Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax

Quote by Mark Black

Social media and doom scrolling often get negative comments, in this post I’m going to share why is just made for a wonderful midweek evening activity.

I work full time, I’m a parent and our social calendar is often full with observing our child at various sporting events. Around this schedule we cram in theatre, culture, friends, family and somewhere in the mix I add in all the delights that come with running a house and a dash of yoga for my sanity. I’m a huge reader and I also like to paint for fun.

Our current family lifestyle leaves little flexibility and so in the cracks I make sure I use my week well so that I can relax at the weekend should the opportunity arise (it’s so sad when the pitch is waterlogged).

This evening my son had evening training, so it was an early dinner and then his Dad took him to the training. This left me with a two hour window. After putting on some laundry I sat on the sofa with a cup of tea and scrolled social media…I learnt nothing. Instead I watched toddlers toddle, dogs do cute things, I laughed at people falling over, I smiled at cute quotes and sent funny memes to people who I thought would resonate with the content. I achieved nothing and at the same time as I scrolled it felt good and once I’d finished, I felt good.

Sometimes we need a little ‘junk’ activity in our lives to release us from our routine’s. We are not working ants or bees designed with once deeply ingrained habit/job to pursue. We are diverse beings that require so many things that often require balance…we need to socialise but need our down time, we need sleep but also to exercise, to feel productive, wanted and motivated…and sometimes we need to doom scroll with no learning intention or specific reason. Why? Balance.

Many of the blogs I have written often are about balance as it’s integral to our wellbeing, often when we are unbalanced we are depleted in an aspect of our lives whether that be work or play and that often leads to health issues. I’m not suggesting that we scroll on our phones for hours on a daily basis, but I am suggesting that once in a while it can be productive to be unproductive. However, you only reap the benefits if you are kind with the thoughts that follow. Don’t diet if you feel guilty every time you look lovingly in the patisserie window, or sulk when you didn’t go for the walk you said you was going to but then it rained.

This evening as I caught myself scrolling mindlessly and realised I was enjoying myself, I also gave myself permission to do so. I shall make sure this doesn’t become a habit and instead enjoy it the next time I need a little light release in my often busy day. When was the last time you ate something you don’t usually allow yourself? Watched a tv series that you enjoy or picked up a magazine full on uneducated speculation and ‘ten top tips’ that nobody ever needed? Everybody needs a little sugar in their tea from time to time.

Kindness heals

Recently I have been the recipient of kindness and I wanted to pass it on. This blog comes with an affiliated link but if that’s not your thing, then just don’t press the link. That said, as always at fridgesays this blog is worth the read for a hopefully warm glow.

In November, I had a period that was so intense it made me vomit. If I can move around I’m usually fine, but mother nature struck when I found myself in a three hour board meeting, wearing a pencil skirt in a room with little ventilation, to say it was less than ideal was an understatement but once I was out of the meeting and able to move I soon felt better. My friend in the meeting, Kelly commented that she saw me go pale before I exited for the ladies facilities. Like a pro I returned but we joked on the way home that there was no way I could have hidden a hot water bottle under my skirt, that is not a pro move, so suffer it was.

A couple of days later in the office Kelly said she had a gift for me:

https://amzn.to/3ESlyf4 (link if you’d like to know more) . It was this box of three heated pain relief pads, that claim to be discreet and last for 12 hours….

Let’s take a pause to thank the gorgeous Kelly for seeing these and thinking of me, that to me is true kindness. Having a tribe of wonderful people around me is the greatest gift a person could ask for.

During my menstruation cycle in January I gave them a whirl and I was blown away! A simple peel of the wrapper and it stuck in place all day and most of the evening. The product provides a gentle heat (not intense as a hot water bottle) and the warmth kept coming. I honestly didn’t believe it would last 12 hours. The pad I used was still producing warmth 16 hours later… who knew iron and carbon could heal pain and how does warmth actually heal? In essence, heat causes the blood vessels in that area to dilate, enhancing perfusion to the targeted tissue. For under £2 for three pads that’s a lot of healing for little expense.

I will certainly be purchasing more, to be able to stick one in place and get on with my day whilst receiving a warm hug where needed is an absolute game changer as a full time working parent. I also plan to buy a few as gifts, one for a friend who really suffers with her menstruation and another who has a daughter about to start her periods. These would have been so handy when I was at school, trying to focus on the lesson content but equally feeling like my uterus was doing the can-can. Kindness matters and whilst I’m grateful to Kelly for her kind act, I’m also an advocate for passing kindness on to others.

