Since I last posted I have gained another thirty readers so hello to all of you and a big thank you for following.
There is an incredible amount of uncertainty about this year and unfortunately a lot of 2020’s chaos has followed us into the new year. I don’t want to linger on all things Covid, it has claimed enough of our screens.
So, for my first post back I thought I would re-do a previous blog where I shared some of my favourite quotes to, hopefully, brighten your day.
Just as a side note: The following quotes are not my own however I made the designs below using Canva.
My 2021 Literary Loves (thus far)
These quotes fill me with the most courage and the greatest sense of power. I hope that today, amongst all of the madness, they will do the same for you.
“Those Christmas lights, light up the street. Light up fireworks in me. May all your troubles soon be gone, those Christmas lights keep shining on.”
Coldplay, Christmas Lights
Happy Sunday! 1 Sunday to go…
I have always loved Christmas lights, It helps that my partner takes so much pride in his… it is his house I’ve included in the pictures above.
This year however, seeing little twinkling lights up and down the street means so much more. In many ways this year has been full of so much darkness, pain and for many, loss. I mentioned last year that one of my favourite things about Christmas it is the one time of the year the dark is so light. There is a lightness to December; an overwhelming sense of hope and we need that this year, more than ever.
May this song be the anthem to your Sunday.
Have a great day lovelies.
A short post… wow. That’s different for Simply Everything but maybe it’s your preference? Let me know!
There are 100 of you taking time out of your week to read my rambling. Wow.
In all honesty I never saw myself as someone who would ever succeed on a platform like this.
When I set up this blog it was with the intention of creating a portfolio to compliment my studies but when I realised one or two people were reading and interacting with my posts. It then suddenly became about so much more.
Simply Everything became an extension of myself, a place where I could share my love, my interests and my struggles; my journey.
The fact there are other people out there willing to read about why I love Sunday’s and How I spent my week will always blow my mind but I am so grateful for every second you spend on my page. I am overwhelmed by every like, comment and follow.
I am just overwhelmed.
100 to many may not be a lot. But for someone who keeps their circle small it feels like an entire nation.
And I appreciate you all.
So thank you so much to each and every one of you, I hope you’ll stick around to see what happens in my little world next!
My very favourite time of year is upon us once again and I cannot being to express my excitement. I think we all need Christmas this year more than ever.
Whats Happening: Blogmas or No Blogmas?
To be 100% transparent in the midst of my final year and trying to wrap up my first semester I haven’t had a chance to think about blogmas. As a last minute decision I thought i would combine my two favourite things:
Sundays
Christmas
I will continue to post on Sunday’s and keep all of my content Christmas focused as we count down to the big day.
I hope that works okay for all of you. Because I am not dedicating myself entirely to blogmas I will do a post sharing some of my favourite blogs who are!
TODAY:
As I write this I have just returned home from a shift at work, my partner is putting up the Christmas lights and there is a roast chicken on the go. All in all it is shaping up to be the perfect Sunday.
I hope your Sunday is treating you well too.
To kick off my festive Sundays I thought it only right to share a few pictures of all the festive things I have been up to thus far!
December 1st.
Those who have been with me for a while will know all things Christmas occur incredibly early in my world. The Christmas playlist and decor is in full-swing from October and I think I will always be that way… well I hope so !
Myself, my partner and his mum took a trip to Whitehall garden centre to kick off the festive season. It was freezing cold but so worth it. If you live in the UK and have a Whitehall near you please go! We travelled a little way to reach ours but you are guaranteed a great day out.
Wrapping:
Wrapping presents is up there on my list of favourite festivities and this only becomes more true as the years pass. This year I started doing so after a hectic day and so it was a lovely reward. I watched The Princess Switch 2… which in all honest is a cringe fest BUT who doesn’t love a childish cringe-filled film at Christmas!
What do you wrap to?
I hope you have all had a lovely start to December. I know that this year has been so difficult for all of us and I truly hope the year is starting to make amends for you.
In true black Friday spirit I thought I would dedicate this post entirely to my black Friday haul. If you have been keeping up with my last few blog posts you will be in the know about my recent rekindled love for running. And so it only made sense that, when Gymshark announced an early black friday sale (13.11.20), I went ahead and treated myself to some new pieces.
Whilst initially I had thought this entire blog would focus around the new pieces I had bought I thought it might be more helpful to also include my general go-to’s for running because what you wear is a huge part of the success of each run. Comfort is key.
GymShark Haul:
Energy Seamless Leggings – Rose – Taupe. Size: S Price: 36.00
I hadn’t tried this range prior to ordering these in the sale but fell in love with the colour. The fit is incredible, so supportive and comfortable. The waist band is large enough to reassure you that they aren’t going anywhere! The seamless element of these leggings is definitely a major selling point for me. We have all heard of ‘camel toe‘ and so it makes 0 sense to me when women’s leggings come with a main seam running down the front. A manufactured camel toe is a NO-NO for me!
The adapt seamless range is my go-to, they are ridiculously comfortable and have the perfect balance between stretch and hold. I already had these leggings in grey and pink and they have both stood the test of time + treacherous terrane. I love these specifically because i have quite large thighs but a small waist and finding trousers/leggings that cater for both can be so difficult but these are amazing.
I had been on the hunt for a crop top to trap some warmth on my winter runs and the timing of this sale was just perfect + the beige set caught my eye. There is an extreme amount of stretch in this fabric, like the leggings, its great in terms any uncertainty about fit BUT it does present quite the battle when trying to get it off. Regardless of this it is extremely comfortable -like most gymshark apparel- it just feels like another layer of skin!
Fit Sports Bra – Cherry – Warm Taupe Size: XS Price: 20.00
Prior to ordering this I had only worn an old size S grey marl sports bra from NewLook…3/4 years ago. Do not get me wrong it is the definition of comfort but only owning 1 and an old one at that was not practical. This sports bra is wonderful. The support is low, so small boob friendly and the fabric is very soft. The elastic band has internal silicone gripping strips so it does not move at all. The temptation to wear this all of the time is high… This will definitely be something I re-order.
lets talk: p a n t s
One of the major difficulties i had when trying to get back into running was finding the right pants. I didn’t want to have to worry about pant lines, having to stop to pull them up or having a thong that constantly ventured that little bit too far.
Because of this I wanted to share with you my trusty ‘running pants’ although a little strange to share my underwear with the internet If it helps just one of you it will be worth it.
In a recent post I mentioned the company ‘race at your pace‘ and that I would dedicate a separate blog to them and what I have achieved with the help of it’s existence… well this is that blog.
As I began to brainstorm how exactly I wanted this post to go what seemed like a simple, single focused, post soon grew into a multifaceted topic of all things; body confidence, self love, anxiety and motivation. Because the journey i am on has included all of these things.
Learning to love something new especially something that insists on building and retaining a level of respect for your own body can be incredibly difficult and I want to talk about those things but mostly… I want to talk about the reward.
***
m y r u n n i n g p a s t :
2016-2018
Running has been a part of my life since I started college (2016), whilst in the throw of exams I used running to structure my revision timetable. I didn’t run well or for very long but I ran. But the rushed nature and poor mindset meant that the habit never stuck around for very long.
I began running again a little while later in the summer before moving away for my first year at university (2018). Although I did not know it at the time my mental health at university was incredibly poor. I was eating very little, staying inside an awful lot, dodging company and heading home whenever the chance presented itself. But at the time – ‘I was fine’.
It was within this low period that I started to really want to run – but for all of the wrong reasons. But my anxiety was so bad I could never make it out the door to do so, no matter how early I woke up (in the hope it would be quiet) I just couldn’t go. And so instead I resorted to running back and forth in my tiny studio flat until I could run no more. Which sounds so ridiculous now, and makes me feel so embarrassed to write but mostly it makes me feel sad. Sad for that version of myself that felt that was the best I could do.
This was my studio flat in first year…aka my track. The distance from my bed to the desk opposite was about 3 steps.
2019-today
My second year at university saw a lot of changes. I moved in with my best friend Kasia, author of blog @soeffortless , and I think in that entire academic year… I ran once… whilst enduring the period from hell and almost passed out! a m a z i n g .
and then came COVID-19
In truth the disruption of covid-19 led to the most structure I have had in a long time. With the strict guidelines of the first lockdown back in march (2020) that one allocated hour of exercise became precious time. It was there, within that short hour I began to re-write all I knew about running on a desperate mission to find that ‘buzz’ that everyone else seemed to talk about.
The joy of ‘cookies’ meant that soon my socials were soon flooded with all things running, it was here I first found ‘race at your pace’. I signed up, paid £13 and tasked myself with running 5 miles over the course of the month. Bit my bit I collected the miles and before long hit that target – and it was hard. But the promise of a beautiful medal and a new compression top kept me running out the front door. And before long it became a great moment of pause, an excuse to step away from university work and just run.
and receiving this at the end of the month gave me enough of a spark to carry myself through October to achieve 10 miles.
t o d a y:
November 2020
I am still going, just under half way to my 15 mile target for this month and loving it. I am proud of how far I have come and cannot recommend ‘race at your pace’ more. You can walk, run, swim, cycle or do a steps challenge. Whichever works best for your lifestyle and your personal goals.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, so many emotional and physical boundaries have come into this journey so I thought I’d put together a little list to try and offer some help for anyone out there battleing similar things in the wake of taking on a new habit.
m y t i p s :
Download the Nike Run Club app (start with ‘First Run’) funnily enough this is the only one I run to, the coach is great, the time is perfect and its not about running hard or fast… its just about completing the run. Its a great place to start re-wiring your thoughts about what it means to run ‘successfully’
treat yourself to new kit – part of making this enjoyable is feeling good both on the inside and about how you look on the outside. Having reliable gym tights that you aren’t going to have to keep pulling up or pulling out (of you know where) is all part of having a good run.
don’t make your goals a limitation – its easy to set yourself a goal and when you fall short to let the entire plan crumble (easier said than done) but when you get up to go for a run say out loud, so you have no choice but to hear it, “I am going for a run, just to run.”
understand, there is no failure – when you run for you, you cannot fail. This is the hardest lesson to learn but the most valuable. Stopping because your legs ache does not mean you’ve failed. Running a shorter distance or with a slower pace does not mean failure. Each run is its own, don’t compare it to the last.
Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.
Dean Karnazes
This was a longer post than I normally share, I hope you made it to the end and if so… thank you!
Today, if you are in the UK, we are officially three days in to our second lockdown. As before, the news will have been swamped with information, Do’s and Don’t over the last few days. All too overwhelming but hopefully today that has just calmed down.
I suppose today’s post is nothing more than a check-in. Not intending to play that down in any sense, I strongly believe that keeping tabs on those around you in any circumstance but especially these is so important.
I want you to know, whether you stumbled across my blog for the first time today or perhaps visit every Sunday for my content, I am here for you. You don’t have to be in the UK and experiencing the lockdown I currently am, this year has effected us all and we all deserve a shoulder (digital or not) to cry on and an ear to listen.
Feel free to send me an email: simplyeverythingblog.home@gmail.com
or just leave a comment and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
I know that right now times are tough but there are things we can all do to help ourselves and each other make each day pass a little bit easier.
w e l l n e s s – Check List:
Routine: right now having a routine is more important than ever. This does not mean you need to be working 9-5 in your home office (aka. bed/sofa) it might simply mean making sure you get up, get dressed, walk and then watch a movie… routine in its simplest form but so beneficial for our mental health.
Exercise: there’s been a lot of pleading with the Government in the UK to keep gyms open during this lockdown and as I write these posts early I am unsure of the outcome BUT exercise can be a long walk, a jog or finally taking up something active you have been meaning to try… maybe it’s time to dust off those roller-skates that live at the back of your closet and give them a go!
