I went to a reputable tattoo parlour, recommended to me by my daughter and a friend. I *spoke* to them a few times on Facebook, about what I wanted, before going in. The artist was very patient whilst we discussed my ideas and changed designs. I wanted it small and natural looking. So here’s the process.

It’s best to go into a parlour having looked online and chosen a couple of examples of the sort of design you want. My artist then traced one and altered the size on her scanner. We fiddled with the shape of the petals. I wanted it just right. You can’t go really small as you’ll lose the detail and certain places, like the palms of your hands, are no good as the ink will eventually wear off. You’ll then go into the inking room. The artist will have drawn out the design onto paper and will press this where you want. It will leave a drawn outline of the tattoo for the artist to fill in with colour.

And then they’ll begin!

I wasn’t sure what to expect as I knew that inkings on certain areas – um, like the wrist – are more painful and so is white ink. However it was fine and just felt like hot stinging. In fact  it was almost – and this is going to sound strange – pleasurable, no doubt due to the effect of my endorphins being released.

Mine only took about fifteen minutes, then it was wrapped in cling film. This had to be kept on for a couple of hours, as the tattoo is at its most vulnerable then in terms of catching germs and getting infected. Different artists give different advice on how long you must wrap your tatt, so follow your own’s advice.

So the aftercare? Every few hours I must wash it with plain soap and hot water. Three or four times a day I have to cover it with special aftercare cream. This process must continue for ten to fourteen days – during which time the tattoo might scab, peel, flake and itch.  Smaller ones aren’t as such a risk of this. Also, you must time your tattoo well – mine was weeks ahead of a spa weekend. If you are going on a beach holiday make sure you have it done at least a few of weeks in advance and take advice on this.

And the result? I couldn’t be more pleased. It is exactly what I wanted – delicate, natural, pretty and pastel, small – and after a difficult time personally, it has great meaning for me.

The cost? Mine was £40. One customer there had a biggish thigh one done for £180. It will depend on your tattoo’s size and detail.

People always say getting tattoos done is addictive and I can see why! The whole experience left me on a real high

How often have you walked down street and suddenly reached your destination, without having observed the route – because your  mind is full of everyday concerns? Mindfulness helps push those worry-some thoughts to one side, for a while, by encouraging you to really focus on your surroundings. Either the noises – traffic, aeroplanes, birds, pedestrians chatting… or the sights, such as the detailed shape and colour of buildings. This enables us to get off the spinning top for a few minutes and relax!

Yesterday I went on a mindfulness walk – I’m doing a course and this was a planned excursion. We studied the textures and colours of the woodland and river. We listened hard to the birds and ended with a super meditation. Below is a photo I took of a log’s perfect reflection.

Here is a tree’s trunk, with contrasting colours and peeling bark. Mindfulness is about observing and appreciating the detail.

So, how can this help my job as an author? Well, mindfulness requires you to connect with all your five senses on an intimate level – and the five senses are so important, in writing, for conveying settings, feelings – EVERYTHING –  to the reader. As a novelist, I do my best to write in the most sensory way possible, but mindfulness is training me how to really become aware of  the detail. That way the story becomes fuller and more relatable and realistic for the reader.

Eating a biscuit? Okay. Let’s be mindful about the five senses! Say with a fruit and oat cookie.

Sight – its surface is rough, with oat ridges and soft spots filled with succulent raisins and perhaps apple. The biscuit is baked to a warm, inviting brown colour. The round shape is not a perfect circle and it is too big to eat in one go. It is solid. Chunky. Thick. Looks filling and unbreakable.

Smell – a subtle sweetness, increased by the fruit but subdued by the oats. A similar aroma to apple crumble. It reminds you of baking sessions with your mother. A cosy kitchen with sweet treats in the oven. Buttery and comforting.

Hearing – as you bite in, there is a snapping noise as a bit breaks off. Then munching  sounds as you chew and break it into smaller parts. The whole process quietens down as saliva mixes with the biscuit and makes it almost liquid as it travels silently down your throat.

Touch – initially as solid as concrete when your teeth touch the outside. But after a little pressure, your teeth sink in and break off a part. Then that chunk moves to the side of your mouth and  becomes chewy as your molars go up and down on the raisin and apple bits. Eventually it crumbles across your tongue, spreading nicely to hit all those tastebuds. The whole experience is satisfying and makes you feel full. There is a sense of safety, well-being and happiness. You recall more memories of childhood baking and time spent with Mum or coffee and cake excursions with friends or a loved one.

Taste – solid oaty flavours dominate until you chew and then burst of sweetness dance on your tongue as the apple bits and raisins break apart. Apple crumble. Flapjack. Breakfast cereal. A satisfying taste that isn’t rich and sickly, and leaves you wanting more.

So, forgive me, if my novels become a little longer! A cup of tea and slice of cake could become a whole new adventure! But seriously, why not consider taking some time out to connect with the fundamentals? It will give you a whole new set of tools to deal with the complexities of modern life.