AllCripps & Ink
Andrew Cripps is a writer, poet, climber, activist, and hip-hop artist from Bristol, UK.
With an affection for chaos, a wide knowledge of music, a sharp pen game, and a true love for nature, he’s building his legacy in words. Adventure and misadventure rule his life; writing completes it.
Introductions…
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
Step right up.
This blog would be the freakshow of the circus… if the Internet was a circus and I was John Merrick.
With that said, I hope to make you laugh, cringe, cuss, question everything, and maybe even go a bit creatively crazy.
I’ll be getting personal, sharing poetry, fiction writing, as well as many true stories, articles, and accounts of the weird and wonderful.
So I hope you come for the quirky and stay for the causes.
Much love, dear readers. Enjoy the ramblings of a humble madman.
My Latest Posts
- Oh, Mental Health…
Oh, mental health, how fragile you can be.
Bereavements, breakups, and things that you cannot see.
Hair triggers that can set you off and shoot you out to sea.
Oh, mental health, how violent you can be.
The waves there are wild, so dark and so cold.
In all directions mist rises, while a madness takes hold.
Oh, mental health, how fearsome you can be.
Like beasts in the mind, let loose in a rage,
Rampaging and whispering things that make you afraid.
Oh, mental health, how deceptive you can be.
When you can’t trust your own mind, what can you do?
Withdraw? Fight? Breathe? Or become one with the loops?
“Oh, mental health, you won’t beat me, you’ll see!”
Say it right now, through tears and the pain.
Say it quiet, and loud, and then say it again.
This life comes in seasons, so if anything… wait!
Stay home, be in nature, and speak to your mates.
Oh, mental health, how resilient you can be. - Who am I? Relationship Greif Musing
(This is a deeply personal reflection and musing after a kind spirit bestowed such beautiful and much needed truth onto me during a dark night of the soul.
I was unaure about sharing this, but may resonate with others, too.)
Relationship Grief
Oh, the woes of relationship grief… how sharp, how consuming, how quietly corrosive they can be. I’ve been through the tumble recently. The waves have been choppy, stormy, and relentless, but they are calming.
I’m an emotional creature. I feel things deeply. This is not a problem, but seems like one in a world where stoicism is being misinterpreted for a cold, uncaring rhetoric; a rhetoric that tells us emotion is weakness, that to be strong is to feel nothing, when true stoicism has always been about riding the currents of feeling with awareness and presence.
A nurse came to me today and out of the blue told me to never change. To stay interested in others even when I’ve been ignored. To keep giving love and attention even when I’ve been scorned. To stay a positive light even when I feel the dusk looming.That was everything. Humans are meant to support and breathe inspiration and empathy onto one another.
“You are such a positive presence; you don’t deserve what you’ve been through — foolish though it sounds, you may have been sometimes. I can see your soul, and it is good.”This is poetry of another pure soul.
It is a strange kindness to be seen clearly when you’ve forgotten how to see yourself.
I was reminded that not everyone can meet you at your capacity, and some even want to make you the villain in their story because they cannot cope with real; with such genuine love. That hit hard.
Truth is often rewritten by those who fear it.
I’ve been gaslit and expected to be something I’m not; to accept coldness and distance as normality; and to never share feeling or emotion, no matter how calm, as it’ll be answered with defensiveness, a mocking demeanour, anger, and even hatred.
Openness was treated as something dangerous rather than something human.
Boundaries were not taken seriously and were often thrown back in my face.
As if asking for clarity was an act of aggression.
“You deserve everything you were asking for and more,” I was told. My heart lifted with my eyes. “You’re a really good dude; we all see that.”
As she spoke, I thought of my amazing friends, and the things they’ve told me time and time again.
Kind words can feel foreign when you’ve lived a while without hearing them spoken honestly.
The fact I didn’t believe it for a moment speaks volumes.
I smiled. A beautiful soul is the true beauty of any individual.
“Unlearning unworthiness takes longer than learning pain.” That statement ricocheted around my brain for a few moments.