Like I said, if you have a sad uterus in your life, click the link and give these a whirl.

observe, don’t absorb

Quote Anon

It was Friday, the sun was shining and I’d just come out of a wonderful but intense yoga session, I’d opted for poses that were challenging and I’d managed to survive! The class was made up of a group of women and I was pleased to see a man had joined, after all such a practice should be open to all. He was on the other side of the room to me and honestly was irrelevant once the class began, mainly as I went into ‘yoga mode’ where only my mat and me exist against the elements.

Yoga classes are a mental battle of keeping up, keeping still, listening, focus and trying to do my best whilst politely asking my inner thoughts to not become egotistical or full of self sabotage, there’s a lot more than a down dog going on, plus when I’m upside down I often lose track of my left and right.

As I made my way to my car, yoga mat slung over my shoulder the man approached and made small talk about the class. I agreed and upon reaching my car closed the conversation down with a comment about enjoying the weekend.

I beeped the key fob of my car and he said ‘ohhh that makes sense… you’re one of those women, everything perfect and supported by your husband, easy breezy’ – I was stunned and lost for words, we had gone from the adrenaline high of a yoga class, polite chat and suddenly my entire being was being attacked.

I stumbled on words whilst putting my mat in my car and felt his male ego stab me. Then I felt the fire in my soul burn as rage ensued. I said ‘Actually, not that it’s any of your f***ing business but I’m financially independent. If I am perfect it’s because I don’t walk around judging others, see you next week’ I then went to close my door and uttered the words ‘what a sad person’

This is where the magic happened. I have been stumbled and verbally attacked previously, most of us have. I’ve learnt to not give the other person my power nor allow myself to be held down with sadness or anger caused by others. By the time I’d reversed out of my parking spot I was smiling and back to feeling good, reflecting on my class practise and letting go of any negative energy. The rollercoaster of the high of my exercise to the low of being attacked, right back to feeling good was probably less than a minute.

Historically,!I may have driven off in rage, I’m not the type to not verbally retaliate (I’ll work on it as I know there is also power in silence) but I was proud of speaking up but also not entering into a situation. You see any judgement that was made about me was not only incorrect, it wasn’t about me. The insult was about his ability, perception or inner demons, the clear jealous comment was his to own. The fact he felt able to share this shows great privilege on his part and also sadness. My life is too precious to adopt emotions that belong to others, especially someone I’ve never met before.

Should you ever find yourself verbally attacked, or if out of the blue someone’s word are aimed towards you like an arrow. Simply retaliate by taking their arrow and bending it into a boomerang. You deserve to be surrounded by people that build you up, make you feel good and support you. Anything less is responded much like the quote ‘don’t absorb’

Every cell in your body is evesdropping on your thoughts

Quote anon

Physical health and mental health are linked, just as wellbeing and illness are opposite ends of a spectrum. The phrase ‘we are one’ has never been more correct. As an adult human you contains around 37 trillion human cells and 200 different cell types, even more wonderful is that these cells are in a life cycle of their own, rejuvenating continuously, so if you don’t feel like the same person you were a year or even a day ago, you’re right – you are now millions of new cells. The body is always moving, adapting and altering, whilst as humans we often hate change, the human body thrives on new cells.

Each of the 200 hundred different types of cells look different and alter to best cope with your unique setting. For example, Cells in the brain may be longer in shape so they can transmit signals more efficiently, whilst cells in the respiratory system are plump as they hold oxygen.

If we don’t feel at ease, our cells respond and the medical profession often call the result ‘disease’… our bodies are vessels that absorb our thoughts and react. So here’s the great news… your thoughts have the power to alter your cell health, think good thoughts and health follows…the downside; in this crazy world of fear and uncertainty, negative thoughts and experience’s often have a negative affect on our bodies. Ever been nervous before an interview and had an upset tummy at the same time? Been stressed and got a headache?

Time to become spiritual gardens. Just like a gardener (of which I am not the best) cultivates the land to create a beautiful open space, we need to be aware of what we are thinking and whether it serves our mind. Gardeners weed and take out invasive plants that can strangle and consume other plants that they want in their garden. Fearful thoughts and worry do the same to our positive thoughts.

