Rambling About Writing and Being 'A Writer'

I remember as teen, when I was at school and university, feeling really embarrassed to tell people I liked to write. Mainly because they would then go on to ask 'oh cool, can I read something?' and the answer to that was always a big, giant 'NOPE'. As a result of keeping that card close to my chest, a lot of friends now have no idea that I tend to enjoy sitting in front of my laptop with a cup of coffee and writing down whatever my stream of consciousness tells me to to. I also tend to enjoy stalking the cast of Supernatural on social media, but another post entirely...

As a child, I constantly had my nose stuck in a book or a notebook, reading and writing. I remember regularly eating my dinner with one hand, with a book clutched in the other then afterwards spending hours in front of my dad's computer writing kids stories and short novellas. Most of them were nonsense, granted, but the odd one had a ring to it. And as I got older, more and more things I scribbled down felt OK, until I decided that one day I would put my nose to the grindstone and get something published. That day hasn't come, because life got in the way, but another 2017 goal might be to finally hit that milestone...

2017: What Can I Do To Make a Difference?

As years go, 2016 will be one to remember both on a global and personal level. If we're talking personal experiences, it was well below par when competing with 2015 and globally...well, as most people would agree we're all in a lot of trouble right now and it's going to take some serious work to get us back on an even keel. I'm not going to write out an itemised list because that will depress me writing it and you reading it, but I'm sure you know the kind of things I'm talking about. 

I made a handful of resolutions last January and somehow managed to stick to them, through sheer willpower and grit, which means that 2017 should be no different. In 2016, my general goal was to better myself through new experiences, physical and mental self-care, and pushing my own boundaries. In 2017 I want to continue expanding on those, but also give more back to the world since we're living in such sad and dangerous times. 

It's a fact: our world is changing. And among many, many other things, apathy is a slow but sure killer. Not caring enough. Shrugging and saying 'yeah, but what can I do about that?' Well, it all depends on what 'that' is but if, like me, you believe that one person can make a difference no matter how small, how much does the definition of 'that' really matter? It's all too easy to sit behind a screen and wax poetic about how sad the world is and what we think and feel, and Tweet about what we should be doing to help. We all do it. I do it, and I know most of you do it too. And perhaps, as said in many a rant by various YouTube stars, it was that 'all talk no action' approach that caused a lot of the chaos we saw in 2016. I'm not going to get into a political rant about things that should have happened in 2016 and didn't, or vice versa, (not on this post anyway) but I think a lot of us learned the hard and fast way that the only way to stand up for what we believe in is to actually stand up and do something about it. No matter how small. 

It's easy to get distracted and saddened by the things going on in the world around us if you take more than a casual glance, but instead of sinking into a pit of 'how did this happen' depression, that energy can be used to do positive things, both for yourself and for other people. Channel that energy into positivity, into action, into inspiring yourself and those around you!

So before I go off on an even more elaborate tangent, here's my brief list of small things for 2017 that I feel will make a difference to my life and the lives of others around me:

️Donate whenever and whenever possible ️Shop small, eat local, support your communities ️Speak out more about causes that matter to you, and do more to support them ️Chase new experiences, whether that's taking up a new hobby or sport, or seeing the world ️Meditate and take time out to gather your thoughts and centre yourself

️Do one thing every day that you find difficult

️Recycle, buy less, reuse when possible, and create less waste

And here are a couple of more refined goals I've set for myself this year that I can 'tick off':

Finish my first half marathon and sign up for something bigger Write every day, even if it's only a hundred words

Read every day, and read 65 books in a year

Volunteer, and use my time better

Live a more ethical, balanced, thought-out life

...and don't forget about my blog!

(Image found on Tumblr, someone link me to the artist if you know!)

Halloween Makeup Faves

If you're looking for last-minute Halloween makeup inspiration, these incredible ladies have got you covered...

