. To preserve and keep your
arrangement fresh, keep the floral
foam topped up with water by
misting it with cold water each
day and store in a cold room. The
foliage part of the display can
be made two to three weeks in
advance of Christmas Day but do
not insert the roses until three to
four days beforehand. WW

If you have any questions relating Tip
to this tutorial, you can contact
Deirdre at: info@flowerschoolireland. If you would like to
com. You can also download a make the arrangement
complimentary video tutorial of this with less expensive or
display from the Online Training longer-lasting flowers
School or the Kay’s Flower School replace the roses with
website, www.flowerschoolireland.
com and use the free code: baby Carnations
womansway at the checkout.

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its frequency on the rich experience from one of the
Cork to Paris-Charles largest museum collections
de Gaulle route, with in the country. Visitors can
the addition of a second immerse themselves in stories
daily service from of castles, superstitions and
April to October 2020. more. The museum is open
Travellers will be able to Tuesday to Saturday from 10am
and admission is free.

opt for an early morning flight or a late evening service For more information log on

which will complement the existing daily schedule. to www.hiddenhistory.ie or
For details log on to www.corkairport.com
www.tipperarycoco.ie/museum

60 WOMANSWAY.IE

HOME & AWAY

SUMMER 2020 SAVINGS

Irish Ferries is giving customers the Festive mini-
chance to #sailinstyle with 10 per cent off break
summer 2020 breaks in France. Available
on return bookings from March 28, 2020

to September 30, 2020, there are some

fantastic savings to be made. Whether Perfect Gift
you want an action-packed family
holiday or a quiet, relaxing break away,

when you travel via the W.B. Yeats you Make someone’s Christmas

can enjoy a cruise-style travel experience especially happy this year with a gift
voucher for Adare Manor. Recently
including unlimited luggage, free WiFi voted as Condé Nast Traveler’s On this five-day trip to Poland, you can enjoy
number one resort in Europe, Adare a torch-lit horse-drawn sleigh ride through
on-board and the comfort of travelling Manor gift vouchers can be used Szczawnica, snowshoeing in the mountains,
throughout the resort, including snowmobiling on the slopes and a walking tour
with your own car. This offer is only valid of the Old Town of Krakow. You’ll also get to

until December 3, so get booking! Terms

and conditions apply. NBOOWOK on overnight stays, dinner at the enjoy a cooking class where you’ll learn how
For details log on to Michelin-starred restaurant and for to make traditional Polish food. Prices start
www.irishferries.com afternoon tea. It can also be used on
from €550pps including accommodation

activities such as archery with breakfast and the guidance

and falconry and in the Just of an Explore leader. Flights

La Mer Spa. because you’re depart on December 12.
For details call globetrotting it doesn’t For details call 1890 747

061 605 200 or mean that you have to sacrifice 747 or log on to www.

log on to www. good skin care. Skingredients, exploreworldwide.eu

Canaries adaremanor. developed by Jennifer Rock – The Skin
Cool
com Nerd, has been formulated for all ages and
Brighten up January 2020 with a visit is completely customisable for your individual
to the Canary Islands for some post-
Christmas sunshine. You can enjoy seven needs. Now available in handy travel-sized
nights at the Catalonia Punta Del Ray
Hotel in Las Caletillas on an all-inclusive containers, you can enjoy fantastic skincare
basis from €499pps. Flights depart
that fits easily into your luggage. We love
from Dublin Airport on January 17.
the Travel-Friendly Skin Shield SPF 50

PA+++ (€42). The range is available

in pharmacies, department stores
and salons nationwide.

For details call 1850 453

545 or log on to www.

tuiholidays.ie ADULTS ONLY

NEW YEAR’S ESCAPE Celebrate Christmas in Kilkenny with
this adults only break from the four-
Start 2020 in style with this great New Year’s package from the Ferrycarrig Hotel in star Hotel Kilkenny. Choose from a two
Co Wexford. You can enjoy a two-night break which includes a welcome cocktail, a or three-night festive stay and enjoy
sumptuous gala dinner in Reeds Restaurant accompanied by entertainment provided a welcome reception on Christmas Eve
by a resident pianist. You’ll also get to watch an impressive fireworks display over the followed by live entertainment in Pure
River Slaney. Festivities will continue with live music in the Dry Dock bar. This package Bar. On Christmas Day, indulge in a
is available from €259pps. prosecco breakfast followed by a full
For details call 053 912 0999 or log on to www.ferrycarrighotel.ie traditional Christmas lunch in Taste