Large trees can consume all the light and the smaller plants below can die because they aren’t receiving enough nutrients. Often we can see this in the early hours of the morning where the human brain can take a small problem, a seedling of inconvenience, and in the dark hours of the morning with nothing to distract us we can make that problem humongous and unbearable by catastrophising and going over the same issue several thousand times. However, in the light of day if you speak the issue over with a loved one they will often remind you that the ‘what ifs’ aren’t real and that the seedling issue can be resolved.

In essence, the solution is to think positive thoughts but I appreciate that is extremely hard to do and easy for me to type. However, we can always move to a better thought process. The way we do this is exactly the same as people in the gym become stronger. We need to do lots of repetitive actions (positive thoughts) until it becomes our normal setting. Personally, if something is wrong I always find it best to acknowledge it, but after that I reframe it to the best possible outcome I can visualise, after all 32 trillion cells are relying on me. For example, rather than say you are feeling ill, say you are healing. Rather than punish yourself for being late, appreciate the steps you took to ensure you didn’t completely miss the appointment or the effort it took you to get there. If you have experienced or are experiencing trauma, how can we learn from it? What action do you need to take?

I’m cautious not to ‘Princess positive’ life. As I mentioned earlier, it’s often difficult and sometimes painful. Of course positive thoughts won’t miraculously cure you and it’s important to give all our emotions attention, if we begin to feel sad we need to be aware of why. What this quote does remind us is that our cell health is always listening and responding to our environment. So on this Sunday evening (or any evening you happen to stumble upon this article) reflect and take some time to think about where you are in life. What brings you peace, joy and pleasure, are there any aspects that make you anxious and that you can make alterations to? Keeping your cells happy, creates a better you to move into tomorrow.

The art of observing and not absorbing

Quote Anon

If you are naturally an empathetic soul then this quote will be your life’s work to not take on others struggles like a comfort blanket. However, we all misinterpret boundaries at times and need to check in with when to care and when to walk away. Not everyone wants to be rescued, not everyone can be rescued and saving them isn’t always down to you.

One of my favourite downtime activities is to people watch. To look at strangers from across a cafe and decide alongside my imagination what life has served them to bring them to this moment, what they are discussing in that moment and why they are in the cafe. I usually give them names and whilst I add details that probably overdramatise the situation, I sip my tea and walk away. It’s purely an observation activity.

In life and with loved ones, friends or family, we can share opinion’s but we can’t force them to take action, this is actually a blessing. My job title has the words ‘Adviser’ in it, and I often highlight to clients when they are hesitant about my advice that my job title isn’t ‘must be followed’ and that they do not need to take my guidance. There is something empowering about realigning with your own instincts.

If you do find yourself absorbing others energy it can be exhausting, stressful and as you absorb there negativity you can find yourself becoming ill. The great news is that you can do something about this. This scenario involves you. Even when you feel you don’t have the power, that the timing isn’t perfect (it never is), you can take action. So much of our screen time these days involves blockbuster hero movies with dramatic ‘save the earth in under 48 hours’ story lines, again we can forget that, in real life the action may be small, it may be you carving time away from the person or not responding to every text message instantly but it can have a huge benefit to your quality of life.

As we enter a new year and might consider keeping our body in better condition, remember that it isn’t just the food that we absorb, but that our bodies is well due to the company we keep too. You deserve the best, so make sure the time you spend is with people who enhance your existence and are calming to be around.

Life is short and it’s here to be lived

Quote by Kate Winslett

When you are fabulous you don’t need to take any dramatic action in January. I honestly believe the month is for snuggling through, lighting candles and being gentle to yourself. The skies are grey and the mood, absent of Christmas twinkle can be heavy. Nobody needs to reinvent themselves, to put on Lycra and pound the pathways at 5am. Unless you are a rabbit then lettuce is also not necessary to consume, it’s out of season and what your body needs is comfort and warmth…in fact now I’ve given it some thought I have a odd feeling that not even rabbits are meant to eat lettuce? Isn’t it bad for them? In which case lettuce is probably catastrophic for you to munch in January.

I did make an incredible New Year’s resolution about seven or eight years ago and I’ve stuck to it ever since. I decided to not purchase items of clothing without pockets. Pockets bring me immense joy and let’s face it, they’re useful. So I’m not anti New Year’s resolutions, in fact in the same spirit as pocket power, I’m planning a similar resolution this year. Something that adds to my existence not makes me cold, sad and inadequate.

