I’m proud of life, I’m in awe

Anne 38. From Lancashire, lives in London. Married with three children. Works in fashion industry.

How are you?

I'm feeling good. I'm in a good place at the moment.

How do you feel about the weather?

I am reassured when it rains. It makes me get my head down. I don't need loads of sunshine. 

How do you feel about children?

If I had time again I would focus on being a mum and not on other things. I am staggered by the energy kids have and what they have taught me. They have exposed any falsity in me. My kids have made me become the real me and helped me become a better person.

What do you think about marriage?

I'm all for getting married. I like that it's a public recognition. I like that it's complictaed. It's about two people coming together and trying to make a plan together. It's about communication; telling the world about it is an important right of passage.

How do other people see you?

Confident yet neurotic.

What brings you down?

My husband when he's tired or fed up. His energy is over powering. I'm non conforntational, we never argue. I think my son wishes we would argue.

What makes you tick?

Being with like minded people. Whatever stage in life I'm at I do it at full pelt. I try to manage all things; to be a good wife, mum, friend and daughter. But I also want my career too. It's trying to keep it all going and in the right direction that's hard. I need to achieve things, maybe I should slow down and leave space for something I hadn't anticipated. 

Where does all your energy go?

Mainly into my kids. Running the day to day.

What do you think about body image?

I like my body, it is a body that is used and well enjoyed. 

How do you express yourself?

Verbally. It’s just a time issue. It’s just easier to say it!

What’s your most memorable experience?

Giving birth to all my children, this is what life's all about. I would happily do it again and again. If it weren't for my husband, finances and the emotional energy required. Everything I do is to try to re-live that wonderful experience. It’s a real feeling of purposefulness, creation in the moment, a hope for the future. It's literally an out of body experience. 

The first year with my first child was the best year of my life. I was doing what I should be doing. Just the three of us, a wonderful little unit. There are somethings you just can’t control and the desire to have children was one of them, it was overwhelming. Nature takes over.

What are you views on faith?

I believe in energy. I'm not religious but I'm interested. 

Do you have any rituals?

Every morning for the last ten years I spend ten minuites doing the same set of stretching exercises. 

Who or what inspires you?

People who’ve identified their needs and attempted to satisfy them. It could be anything; those who follow a career or those who love to watch their kids playing. It’s about being in a space that you've climbed into and are enjoying it.

I enjoy seeing people being good at something, those who have mastered a skill. People who really enjoy being good at something but don’t need praise.

What do you think about life?

Looking at how everything interacts; humans, the weather, there must be some purpose. Human’s try to master life. Mankind and nature rub along quite well. I’m proud of life, I’m in awe.

What do you think about death?

I feel afraid of it. Of my own and of my loved ones. 

What would you like to leave for the next generation?

I'd like to leave a sysytem of apprentiships so there is a framework for a person to persue a trade which is well respected as much as a professional career. I believe we can all be good at anything when we put our minds to it.

Are you free?

Yes, yes, yes!

What have you taken from today?

I have realised that I dont have ot try so hard. I will try to stop thinking about trying to achive the next thing and be much happier living in the moment.