“You go out of your way to help people, and by the sounds of it, all you did was try and help your partner. Okay, we all have our shitty moments, but you seemed to have given so much with so little returned; I’m surprised you put up with it all for so long. You’re a catch, Andy. Don’t forget it.”
Sometimes the truth arrives from outside, because the noise in your own head has been too loud for your heart to hear itself.
My eyes welled there and then.
I was… I am.
I didn’t deserve the level of toxicity from her, or the so-called mutual friend who fed her negative affirmations and enabled the constant drinking, moping, and hate for life or growth.
My partner’s sight had become obstructed by the walls she’d built to protect herself. The thing is, she added bricks to the section I tried to climb — so I might share in a beautiful new sunrise with her — while she broke a hole for someone who wanted her to sit in the dark with him.
It’s strange how that worked; how the perceived safety of such darkness cast shadows on the light.
Sometimes even the best intentions are met with resistance, and yet the heart that reaches out is never wasted.
“When I die, I’ll be proud that I tried” — that’s a song lyric right there.
I became public enemy number one for even suggesting ways to manage mental health (that she built her whole persona around, and always swore was so important to her), while he was a saint for saying… “another bottle of cheap offie wine?”
They would feed off each other’s misery… and I now understand that misery often disguises itself as intimacy. He would whisper “fuck exercise… gross” and “healthy living is a waste of time,” along with “take the path of least resistance.” This is not good advice, and if you ever have someone say these kinds of things (especially if you suffer from bipolar or other forms of mental health), and especially in regard to leaving a job you love or a person that values you, run away from them at once. They may seem to see you, but definitely don’t have your best interests at heart.
And somewhere within all of this, she could not hold space for me where that ‘mutual friend’ was involved. I don’t blame her. Bipolar is a heavy thing to carry, and I know how cruel that landscape can be. But when illness becomes the whole identity, when pain becomes the persona, there is little room left for growth… and even less for those who stand nearby, hands outstretched, hoping to help.
My nurse friend reminded me that it was abuse, control, and gaslighting I underwent; whether my partner knew she was doing it or not. I didn’t know; I couldn’t see it. She’d all but convinced me I was worthless, manipulative, a villain. I almost began believing it too.
Maybe she needed to create that, so she didn’t have to break the illusion cast before her by upbringing, bipolar, and not least of all the tick-like codependent with his depressive teeth locked in.
Some people build narratives not to harm others, but to survive themselves — shaped by years of hardship, instability, and coping mechanisms that once protected them, even if they no longer serve. I cannot change that, and I will not try any longer if they value self-deprecating behaviours and nasty little yes-men.
Thanks to the shining light of the nurse’s soul, I now recognise it all, and although I still have my own journey and lessons to face, I know being kind, caring, open, supportive, loving, and clear with intentions and boundaries is not control; it is authenticity.
Love that asks for clarity is not a cage — it is a bridge.
Now I know that although I’ve had my moments, my own mental health slips and emotional reactions, it was because I was never met, never seen as another complex human being, and treated as though I was a daddy long-legs in the home of an arachnophobe.
You can only shout so long into a void before your voice begins to break.
I don’t hate her (or him — although I’d like to send him on a one-way trip to Timbuktu); I don’t hate… period. Hate is not an emotion I entertain. But I now know my own worth like the back of my hand. I know there’s people out there that may say “I love you” and find ways to nurture distrust and miscommunication; people that ask you how you are with a smile as they plot your downfall. Just as I know that some people aren’t ready for the same growth I myself hold so important.
Knowing this does not harden the heart — it sharpens the senses.
And whether they know it or not, they are sabotaging their own chances of being truly happy, not mine.
“Self-betrayal is the quietest form of destruction. And that works in so many ways,” said the nurse. (A philosopher, scholar, and saint — I’m sure of it.)
So, I can only wish the toxic people informative journeys and teaching moments to one day illuminate their own self-worth that drags their mind through the mud; and to those that are authentic and real, to such positive forces, and those that know how to use their heart properly, I wish for them everything they ever desire — that usually isn’t much, but the love of a good person, understanding, truth, and time to enjoy their lives.
