I’m struggling with coding today. The Building-a-cash-register project is challenging and time-consuming, and I’m feeling defeated. I might need to brush up on my skills before I can tackle this project effectively.

The office is starting to warm up, but I’m hesitant to turn on the AC because the cold air from the window unit is unpleasant. I’m sitting right in front of the AC. It’s a scorching 95 degrees outside, and we still need to get the swamp cooler up and running. Hopefully, we can sort that out soon. When the swamp cooler is on, I usually end up wearing a sweater because the house gets too chilly. It’s a tricky balance – if I’m comfortable, everyone else is generally too warm.

In therapy, I’m exploring the concept of the inner critic. Understanding and addressing the inner critic can be an essential step toward improving self-esteem and overall mental health. The inner critic is an internal voice that judges, criticizes, or demeans you. It often stems from early life experiences, societal expectations, or negative feedback from others. It can manifest in various ways, such as self-doubt, perfectionism, or feelings of inadequacy. It might sound like, “I’m not good enough,” “I always mess things up,” or “I don’t deserve this.”

I struggle with my inner critic, which can be pretty harsh. It’s difficult for me to admit that I have experienced trauma. While I recognize that I have been in toxic and abusive relationships, I find it challenging to accept it fully. I tend to downplay my trauma by comparing it to others and thinking that they have had it worse. I understand that it’s common to compare experiences, especially when it comes to trauma and abuse, but acknowledging my own experiences is a complex process. I’m aware that minimizing my trauma may be a defense mechanism to shield myself from the pain of fully realizing it. Admitting and recognizing the extent of my trauma is not something I find easy to do.

I don’t want to go down my trauma rabbit hole, so I’d like to change subjects. Since I’m going to the British Isles next year, I looked up some stuff about London. I’ve always wanted to visit London. London is so large that it is divided into 32 boroughs, which are the local councils with their own mayors. One of those boroughs is the City of Westminster. This is why there are two cities. The City of London and the City of Westminster together form the area we think of as Central London. Some other things that I read about:

Historical Facts

Oldest Underground System: The London Underground, also known as the Tube, is the oldest underground railway network in the world, opening in 1863.

The Great Fire of London: In 1666 a massive fire destroyed much of the city. It started in a bakery on Pudding Lane and led to the city’s reconstruction, including many buildings designed by Sir Christopher Wren.

Roman Roots: The Romans founded London around AD 50, and it was initially called Londinium. Remains of Roman walls and artifacts can still be seen in various parts of the city.

Cultural and Modern Facts

Diverse Population: London is one of the most diverse cities in the world, with over 300 languages spoken by its inhabitants.

Most Extensive Library: The British Library in London is the largest library in the world in terms of the number of items cataloged, with over 170 million items in its collection.

Home to Big Ben: “Big Ben” refers to the bell inside the clock tower, not the tower itself. The tower was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

Unique Landmarks and Features

The Whispering Gallery: Inside St. Paul’s Cathedral, there’s a gallery known for its unique acoustics. A whisper against its wall can be heard clearly on the opposite side, 112 feet away.

Tower Bridge Misunderstanding: In 1968, an American businessman bought the London Bridge, thinking he was purchasing the more iconic Tower Bridge. The London Bridge was dismantled, shipped, and reconstructed in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

No ‘Road’ Named in the City of London: Despite its vast number of streets, none in the City of London (the historical and financial heart) is named ‘Road.’ They are called streets, lanes, ways, etc.

Royal and Quirky Facts

Ravens of the Tower: According to legend, the kingdom will fall if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London. To prevent this, the ravens have their wings clipped.

Westminster Bridge Colors: Westminster Bridge is green to match the seats in the House of Commons, while Lambeth Bridge is red to match the seats in the House of Lords.

Old Operating Theatre: London is home to the oldest surviving surgical theater in Europe, now a museum. The Old Operating Theatre Museum is in the attic of St. Thomas’s Church.

Unusual Attractions

Secret Bars and Hidden Gems: London has numerous hidden bars and speakeasies, often accessible only through secret doors or hidden entrances, offering a unique nightlife experience.

Platform 9¾: Harry Potter fans can visit the famous Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station. There’s a luggage trolley embedded in the wall where fans can pose for pictures.

Green Spaces: Despite being a bustling metropolis, London has much green space. Approximately 47% of the city is green space, including parks, gardens, and nature reserves.

Miscellaneous

Baker Street: 221B Baker Street is famously known as Sherlock Holmes’s fictional home. The Sherlock Holmes Museum is located near this address and attracts fans worldwide.

Street Names: Some street names in London are pretty unusual, such as Ha Ha Road in Greenwich and Bleeding Heart Yard in Farringdon, each with its unique backstory.