Race at Your Pace I started race at your pace in September to try and keep my buzz for running alive. I will do another post focused on this company but maybe have a look. There are some great challenges all rewarded with beautiful medals and compression tops (for GREAT prices) to keep you going.
Relax: this one may sound silly but you’d be surprised by the amount of people who struggle to unwind and do nothing. To all my procrastinators out there… it is a skill some are yet so master. If you are someone who struggles with this perhaps try the following things:
Watch a film/tv show in the bath
Paint by Numbers
Invest in a mindful colouring book
Bake
Watch a documentary (sometimes it helps to watch something more educational especially if you’re someone who struggles to switch off) I highly recommend BlackFish
So, how are you doing today truthfully?
Please take me up on my offer if you need to, or maybe just want a chat. If you have read my blog posts thus far you will know exactly what topics will have me chatting for hours!
Just as a final note, I am sure you have been seeing these points of contact all over your socials recently but seeing them again will never be a bad thing. Please reach out if you need a some support, the challenges we face today effect us all so differently and i wish for nothing more than for you to not suffer in silence when there are so many ears to listen.
Lately my anxiety has been kicking my butt…With all thats going on in the world, the pressure of uni and just being in a state of not-knowing I thought it best to bring Christmas a little closer. The process of doing so went a little like this…
Sunday 18th October
I started the day with a deep clean of my partners room which is an amazing distraction for me… i wouldn’t go as far as to say it is a stress reliever but it definitely keeps my mind busy for a while!
After a lovely roast dinner I spent the evening pulling together my Christmas playlist for this year as we watched Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch. I am a great lover of How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) so this new one was never going to beat it for me but it is definitely worth the watch. I think it is aimed at a younger audience but you cannot deny the Christmas feels! And if you haven’t seen either of them I beg you, please do… it is a staple for my families Christmas.
Monday 19th October
Monday, for me, was December 1st. I took a few hours out of my day to try out my new playlist and decorate my room. The last few years I have treated myself to a brushed cotton bedding set and have 0 regrets… they are the softest sheets I own and I had to go ahead and buy a Christmas one for this year.
l i n k s :
I have linked as much as I could find, bellow, just in case something caught your eye.
Wreath + Garland – I ordered both of these last month from Matalan but they have vanished from the website! So sorry! There are so many beautiful ones out there this year though.
Blanket – sadly this was a blanket from Tesco I received a few years ago so I can’t link it! I am sure there are many similar versions out there though.
Snow globe – this was a gift from my partner last year from TKmaxx and with all of their stock its there one moment and gone the next!
I do this every year, never this early, and each time it’s a bit bittersweet because once it is done, it is done. I enjoy doing it so much I get a tiny bit sad when I’ve placed the final bauble or turned on the last light.
I went ahead and decorated super early this year simply because I truly do wish it was Christmas every day. There is such a special feeling that comes with the entire season that I cannot find in anything else. And this year I think we could all do with the joy of the season lasting that little bit longer.
Christmas will definitely look different this year but I will hold it in my heart just the same.
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will leave in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I shall not shut out the lessons that they teach.”
This year I went to a pumpkin patch for the first time. With all things covid It seemed like a simple, safe but fun outing for myself and my partner. We actually ending up going on our anniversary weekend so it felt extra special.
Windswept + living my best autumnal life
Having never done it, neither of us knew what to expect… other than an abundance of pumpkins to choose from and some photo opportunities! Well we quickly learnt 5 useful lessons…
Wellies and Boots only… anything else just isn’t going to cut it
Pumpkins are heavy – very heavy
A wheelbarrow is all fun and games until its loaded with pumpkins
The ground is not flat
Pumpkin storks are prickly
Despite having underestimated the efforts of pumpkin picking we had a blast and my partner, bless him, did all the hard work. Posing for that picture with an empty wheel barrow was the only time I touched the thing! My poor dinosaur arms couldn’t take it.
I went in search of white pumpkins, of course you can paint an orange one as an arty alternative which would also be a great way to spend a rainy autumn afternoon. Head to Pinterest for all of the creative inspo you could ever dream of!
It was a great experience, we ended up taking home six pumpkins which cost £20. A little more than I’d spend usually but it’s a great day out and you can pick the cutest ones for great autumnal photoshoots.
Any hamster owners out there, little munchkin pumpkins make the perfect treat + boredom breaker for your fury friend. Just cut the top off and let them at it! It is great for their teeth and keeps them busy for ages, just don’t leave them for too long… you know how carried away they will get if you let them.
Maybe consider giving it a go this year, even if you don’t buy any pumpkins theres usually places to sit, you can go for a walk or just enjoy watching other people battle the pumpkins!
I am back to work today (after two weeks holiday a.k.a study madness) and have been reflecting on the past week. Today as some of you know is my favourite day of the week and I am starting to think it would be the perfect day to post. I would love to post more regularly but my final year of uni is taking a great deal of my time + brain power! But I hope you can all still enjoy the content I will post every Sunday.
One of my favourite things about this time of year is the movies/films/motion pictures, whatever you want to call them, I love them all the same! There is something so lovely and maybe even magical about the type of films made for this month. They are lighthearted and designed to fill the minds of children which equates to the perfect escape route for adults. Sometimes we all need a little escapism in the shape of Halloween Town or in the company of Casper.
This morning I am up extremely early… Christmas early… and for what reason? Who knows.
But as a product of this, my obsessive love of autumn/winter and my somewhat troubling addiction to lists… this was born…
The List.
Here lies the list of dreams, or rather MY dreams. For both Halloween and Christmas I have listed my all-time favourite movies from ‘most loved’ to ‘loved a fraction less’. I went to the lengths of doing this for no other reason than the fact that I am a seasonal geek (Autumn/Winter edition only).
So, on this merry Sunday morning if you are up now with me too, I am simply giving you a reason to stop whatever you are doing…
S T O P .
and watch at least two of these.
Some call it procrastination… others call it therapy. We all need a break and so this is your sign.
Take. The. break.
Who knows it may even help you go back to sleep for a little while but if not name a better way to start a Sunday!
And if you are a listographer like myself please send me yours lists I would love to see them 🙂
Love to you all. Thank you for all the support you’ve shown me and my blog the last few days. You’re all incredible.
I am feeling 13 again when tags were at their peak and we all wanted to be huge youtube stars… I won’t lie… I kind of love that tags are still around. We just need to encourage photo-challenges back from the dead now.
I saw this tag on Peace.Love.Veggies page and loved it, go and give hers a read and take on the tag yourself!
Please tag me if you give it a go I would love to see your answers.
Enjoy…
What is your favourite halloween song?
You have to admit… even if this isn’t your favourite you will be singing it later it’s quite the ear-worm.
What is something you wouldn’t want to meet in an abandoned building or dark forest?
Literally anything. If I am alone in a dark forest or an abandoned building I want it to be just me and my trusty torch thats it!
Have you ever played with a Ouija board?
Personally no, I was banned from playing with these as a child and the older I have gotten the more I appreciate that. It is not something I ever want to mess around with.
Who is your favourite horror monster/villain?
100% Oogie Boogie. He creeps me out to no end but I kind of love him… It’s a strange one really.
What is the creepiest thing that ever happened while you were alone?
I have never experienced anything creepy when alone, typically it always happens when my partner is with me… take from that what you will! But the worst one was one evening, we were both just falling asleep when there was three distinct knocks on the floor. Now for some context, in my partners house our bed is currently a mattress on the floor so these knocks were right by his head. We obviously bolted upright and flicked the lights on. We tried for at least 30 minutes to recreate the sound and failed miserably. After a while and a distracting conversation we were again falling back asleep… guess what happened? YUP this time we ignored and said goodnight to whatever was making the noise.
You are dared to spend the night in a haunted house, do you go?
ummm, yes I think so. If I was going with a group of friends 100% just for the adventure. I think it could be great fun.
Are you superstitious?
I find trying to explain my position on this a little tricky. I will try and put it simply. I believe that in a world so vast, complex and full of incredible people when we die we cannot just disappear. I think that, for example, you can be in an empty room and not really be alone. But I equally believe that you are surrounded by good – not bad. I find peace and comfort in knowing that there are people around, some of us just can’t see/experience them.
Do you ever see figures in your peripheral vision?
As of now, no. I have never been someone who sees things and until I met my partner I wouldn’t hear things either… although saying that i did used to believe a man slept underneath my single bed as a child however this did not scare me. (Odd I know). I am surrounded by people how do experience sightings and find such comfort in it but myself, I am perfectly happy not seeing but believing.
Which urban legend scares you the most?
In truth I have never paid too much attention to urban legends. We had a few go around on BBM (what a throwback to the BlackBerry days) and the school playground but nothing really resonated.
Do you prefer gore or thrillers?
I prefer a thriller… psychological… gores either gross me out to the extent that I will just shut my eyes and miss the whole thing or lead me to nitpick on the bad effects. I prefer something that gets me thinking or just messes with my head for a little while.
Do you believe in multiple dimensions or worlds?
This is another topic I really haven’t thought about. Similarly to the spiritual question, I believe that there must be more out there but I am very much of the mind that it should be left alone. Aliens for example… leave the poor things alone.
Ever made a potion?
Oh 100% the majority of my childhood was spent in the garden making mud-cakes and ‘perfume’ i’m sure potions came into the mix at some point.
Do you get scared easily?
Anxious? Yes. Jumpy? Yes. Scared? hmm I suppose so yes. But not by the typical things like bumps in the night or creaking floorboards I tend to rationalise too much.
Have you every played Bloody Mary?
Nope.
Do you believe in demons/the devil?
Nope.
You’re home alone but you hear footsteps in the house, what do you do?
To be honest probably not a lot… I would assume it was a member of my heavy-footed family and if it all went a bit sour I have the quickest way out the house anyway!
If you got trapped in one scary movie which one would you choose?
Scary Movie. This may be cheating a little bit but how fun would it be to be stuck with this lot?
If you could only wear one halloween costume for the rest of your life what would it be?
I would be a pumpkin because comfort all the way. Bodysuits and cat ears are all fun and games until the headband makes your head hurt and the body suit is riding up in ALL the wrong places!
Would you go to a graveyard at night?
No. I struggle with graveyards generally but not because of fear. I always feel so disrespectful walking around them, unsure of truly what is beneath my feet and always so conscious of where I am walking. So I most definitely wouldn’t go at night.
Would you rather go to a halloween party or trick-or-treating?
A halloween party. I not a huge fan of trick-or-treating the entire concept makes me nervous… going to strangers houses and taking sweets from them. I don’t know it makes me all nervy.
You’re in a horror movie, which trope are you?
100% going to die first. But I will also TURN ON THE DAMN LIGHT.
Do you have to watch something happy after a horror movie?
oh yes. SpongeBob is a favourite.
Whilst watching scary movies are you the person yelling at the characters, the person with their eyes covered or the one asleep?
Typically I am in a full blown conversation with the TV. “No don’t do that you silly woman”, “Um HELLO whats that in the corner”, “Don’t go into the CREEPY attic you’ve never mentioned before now”
Are you the scarer or the scare-e?
A bit of both but I am better at being scared than scaring somebody.
What is your favourite horror book?
Horror is not really my genre when it comes to books… but I’m sure anything Stephen King would go down a treat.
How old were you when you saw your first horror movie?
13. The woman in black. LOVED IT.
What was your first halloween costume?
I truly cannot remember, but I hope it was something sweet like a pumpkin (a trend is emerging)
What are you going to be for halloween this year?
A twenty-year-old, final year university student with a cracking headache and the need for sleep.
If you could have a spooky pet what would it be?
mmm I think it would have to be a black cat. I am allergic but would suffer through for the cat cuddles.
And thats it! I hope you enjoyed reading through my answers, please remember to tag me if you have a go at this tag too.