Peace does not require an audience. Growth does not require permission.
Healing doesn’t always require sacrifice;
But all require an open and attentive mind.
Learn like you’ll live forever, live like you’ll die tomorrow — Socrates - What’s a Soul To Do? | Poetic Prose
I’ve woken today with the weight of the lead cape that I’ve been carrying lately disappeared. The spell is broken.
I am free of the illusion. The mask came off, and what I now see is not what I thought I knew. This person is changed.
But so they are, angels doused in blood, screaming their fanfare that is so drastically out of tune. Yet, so proud. Pride… ego… fear… hate… these are words I’ve worked hard to understand and never use in vain.So I be… a human laid bare to the will of moonlight and day. The ever turning cog in this machine of existence. The cosmic wave of life that brings such ebs and flows that makes life so beautiful.
Two souls meet to teach, each soul protects, one soul is what is found if you keep unearthing jewels.
What a fool I had been, to think I was unworthy of love.
- ‘Seeking the Treasure of Pharaoh Al’pha’ from the Alpha, Omega, & the Infinite | Flash Fiction
The second story from my portfolio project ‘Alpha, Omega and the Infinite‘ had been unearthed.
The first chapter ‘Alpha‘ features two flash fiction pieces with video game content in mind.The second story of Alpha is called ‘Seeking the Treasure of Pharaoh Al’pha’ and is delivered as a series of mysterious scrolls uncovered by an adventurer in pursuit of the lost treasure of Pharaoh Al’pha. Each scroll offers cryptic directions, riddles, and ominous warnings.
It’s written in an Old English–style for readability — not ancient Egyptian — because:
1. I don’t know ancient Egyptian
2. Most people don’t know ancient Egyptian
3. I’d like people to be able to read it who don’t know ancient Egyptian.
Please drop a like, reshare, and what you thought in the comments. If you’re reading this, know I appreciate you.
- A Dark Night of the Soul | Poetic Prose
I’ve woken today with the weight of the lead cape that I’ve been carrying lately disappeared. The spell is broken.
I am free of the illusion. The mask came off, and what I now see is not what I thought I knew. This person is changed.
But so they are, angels doused in blood, screaming their fanfare that is so drastically out of tune. Yet, so proud. Pride… ego… fear… hate… these are words I’ve worked hard to understand and never use in vain.
So I be… a human laid bare to the will of moonlight and day. The ever turning cog in this machine of existence. The cosmic wave of life that brings such ebs and flows that makes life so beautiful is violent.
Two souls meet to teach, each soul protects. One soul is what is found if you keep unearthing jewels.
What a fool I had been to think I was unworthy of love.
- ‘Alpha Wolf’ from the Alpha, Omega, & the Infinite | Flash Fiction
The first part of my new little portfolio project is here.
Alpha, Omega, and the Infinite.
The first chapter ‘Alpha’ features two flash fiction pieces with video game content in mind.
Find the first story,’Alpha Wolf’ — told through the medium of a series of jounal entries — below.
Please drop a like, reshare, and what you thought in the comments. If you’re reading this, know I appreciate you.Support Independent Writers 🙏
Follow on Instagram for more—
https://www.instagram.com/p/DT99yzMjNiP/?igsh=MWo2Y2k4anMxZHJndA== - A Growing Soul | Poem
Frantic is the soul that longs;
that yurn it hurts just to belong.A heavy weight tied around the heart,
cast to sea to swim with sharks.Don’t worry, though; you have a knife.
It’s double-edged, but that is life.Fear is all that holds us down;
Courage, the wings that fly us out.The horizon we see atop the storm,
& the sun that peeks is pretty warm.It banishes a thought of dark despair,
Casts our worries to the air.The grey dissolves, and truth comes forth.
A new day, new challenge arrives with dawn.But ride the clouds and taste the waves.
Lead from the heart; be not afraid.We are all man, or woman kind.
Sometimes we’re cold; sometimes we’re blind.But never forget your power, though.
Be you, you’re them; it’s time to grow.
