I remember how worried I use to be when I would uploaded posts on my blog and also to start those conversations with bloggers on social media. But now I feel more confident and able to spark up a discussion with people online and put my blog out there. Talking in person with people face to face is something I struggle with massively. I've always been a shy person, but since having anxiety, I've developed social anxiety as well. It's mainly down to hating my own voice and not having any belief in my ideas in the sense that I fear people will judge me or think I'm being silly. Youtube (I hope) will give me that chance to work on being more confident with my voice and speaking my mind out loud. 

I want to get use to hearing my own voice and be comfortable with almost what feels like to me in my social anxiety mind exposing myself for the world to see. It's a massive step and a huge risk for me to put myself out there, but one I believe is going to be so beneficial in the long run. 

It's going to be an extension of my blog

Sometimes when I'm creating posts for my blog, I have this feeling like I wish I could show you how I'm testing a particular product or method, as well as wanting to explain things better and maybe more easier. My youtube channel is going to work as like an extension of my blog, sharing the same kinds of topics, but in more of a demonstration kind of way and with a lot more of my personality thrown into the mix. This obviously does not mean I'm going to neglect my blog. Trust me, I'm going to continue writing three posts a week whilst uploading on my channel, because I love writing so much and this blog is like my baby. So I can promise you it's going nowhere anytime soon. 

I want to find enjoyment

Life is all about trying new things and finding enjoyment. Starting a Youtube channel is something I want to find enjoyment from. As I said, when I filmed with Matt (my boyfriend) and also my first video, I just felt like it was so much fun even when I felt so uncomfortable and awkward, I still really loved it and after I stopped filming, I just wanted to film more and more. It's crazy how much of a buzz I got from it, it's similiar to the buzz I get after writing a good blog post and hitting that publish button. I also want to be able to learn some new skills and keep my learning side of my brain activity, since I've not been in education for a good couple of years now. I just want to have fun with the challenge and improve myself as a person, all whilst creating some (hopefully) enjoyable content. 

You can find my Youtube here and watch my first video here. I'd love if you would join me on this new adventure! 

Have you ever wanted to start Youtube?

Lauren x

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I'm a firm believer in creating your own happiness rather than waiting for your happiness to come to you. Creative hobbies can be one of those things that you do that brings you so much joy. When you're creative, you're seeing something you've made come to life. This could be anything from thinking of new ideas to physically building something with your own hands. The results that come from this brings a great deal of satisfaction, which over time will increase your self esteem and make you feel good. Being creative also gives us the chance to connect with ourselves, something you may have struggled to do in the past, because it may have been too hard for you to do so. But doing something positive to connect with the inner you is a great first step and one that can be slowly introduced until it becomes easier. You're giving yourself the opportunity to be yourself and prove to you how amazing you can be!

3. They promote mindfullness

Mindfulness is a topic that gets talked about a lot when it comes to improving our mental health. To be mindful it means being aware of something. I know in the past when I have struggled with my mental health badly, focusing on the present moment is one of the hardest things, because my mind is either focusing on the past or the future. A creative hobby can take your mind away from those troubling thoughts and bring you straight back to the now. It gives you something else to focus on and can actually be a great way to calm yourself down if you're feeling anxious or angered in any way. If you're someone who struggles to shut off from the world around them, being able to partake in your creative hobby enables you to unplug from the outside and focus on the inside in a more positive yet relaxing approach. 

4. They  get you to be more social 

Not every hobby necessarily involves you being surrounded by people all the time. Blogging is perfect for my introvert self, because I don't have to have much social interaction unless I decide to go to any events or meet up with any blogging friends. But if social anxiety is something you struggle with like I do or you just want to improve your social circle in general, then creative hobbies can get you to be more social than you might have first thought. Different hobbies have different classes, workshops, groups and events that enable you to meet new people and get to know them. It's a great way for you to improve your social skills and confidence, whilst meeting new faces and sharing your creations. This can then create a community of individuals with similar interests coming together to do something fun and build bonds with people. It's pushing you out of your comfort zone but in a gentle way, because you still have the fun side of learning something new to distract you from freaking out completely. You could also get your friends and family involved also. 

5. They give you structure

Structure was something that I was definitely missing out on in my own routine and is also one of the most important stages of recovery. If you don't have structure in your day, you're giving yourself that chance to bring in those unwanted thoughts and give them the chance to shine. Instead you want to be using your time proactively and getting into some sort of structure. This will help you to be more aware of the days of the week, because when we're lost in our own minds, it can be hard to keep up with the outside world, days can move into weeks, weeks into months if we're not keeping track. Having a designated time during the day or week when you plan on carrying out your hobby, can really help with your motivation and bring some normality back into your life if you've been feeling all over the place lately. When you put the time into something, you're also boosting your confidence and giving yourself that recognition that you deserve to spend some time doing what you love.

6. They can make money

I've been what is commonly known as unemployed now because of my mental health for a while now. It's only been this year I've labelled myself as a full time blogger, because I'm lucky enough now to earn a small income from this amazing hobby. As you can see what was and still is a hobby of mine, has enabled me to earn some cash that I wouldn't have had before and has therefore improved my overall wellbeing. It's boosted my confidence and made me stop worrying about money so much. It made me remember how good it feels to earn again. If you decide to go with a hobby that enables you to create and then have the potential to tell what you have made, then think how many new skills you can learn and how much involvement you can have with this exciting new adventure. You can work on building up your customers and marketing your creations. The positive feedback you gain will boost your confidence and enable you to have belief in yourself.

Creative hobby ideas for everyone:

• Baking
• Knitting
• Crafts
• Scrapbooking
• Blogging
• Makeup looks
• Nail art
• Hair styling
• Graphic design
• Drawing
• Painting
• Colouring
• Photography
• Writing/journalling
• Wood work
• Dancing
• Singing
• Playing an instrument

Don't be afraid to try something new. You never know how much you'll like it or how much it might help you!

Are you a creative person?

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