I have been gone for so long that I don’t know where to begin. In all honesty there is no real reason for my absence. I suppose in many ways I just fell out of love with writing and I don’t yet know if I have managed to re-kindle that but I am going to give it a go regardless.
Over Lockdown here in the UK (from March – June 2020) my initial focus was putting my second year of University to bed. I wrapped up final assignments and then began to refocus in an attempt to figure out what this period of isolation would look like for me. Like many of you I took the time to binge those series I had put on hold, organise my room a few too many times and prioritise my health a little more. Soon however my need for structure poked its head from the duvet and demanded study! The next month was filled with as many free online courses that took my fancy. I ended up with certificates in:
Event Management
Wedding Planning
Introduction to Child Psychology
Although these are not ‘official qualifications’ it inspires a great topic of conversation and learning, however unofficial, is never a bad thing! So the next time you are bored… maybe give it a go. There are so many out there to try.
So, lockdown came and went although at the time of course It did not pass as quickly as that makes it sound. In truth despite the world being in a state of chaos and heartbreak, lockdown for me was not the worst experience. It gave me precious time with my family, a chance to settle back in to living at home and the opportunity to watch my younger brothers learn. Of course I wish that Covid-19 was not the reason for these happenings but i am thankful for the time none-the-less.
As the restrictions fell I was able to reunite with my partner, celebrate my twentieth birthday and indulge in childish-fun culminating in a fabulous fort.
And now I am back to blogging. Having turned twenty and now nearly a month into my final year of university, I know very little for certain. I am unsure of what the next few months will look like, let alone my future which, I recognise is a feeling many of you can relate to. The only thing I know for certain is that my favourite season is upon us and I have so much of it to share.
Thank you to those who have stuck around and are willing to read this ‘i’m back and confused’ babble I appreciate you all. I hope you are doing well and that lockdown was kind to you.
One of the many worries surrounding lockdown is how to ensure that your relationship survives it! For anyone in a long distance relationship this will seem like a walk in the park I suppose but for those of us who aren’t its entirely new and quite daunting.
Like with most things communication is key. Whether in lockdown or not having open conversations is vital and this is more important when you aren’t seeing each other. Discuss what you both need to feel connected, in the loop and just generally loved. It seems simple but one of you could cope with the distance really well and the other may drown in the separation – its important to know where you both stand.
So things to help:
Virtual dates: Facetime, Zoom, House party, Skype, Facebook, Whatsapp just a few of the many platforms you can use to move your dates online
Games: there are a multitude of games you can download on the app and play store to play together from any distance. I am a huge fan of Animal Crossing… why not invite your other half to your island and host an entire date night.
Letters: I am a huge fan of writing letters, whether you do physical letters and wander to a local post box on your daily walk or write a lengthy email its a bit of old fashion fun.
Video Diaries: become a private vlogger, share what you are getting up to with your partner. It’s a fun way to make each other feel like you are right there in the moment. Platforms such as snapchat and instagram could not make this any easier.
Text: this seems like a simple one but sending regular messages or voice notes is so important, use all the resources we have to reach one-another.
Myself and my partner are fortunate in the fact that we live next-door to each other so despite the fact that we aren’t coming into contact with each other we can stick our heads over the fence to say hello.
Last night my partner came up with a lovely idea of doing a date night gift exchange… with no limitations or guidelines so what I have made for him may be worlds apart from what he has done for me. It’s just a little bit of fun both to put together and to give something to each other.
My gift for him:
I turned a shoe box into a make shift gift box and filled it with ‘Open When’ letters and our Pig-a-nut.
The pig-a-nut was gifted to us by our friends after their holiday in the Caribbean. For during the isolation I have placed a card with morse code on it and the web address for a website to translate it. Again just a little bit of fun and hopefully something to make him smile.
‘Open When’ letters are not a new concept to our relationship, the first Christmas we spent together I hand wrote him a bundle of them to open over the year. Since then I’ve always left him notes and written lengthy letters whenever I’ve had something to say. For the isolation I’ve made them specific to help him fill the time and remind him of better days.
The jar links to ‘Open When you are bored’. Here are examples of the contents of the jar. On each piece of paper I have written something for him to do. They range from cleaning, building, sorting, organising and simply silly things.
It took a great deal of time but I am hoping they will last him a while!
And of course within his gift there is a little slice of his favourite cake… Now I wait excitedly to see what i’ve got!
Once again, I hope you are all doing okay during this uncertain time. I want to say another massive thank you to all of the key workers.
Keep Smiling.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to hear about mine
It has been too long since I last uploaded but as we are all too aware so much occurred last month. My previous post shared my hopes for kick starting a cleanse and living a healthier lifestyle for the entire month of March. It all started incredibly well, I bought fresh produce from my local farm shop and began putting a great deal of thought into what I was putting into my body.
I tried my hand at more adventurous meals, cut out as much wheat as possible and even mastered the cauliflower pizza… it was to die for.
And then we shut down.
It seemed as though over night university had come to an end and shopping was more about picking up what was left rather than having the freedom to make choices. My cleanse plans were quickly swept under the rug as my entire world, along side everyone else’s, was taking a new form.
In the course of three days myself and my roommate had decided to travel back home leaving Bournemouth and our final year of study together behind. Our decision came just in time for Boris to announce the official lockdown the night before we were set to go. With pizza in one hand and wine in the other we took on our last evening together in our flat. It was quite the whirlwind and there is some comfort found in knowing that we were most definitely not the only ones.
Over the next few weeks I adjusted back to life at home with my family, began to study entirely from home and said an incredibly early goodbye to my second year at university.
My heart goes out to those in their final year of any school stage. The changes i’ve faced this year are nothing compared to those missing proms, graduations and the chance to sit final exams as they had been preparing for.
Isolation 2020 is like a permanent ‘new year, new me’
So despite my planned cleanse firmly flying out the window this isolation has brought about a new lifestyle entirely. Since having exams cancelled and deadlines extended I’ve had more time on my hands and through this I have found a passion for pilates. Now do not get me wrong I am very much a beginner and I am taking it slow but I do it every single day and have been doing so for over a month now. For many this may not sound very impressive but historically I have been one to give something up if I do not see instant results which is ridiculous I know! So the fact that I am persevering and genuinely enjoying it is surreal.
I will do another post on this later down the line going into more depth about the resources I am using and general progress. But for now here are the changes I saw between day three and twenty in my legs. I’ve always been one to hold my weight in my legs so just seeing a slight change does the world of good for my determination.
So here we are…
20.04.2020
Still in lockdown and trying to stay safe for ourselves and others, I hope each and everyone of you is doing okay and managing to keep a smile through all of this chaos.
To those of you who are key workers, thank you so much for continuing to put yourselves at risk for all of us.
Keep smiling everyone.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read about mine
For many people, myself included, this day is little more than an excuse to consume an unnecessary amount of pancakes and there is nothing wrong with that. For others however today marks the beginning of lent. I myself have never been much of a traditionalist and so this year, like so many previous, I will not be embarking on a 40 day fast however I will be having a ‘cleaner’ March.
I do not eat terribly. I try my very best as a student to ensure that I keep my diet as balanced as possible alongside a few Wetherspoons trips here and there… The reasons behind my aim for a cleaner March stem from the simple want to feel better on the inside.
In late 2018 I discovered that I have a fair few food intolerances, all of which I have successfully ignored and of course continued to live a pretty uncomfortable -bloated- life! From March 1st right until the 31st I want to focus on cutting out a few of the worst sensitivities and focus a little more on healthy snacking… I understand that as a student cutting out my snacks all together would be pretty counter productive so I will just up the fruit and cut the crisps!
A list of my endless sensitivities,
The Plan.
M a r c h :
Cut out Barley, Wheat, Butter and Buckwheat
NO:
Crisps
Chips
Sweets
Sugary Drinks
Pastries/cookies/cakes
Ice cream
and
Pizza….
Although this is quite a sudden change I think its just what I need and I’m feeling good about it. Plus, its only for a month! You never know, it might become a whole lifestyle change, but either way I will be sure to check back in at the half way mark and once more at the very end of the month.
If you are doing anything similar, perhaps Dechox 2020 with BHF, let me know in the comments below!
Ever since I planted my final full-stop at the end of #Blogmas2019 I have felt ever so intimidated by the concept of returning to Simply Everything. I’ve felt an immense pressure to come back with a fresh mindset and new ideas. Perhaps in many ways I fell victim to the ridiculous notion of ‘new year, new me.’
Hello February.
Here’s what my life has looked like since my last post:
Birthdays.
This year, so far, I’ve celebrated my baby brothers, my partners and my best friends birthdays. I am a huge fan of birthdays and so enjoyed every second… those ageing perhaps enjoyed it a little less. But laughter, cake, presents and alcohol was had either way!
Fur Baby.
If you haven’t met him before, myself and Kasia have been raising a Syrian hamster, called Pickle. He is our little furry saviour despite having successfully escaped on numerous occasions! It is evidently clear that he has an obsession with bedding behind the washing machine of all places.
Over the Christmas break he came home with me and was endlessly spoilt and showered with all the human cuddles. From the tiles above you can see he had his own little Christmas dinner.
Photography.
One of my focuses for 2020 is to fall back in love with being behind the camera. I am yet to even pick up my Nikon, two months into the year, with university and work taking up a great deal of my time it is tricky to make it happen but the time will come.
On February 14th myself and my mama set up an Etsy page to sell her crochet creations. Showcasing lovely crochet keepsakes and lanyards Limpet Dreams is the hub of my mamas creativity. They make such thoughtful gifts I have linked the store for you to have a little look. You never know they might just be the present you were looking for.
Simply Everything 2020.
For my comeback in 2020 I redesigned my logo for no other reason than i outgrew the style of the last. Black (as a debate colour or shade) has always been a constant love of mine and so it seemed a little silly that I hadn’t featured it before. After all, Simply Everything is an open space for me to share aspects of myself!
I hope you all enjoy the new face of Simply Everything, and the first look at my newer content.
A huge thank you to those who have stuck around in my absence and who gave my #Blogmas2019 such love.
x
c u r r e n t l i t e r a r y l o v e : “When things change inside you, things change around you”
Here we are, at the end of my first Blogmas and its very bittersweet.
I have loved every second of blogmas: writing the posts, taking the pictures and pulling together 12 days of content that I hope you have all enjoyed. It has broken up the stress of my uni semester and heightened my excitement for the season. I will definitely give it another crack next year… and perhaps challenge myself to make it to 24.
Before I round of Blogmas 2019 and say my B I G thank you’s to all of you who have shown your support by reading and leaving comments I want to share with you the results of my instagram photo challenge.
enjoy 🙂
December 1st
Merry
Something Sweet
Green
Tradition
Scarf
Bright
Joy is…
Family
Rest
Warmth
All wrapped up
and thats it, well for now…
Thank you, again, for supporting my Blog this year. Writing ‘Simply Everything’ has filled a void I never even knew I had and opened a door to a new world consisting of such talent and wonderful content.
You are all absolute stars and your support means the entire world. I wish you all the most memorable Christmas, and enriched New Year.
Simply Everything will be back in the New Year to discuss all things resolutions…
This post is for all of you who love a good old Christmas jumper. Whether you reach for the novelty, the classic or the tacky this is something for you.
Every year I find myself a new jumper to celebrate the season and this year I fell in love with two. One is a little more tacky and very on the nose but the other is a little more fun…
The Cheeky and The Tack.
My ‘Tits The Season’ jumper was an Etsy find, which I have linked if any of you love it just as much as I do! It’s a fun one to draw out the smiles and so comfortable.
I find that Christmas jumpers take the stress out of your winter wardrobe entirely. On those chilly winter mornings you can wake knowing that you have that staple jumper to pair with jeans and take on the day.