- A Very Short Poem About Uncertainty | Poetry
Icy the wind of uncertainty;
Dull the landscape of your fears.
Chance of survival — certainly.
There’s power in those tears.— Andrew Cripps
- Indie Game Review | Moonlighter
Dungeons: riches and fame await. But so, too, does danger and death. Whether merchant or hero, the journey is perilous. Be free, adventurer — I hope it is profitable.
Moonlighter was a small and lightly packed mixed bag.
Put together by Spanish studio Digital Sun, and released in 2018, the title contains fantasy, sci-fi, and rogue-lite features. Crunching Koalas (another indie studio) also helped with the porting of a mobile version of the game that is available via Netflix. (I played the console version.)
It’s mainly a platformer; collecting artifacts and selling them in your late father’s shop. There’s not much to it after that. There were weapons, armour, and health you can upgrade along the way, as well as rings of power, new townsfolk to recruit, and even familiars that will follow you around and help you in battle. (I didn’t realise this was a thing until well into the game, though.)The game’s descriptions have no words, just a small series of pictures that pop up briefly — if that. So, it’s up to you to figure out what it means and what other secrets may be lurking in the game. (Upgrading your shop is another thing — Make sure you check your walls and surfaces.)
Deep within the Golem Dungeon. I wish that there’d been more movement available; even just a little. What I mean here is that it’s literally just one town and four caves (not including the final boss cave). Yes, each one is randomised when you enter, but including some neighbouring towns to visit would’ve made the game less samey and wouldn’t have you stuck in one spot, running back and forth repeatedly. Same with side quests — there were almost none other than item requests. And no real collectables — other than items to craft. Again, something that would’ve added some diversity to the game and taken the edge off the grind of collect, sell, upgrade, collect, sell, upgrade (rinse, repeat) that you will find yourself doing.
The shopkeeper side of the game was fairly fun actually, and a huge part of this minimalist title. Improvements were decent enough, but certainly could’ve been improved. The emporium upgrade allows for more actions, but you really won’t sell much from it before the game is finished — unless you want to go for 100%. (Which I could not.)
The Shop Retro art styles like Moonlighter’s will always win me over to some degree. With a slight overhead view like Pokémon or OG Zelda, the game had soft, sprite-based animation with simplistic music reminiscent of some lost retro fantasy game from the late 90s.
The wishlist function was a godsend. Especially if you’ve a memory as bad as mine. Utilise it or heamorage time.
Character naming and design wasn’t too unimaginative, though I’ll let it be known I’d always prefer to have the option to name my own character, especially in games that only have dialogue boxes and can be easily programmed.
Caution! Some levels are just minefields and can essentially set you up for an almost instant death — so if you play, check your health before moving rooms and be ready. And the Wanderer! This invincible, ever-chasing, malevolent ghost that moves between dimensions and smashes you and any loot that may be about — it’s not too hard to dodge, but don’t get caught in a boss fight with it following you. Pain in the ass, if anything. I’d have liked a fighting chance against this one-hit-KO monster. Also, some backstory might have been nice.
The Wanderer — desperate to smush me into the moss of the Forest dungeon. The entire story was a bit thin. There were lots of opportunities to divulge more information on the world, characters, creatures, and dungeons — other than finding camps and skeletal remains of dead adventurers, and talking to townsfolk — but it ended up a lacklustre outline of a story.
[SPOILER] And it ended a tad ridiculously: dimensional pirates, I dunno… *sighs*… I mean, okay, the closure wasn’t too bad, but at every turn, some creativity was neglected. The final twist kinda made me chuckle when I was told exactly what I’d been doing the entire game. Whoops; you’ll see if you play.
This game could have been absolutely amazing but ended up seeming a little rushed and somewhat sub-par in the way of story. Entertaining enough, but many ball drops when it came to design.
I’m going to give it a generous 6.3 / 10
Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault is set to be released later this year, so we’ll see if they’ve made any improvements.
- We Live in the Future
We live in the future.
Around us, a sci-fi story unfolds.
What is our purpose?