I’m not a sweet toothed princess, but I do really enjoy dark chocolate. I often have a piece each evening, a square from a generic supermarket purchase bar…for Christmas Mr Fs parents bought me some perfume and some very posh chocolate. The box was gold and came wrapped in a beautiful gold bow. Tonight the house is empty (the boys are at Rugby training) and I made myself a hot drink, snuggled in front of the fire and remembered the posh chocolate.

As I opened the box it felt indulgent and exciting. The ribbon was too beautiful to be discarded so I placed it in my hair. I then had the best decision to make – which chocolate to select! I went for a dark chocolate with little pieces of coconut on top. I then closed the box and I’m already looking forward to tomorrow evenings choice.

With the ribbon firmly in my hair, I made a decision: this year I will purchase hand made chocolate (locally sourced where possible) and each evening I will have one delightful bite of joy! Why? Because it makes me happy, because everyone needs more ribbons in their ribbon box (it’s true the majority of women have a ribbon box, much like men have little trays of odd pieces of metal and a draw full of cable ties) and I love the romance of ending each day with a little moment of indulgence. This resolution is already exiting me. I’ll absolutely keep to it and it will improve my chocolate experience and support local businesses.

If you are looking to upgrade twenty twenty-five then make sure it is something that will bring you joy and happiness, we can bring back salads in the warmer months and snuggle our way through the colder months. Resolutions are something to stick to, so make sure anything you decide enhances your experience of life.

Quiet places and soft moments

Quote by Franchella

Warning this post contains joy and indulgence, some readers may be allergic.

It’s blursday, somewhere between Christmas and new year and I’m in front of the fire, snuggled and content. This my wonderful readers is the dream. If you turn on your tv or scroll the web, the commercials will tell you that you need to lose weight and that their product can help, that this year you’ll achieve your dreams…let me share with you a wonderful moment ahead of the glitz of Christmas.

I was sat on my sofa at home, snuggled under a homemade blanket, it was freshly washed (guests due to arrive within twenty four hours) and Mr F bought me a huge mug of hot peppermint tea. It was quiet (an odd occurrence in my home) and I was watching the lights and decorations on our Christmas tree sparkle, the TV was off. The magic of Christmas shouldn’t have begun but my heart felt full. Perhaps it was the anticipation of what was to come or perhaps it was simply perfect.

Over the last few days of Christmas festivities, my Mum mentioned that the highlights of this Christmas were the small things, that in life often pleasure is found in the simple moments. It was a welcome lesson I’ve relearnt many times and always brings me joy. Giggles on a dog walk, a left over sandwich (far superior than the grand meal from the previous day), seeing the sun attempt to shine, thoughtful gifts…simple pleasures, a wink, a smile, a hug.

About a week ago I purchased a pink fluffy jacket for a friend and when it arrived from Vinted I was envious, I tried it on (mistake one) and whilst it was a little big for me it was joyfully snuggly. Mr F thought I’d purchase it for myself and I explained my jealous situation. I couldn’t deny my friend the fluffy joy, but could I deny myself? Then I had a melt down, this isn’t uncommon in my household. Sometimes my princess ways bubble out of control, Mr F said I should just keep it…but my conscious wouldn’t allow it. He asked how much it was – Topshop, £4 and then he said ‘buy yourself another one’…what a man ladies and gentlemen! So I scrolled and I found one in my size with labels for £5…today it arrived and I am wearing the pink fluffy jacket and the goodness continues. My friend and I can now twin and wear them at the same time, we’ll look like giant marshmallows or Care Bears. I don’t feel bad as I didn’t deny her pink fluff joy and I indulged myself so I’m happy too. Where’s this going?

Sometimes a five pound jacket makes you happy, sometimes moments of quiet can refill your cup and soft fabrics can warm your soul…as we head out of blursday and into the new year, be kind to yourself. Eat well but eat happy, look out for glimmer moments that remind you life is good. So many people search for big dreams when I honestly believe peace, warmth and stillness is an achievable dream for us all. If you want to create this dream then vinted have plenty of pink fluffy coats (we can all twin!) …don’t deny yourself small pleasures and don’t underestimate the joy in the quieter moments that life can offer, you just need to be still long enough to enjoy them. Blessings.