This stunning creation from makeup queen @kimberleymargarita_

Beautiful Hair Ideas That Your Bridesmaids Will Love

I've been trawling the internet over the past few weeks, gathering inspiration for my bridesmaids (see my post on bridesmaid dresses here), and I've found some absolutely stunning hairstyles which are making me rethink my choice for my own wedding-day hair! Everyone knows how easily I get bored with my hair, and how I like to go for quirky colours or styles now and again, but so far all my inspiration for the wedding has been surprisingly traditional. 

Unless they decide to go for the chop in the next 10 months, all three of my gorgeous girls will have long hair, so plenty to play with. They all look beautiful no matter how they style their hair, so luckily I know that whatever I decide to go for will look fabulous. I personally love cascading waves, half up-half down simplicity, and subtle braids added for detail. Luckily, the wonder that is Pinterest had some photos that matched those thoughts exactly...

13 Things Nobody Tells You About Having Anxiety

That little voice in your head, that heavy weight on your chest, and that cold feeling that spreads through your entire body? Just a small hint of what having anxiety is really like. Everyone experiences anxiety differently, but these are a few of my experiences...

1. It's not easy to talk about. Despite the social media campaigns and the general rise in awareness,  anxiety is still seen as 'not a real problem', even though stats show around 4.7 in every 100 adults suffer from some form of anxiety disorder in the UK.
2. Sometimes huddling under a pile of pillows and blankets with your favourite TV show on for background noise is the only thing you want to do, because it makes you feel secure. 
3. Nail biting, skin picking, and hair pulling/twirling are all very common in people who have anxiety. We know we do it, we just can't help it. Please don't point it out.
4. The smallest thing will set it off. Anything from a small mistake at work to the cashier looking at you funny in the supermarket can send you into a heart-racing panic. 
5. Pets just get it. They always seem to want a cuddle just when you need it the most. 
6. It can be paralysing. Sitting staring into space and not moving for a period of time is not uncommon. 
7. Temperature control is an issue. Hot flashes, chills, cold hands and feet but racing heart? Sounds very familiar.
8. The simple act of waking up is hard work sometimes. Waking up to a racing heart, halfway through a sentence and immediately thinking you're an hour late for work is a common occurrence.  
9. We don't mean to be clingy. Or distant. And we don't mean to fret so much about being clingy or distant. We just worry we aren't good friends, and it sometimes comes out a bit funny.  
10. We also don't mean to doubt or ignore you when you compliment us or tell us things are OK. Our brains are wired to question and fear everyday things - I really mean it when I say it's not you, it's me. Needing constant reassurance is common for anxiety sufferers.
11. Making small talk at parties can be akin to climbing Everest. It doesn't mean we're antisocial, or hate people, it just means that the voice in our heads makes small talk incredible stressful. 
12. Guilt is a familiar emotion. Guilt for cancelling a date, rearranging lunch with friends, calling in sick to work, and then guilt for feeling like you're burdening people by talking about it. 
13. It's exhausting. Intense anxiety saps your energy, and it feels like you're fighting a constant battle against yourself. It affects everything from energy levels to appetite. 

How to Manage Your Busy Life

"I'm just so busy these days!"

We've all heard it, and we've all said it. The pace of life for most of us has increased drastically, and keeping up with work, family, friends, hobbies, fitness, culture, and me-time feels like juggling chainsaws. Everyone reaches a point in life where they need to stop, take a breath, and take a step back to look at what's going on in their life. 

Bridesmaids Dress Dilemmas

Ten months to go, and the hashtag-weddingplanning is going without any hitches. (Oh God, did I just jinx myself?!) The venue, caterer, dress, band, and some decorations have all been booked, leaving me with very little to worry about. Right, brides? Right? It only gets easier from here on? I'll keep believing that...

If someone had asked me six months ago whether I thought it would be harder to choose the bridemaids dresses or my own, I know what I would have said. 'Mine, because I'm SO picky and there are so many to choose from!'