What rights to life we’ve sold.
I scream into the ether:
Stop! Before it’s too late.
But all that answers are spectres,
Who all suffered their ill fates.
Ghosts in the machine
howling the codes that govern.
Humans gather like witches;
A dark but mortal coven
Numbers are the gods;
Puppets are prophet and priest
Overlooking our fragile world;
in the name of profit they preach.
Everything at our fingertips,
But knowledge slips further away.
The algorithm demands
That we remain watching — always should we stay.
We’ve made movies about our own demise, but do any of us listen?
We’re blind, deaf and dumb monkeys failing at our mission?
- Walking Beside Bipolar: A Partner’s Reality
Being the partner of someone with Bipolar is tough… not just lifting a heavy box tough, but lifting a heavy box covered in thumbtacks and trying to carry it through a pool of tar while some unknown figure hurls darts and insults at you.
You’ll probably be ignored, shouted at, scorned, belittled, and sometimes even lied to. It’s not fun, especially when you have any kind of anxious attachment — like I do.
It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted.
And unfortunately, you can’t exactly change them; you can only understand, bolster your own emotions, and move forward — or quit… quitting is an option, but (and you don’t have to take outright abuse) what type of person are you if you give up when the path gets a bit rough?
Self-improvement and set gentle, loving boundaries (when your partner isn’t manic or depressive) is essential. Learn how to sit in uncertainty, learn to listen without solving, learn to validate, and be understanding.
I’m no clinical psychologist, but I had to learn very quickly how to become a better man. I don’t know where it will go, but I have my wants and needs, and they haven’t been forgotten, but I’m able to take that step back now. It made me become more secure in my attachment style and softened my voice, as well as improving my patience.
Recognising the signs and symptoms can also make a huge difference in how you navigate the tougher moments. Patterns like sudden shifts in energy, changes in sleep, racing thoughts, irritability, impulsive decisions, or withdrawing completely can all be indicators of where your partner is emotionally. Noticing these changes early doesn’t mean you have to fix anything — it simply helps you understand the landscape you’re walking through and prepare yourself with a little more compassion and steadiness.
If you are going through this, I implore you to see it as a learning curve, and not just a hardship. Remember your own worth and go forward in light and love.
If you need support, my best advice is get a confidante, who can stay reasonably objective and open-minded, and another to hug.
There are also great webinars and support groups that are run by Bipolar UK — bipolaruk.org
After that, there are a number of helplines you can call if you’re struggling yourself:
United Kingdom
Samaritans (24/7) — 116 123
NHS Talking Therapies — via GP or self-referral (search “NHS Talking Therapies”)
Shout (24/7 text support) — Text SHOUT to 85258
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) — 0800 58 58 58
Bipolar UK — Support groups & online community (bipolaruk.org)
United States
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7) — Call or text 988
Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth) — 1-866-488-7386
Canada
Talk Suicide Canada — 1-833-456-4566
Text 45645 (evenings)
Australia
Lifeline Australia — 13 11 14
Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636
New Zealand
Lifeline Aotearoa — 0800 543 354
Need to Talk? — Call or text 1737
Europe
Germany — TelefonSeelsorge
0800 111 0 111
0800 111 0 222
France — SOS Amitié
01 45 39 40 00
International
Befrienders Worldwide — directory of crisis lines in many countries
befrienders.org - 10 Word Werewolf | Micro-fiction. Challenge
[To write a Werewolf story in 10 words]
Breath
Inhales.
Growls
Brave
And
Deadly.
Where?
Oh
Look,
Fangs.(Read multiple ways)
- Point and Click Review | Syberia 3
The great migration of giant ostriches, a spiritual journey, villainous pursuers, a terrible monster. The Youkal people are being hunted, as are you. Will Kate Walker complete the ancient rituals, save her saviours — and herself? So much is yet to be seen.
This slow, slightly clunky, narrative-driven, puzzle-based adventure from Microïds is not a typical point-and-click game — and I’m sure there’s some kind of console gaming stickler that wouldn’t allow it to be classed as such. The console version allows you to control character movement rather than pointing and clicking, granted. But with that said, the Syberia games are still firmly rooted in the point-and-click genre, and PC versions still hold true to that.