Restaurant. Entertainment will be

Setting sail to start operating on the Dublin to provided by Andy James, a magician.
Holyhead route next year. Sister ship the Later in the evening enjoy a light bite
Stena Line recently announced that Stena Edda will commence operations or evening meal followed by live music
Stena Estrid, the first of three new from Belfast to Liverpool in spring 2020 entertainment. On Stephen’s Day, have
ferries destined for the Irish Sea, and a third vessel, the Stena Embla will a lie in and enjoy a relaxed breakfast.
has completed its sea trials in China. be introduced on the same route in early The two-night stay is available from
Following three days of extensive 2021. €405pps and the three-night stay is
testing, the new vessel passed with For more information log on to available from €520pps.
flying colours and is now on schedule www.stenaline.com For details call 056 776 2000 or log on
to www.hotelkilkenny.ie

WOMANSWAY.IE 61

OPINION

T here, I said it:

Stop placing more importance on a woman’s
relationship status than on her career achievements

Women have never been so free to make required for that is a willing
our own life choices and to carve out our
own paths. But while, on the surface, we partner. A relationship is
might have taken several leaps away from
the Mad Men era – where women were often founded on luck, "I was asked,
relegated to supporting parts; a wife, or at a career on hustle, on 'Don't you want
best a secretary – the impetus placed on hard work and grit
our relationship status (still far above and
beyond our career achievements) still acts and determination. your father to be are less professionally
as a throwback, and an attempt to remind Marriage becomes a
us of what and who we are supposed to
be, of which place in the world has been true accomplishment proud of you?' ambitious than they
reserved for us. when both parties when I told them I are. is is no doubt
persevere in sickness at least in part due to
I was recently faced with one such and in health. Indeed, was single" the norms that society
micro-aggression when, in the short there are any number of has ceaselessly been
months between completing the gruelling
process that was writing my debut book things that are more worthy perpetuating. In an effort
and it being published, I flew to Egypt to
spend some time with family and friends, of applause than the initial ‘I to seem more romantically
and to attempt to allow the achievement
to sink in. ‘We’re bored of hearing about do.’ appealing, then, women often
your book,’ one of my parents’ friends told
me, when I bumped into her on the beach. A woman used to be defined by her down play their career achievements
She continued: ‘Where is the man in your
life?’ before indicating to the vast expanse status as a wife and mother. ese days, and ambitions – even when it comes to
of empty sea and suggesting I might ‘find’
someone there, bobbing around in the women are free to make our own decisions speaking up in meetings or working late
ocean.
and to occupy all sorts of positions, from – which serves not only to hinder their
It’s not the first time, of course, that my
relationship status took precedence over entrepreneurs to CEOs, designers, authors, career prospects but also to perpetuate the
my career achievements, but it was the
most frustrating. On another occasion I inventors and so much more. But the same images and ideals, leaving women
was asked, ‘Don’t you want your father
to be proud of you?’ when I told them impetus on marriage for women filters in a depressing trade-off. Indeed, there is
I was single. As if all the effort I have
put in to become the person I am, is not through. a historic lack of female role models who
something to be proud of. As if only a ring
is something deserving of my father’s anks to centuries of patriarchal have smashed through the glass ceiling.
pride – or my own.
and heteronormative messaging, when Who do indeed ‘have it all.’
On social media too, posts about
marriage or engagements tend to get more it comes to women, there seems to be It’s time for society to really pay
‘likes’ than someone sharing news of their
promotion, about the marathon they ran or a deep-rooted assumption that love, attention to the messages it’s putting out
any number of other achievements.
happiness and security are inextricably and to re-evaluate which aspects of a
e thing is, while of course it’s great
for someone to find a partner with whom linked. Some people seem to believe that woman’s life it places the most value on.
they wish to spend their lives, all that is
we can’t be happy or successful or secure It’s all well and good to be excited when

without a man to provide those things for someone gets engaged or married, but we

us. should be just as excited – if not more – for

e thing is, getting married does not the educational and career milestones

necessarily equal a happy ever after riding that take hard work and dedication to

off into the sunset. Nothing does, but if achieve. A woman’s place is in ‘the house,

anything, it’s forging our own lives, having the senate, the Oval office’ and wherever

our own means, being the best version of else she makes it her place to be and it’s

ourselves – independent of a man – that important that the things we applaud
will give us any semblance of happily ever reflect that. ere. I said it. WW

after. It’s damaging and unfair to suggest

otherwise. Not to mention how unhealthy The Greater Freedom: Life
as a Middle Eastern Woman
it is to base our self-worth and validation Outside the Stereotypes
on another human, rather on something
we can foster for ourselves, with our own by Alya Mooro (Little A) is
available now
actions.
A number of studies have concluded

that men still prefer female partners who

Last chance to win... A beauty goody bag

It’s your final chance to win in this week’s Woman’s Way. If you’d like to take home a mystery beauty goody bag, all you need to do
is answer the following question using one of the mechanisms on page 49. On which pages will you find our soaps?

62 WOMANSWAY.IE

COLOUR IN CORNER

Take a few minutes peace and quiet out of your busy day to colour in this powerful picture. As you concentrate on colouring,
expect to feel increased levels of wellbeing. We encourage you to tap into your creativity and balance your self-expressive chakras.

Image by Tania Shpirer | Dreamstime.com

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