This time of year is also known for the many events that quickly fill your calendar all begging for the best Christmas attire:
Work-do’s
Meal with friends
Meal with family
Christmas Draws/Raffles
Christmas Markets
Theatre trips
What kind of jumper do you reach for at this time of year?
Whichever style becomes your festive go-to I hope you have the very best month as you countdown to Christmas.
This blog post is a slight insight into my Christmas. Between myself and my partner all things Christmassy gets a little competitive even down to the perfection of our wrapping. We take every element seriously…
The paper
The patters
The ribbon
The labels
The lines, the precision all down to the placement of the tape. It is all every important in our Christmas bubble.
Now, this may have very little importance to you but even if this is so I hope this post can inspire you in some way as I share some of my very favourite wrapped gifts for this year.
The gifts above come from my partners selection this year. The beautiful labels are from B&M and have a traditional element to them which would complement any gift wrap.
The gold complements the navy paper perfectly and falls slightly outside of the expectations of traditional Christmas colours but we all need an upgrade every now and then.
There is something so special about taking the time to wrap a present. Not to mention it’s the perfect end to a day; wrapping gifts and watching a Christmas film… What more could you ask for?
Other than wrapping presents, another festive favourite of mine is wrapping the house up too…
This can all be done on a budget too! Me and my roommate achieved all of this for £10. B A R G A I N !
Making my home warm and cosy for the Christmas season is another key part of the celebration for me. No matter what time during the month you do this, whether it be Christmas eve or the very first of the month its the best way to get into the spirit.
l i g h t s – Fairy lights are a personal favourite all year round however at Christmas you can put them up by the truck load! Plus you can save a huge amount on your electricity bill for all of December if you are relying on battery operated ones!
Wether your home is decorated floor to ceiling, a little here and there or none at all I hope you are having the best countdown to Christmas.
This song is weighted by meaning and messages which we should take care to carry with us throughout this season. It’s so important to be thankful for all we have – not just the gifts we may receive but the people we have in our lives.
Christmas often makes it easy to forget that there are so many less fortunate than us and we may forget that this is a time to thank whoever you see fit and aim to do all we can to help others.
Over the years Christmas has become more and more focused on the profit that can be made from it and its easy to forget about the little things that make it so special and the many ways it can bring us together.
With Christmas lights comes the light switch on. A time to gather together, standing side by side hundreds, maybe thousands of people you’ve never met and yet you all call the same place home. It’s a countdown to remember, the decent from 10 to 1 symbolising the nearing of Christmas eve, the celebration of the year past and the year to come.
As the town becomes alight, dressed in Christmas spirit it’s time to take a moment to appreciate the community that surrounds you. To see the unity that Christmas brings, as strangers stand among each other and celebrate one thing in common.
It’s simple, festive bliss.
With the town newly aglow we greet Christmas Chateaus, Filled to the brim with Christmas regalia from far and wide. We give money to small businesses and show our support trusting in the fact that our money is going straight to the hands of those whom deserve it.
In true Christmas spirit, we give.
At this time of year, we think about that big red suit, but friends and family too. We take time to share moments with those we’ve yet to meet and against all odds share a single thing in common and smile. We smile at the sweet scent of Christmas that lingers in the air, all bitter words and saddening events lay behind us as the year progresses. We move forward with the changing times, we find hope in the jingle bells and laughter in personal traditions. Christmas brings much more than gifts and material things,
It can be very easy, at this time of year, to go a little overboard and suddenly realise that you’ve blown your winter budget. We get so caught up in the adverts coxing us into showing our love through gifting that it becomes nearly impossible to pull ourselves away from our keyboards or local high-street.
For this very reason I wanted to pull together a little list of my favourite websites for gifts with a smaller price tag, and ideas, which can be found via the high-street.
I use all of these websites religiously ever year. Prezzy and FireBox are great for novelty gifts and secret Santa. They have a great selection of smaller, quirky presents perfect for people you don’t know very well or simply aren’t sure what to buy for.
I came across ‘I want on of those’ this year and have recommended it countless times already. Here you can find the perfect stocking stuffers and neat gadgets to suit every kind of person. From astronaut food to StarWars shot glasses it has it all.
Getting personal is the hub of personalised presents. You can have your name or someone else’s put on just about everything. It makes every gift more thoughtful and at a price that doesn’t break the bank!
HIGH-STREET:
Although at this time of year the world of retail and e-commerce makes a great deal of money it’s always good, when you can, to return to the high-street and support your local stores. Good ways of doing this is keeping creative at Christmas:
‘Reasons why’ Jars: this simple idea comes at very little cost but the thought goes an extremely long way. You can find everything you need in any town or city centre. Go on the hunt for the perfect mason jar, colourful car/paper and any other decorations you may want.
‘Open when’ letters: these, like the jars, are incredibly inexpensive and can last all year if you want them too. They are easily tailored to any friend/family member and uses much more time than money but the final product is so worth it.
Mini Bar cart: these are a little more expensive if you are looking for small bottles of liqueur however over all cost considerably less than alternatives. You can find most alcoholic mini’s in local superstores or even shops such as boots at this time of year. Then all you need is their favourite mixer, a jar to put it in and you’re set!
Cosy Night in: for those who don’t like drinking, you can use a similar concept but with a cute mug, some fluffy socks, a sachet of hot chocolate and a snack. The perfect gift for the winter season.
There are so many, thoughtful, gift alternatives perfect for everyone. So try not to fall into the pressure of having to spend large amounts of money to show your love or appreciation.
This time of year is for spending time together, not money.
There is nothing better than air kissed with the scent of mulled wine and the soft glow of fairy lights that illuminate the square. Things only to be found at the very best Christmas Markets.
Simply Everything
At this very festive time of year, the most spirited of us tend to seek out all things Christmas related and this post will cover just that. Highlighting all of the most popular Christmas Markets in the UK, which would, most definitely, be worth a visit this month.
B a t h :
This market, built upon the historic Georgian cobbled streets, entertains 150 chalets to meet all of your festive needs. With so many stalls to see and a historic town to explore its the perfect day trip waiting to be happen this month. I actually explored this market for the first time this year and is was as picturesque as I had imagined however if you take only one thing away from this post:
Prepare for the crowds
Pre-book somewhere for lunch and/or dinner
Wear comfy shoes and wrap up warm !
W i n c h e s t e r :
Winchester is best known for its stunning cathedral all year round, however at this time it also hosts the annual market. Like Bath, it is the perfect opportunity to explore somewhere new whilst ticking the market the bucket list. With an iceskating venue for all to enjoy it’s right at the heart of Christmas.
I am yet to explore this market, if any of you have been please share your festive experience in the comment section bellow!
E d i n b u r g h :
Although this is a bit of a venture out, the market in Edinburgh is well renowned for its beautiful landscape and the prime location of the market. Popular attractions such as the Christmas tree maze put market at the very top of many people lists. It’s definitely somewhere I plan to go in the near future.
B i r m i n g h a m :
Being such a huge city its Christmas market has to mirror its expanse, calling itself ‘the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria’ leaves other markets with pretty big shoes to fill. Offering a large selection of snacks, gifts and family orientated experiences it would make the perfect weekend. This city has so much to offer beyond its Christmas market, and what better time to see it than when its light by twinkle lights in December.
G l a s g o w :
Glasgow offers something a little more diverse and special at Christmas time, running multiple markets at once. There is:
George square Christmas market
St Enoch square Christmas market
Country living fair
And so many other smaller independent markets which are waiting to be explored.
Travelling a distance to visit a well renowned Christmas market may seem a little extravagant but knowing that there is so much on offer; so much to experience makes the decision a simple one.
We all have those people in our lives who just don’t understand the Christmas hype and try their very best to avoid it entirely. When you are the complete opposite and still feel the need to include them in the festivities it can be incredibly hard to know what they would like.
I have found, after much trial and error, that the best way to please a grinch is to thaw their heart with mush. Pure, emotional, heart-to-heart mush. It is the only way to get their heart to grow two sizes in time for Christmas day.
After all, who can say no to something personal?
o p e n w h e n – these letters are tailored to the person you are gifting them too. It does require you to know them well enough to understand when these letters would be most useful. The letters can be about anything; with any aim. Whether it be to make the person smile, to pick them up or to give them something to do when they feel bored. This is an easy, cost-effective gift which isn’t Christmas related so the Grinch you are gifting it to cannot complain too much.
n o t h i n g – at first glance this might be a little strange but there is such a gift as ‘the gift of nothing’. Quite simply its a comical present for those who cannot come up with anything they want and would double up as the perfect present for someone who isn’t keen on Christmas
a d v e n t u r e – planning a day out such as a picnic, mini golf, bowling, iceskating might appeal more to a grinch. As the gift giver you feel that you are fulfilling the Christmas need to give but the receiver is simply presented a fun day out. It’s a great opportunity to make memories for the both of you regardless of your differences.
t o k e n s – these tend to be a hit with everyone. You can make them as personal or impersonal as you want and have fun with them too. They are inexpensive but still mean a lot to the person receiving them, it’s practically giving them a book of I.O.U’s. And who would turn down an opportunity like that?
y o u d a y – plan a you day for the person. If Christmas isn’t their thing it would be nice to give them a day to enjoy entirely and you can make that happen. Whether it’s a movie day binge watching their favourite films, or a walk along the beach the thought will mean the world. It will give them something to look forward to in the same way you look forward to Christmas.
The list of gifts for grinches are truly endless however many of them have to be more specific to your grinch. These are just some generic ones I could think of which would work for many! Hopefully some of these work you for and your grinches this Christmas season.
This post will be perfect for all of my fellow list lovers, and to those who need to plan everything down to a T.
I am forever making lists in day-to-day life, let alone when the Christmas season is upon us.
December is a busy month for everyone; there’s so much to think about and even more to do. We have to consider people, presents, parties, trips, food and of course we have to budget for all of this!
With so much going on it only makes sense that we write it all down, it’s the best way to clearly visualise what you have to juggle and the timescale you have to do it all in. I want to share with you my favourite festive planner to help you along the way.
t h e p l a n n e r :
This planner has absolutely everything. You can organised your messy thoughts into this beautiful book and be ready in no time. In previous years I have left To Do lists lying around all over the shop and this has enabled me to keep everything Christmas related in one place!
One of my favourite things about this is the receipt pocket. A simple idea perhaps but it means that for all of those ‘risk’ gifts you can keep the gift receipts in one place and not have a last minute panic when the receiver needs a different size or style.
Other than doing all of the organising work for you, it’s a lovely thing to keep and look back on. What starts off as a method of organisation soon turns into a shrine of Christmas 2019. It’s a brilliant way to look back over how you celebrated that year; what gifts you bought, who you wrote a cards for, what recipes you used, and of course the dreaded fact of how much you spent.
If, however, this isn’t your thing there are so many other ways to take the stress out of planning without buying this book.
a l t e r n a t i v e s :
Use a A4 ring binder and clear plastic wallets to keep all of the things you need: To do lists, cards, present tags, gift receipts etc.
Buy a fresh To Do list booklet with tear off pages, these are great to keep all of your lists in one place but also give you the ability to remove the completed ones.
Utilise your phone, most smartphones come with a ‘notes’ section and if not there are so many free apps you can download. Use these to generate your lists, and store all the information you need. Myself and my partner use our phones to keep a running Christmas tally so we know how many gifts we have bought each person.
Use your calendar, set yourself targets and tasks to complete each day. This will help reduce the stress and last minute rush but also enable you to set a strict budget, perfect for students, those with lower income and people who get a little bit spend crazy.
Planning ahead reduces the seasons stress massively, so finding a way that works for you and your lifestyle is crucial. I hope some of these methods help those of you with big Christmas plans ahead.
S i m p l y E v e r y t h i n g ‘ s W i n t e r W a r d r o b e 2 0 1 9
Happy Blogmas Day 4!
This post will cover my winter wardrobe staples; the tried and tested loves for the winter season and specific bits I have purchased this year.