I played Syberia 1 and 2 nearly ten years ago; then, in 2017, Syberia 3 relaunched and rebooted the story, keeping the adventure alive. With updated graphics and animation that sit somewhere between realistic and cartoon, it felt soft, quirky, and interesting in its simplicity — sort of like a plain hot chocolate in December; especially if the hot chocolate was served in a slightly cracked mug.
The controls were a little sluggish but held up their end of the bargain: improving on the original games. Although there was certainly a type of awkward pixel-hunt feature to some of the puzzles, it certainly tried to be less frustrating. I spent a little too long trying to find some tiny item tucked into a shaded corner of a dark scene. My biggest frustration is that, even if you already come across something that would help complete a task, you can’t use it due to it only being part of the artwork. A prime example — mild spoiler, btw — is when you have to find something to smash the lights on the boat. I literally found a whole workbench of hammers, but nope, it made me do another few laps of the ship until I stumbled across what I needed right near where I’d started.
Okay, maybe I was being a bit blind, slow, and stoned, but I swear, this game tucks things away and doesn’t adhere to sense in that way. This was my main, and I think only true issue with Syberia 3 — almost.
Some of the voice acting was abysmal. It often felt as though the voice actor was a gifted-but-shy child doing a book reading at the front of a full class — rapid and without breath between words. Either the writer forgot punctuation, or the VA refused to acknowledge it. There was one character in particular that I wanted to throttle instead of listening to any more of her babble. If you play it, you’ll 100% know who I mean. Otherwise, like with the animation, character control, and story, I accepted and even enjoyed its ever-so-slight humdrum nature.
Some of the puzzles were okay, some were even clever, and others were outright dumb. For the most part, Syberia 3 is a walking sim with a story. Yes, there were parts that felt a bit tedious, and parts that even felt as though, for all your actions, the narrative was being driven along like an eighty-nine-year-old behind the wheel of a tractor. But don’t let that put you off. Syberia 3 was a heartfelt, beautiful game layered with spiritual notes, friendship, political nuances, and villainous plotting. It has updates in gameplay, like how you can now gain intel to complete tasks in different ways by speaking to people, a feature I quite enjoyed — including the speech options.
So granted, if you cannot hack slow, walkabout games with a slight lag, then go for GTA 6, but if you’re a gamer that likes imperfections, soft and slow-burning adventures, curious alternate worlds, and quiet excitement, then this is a vibe.
With all its downfalls, I’m giving it a 7.7/10. It wasn’t too long, it fit the bill for a cold autumn adventure, and even came with a free DLC, An Automaton With a Plan, that follows a long-lost friend during his part of your journey.
Once again, I yearn for the next game due to the overarching adventure of Kate Walker remaining incomplete. Syberia: The World Before is definitely on my short-term bucket list of games, but I am really hoping there is a simple fast-travel system introduced.
- Lessons From the Squirrel
Here we are, approaching a new year. The winter has set in, and as much as many of us wish we could hibernate like squirrels, we must push on.
That being said, there are many lessons we can take from those twitchy, tree-dwelling rodents.
Below are a dozen ways we can improve our lives by taking on board the tactics and traits of a squirrel and how to translate them into our lives.
1. Squirrels store food for winter.
This is clear: plan ahead. Save and prepare for future challenges instead of living only for today. So when you meet a crossroads or obstacle, you will have the tools and capacity to deal with it with ease. Remember the 6 Ps: Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
Oh, and keeping the fridge stocked is also a good idea.
2. They forget where some nuts are buried — which helps trees grow.Mistakes can create unexpected blessings. Even our forgotten efforts can lead to growth or benefit others. So don’t fuss and fret about a f**k-up; embrace it and know it may just lead you to something beautiful, or it may strengthen you as a sprig becomes a mighty oak.
