Mental illness is always something that is considered a bad thing that brings doom and gloom to peoples live, there's nothing ever really positive written about it and I'm not surprised as it can be the most painful suffering someone might ever go through. Being in recovery for the past four years, I feel like I have been able to see my own mental health as something that isn't all negative or bad. It's actually taught me a lot of good valued life lessons that I would even consider very positive. It might make you think of your own struggles and might help you to rethink some of the experiences you've been through, was there anything positive or valued you could take away from it? Here are a few of the positive lessons I've learnt!
Hey! So you may or may not have noticed but last week I took the very scary plunge of starting a Youtube channel. Now this decision hasn't been one I've been thinking about making for months on end like my blog. Youtube was more of a spontaneous decision that I just decided one night and knew it was the exact kind of thing I needed to take on in 2018 as one of my new focuses. I thought in today's post I'd share with you the reasons why I decided to start Youtube and where you can find my channel..
I want a new adventure
Coming into 2018, I saw so many people taking on new goals and challenges for the year ahead, knowing myself that I wanted to do something amazing this year and work hard at it. It wasn't until I filmed a video on my boyfriend's Youtube channel at the start of February that I realised how fun it was and how it may possibly be the thing I've been searching for. You guys know how much I love blogging and creating content, but I still felt like I needed another hobby on top of that to gain some more benefits from just like I have with running this little blog. I also wanted to be able to share more of me with you guys and for people to get to know me on a personal level, rather than just from words on a computer screen.
I want to grow in confidence
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
When my mental illness took nearly everything from me, I was constantly told by people that I needed to have a focus to aid my recovery. Since I was already blogging, I decided to stick with it no matter what and use it as my main focus in life. Hobbies like blogging are important to have in life in general, but they are especially beneficial when you want to improve your mental health.
Creative hobbies in particular have proven benefits to those who suffer with poor mental health conditions. The great thing about having a creative hobby is that you do not have to worry about having lots of time or a range of skills, because they are essentially up to you how often you spend doing each activity and it's also up to you how much you get out of them. But if you still need more convincing in getting yourself into a creative hobby, then here it is goes..
6 ways a creative hobby can improve your mental health:
1. They enable you to learn
Life is all about learning. Right from a young age we go to school right up until we're 18 years old. Then we set off on whatever career path we have chosen, whether that's further studying or into the place of work. Even when we're not in a professional environment, every new experience is an opportunity to learn. When taking up a hobby, you're allowing yourself to learn something new. Studies have proven that when you're learning, you're giving your brain the chance to function and we all know that our brain plays a part in our mental health. Keeping this side of your brain active is a great way to improve your thinking skills.
It also helps to keep you focused on something positive rather than focusing on any distressing thoughts. Instead you can greater your skills, increase your experiences, build your knowledge and boost your confidence. And we all know how amazing it feels when our confidence increases. This will therefore make us feel better overall. When we have the confidence in our abilities, we can then trust ourselves to help and teach others how to do something. Again this works well at improving our general happiness because when we support others we feel good.
2. They increase our happiness
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
As you can see there are so many different creative hobbies out there and the opportunity to try as many as you like. You could even combine some of them and have multiple ones if you really want to get the full positive impacts a creative hobby can have in improving your mental health. Because as I highlighted, there are some great reasons as to why a hobby that means you being creative can be one of the best things for you when you need that extra bit of help with your mental health.
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?
You're probably already tired of all the Valentines stuff floating around at the moment, but I really wanted to do a loved inspired blog post today and do a little Q&A with my boyfriend, Matt. I thought it would be something different on my blog and be a nice way to feature the both of us. We also filmed a video on Matt's new Youtube channel where we did the very popular Girlfriend Buys My ASOS order. So if you'd like to see that after reading this, then I'll leave the link to it at the bottom of this post. Let's get onto the questions...
When and where did you meet?
M: Obviously at Cromer, but I don't know when.
L: I do. I know when. The 28th of May was when we first met up. But we actually met on Tinder!(good ol' Tinder, ey?)
If you have no idea where Cromer is, then it's a seaside town near where we live in Norwich.
What/where was your first date?
M: Cromer! We played in the arcades. I got some...no did I get some donuts?
L: No you didn't.
M: Did I get any food?
L: No. We just played in the arcades and then we sat on that wall, didn't we?
M: Oh yeah and then we went back to mine.
What was your first impression of each other?
M: Funny.
L: Really?
M: Shy.
L: I thought...(*laughs embarrassedly*) you know what I'm going to say about your thumb ring? (*he gives me a weird look) you smelt nice and I don't know I just thought you were really kind.
M: N'awww.
L: I can't say the same anymore but... (*laughs again*)
Disclaimer: I have a thing for guys with thumb rings. It all started when Liam Payne from One Direction wore one in 2010 on the X Factor and then went from there. Weird I know.
What's your favourite thing to do together?
M: We go to Cromer quite a lot. (We literally do. It was like every weekend during the Summer.) Or just sleep.
L: Sleep?!
M: Clothes shopping..I don't really know.
L: Do you know what mine is? Laying in bed together watching TV shows like Game Of Thrones and eating pringles.