I, personally, find posts like these so helpful specifically when it comes to figuring out my own style for the season so I hope it can help a few of you too.
Those of you who also live in the UK will know just how tricky it can be to plan for our unpredictable weather, and so planning ahead doesn’t always work. Sometimes its just best to have some sturdy shoes; your favourite jeans, a jumper and that staple scarf that goes with everything. Keep gloves and a brolly in the bag and you will be ready to take on the world.
t h e s t a p l e s :
S c a r f s
In the winter scarfs are a must-have for me, I typically stick to buying ones that can work with any outfit. This makes for a practical purchase but also something I know will look good; and as a result make me feel good.
j u m p e r + b o o t s
Dressing for winter is easy! You can throw on a chunky cable knit and some cute boots and be on your way. When your surroundings are muted by the weather a warm colour palette goes a long way, so play around with oranges and burgundies. Experiment!
s h o e s
If you are anything like me, and aren’t overly keen on boots at any time of year just know that you can still wear trainers. Aim for thick soles and a waterproof coating. You still want to be to be able to keep your feet warm and dry. This doesn’t have to cost a lot either, these were from Primark £8
s o c k s
Now, this won’t be a must for everyone but I l o v e socks. When the festive season rolls around I just have to purchase some equally as festive. My ones for this year are simple trainer socks with Elf all over them. If you haven’t seen the film put it on the top of your December ‘To Do list’.
Wrap up warm and have fun with your wardrobe this season!
In this post I am throwing it right back to 2011 instagram when everyone was doing the monthly photo challenges. To be honest as someone who
l o v e s
photography I don’t really see why these ever stopped. But here I am creating my own ’12 days of Christmas’ photo challenge to share small snippets of my festivities.
If you loved these challenges like I used to feel free to use the titles I have to create your own twelve days and share them! I would love to see, what you all come up with and what your December looks like.
t h e t i t l e s :
The world on the first of December
Merry
Something sweet
Green
Tradition
Scarf
Bright
Joy is…
Family
Rest
Warmth
All wrapped up
Heres what my world looked like on the First of December:
Look out for an upcoming post where I will share my finished collection.
A key factor in the countdown to Christmas includes the way which we actually countdown, and for many this is via an advent calendar. The market for advent changes every year, bringing out new wild and wonderful ways to treat yourself as December flies by.
Historically, the only calendar available to the masses would be a picture one. It would be an A4 piece of cardboard where every window depicted a crucial part in the nativity scene. Today however we see so many variations made to fit the diverse world within which we live. Religion, for many, is no longer the heart of their Christmas and so they look for alternatives to celebrate the countdown.
Advent has become a crucial part of our Christmas traditions and I wanted to make a post shedding some light on the popular advent calendars of 2019 and some alternatives to make a loved ones advent that little bit more special.
p a m p e r y o u r s e l f :
Lush and The Body Shop are incredibly well known for their popular advent calendars and both receive high volumes of attention when they are released. I am writing this post in September and the Lush calendar has already sold out online!
Both of these products are marketed at an audience who look for something luxury, and these calendars definitely fit the bill. They offer a product a day to enable you to simply treat yourself on the run up to Christmas. Many consider these to be great value for money considering the quality of gift awaiting behind each door.
The Rituals calendar is marketed as ‘the gift of slowing down’ just highlighting what kind of audience it wants to pull, and what you are buying into. Your are buying into the best gift money can buy… time.
t r e a t y o u r s e l f :
We all love a treat, especially at Christmas time and these calendars are a little bit more special than your average Dairy Milk… not that theres anything wrong with a Cadbury calendar (they are my favourite).
These foodie calendars are perfect for that one person we all know who just couldn’t live without that one snack. You can bring someone the joy of having their favourite thing everyday as they await Christmas day. The Snuffling Pig company is a favourite of my partners, so an entire calendar stuffed with crackling is perfect.
For those of us who simply cannot face the day, no matter the time of year, without coffee the beanies calendar is ideal. Each day you get a taste of a different seasonal flavour bringing the festivities to your mug every morning. The best way to start a wintery day.
f o r t h e b o y s :
Buying advent calendars for husbands, boyfriends, brothers and friends who aren’t chocolate mad can be a bit tricky. These calendars are just a few of the alternatives which could work for the tricky person in your life.
The ASOS grooming calendar is a slightly more expensive option but it contains great products which all men can use in day-to-day life past the Christmas season.
A fragrance calendar is always a hit, and this one by Groupon is a bargain.
Similarly, the pub crawl calendar adds a cheeky twist to the conventional chocolate advent and comes at a mid-range price; ideal for those who like boozy treats.
f o r t h e l i t t l e o n e s :
These calendars are great chocolate alternatives and keep the little people at bay whilst they wait for Santa. The countdown is filled with anticipation and great levels of excitement for kids and having an advent which has a toy behind each door keeps it somewhat preserved; giving parents a well deserved break for a little while.
g e t p e r s o n a l :
So, beyond the limitations of chocolate and expensive beauty advents there are endless options for more personal alternatives.
This year for example, I am hosting an advent treasure hunt for my boyfriend for ’12 days of advent’. Those twelve days allow me to gather more personal advent gifts, tailored to my partner specifically. This works perfectly for those in your life who aren’t crazy about the Christmas season or the conventional themes that come with it. Or perhaps theres just someone who you want to go the extra mile for.
Not only can this be incredibly meaningful you can also use it so save a lot of money, especially if you were looking at some of the more pricey advents above. You can collect little bits and bats here and there over the months coming up to December to prepare and budget and still have a lovely advent.
o t h e r i d e a s :
12/24 days of gifts
24 letters (‘open when’ letters, reasons why I love you etc.)
12/24 days of scratch cards
Personalised chocolate advent
24 days of hopes/wishes/goals for the new year
12 days of memories (plans, days out, theatre trips, winter wonderland, nights away, festive garden centre trips etc.)
Disregarding all of these, some of us simply prefer something a little toned down and nothing works better for this than a traditional advent candle. These are a great way to bring the family together at dinner time, to light and let the advent candle burn whilst you eat. It’s such an inclusive way to see Christmas in.
Whichever way you celebrate the countdown to Christmas enjoy the festivities and all that comes with it.
At a time of year where the mornings and nights are dressed in darkness, the world, itself, has never been so light. This is the true definition of magic.
Simply Everything
Happy December first everyone.
We have finally made it to my very favourite time of year and I could not be more excited. For many years I have watched and read everyone else’s Christmas content and now I finally get to share my own.
For me, there could not be a better time to focus my writing on one particular topic than that of December and all that comes with it. This season inspires every inch of my creative being, and the lists of awaiting festive content are endless.
w h a t t o e x p e c t :
Festive titles,
Personalised artwork/photography for each post, taken with the titles in mind
Uploads from today (the first) all the way until -and including- Christmas day.
Topics covered such as:
Gifts for Grinches,
Winter wardrobe/look-books,
a guide to Christmas eve boxes
and so many more.
I hope that somewhere along the way you will find a post that successfully captures what Christmas means to you and makes you feel even a fraction of the festivities that I do.
Regardless of all of that, I hope you all have an incredible countdown to Christmas.
Thank you all for taking the time to read and support my blog this year, it means the absolute world.
Hello you, it has been a little while since i’ve uploaded anything…
I put the lack of content down to: planning for blogmas, Christmas prep, work and
Semester one – Year two.
Previously, I posted about my university experience from the perspective of a first year, and now as I am crawling to the end of my first semester as a second year I thought i’d do a similar kind of thing.
So, at this point in time I could not relate more to a gif if I tried. It is true when they say “second year is no joke”. Not that, in any way, the is first year all for the ‘sh*ts and giggles’ but once you enter the second year of university things just change.
Pace: get your running shoes on because you are about to hit the ground running. There is no settling in period so be ready to go. Find your own rhythm, as hard as it may seem you need to take on university in your own way. Give it time…
Plan: scheduling and planning ahead is always a great idea but this is especially vital now. So gather your upcoming assignment deadlines and plan your attack.
Time: most students have to study, revise and work too so try your best to prioritise. We all need to juggle our time differently but the sooner you do it the better.
You do you: It’s easy to get swept up in other peoples agendas and to feel like you aren’t doing it right because you’re not doing exactly what they are. Whether this is study/revision specific or extra-curricular and lifestyle. Regardless of whatever else you are prioritising make sure your best interests are at the top of every list.
Unwind: when it feels like you are running at 100mph its time to slow down and theres always time for it… those who think they don’t have time are either over-working or over-scheduling. Give yourself time to unwind. It’s important.
Anxiety is widely known today. Most of us, at some point, experience some form of anxiety and it can be quite tricky to overcome.
For those whom don’t know, in itself, anxiety is a form of fight or flight reaction. When we find ourselves in uncomfortable situations our brains go through a process of deciding how to cope. Sometimes this process gets muddled and a series of things can occur:
p h y s i c a l r e a c t i o n s : shortness of breath, butterflies, increased heart rate, hot flushes, sweaty palms, nausea, dizziness, headaches, shaking, dry mouth etc.
p y s c h o l o g i c a l r e a c t i o n s : restlessness, feelings of dread, constant feeling of being ‘on edge’, difficulty concentrating, irritability, increased worrying etc.
Anxiety can look like so many things, beyond the lists above, and sometimes you can’t see it at all. We all experience it in so many varied ways that it almost seems wrong that they all fall under one label.
The causes/triggers of our anxiety varies from person to person. It can be common fears such as big crowds or loud spaces or curated from personal trauma or previous negative experiences. Either way, understanding our own individual anxieties helps us to manage them.
My biggest anxieties are triggered by/revolve around:
Driving, large social situations, certain environments involving drinking (clubs etc.), walking/sitting in front of large groups and any kind of confrontation.
I came across a quote recently that summed up my personal experience of anxiety perfectly:
I am telling you, anxiety is always feeling like something is out of place, and when you can’t find what it is you start to think it’s you.
Rachel h
I found that the unsettled feeling in your stomach and the weight on your chest is perfectly summed up in this quote. Anxiety leaves you searching for the thing to put it right; in an overwhelming panic to restore stability and when you cant find it, you feel out of place and the cycle of panic becomes never-ending.
g o i n g f o r w a r d :
Although anxiety can feel incredibly lonely just know that for there to be so much information on it others must have been where you are now. The understanding we have comes from a place of knowing, you share that with many other people so you are never truly alone.
Despite being unable to ever compare one hurt to another we can find common ground. Speak to those around you, you’d be surprised how much we can empathise and relate to one-another.
Search for your of serenity. There are multiple ways to work with and conquer your anxiety so have a look at the options, test the water and see what works for you.
Explore the endless apps made to help monitor and settle stress and anxiety.
Consider therapy through animals, having something to take care of can be a great distraction in times of stress.
Create your safe space, filled with/doing whatever you love best and keep that time just for you to unwind.
Find your human, someone you feel comfortable opening up to. Let them into the ongoings of your anxiety and give them the information they need to support you.
Have a cup of tea, because there are very few problems a cup of tea can’t help.
I am now just days away from returning to university for my second year; some of you may be back already or perhaps have just started today! If so I hope you’ve all had a steady start back and if its your very first day of university feel free to read through my post about the first year to gain access to all of my top tips.
Being so close to my first day back I wanted to do a post covering all the things I have done to prepare. Everything I cover in this blog post I have done to, hopefully, achieve a stress-free return to study. For every course the demands of your first day/week back will be completely different and the ways which universities arrange themselves varies. These tips are specific to the preparation for mine however I hope they can be flexible to work for many.