3. Squirrels adapt their diet to seasons and environment.This translates to being flexible. Adapt to changing circumstances rather than resisting them. Becoming flexible will allow you to fit around most obstructions with ease. Staying hard and trying to force things will end up with something breaking; maybe yourself, maybe something external.
Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it — Lao Tzu.
4. They are highly observant and alert to danger.Stay aware. Awareness and mindfulness help avoid unnecessary risks and stay safe. Don’t be paranoid, of course, but become aware of those hidden forces that will try and set you off balance and even harm you — look even from within. Also, balaclavas and knives. Just saying.
5. Squirrels are incredibly persistent — they’ll try multiple ways to reach food.Don’t give up easily. Persistence and creativity often lead to success when the first attempt fails. Because what kind of person would we be if we gave up at the first sign of trouble? Combine with number 4 for an unflappable and confident approach to life. Failure is where we learn; growth and strength come from the readjust.
6. They are social animals that communicate through sounds and tail movements.
Communicate clearly. Use both words and actions to express yourself effectively. Communication breakdown is one of the biggest problems in the world today. Whether that be in relationships, at work, in society, and even in governments — especially governments, actually.
If we learn to communicate properly, we can skip over all the drama, all the wrongdoings, all the fear and misunderstandings. Let’s talk!
7. Squirrels take calculated risks, leaping between trees.Be brave but wise. Take smart risks that lead to growth — courage with caution. It’s no good taking a leap of faith if there’s a high chance of jagged rocks below, but if you’ve done the work and suspect that work has resulted in a catch net being there for you… do it!
If you keep taking calculated risks, you will keep getting considerable rewards — Amit Kalant.
8. They have strong memory and spatial intelligence.Use your mind well. Train your memory and awareness to navigate life’s complexities. Because that’s really all we are… a brain driving a meat suit on a rock hurtling through space. But remember that the brain must almost always concur with the heart, lest you become cold and calculated like a machine.
9. They maintain balance with their tails while climbing or jumping.Keep balance. Maintain stability between work, rest, and relationships. This is where we find our very being. Swaying too far one way or the other will only lead to you falling down, one way or another.
I wrote a whole article about the balance of life. Read it HERE.https://allcripps.wordpress.com/2025/06/23/the-scales-of-life-are-they-balanced/
10. Squirrels groom themselves regularly to stay clean and healthy.
Self-care matters. Cleanliness and health upkeep are small but vital acts of discipline. Okay, some people take this to the extreme; it’s okay to have a duvet day, leave your hair messy, or not wear makeup and strut around in your comfys, but hygiene is important. Bad hygiene can lead into, or further down, the depression rabbit hole. Dress nice occasionally; it empowers you. And don’t forget your teeth. Dentists suck but so do abscesses and people with bad breath.
11. They play and chase each other, especially young squirrels.Enjoy life. Playfulness keeps energy and creativity alive — don’t forget joy.
Not every day is good, but there’s something good in every day. Enjoy this life; it’s the only one we get.The most important thing is to enjoy your life… to be happy; it’s all that matters — Dalai Lama.
12. Squirrels defend their territory but don’t hoard excessively.Know your limits. Protect what’s yours, but don’t let greed control you.
Simply put, own your sh**, don’t be greedy.There is enough in the world for man’s need, but not for man’s greed — Mahatma Gandhi.
…
There you are, twelve lessons from the squirrels. So, get out there, live your life, take leaps of faith and forage happiness and wealth. Love to all.
- Heavy as a Brick | Poem
Heavy is the brick you carry…
You may throw it through a window,
but what trouble that would bring.
You may bestow it onto another,
but what kind of present is that.
You may throw it to the bottom of the sea,
but what will polluting do?
Hold that brick tight, and your hands will hurt.
Swallow it, and you’ll choke
But look at it; study its so-called perfections,
and see, it is just a brick.
Place it down carefully on solid foundations
and build the life you want.
- What a Beautiful Existence | Aquarium Appreciation & Farm Fun
Sometimes, I have to pause and take it all in — the strange, fleeting wonder of simply being alive. There’s so much beauty that surrounds us every single day, often hiding in plain sight.
