Hello, all you lovely people out there in Blogland, who have visited Planet Penny so often over the years commenting and generally joining in with projects and other jollities.

I’ve found it hard to keep the blog posts coming lately, and I think it’s time to admit that I’m struggling.  If I’d fallen over and broken my ankle I would be perfectly open about it, so admitting another part of my body is in need of repair shouldn’t be a problem.  It’s ingrained in us, isn’t it, to feel we have to hush up mental health issues? Certainly when I was growing up those sort of problems were talked about in whispers.

So I’m letting you know that I have been diagnosed with severe depression.  With medication and counselling, I’m confident I will beat it.  I know that many of you out there will be similarly affected so I don’t want to pussyfoot around and be coy, it’s nothing to be ashamed about.

A break from Planet Penny will mean I can put all my energies into regaining my equilibrium and spirit which I need to do for my nearest and dearest. My goal for the blog is to come back in good form in the Spring, and I really hope you will be around when I do!

Meanwhile, thank you all for just being out there, wherever you are.  I wish you a joyful and peaceful Christmas and New Year and I hope to back here again before very long.

xx