S u c c e s s i s w h e r e p r e p e r a t i o n
a n d o p p o r t u n i t y m e e t .
t i m e t a b l e :
Before you can start preparing you have to know what is it you are preparing for. Get a good look at your timetable and see whats coming. From here you can read through your unit guides and prepare for the year ahead.
e q u i p m e n t :
Make sure you've got everything you need before you head back to university. This year, for example, I really downsized my pencil case due previously relying on my laptop more than paper and pen.
d e a d l i n e s :
Once you have access to your units/timetable you can find out more information about deadlines. Pin point your important dates and start the countdowns. This will mean much less last minute stress.
p l a n a h e a d :
As well as structuring your study and your everyday life, as a student, you have to manage multiple budgets. Using simple planners, such as these pound-land ones, makes that so much easier.
These are simple guidelines to help prepare for your return to study but there are so many other things you can do to help yourself too. If you are someone who worries about what to wear, plan your outfit the night before. It may sound like an obvious tip but it can save a lot of time and early morning aggravation. Make sure to unwind either side of your first day back. Summer is great but having such a long break between studying can make the return that much harder so be patient with yourself, and reward the little things.
I hope you all have a great first day back, or have had a good one already. To those of you just starting university this week, good luck and remember to have fun!
My love of autumn and winter is not dissimilar to my love of Sunday’s and if you’ve stumbled across that post, well, you will know by now just why I love it.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the summer time like many others, however there is something, so overwhelmingly, comforting about the cooler seasons.
My pinterest board is the perfect visual representation of the words that are to follow. The rich colours and vibrant feelings all captured in single moments stuck to my board reflecting my love of autumn and winter. If you get a moment to have a look I hope you love it just as much as I do.
And the sun took a step back,
the leaves lulled themselves to sleep
and Autumn was awakened.
Its harsh rainfall, and bitter winds that crack your lips and dry your skin. The bliss tucked beneath a knitted blanket, cup of tea in hand and that familiar show on TV. Big, baggy jumpers; big enough for two. Sleeves pulled over your hands to protect your fingers from the chill.
It’s the ultimate start to the end of the year.
An almighty countdown to Christmas; the beginning of the magic.
The wind that whips through ageing trees gives a whole new meaning to cold hands and warm hearts. For there is no other time of year better designed for those whom love, love. It supplies you, both, time to be close and a reason to be closer.
In my eyes these seasons create the most perfect juxtaposition, because in many ways the bitter cold warms you too.
My love of photography has been something I have yet to mention on my blog and there is no day like the present.
I started to get into photography whilst studying it at GCSE; what seemed like my only option at the time turned into one of greatest loves. It became the perfect way to freeze the most precious of moments.
I have always been a people watcher, I find the simple uniqueness of individuals awe-inspiring. The unintentional action of daring to be different inspires me in a way I cannot put into words but try endlessly to capture through a lens. Its because of this part of my personality that I fell in love with candid photography. The naturally-unnatural nature of these photos is stunning.
Theres a great sense of power that seeps through photos. With every shadow and highlight there is vivid sound pouring through. One day, when the time comes I aspire to capture the sheer beauty of a maternity shoot and the inner strength of a boudoir shoot. And perhaps, eventually find the courage to do one myself.
Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.
Dorothea Lange
Since leaving school I have drifted from the complexity of a DSLR and reach more for my iPhone and polaroid camera. Both of these help me capture the featured images for all of my blogs and all of the other moments I keep private.
More often that not, I focus my day-to-day photography on flat-lays. I love the clean-cut simplicity of a birds-eye-view. In one square frame I can capture a table setting, a moment in time and, to those whom lived it, all of the events that came with that one click.
Beyond this style of photography, my interests are endless. I love to play around with depth of field, a simplistic, yet effective, way of altering the way a scene looks. Along side this the use of the rule of thirds to find the maximum potential of the space I want to capture.
There is an inexplainable feeling that comes with the ability to take a photo; to many it probably seems mundane and regular. But I see so far past this, to me, the physical act of incapsulating a moment in time is beyond words. To be able to look back in time, to re-live the senses of that memory is breathtaking.
Captured because one day they will all be memories again.
This summer I decided to really dedicate my time to feeling better within myself.
I have attempted to make running apart of my week many times before and always failed but this time I was determined to make it maintainable. As of today I have been running for 3 months and I am just starting to break through the teething problems. Along the way I have realised old mistakes and made new ones but now I am starting to find my rhythm and thought I would share my top tips on getting into running.
g o a l – we all need something to fight for and mainly something to focus us. When it comes to running the easiest way to do this is to set yourself a distance target. I signed up to ‘couch to 5k’ back in June and have not looked back since. I’ve taken it at my own pace and have finally reached the half-way mark and couldn’t be more pleased. It breaks your runs down into running and walking time which changes as the weeks go by. It’s perfect for beginners who struggle with stamina.
c o m p a n y – running can be incredibly rewarding but keeping it fun can be a challenge. Running alongside a friend helps the time pass so quickly especially if you are both starting from scratch together. You can help motivate and push each other to the finish line, plus friendly competition never hurt anyone!
t r a i n e r – before you skip past this point at the thought of paying for a trainer to help you I have a free app which works perfectly for me. ‘East Nine‘ is an interactive app to guide you through your run. Each one is led by a trainer who talks your through the warm up, cool down and intervals of running. All the while encouraging you and reminding you of how much time remains. Not only this but it places you on a live leaderboard with other users so you can see how well you are doing – a great form of motivation.
East Nine, is a great way to focus on your pace which avoids burning out and giving up on your goal. It’s helped guide my runs and make me look forward to the next one, knowing that I can achieve it.
4. f u n – there are so many ways to make running enjoyable and the main way i’ve found is through‘Zombies, Run’ Despite not having a great interest in Zombies, myself, this app has definitely made time fly on my runs. Its an interactive app, which tracks your run and pace whilst, in a podcast format, tells an ongoing storyline of an apocalypse. Zombies are after you and you have to run! This is a great one for distracting your mind from the ache and burn in your legs and keeping your stamina up.
Despite this post sounding very much like one huge AD, please know that it is not. I simply wanted to share the running apps that have made my venture back into running possible. Hopefully they can help some of you too!
My biggest piece of advice is to celebrate all of the small victories. Just putting your running shoes on and getting out there for even 10-15 minutes is progress. Try to keep all running-related things in your mind positive; it will help to maintain your drive.
This may be a bit of an odd one, but I wanted to ramble for a little while about my love of Sundays.
For many it is nothing more than a dreadful reminder that monday will soon be upon us and for others its a day with great depth and religious meaning.
For me, its a day of rest in the sense of self-love and repair. It’s a chance to watch films, and become rested and ready for the week ahead. An entire day dedicated to making your soul happy.
Sundays…
s l e e p until you’re h u n g r y.
e a t until you’re s l e e p y.
Whilst it can be a day of doing nothing it is also the best day to do something. The streets are quiet, shops shut early and the possibilities are endless.
Suddenly there’s time to do all the things you never got round to:
get out – take a long walk to clear your head before the busy week begins, venture out and wander aimlessly but be home in time for tea.
clean that spot – theres always that one place in your home that is screaming to be sorted, be it the kitchen drawer, the office or the attic this is your chance to tackle it.
hang those pictures – the ones you’ve been meaning to find a home; their perfect place on the wall.
be courageous – take on something new, or resurrect an old hobby that time forgot; push yourself.
ring them – life can move at such a fast pace, and religious or not, I think its important to always remember the people we love so make time for them even if it’s just a five minute phone call
host – if, like me, the staple of your Sunday is the roast dinner take time to make it yourself. Fill your home with loved ones and cherish the time together.
make a plan – whether it be five years or two, plan for something great. Push yourself to be healthy, to be more aware of your mental health or to simply get out there and experience more. Set yourself a goal.
pin-it – scroll through pinterest and put your plans into pictures. Mood-board the things that make you smile; the things that drive and inspire you. Highlight the things that will help you take on Monday.
change your sheets – a simple task perhaps but there’s no better feeling than falling into a crisp cool bed on a Sunday night.
unplug – pull yourself away from the grasp of social media… it doesn’t understand the concept of a day of rest and recuperation. The buzz of news and drama will still be there tomorrow so spend the last moments of your evening taking in the serenity.
Sundays were made for good coffee, good music and being lazy with the people you love.
Separation anxiety is an intense battle with yourself. It’s one instinct fighting the other.
It’s loud.
Separation anxiety is the body’s need to turn away, to simply walk home or say goodnight. And the minds constant interruption every step of the way.
Within the same breath that you’ve said goodbye; openly made up your mind the unwanted panic begins to set in. A decision once strong, mere seconds ago, now quakes in its boots. No longer able to stand for itself, regardless of any rhyme or reason. It’s weak.
“But what if this is it, what if you can’t come back”
“What if between now and tomorrow things end”
“No, you can’t leave, look at what you are leaving, what could be better than this?”
“You don’t want to leave really”
“wait“
The ferocious whispers in your head that make your foundations quake, stomach ache and palms clammy. It means not being further than reaching distance of your phone, just in case, and insuring its on loud or at the very least the vibrate strong enough to shake the surface it rests on.
It calls for tears with one hand on the doorknob, or shallow breathing as you sit alone. It’s a fast paced heart and sleepy eyes, a body a-wash with adrenaline which aches for rest. It’s everything, all at once.
It is worse case scenario, dead-in-a-ditch level worry. It’s finding fear in fearless situations and pulling worry from thin air. It’s an intense panic built on the foundation of care. In a world were caring too much does more damage to the self than to not care at all.
It’s not being needy, or incapable of personal space. Sometimes all you truly want/need is personal space and yet your body or mind, or body and mind makes that nearly impossible.
And sometimes… it’s not.
Somedays you can flee from any scene with ease; you can strip yourself of others without a care. You remain alone for hours and think nothing of it, those days are your days. Within these days, no matter how long it lasts, you have space. Space to grow and heal; to find yourself again. To find the you without panic, wide eyes and an untimely heartbeat.
Your days, are entirely yours. To be felt in the way both body and mind intends; within all the realms of comfort.
Anxiety, as we all know, extends beyond this very small depiction. It is vast, and, individually, we all experience it in many different ways. This is a minute portion of mine.
And in any time of distress, where you are overcome with anxiety or worry I would highly recommend Calm.com
I say this without meaning to sound like an ad, its simply the tool I use to separate my anxious self from my regular self. If by mentioning it I could help any of you reading this, that would be well worth sounding like an advertisement!
I am so sorry for the lack of blogs, I have been struggling with intense writers block. All of my reasons and excuses circle back to this post however.
The process of healing, in all of its forms, is exhausting. It’s long, uncomfortable and vulnerable. And yet every shaky step of the way is worth it.
To heal from anything; any event or moment in time can be intensely revealing. All of a sudden you are emotionally stripped bare, and the only person watching is you. Through this process we measure our own success and failure, as we force our minds over the things that cause us pain.
“Healing is the end of conflict with yourself”
Healing itself comes in so many forms, all relative to the depth of your pain and how much it aches. The scale of pain so vast to compare one to another would be a dishonour to yourself.
P a i n is p a i n .
Like when trying to heal a physical pain, we reach for the fastest methods. Anything to ease the ache and so it is only normal that we would try to rush the emotional kind too. Yet emotional pain is another ball game entirely. It takes time, and sometimes that is the worst bit. After all, if something hurt you why on earth would you want to keep revisiting it? But it is the act of revisiting the pain itself that encourages the healing. Each time your mind places you in a room to face your pain, and as you heal you enter it with more courage. More tactics at hand, and a strong defence at the ready. On the day you stand before the slain dragon and hail yourself a survivor you see the power of healing.
“Instead of begging for the pain to go away, you choose to hear what your pain is begging of you”
If, as you read this, you are healing from something, take time. Take time to settle in your safe space and sit back from all of the pain you’re finding the strength to face. Snuggle into a big duvet or sit and watch the tide go out, whatever it is that brings you peace. Take a moment to achieve it. In the journey to find the unbroken version of ourselves, we fight so hard to heal and forget to breathe. Step back.