What a beautiful existence. So many amazing creatures. Here is an appreciation post for an aquarium and farm I visited with my partner.
I’ll keep it brief, but I thought I’d express my wonder for the experiences available to us and for every bit of life on this planet. Every beating heart, every furry paw, every fin and tentacle, shell, and hoof.
We share this planet — don’t forget.
We have so much at our fingertips: cinemas, theatres, fine dining, fantastic walks, zoos, aquariums, and so much more. But do we truly appreciate what is around us? Do we value what we have access to?
Sometimes, I find myself taking for granted everything I’ve seen and done, and have to remind myself that past generations never had this opportunity — neither do many in this era.
We are so fortunate to exist in this time, even if some are doing a wonderful job of destroying everything around them.
So, with that said, enjoy these photos of the wonderful wildlife from the aquarium and farm.
- Medication Eradication | Brexit has failed
Brexit has truly screwed us here in the UK. Not least of all, the NHS and access to medications.
Bipolar meds — along with a long list of others (including seizure meds and ADHD meds) — are non-existent or constantly unavailable, and for many people these aren’t “nice to have”. They’re life-saving.
For people with bipolar disorder, suddenly not having medication isn’t just inconvenient — it can mean severe depression, dangerous mania, psychosis, hospital admissions, or worse. You can’t just stop these meds or “wait it out”. The same goes for seizure meds, where missed doses can be genuinely life-threatening.
This isn’t a one-off supply issue. Brexit has added delays, red tape, and supply chain problems, and the UK is now clearly being deprioritised. The NHS is firefighting, pharmacists are apologising, and patients are left panicking.
Please petition your MPs and spread the word about this potentially dangerous situation. This isn’t abstract politics — it’s people being left without the medication that keeps them stable, functioning, and alive.Among many other problems, I can honestly say: Brexit has failed. Now it’s up to us all to get this country back on track. Improve its infrastructures and bring the focus back to the people, not the greedy 1%.
- Mental Health | Routines (And Why They’re Hard)
Building routines is hard — especially when the shadows of mental health challenges follow you around. But that’s why it’s even more powerful to try. When you set up habits of self-care, you’re giving yourself a structure that holds you up on the days when everything feels just a little bit darker.
Think of exercise as a soft flashlight: regular movement helps you push the shadows back, even if you’re not banishing them entirely. A good diet is another beam — feeding your body isn’t just about strength; it’s about giving your mind the nutrients it needs to stay more steady. And then there are the simple things — brushing your teeth, washing your face, calling a friend, or just checking in with someone who cares. These aren’t small. They remind you that you matter, and that connection matters.
Don’t forget to express yourself. Especially artistically; this will bring the mind escape — not in the sense of binging Netflix or doomscrolling socials, but a way that soothes the mind and acts as silent confidant.
It’s absolutely okay to not be okay sometimes. Mental health isn’t a straight road, it’s a weaving, winding, overgrown path of darkness and light. There will be days where the routine feels like too much, when getting out of bed feels like a huge effort, when eating or doing anything feels overwhelming. On those days, you don’t need to “win” — you just need to show up for yourself, as much as you can.
Consistency doesn’t mean perfection. It means giving yourself grace. Some days the routine will carry you. Other days, you’ll carry the routine. Either way, you’re doing something — you’re choosing to protect yourself, to heal, to hold on. That is strength.
If things feel like they’re getting too dark, if the shadows feel too close — reach out. Talk to someone. You don’t have to go through it alone. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it’s you investing in yourself. You are worth the effort.
Free Mental Health / Crisis Helplines
Here are some key free helplines in different countries:
United Kingdom
Samaritans: 116 123
Shout (24/7 text support): Text SHOUT to 85258
Mind (advice & information): 0300 123 3393
United States
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial or text 988
Canada
Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566
Australia
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
France
National Suicide Prevention Helpline: 3114 (24/7)
SOS Amitié (listening support): 09 72 39 40 50
Germany
TelefonSeelsorge (crisis counselling): 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222
AllCripps & Ink 