In honesty there is love

Quote from fridgesays

You may have material objects and things that bring you joy but do you have honesty?

I’m not talking about honesty with others, I’m not talking about superficial filters on photos or staying faithful in relationships…are you honest with yourself? Do you have integrity within yourself for yourself?

In the last few weeks I learnt an incredible lesson that if you align with what you really want there is love.

It began with a promotion at work. One that I looked upon with ‘want’ and it’s true, I do want promotion but this job sat in another team. I love my current team.

How many people in their forties can honestly say they love their job and every member of the team, over the years I’ve been in a lot of teams in my career who don’t always bring joy …I am truly grateful. I don’t want to leave them.

Anyway, I decided to go for this new promotion and was explaining to Mr F all of the awful reasons it’s not a great job with added sentences of positivity like ‘but I’ll be ok’ and ‘I’ll make it work’ and ‘…I’m sure it’ll work out’ and he said ‘ I don’t think you actually want this job’ and I was angry with him, for no independent woman wants to be told how she feels and he said ‘Are you excited by the role?’ And I didn’t respond. Instead I sat in honesty. Honesty isn’t always comfortable, it’s like a hard chair in a draft. But if you listen and accept honesty, you’ll find she has a cushion or two to lighten the experience…’No…I don’t think I do want this particular promotion’ I whispered from inside myself. Suddenly honestly wasn’t a hard chair, she softened with me and the draft became a warm glow and I reflected on what I did want.

Mr F and I had a cup of tea, ridiculously British but tea fixes all things. We discussed what I did want and as I gave into being honest with myself I felt extremely comfortable and at ease. I know what I want to achieve in 2025 both at work and for my wellbeing beyond the nine to five. As I placed my empty cup on the sideboard, I felt light, at ease and aligned with what I do want.

Since that epiphany, I have felt a warm glow of light surround me. I’ve instantly taken action where I can to align with what I want to achieve and I’ll let the universe work out the details on the rest. I feel loved. Not love for my career or even Mr F (although he’s ok) but love from myself to myself. In truth there is love. Sometimes, the world can tell us that the next step up the ladder is worth taking just because it’s a step higher. I’m here to tell you that there are many ladders in a range of sizes and colours. Not all ladders are born equal and not all ladders do the same job. A window cleaner can’t reach the top floor of a house with a set of kitchen steps and you don’t have to climb any ladder that doesn’t feel safe, after all that’s how we fall.

Instead as the year closes, take inventory of the ladders of your own life. If you have the skills and time to step up in the corporate world, do so. If the staircase at the centre of your home needs a little love, give time to your home life…sometimes we can get caught up playing an actual game of snakes and ladders as adults and the climb doesn’t always mean you win. Sometimes life rolls you a four and down the snake you tumble. We can’t always stop or see snakes approaching but we can decide to climb the ladders or just roll again. Rolling again is often a calmer, slower pace and it’s where I am aligned at present. Above all else, be honest with yourself. Spend time on the goals that serve you and those that are important to you, that’s truly where the love is.

Does the process know we are trusting it?

It will get better. It will come good in the end. You’ll be ok….ummm, will I?

Trusting the process is super easy with two elements; the passage of time and hindsight. Prior to completing the task or process you are only human if you feel lost and doubtful.

It’s Saturday afternoon and it’s raining, the bleak light and the grey skies are doing everything they can to pull me into a dark mood. Last week I wrote an upbeat post titled ‘Why not me?’ this week I’m sat in a negative thought pattern of despair and ‘why me?’ (Add violin music and a night background of rain, lightly trickling down a window paine). I’m not very good at being negative and I particularly suck when there really isn’t a reason to feel down…it would be easy to make a list of all the things I’m grateful for but at this moment in time that feels far to contrived and a life time away from where I am and how I feel.

What can I do? Well, in this moment I check in on myself with a dash of ‘ Maslows hierarchy of need’ . Educators will be down with Mas’s theory and it’s certainly worth a google but in essence to be our most transcendent and actualised self, to truly thrive we need all of the elements at the bottom of the pyramid as our foundation. At the bottom is ‘physiology’ and this means our basic needs; sleep, food and shelter, the next level is safety and this can often be missing in our day to day lives meaning we can’t focus on bigger objectives. Staying at the bottom of the pyramid a little longer I’m noting that I’ve slept well, I’m home safe and I have just eaten – however, don’t underestimate how poor your mental health can dip if one of these basic human rights is missing. Often after a busy day I’ll slouch on the sofa and realise I haven’t eaten or drunk anything since the day before.