Taking a break and finding solace won’t undo your work. To heal we must both face the fear and learn to work with it.
D o n ‘ t R u s h . It takes time returning to yourself.
The concept of time is a troubling one, it is no more than a social construct and would have little meaning if not believed in. However, if this is the case, that time is nothing more than a belief, surely we all see it slightly differently. I am thinking about time beyond the restrictions of a clock-face. I am focusing on time in the shape of moments and indentations in our life span.
I believe that we live life running along our own personal timeline. Our timeline itself, something of metaphorical nature with intangible manner, becomes confused when I begin to explain that I believe we constantly move up and down it. For, how can you move along something that cannot be seen or touched?
In simple terms, we are taught to plan for our future. We are told that everything you do today builds something better for your tomorrow. We constantly plan a life for our future selves, with the intent of making our past self proud. This means that we live in the present whilst simultaneously providing for our future.
From as young as primary school, you were introduced to writing letters to yourself in year 6. You would ask endless questions and perhaps give words of wisdom, and then wait until you finally got to open them again. At the point of writing them your interest is in the future, the you 5 years down the line. But at the point of opening them you obsess over the unruly handwriting of little you, and revel in the mindset of the person you used to be.
“s o m e w h e r e there is a past you overflowing with so much p r i d e looking at how far you have come”
Imagine that there is a version of you from each stage of life frozen in time:
You on your first birthday
First day at school
Turning 16
Learning to drive
Turning 18
University
First job
Moving out
etc.
We live today to try and provide for ourselves in each stage of life, even if we are no where near it yet.
We attend university to: obtain a degree, to improve rate of future employability, to give our future self more choice and to increase the amount in our future bank. And yet in the moment you are simply studying a subject you enjoy, working a part time job and just figuring out the now.
It’s a confusing concept I suppose, trying to live in the moment, but also prepare the best tomorrow for ourselves. And yet we do it all the time.
Our movements up and down our timeline are hidden in the blissful moments. When you’ve had your first baby and reach for your own photo albums to see who they look like most, or take a guess at who they will grow up to be. In that one capsule of time you are fixed in the present with one arm in the past and one reaching into the future and yet it all occurs in one serene moment.
It can be a simple as imaginary play at the age of nine, wishing that you were twenty. Your mind is already racing ahead to another stage of life imagining what you look like there and yet at that point we could never know. But that doesn’t stop us doing it.
We are forever bouncing through time exploring the moments that have occurred, are occurring and are yet to occur.
From the many teachings of primary school I can vividly remember one activity in particular.
Picture this –
“You are going to a desert island, never to return, and you can only take three things. What do you take?”
I am sure the general intent of this was to make us more aware of what is needed to survive. To make us step out from materialistic comforts and think logically, but at a young age of course your three things would be what meant most at that time…
Nintendo DS + charger (hoping that if you say it fast enough it counts as one thing)
Teddy
Favourite snack
Because why, at that age, would you consider the importance of clean water when surrounded by an ocean? Or think to pack seeds to attempt to grow sustainable food when you’ve already considered that one, very special, snack?
After all, you are only sat in a classroom… you’re not actually going to a desert island so why waste a space on the list. You treasure them, as you would treasure three wishes granted by a genie.
Like most things introduced to us at a young age, as adults we assume it comes with a much deeper meaning. Perhaps, however, it doesn’t at all, maybe as you grow you just loose the beauty of imagination – too concerned with the possibility of the event occurring and actually having to choose.
Consider this dilemma today, what would you take?
Is it harder to choose your three things or to finally see how many things you surround yourself with that don’t really matter at all?
It takes much deliberation to pick the three things you need most but a great deal of strength to be rid of ties.
Physical – thoughts, things and people.
Mental – feelings, habits and barriers.
To make space on your list for something ‘better‘ is to make space in your personal atmosphere. The importance of making time for ourselves and all that we need to flourish is a forgotten art.
So maybe, you do need a few more than three things to survive on an island but what three things do you need to live; what three things fulfil you?
Refering back to a previous post about my literary loves –
I have officially finished my first year at university and now face a 4 month break. Although the realisation of no longer having to get up early or feel guilty when I embark on a binge session on Netflix is great, after a week or two the boredom begins to kick in.
There is a certain pressure to travel during academic breaks however, it isn’t for everyone.
This summer I have pushed myself to make the most of my time, filling it with all the things I put off during my semesters. I am a massive fan of listography and so of course I have listed all of my current plans for this summer.
For example:
Doing a charity event
Work on my blog
Going away
Planning for 2020
Getting ‘fit’ or somewhere close to it / a change of lifestyle
Sort my CV
etc.
Beating Summer Boredom:
Set yourself goals – task yourself to save a set amount of money, run a certain distance or complete some volunteering
Make a rough routine – give yourself time to unwind but have some stability in your everyday, even if its a mid-morning walk. This gives some structure to those long summer days
Plan, Plan, Plan – boredom in the present is best broken when planning for the future, consider upcoming events, plan holidays, trips out – anything that excites you.
Go out – catch up with friends, new and old. If you are like me and have just finished your first year at university I’m sure you will have a few people you haven’t seen since leaving college – this is the perfect time to set time aside for them.
Push yourself – Is there something you’ve always wanted to do? Somewhere you’ve wanted to go? Anything you want to achieve? You now have ample time to make all of these things happen! This summer I have taken on the Couch-to-5k challenge and, so far, I’m loving it.
Strategise – focus yourself on your next academic year, think: stationary, organisation, work experience. Prepare yourself for that question we all know too well… “So, whats next for you?”
Find yourself – be unapologetically you. Do all the things that make you happy, the things that make you excited and spend time with the people you love. You have an entire summer of freedom. Time to yourself to spend it as you wish, enjoy every second.
Have an amazing summer, however you decide to spend it!
I wanted to share a podcast I stumbled across recently for all of you who, like me, toss and turn taking on a weeks worth of mental battles right before bed.
‘Sleep With Me’ is essentially a podcast full of bedtime stories for adults. Hosted by Drew Ackerman, who aims to create a safe space for the listener.
This consists of a few moments of random mumblings, things so mundane and ordinary you can do nothing other than listen. There is no room for your mind to worry when you are listening to a man talk about a shoe horn for a couple of minutes. The theory is that the beginning of each episode is to bore your mind out of panic, stress and worry – therefore creating your safe space.
The main part of this podcast that won me over was the constant understanding that poured through the speakers. Drew Ackerman build his podcast from the experience of insomnia and although I am not an insomniac I definitely know the frustration of unintentionally keeping myself awake.
Despite ‘Sleep With Me’ having the aim to send you to sleep Drew reassures you however, that there is no pressure to fall asleep, your job is to listen; to search for a place of relaxation and simply hear him.
“Drew has dedicated himself to help those who feel alone in the deep dark night and just need someone to tell them a bedtime story.”
I have only been listening to ‘Sleep With Me’ for a few nights now but I can honestly say I cannot recall the stories told what-so-ever. And being in the peak of exam season I’ve never fallen asleep so quickly. This won’t work for everyone but it’s definitely worth a try.
The effects of this podcast stretch beyond sleep however, they are perfect for any kind of stressful situation. Whether it be rushing through the London Underground or waiting for a flight. We all have personal situations which take a great deal of internal strength and courage and amount to whole heap of stress. Having something like this, to plug into and plug out the world can be a great tool.
As I said, this won’t work for everyone but it doesn’t hurt to try. I hope it helps, or at the very least entertains, some of you.
I am now at the very end of my first year at university, and right before I started I really could have used something like this. Somewhere to guide me a little bit and give me a raw insight into what was coming. Something other than: just ‘go crazy’, “ the first year doesn’t count!” and “Just have fun!”
Now, after actually experiencing my first year I think it is even more important to put some tips out there. It is crucial to note that every person is different and your experience entirely relies on what you are like as a person, where you study and what you study. No two experiences will be the same but I hope that my insights will help a little with your embark into university.
T I P S FO R F I R S T Y E AR :
It’s not that different – when you are in school/college it becomes common knowledge that university is a ‘completely different playing field.’ But in my experience its not. Yes it can be bigger and the work load higher but the general educational environment never changes, so try not to panic.
Freshers – DON’T PRE-BUY TICKETS, its completely natural after joining a group chat for your university to jump on the band waggon and buy the most popular ticket for an event being talked about. However, when move-in day arrives, £60 later the only opinions that matter to you are those who you live with and more often than not they are planning to go to a completely different! This was a big lesson learnt. From my £60 spend I attended none of the nights it covered… Ouch.
FOMO – if you aren’t a big drinker or socialite don’t automatically assume that if you don’t jump right into freshers week that you will be instantly lost and left without a group. You won’t be the only one. After all on your first introduction day no matter who went out the night before and who didn’t you are all in the same boat. All panicking about finding the right hall, making sure you are on time and already worrying about the next room change.
You all feel it – naturally, you may feel like you are about to enter an arena of judgement as you head into a lecture hall for the first time but remind yourself that everyone who has walked in prior to you and everyone who will walk in after feels exactly the same. Personally I found that no matter the situation everyone was blissfully sweet neither one of us wanted to felt judged by the other and so everyone was simply lovely.
The 2 week rule – if you have chosen to stay at a university that isn’t too far from home make yourself wait at least two weeks before travelling back. The settling in period is a strong bitter-sweet experience and one that needs to happen. If you head home too quickly the return becomes much harder; taking the time to make your university the ‘home away from home’ really helps. Not to mention, when you do finally return home it feels all the more exciting.
Buy into the digital world – despite lectures and seminars having very different vibes both move at a slightly faster pace than you may be used to. Traditional paper to pen is a little wasted on university unless you are a very skilled note-taker. Keep a digital device along side you, a laptop, phone or tablet. Anything that can help you keep up with your lecturer; plus it’s a lot less to carry around.
Print – at the beginning of my course I began to re-write my notes as ‘revision’ but by the end of your second week you soon realise thats a whole lot of writing. Instead I suggest you make your notes detailed, take extra time after lectures to perfect them and then print them all at the end of the week. This way you can go back through; highlight and scribble notes all over them for revision later on.
It does count – normally when people say that your first year doesn’t count they are referring to the grades you obtain not affecting the final grade you receive in 3rd/4th year however, if you don’t pass all of your modules in first year you will not make it onto second year at all let alone year 3 or 4 so… please understand that first year really does count.
Read the unit guides – most universities release a guide for your semester specific to each topic of study and I cannot stress more that you read it. It lists all of your upcoming assignments, exams and presentations with dates and what they expect, so get ahead! There before you, you have a resource which showcases exactly what you are working towards. From there you can decide what information from lectures you need, you can select how you dedicate your time and most importantly you can make more time for you.
Have fun – if you balance your time, read your unit guides and get things done ahead of schedule you will be just fine and still find plenty of time on your hands to let your hair down! Remember, that even in the most stressful of situations, university is designed for you to succeed and, before you, so many people in your situation have done it. Go for it, give it all you’ve got and trust that will be enough.
“My philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice”
J.K Rowling, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
I have always been a big worrier. From a very young age it became clear that my mind often falls into overdrive and finds copious things to strain itself upon.
As a small person my mum introduced me to the world of worry people. They are small wooden people no bigger than a thumb nail which reside in a little fabric bag. The idea is, that you place them under your child’s pillow at night and whilst they sleep the worry people fix your worries for you. I suppose as an adult the worry people take form as your subconscious but to this day I carry that little fabric bag around on my keys – a reminder that everything problem has a solution.
Everyone however experiences worry differently, some encounter it very infrequently and others – like myself, walk beside it everyday. Due to the large presence that worry plays within my life I wanted to share a few of my top tips for working alongside worry.
M Y T O P T I P S f o r W O R R Y :
Write it down – when you write down the things that are bothering you, you instantly take the pressure away from your head. Sometimes we have to physically see the problem before we can begin to fix it.
Set aside time – if worrying is a common emotion for you it can quickly become very invasive in everyday life and incredibly debilitating. Take time to worry, assign yourself time in the day or in the week where you can devote time to yourself and the things that are concerning you. This limits the sudden outbreaks and overflow of unkept worry and enables you to find solutions.
Share – there is always someone to listen, even if a solution isn’t what you are after; sometimes all we need is an open ear. A different perspective can do you the world of good so let someone in.
Rationalise – can you find an instant fix for the problem? Is there something you or someone else can do to make it better? or is it out of your control? Sometimes we worry endlessly about things we have no power over and although to worry is a natural response it only makes it harder for yourself. If however, there is something you can do don’t over think it. When you are in physical pain you reach for medicine – so if there is a solution to your worry take it.
Press PAUSE – our minds can do some weird and wonderful things and when they begin to worry they truly run wild. It is important to say ‘stop’ or press ‘pause’ within a thought or situation where you cannot think straight or begin to stress. Take a step back and a deep breath.
Be rested and ready for the fight – more often than not by the time we recognise the worry it has formed a fiery ball of emotional turmoil. Find comfort within your situation; brew a cup of tea, settle down for the evening – do whatever makes you feel calm. But make a plan for the next day. Plan your comeback, your rise from the ashes, your revenge. Remind yourself that ‘tomorrow will be a better day’.
Accept – trust that every problem has a solution, even if you haven’t stumbled across it yet. Sometimes, time truly is the only answer.
At some point we all find ourselves consumed by the unnerving sensation of worry. Whether it is in the midst of exam season, the pressure of planning your next steps or concerns for someone else. Like all things however,
Hello lovelies, sorry for a late post but exam season is upon us and my free time is a little sparse.
~
Amidst all of the brexit drama -and its power to cloak hatred in the shape of unity- I wanted to talk a little bit about culture. I have seen so many things these past couple of days which have inspired this post and I just want to disclaim that these are no more than my own opinion’s and thought’s. I understand that Brexit and all things surrounding it are quite argumentative however I intend to do no more than share my wonderings (a shout into the void if you will). I appreciate that we all see the world so differently – these are just my sightings.
Brexit is a great example of the force that comes with the power to influence. Here we have a movement which roots from the desire to make Britain “British” however what does it mean to truly be ‘British’? To compare this to making ‘America great again‘ wouldn’t be too far fetched.
“Culture is an indispensable weapon in the freedom struggle.”
Malcom X
Generally I believe that culture is entirely self-serving. It stems from your roots, your family and your upbringing – the way you see the world. But it also builds from this, as we grow and ask the world for more – more love, acceptance and understanding. As we do so, we settle within the different ways of finding them and there, within those small pockets of comfort your find your own individual culture. Whether these are influenced by religion, a geographical space, a moment in time or simply who you surround yourself by. Ultimately none of these matter though… your “culture” and how you feel about where you belong is entirely yours to decide.
I believe that culture should be the ground you walk upon; the foundation that lifts you up. And whilst doing so does nothing to tear others down. Because why when we finally feel our strongest should we feel entitled to make others feel unwelcome and anything less than worthy?
Recently, a series I watch, Queer Eye (a netflix original series featuring a group of homosexual men who enter peoples life with the intentions to make them love themselves more) has released season three. Within it one of the men, Karamo Brown, delves into culture and what it truly means to be you. He values such a strong sense of self, knowing who you are and making others understand that culture doesn’t always have to be where you’ve come from. He teaches that it extends so far beyond this, culture is where you are right now and where you are going. It’s about your mental progress in life, how far you feel you’ve come and how far you have yet to go. And the ”things” (people, communities, interests etc.) that have you got there. He also explains that there is an unspoken pressure behind culture – feeling as though you are not enough. However culture is your individual footprints in the sand and no-one can tell you that you aren’t fulfilling a role that is purely your own.
“Culture provides the bases for revolution and recovery”
Malcom X
Understanding the authentic nature of culture and its purpose within society is both complex and simple. It is the purest mix of individuality and belonging. It gives us a sense of strong independence whilst offering a group of similar minds and hearts – it is here that we truly find ourselves.
Yet whilst the foundation of culture is pure, misinterpretation and the hunger for unity darkens its message. Today we survive in a world surrounded by the need to be so singular and controlled that we forget the value of what it truly means to have a culture and to love and accept others. Brexit fights to be truly British without understanding the meaning and Trump fights to make America Great and yet this greatness he hopes to find is at the expense of many.
This fight will eternally reign, because, after all, culture is entirely individual, we decide how culture is perceived and we will forever see it differently.
It is a choice to see love within culture.
x
Thank you for reading this blog post, it’s the first one I am a little nervous to be posting because it falls into the heart of current controversy. I hope you found something within my writing however that had some kind of impact or with which you agreed. All of the support I have received so far for my blog means the world – so thank you all for taking the time to read my work 🙂
Just before Christmas (2018) I had the words ‘even in silence there is chaos’ tattooed on my side. To me the whole sentiment made perfect sense, ergo the permanent statement, but the more people I showed the clearer it became, that many didn’t really see what I was seeing. And there lies the inspiration for this post…
chaos/ˈkeɪɒs/noun
complete disorder and confusion.
The term Chaos is nothing more than a product of human construction. We understand it to be a state of norm-less-ness in which we find feelings of discomfort and a severe lack of control. As a result, to many, the statement which I now live by seems quite dark. To be told that your tattoo, now forever inked upon your skin, is ‘depressing’ is not exactly what you want to hear however, for me, this proved my point entirely.
For an individual to read those words and naturally assume chaos to be a negative state forces my mind in to overdrive. Who is to decide the meaning of a word, or what it is to mean to each of us individually? Who has that kind of power?
As humans we are taught to live and behave in a certain way right from learning to talk. From birth, the seed of a general consensus is planted and so, to learn that ‘Chaos’ can only ever be a bad thing is incredibly limiting. When thinking about the need to conform to the norms of society failing to do small talks such as folding your clothes would therefore result in chaos. Standing out, and speaking your truth would also be a form of chaos simply because you are different.
Chaos can be blissful.
Chaos is laughter so loud that your surroundings are muted, Chaos is Christmas and busy streets. Chaos is the sound of birds pulling you from a deep slumber. Chaos is simply everything that wakes us from the sleepy serenity of society.
So this is my third proper blog and I would love to know a little bit about you.
In our life times we countlessly use the word ‘happy’ -to give title to a feeling or expression- however the act of truly pulling it apart and pin-pointing what it means, I believe, is entirely individual.
To me – it’s the overwhelming gush of emotion, which is almost indescribable and without the term ‘happy’ there wouldn’t be a word perfect enough to describe it. Its the ache you get in your cheeks when you are smiling from ear-to-ear, it’s the blissful bubbles of excited energy that tickles at your tummy and the general exasperation at the lack of words to do justice to your mood. It’s sweaty palms and restless limbs in the best kind of way – it’s feeling on top of your own little world.
My happy is the sound of the rain on a cold day and the gentle glow of a fire. It’s a duvet day shared with that one person who means the most and the take-away only minutes away.
Happy is; the sun breaking through the clouds, long walks and picnics in the summer. It’s when time slows and speeds up all at once, it’s feeling like, for once, you are truly alive.
But what does ‘happy’ mean to you?
What does it mean to be authentically happy?
When was the last time you felt it?
In a word dripping in anger, distress and hatred its important to magnify all the little things that help us fight our way out of that corner or personal paper bag. Along side societies chaos we are also fighting against our own. As we all take a walk in the sun our shadow trails behind, tethered to our feet – a ‘you’ shaped embodiment of chaos. And whilst if you keep facing the sun and walking forwards it can do no more than follow on behind. However, every now and then when we peak behind us, it’s even more important to remind ourselves of what makes us happy.
There are so many quotes floating around in the social media space right now, so I wanted to pick out a few of the ones that had a genuine impact upon me this week.
This first quote simply makes me smile, whilst being highly motivating, any sentence with orgasm slap dash in the middle of it is another kind of perfection. On a more serious note however, I am growing more aware to this cancellation culture we are falling into; this quote puts a positive spin upon that. It highlights the importance of focusing on anything and everything that brings something to your life. All things outside of this are unnecessary baggage!
To be ‘fearless’ is quite a task however in the sense of being unafraid of what makes us who we are I believe it should be natural to all of us. Anything that has enough power and drive to ‘set your soul on fire’ and truly make you feel something must be worth fighting for. In the most simplest of ways this quote is screaming, ‘you can do it’ and yet I’ve never heard it said so loud and purpose-filled. These are words to live by.
Finding light is always a choice. To seek the positive in every situation can be one of the hardest things to do and yet it has the capability to determine everything. Your ability to rise from the darkness decides the way the world looks that day and how you feel going forward. There is an abundance of power in the decision to see the light in all things. After-all if you are having too conjure the strength to rise from the ashes then surely you deserve the light you’re searching for.
As we have just embarked on the very first day of spring (long awaited, i’m sure) its an opportunity to take note of the wonderful aspects of change. The action of change isn’t always well received or greeted with open arms but the shifts that come with spring remind us that it’s not all bad… in-fact sometimes its just what we need.
Within a recent conversation with my mum the untamed issue of having to ‘fit a mould’ frequently came up. I described how since embarking on the adventure of University the pressures of a typical ‘student life’ only caused distress within the habits my own. I have always been a home bird, if you will. Never overly keen on parties, nights out or generally the culture of drinking and so when I was suddenly faced with freshers week It became incredibly hard to fight my natural urge to cosy up with a good cup of tea and a movie. Time has passed however and I am now facing the last few months of my first year and I have a lot to reflect on.
Individualism is defined as, “a habit or principle of being independent and self-reliant” My interpretation of this is that to truly be ‘individual’ we must have a great sense of singularity and an honest understanding of our personal characteristics. And yet it occurs to me that there is an abundance of pressure to do anything other than stand out.
It is from this that I began to compare the effects of understanding how to be individual and actually feeling okay about being individual. Although some of us may prize ourselves on being unique, do we actually feel okay about that? In what feels like the same second, to be different is both desired and completely undesirable. It seems that society forces us into a state of collectiveness. We are taught to find comfort in the ‘norm’ however when this norm is ever-changing not all of us will seek the exact same state of normal at one time. And when this occurs we are reminded to seek comfort from within ourselves and yet very few of us have mastered the art of this. I for one, can find comfort in singularity however the societal need to be surrounded by others causes disruption to this. It seems from one moment to the next, the socially constructed ‘guide to life’ can tip the emotional scales.
“Life is tricky baby. Stay in your magic.”
The deep need to ‘fit in’ with at least one other person to feel okay means that we search the streets for someone who shares something in common with ourselves, constantly wrapped up in the lessons we subconsciously learnt about being uniform. We are always taught to not compare ourselves to others, and perhaps this is not what people do at all. It could be argued that as we do this we are not looking to judge but, to instead, find comfort in the similarities of another person. And today, even whilst we are fighting against such pressures and pushing the boundaries that little bit further there still remains the butterflies of uncertainty that batter the walls of your tummy. The overwhelming mix of fear and adrenaline as we fight to become truly individual.
To be individual, for me, links to many other terms: to stand alone, to be your own source of strength and to be yourself. All of these are so empowering to us as people however I will always regard them as the hardest skills to learn. Self-love and the acceptance of everything that you are is a fine art; something we all need and deserve. And maybe our underlying mission in life is to master them, and assist others to do the same – after all we all deserve to feel loved, not only by others but also ourselves.
“Someday we will find what we are looking for. Or maybe not, maybe we will find something much greater than that”
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