Like a spoilt princess my Maslow pyramid is looking sturdy, so what am I going to do? Next is movement – have I left the house, moved my body and allow prosocial chemicals to mix into my blood steam. Thanks to a demanding four legged house mate, I have been out in nature today. I walked the dog for about forty five minutes and we even went to a forest where the autumn canopy was showing off her best colour display.

Lastly, it’s OK. Today I feel down, I don’t have a reason why, I don’t need to do anything about it either. I’m just going to treat myself like a sad best friend. I’m going to make a warm drink and take the afternoon slowly and with ease. I’m not going to socialise – nobody needs my company in this moment and I don’t have the need to be around humans. I might light some candles, I will ignore house chores and I may read a book or watch a film. In this moment I don’t trust the process that everything will work out well, this afternoon will not go down in Lucy history as the best I’ve ever lived. I will avoid social media because I don’t need to see friends living their best life and that’s a kindness boundary that I need to put in place for myself today.

I’m not sure if the process knows we are trusting it and im not sure I want to today? Perhaps tomorrow we will give the process a hug and apologise for being a doubting diva, perhaps we will visualise and manifest, but don’t think you always have to be on track and making progress. Humans are complex beings and existing in 2024 can be hazardous to our wellbeing and mental load…be kind to yourself and check in regularly with what you need. Today I need nothing and that’s ok too.

Why not me?

A question rather than a quote.

Some people think they were born lucky, others not so much. Some people don’t believe luck is a thing, that the balance of good and bad comes to us all.

I choose to see good and I choose to believe in luck. I’m not bothered about being proved wrong or right, I know that perceiving that I’m lucky, that I’m likely to win is more enjoyable in the ‘now’.

Early this week I heard an advert for a competition on the radio, the winner was to be announced on Friday evening. I gave some thought to what I would do if I won and myself and my imagination had a lovely time over a cup of tea making hypothetical plans. Adult life can often be dull, I also choose to lighten life with games. I made the decision that if I saw a Robin before Thursday I would purchase a ticket. I’ve no idea why a Robin but then again, why not? On Wednesday I saw a Robin and it made me laugh. True to word, I went home and purchased a ticket. Friday evening came and I carved out time to listen to the radio station to hear ‘me win’ – I went for a walk and listened live, awaiting my phone call. It was excited and as the announcement of the winner got nearer I thought about what I’d say, how I’d accept my prize and how this win would alter plans for the upcoming weekend, after all it would be a weekend sprinkled with celebration! I’d probably call my parents and let them know first. My heart was beginning to race as the radio played out the dialling tone. I looked at my phone…

The announcement came and some b*tch called Janet won. On this occasion Janet slipped in, in the last moment and stole my prize…and then I laughed in spite of myself and realised that the ticket had bought me more joy than the financial cost of the ticket. Instantly I was happy for Janet and knew that my time wasn’t this week. I’d enjoyed imagining the win. I could comfortable afford to lose and in some ways I had won. My dull routined week had a dashing of joy and mystery, the unknown made life feel a little fired up and for that I consider myself lucky.

Why not me? They had to call someone. It made me reflect on all of the ‘wins’ I’ve had in life, from esoteric health and safety to church raffles and poetry competitions as a child. In that moment I felt blessed.

Cinderella apparent lived happily ever after with her man, why not me? Janet won the competition, at another time in the future, why not me? There might be a promotion at work, if I go for it, someone has to get the job – why not me?

This isn’t a post about gambling, if it was it’s a great post to remind you that the odds don’t often fall in your favour. It’s about seeking joy and having your own back – why not you? In the lead up to Christmas, hold back some magic for yourself. Make up games that make you chuckle as you see glimmers of serendipitous moments appear in your world. Enjoy the mundane and never forget your imagination is as fabulous as you dare to dream.

For those that may find the gambling aspect of this blog resonates https://www.gambleaware.org/ is where you can find free advice and guidance. GambleAware is a charity registered in England and Wales (1093910) and in Scotland (SC049433) and incorporated in England as a company (04384279), limited by Guarantee, and registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales & the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).