Who is the more romantic one?
M: Me!
L: No you're not...who's doing a nice thing for you everyday up until Valentine's day?
M: Yeah ok you can have that.
What is the other good at?
M: Photography
L: *in a really high pitched girly voice* Aww really?
M: *copies the voice in a mocking way* Yeah
L: I'd say you're really good with your hands...and I mean that in like a practical way not like a sexual way. *laughs*
What's your favourite thing about each other?
M: Your shyness...I don't know. Your big boobies and your smile.
L: Yours is that you never fail to make me laugh.
What's your favourite memory together?
M: I'd say Centre Parcs. Both times.
L: Yeah or New Market.
M: Oh yeah I liked that as well. We want to go back next year, don't we?
L: Yeah or when we use to always sing Ed Sheeran's album in the car on journey's. That was the best.
What's your favourite picture of each other?
M: Newmarket one...
What do you both hope for in the future?
M: To have a nice happy family. And have a nice house. And you to cook for me everytime I come in from work.
L: I don't think so...
M: And breakfast in bed every morning and for you to do my lunch. And that's it really!
L: So basically I'm a slave.
M: And run me nice baths on a Friday after work.
L: I do make nice baths. Am I just going to be at home 24/7? *he nods* My hopes are for the same really apart from the part where I become the slave. But I'd love a family one day and a house of my own that I've decorated and that. I'd also love to feel happier within myself and well physically and mentally.
What's one thing you hope for in the future?
Lauren x
I bet if I asked you what your least favourite thing about being into makeup is, you would most probably come back to me saying that cleaning your makeup brushes was your most dreaded task. It's a feeling we can all relate to and has us wondering whether anyone actually likes cleaning them. The only part I enjoy is the results afterwards. Nothing is better than feeling that clean brush on your face when applying makeup. It makes for such a smoother application.
It wasn't until I was helping my boyfriend, Matt with all his social media promotion for his new Youtube channel that I realised how many tools I actually use to run my blog. There are so many useful tools and resources out there that are really beneficial for us bloggers. Whether you need help improving your content, changing up your design or need to be more efficient with your social media activity, there's a tool out there to help. Today I've got 6 of my most used blogging tools and resources that are completely free for bloggers to share with you:
It's a brand new year and with everyone thinking about the type of things they want to achieve this year, focusing on improving your health drinking more water might be one of those things you hope to do better at in 2018. In today's post I want to share 10 easy ways you can drink more water everyday and help to change the quality of your life.
We all know how beneficial drinking water can be for our health. It can help improve the condition of our skin and hair by providing it with hydration. It also helps the immune system by straightening it to help fight off illness. Water is also good at providing you with energy and preventing you from getting dehydrated throughout the day. It can also be used as a way to cure any cravings you might be experiencing and it also helps to remove waste in your body e.g flushing out those nasty toxins.
Now we've got a good idea of how great water can be for us, let's get into the easy ways you can drink more water:
1. Make it part of your routine - Most habits we want to try bring into our lives fail because we struggle to fit them into our current routine. But making time and the space for drinking more water can make your consumption a lot easier. If you're someone who doesn't already drink any water at all or you need a good place to start, then schedule in drinking water at a certain time each morning and night. Ensuring it's the same time each day can really help to keep you into that routine and turn it into a habit. You could even start the day with a glass of water and get the full impacts of the water straight away. If you want to be able to drink it more than just certain times during the day, then always have some to hand to be able to keep up this consistency. Move onto the next point to see how you can do just that!
2. Get a water bottle - It sounds pretty straight forward, right? Water bottles can be a great way to keep you in routine and be a reminder that you need to drink more water. There are loads of different water bottles out there. I always find getting a design that I really love and find I will always be picking up helps me massively to drink more. I've also found that the water bottles marked with the times of the day on very helpful as they show you how much you should be drinking every hour. This can be a great way to keep you on track throughout the day and also help motivate you. If you cannot afford or even find one like this, you can easily draw on the times yourself with the appropriate measurements for every hour.
Water bottles are so great because you can take them wherever you go. They're great for travelling with. You can keep them at home, take them out to the shops with you, bring them to work or school with you. Wherever you go ensure you can refill it when you need to. There's also the water bottles you can use for any fitness adventures you go on!
3. Promise to reward yourself - Whenever you're trying something to new and giving yourself a challenge, it's always a good idea to reward yourself along the way. We all try so hard to achieve our best, so it's only right we give ourselves something back. Perhaps you could use your motivation for not only improving your health, but also buying something new for yourself. You could reward yourself with a new outfit, a new style at the hairdressers, a chance to get your nails done, whatever it is focus on that and give yourself the love for working towards your goal. You could even put a time limit on your goal, so you have a clear idea of when it needs to be completed by. For example you could set a goal of drinking 1.5 litres a day. Remember to be realistic.
4. Set yourself reminders - I'm someone who definitely works better when I have set myself reminders and made a note of what needs to get done. Setting yourself reminders to drink more can be a great way to keep on track with drinking more water. You could do this by setting an alarm to go off when you need to have your next drink, you could set a reminder on your phone on the reminders app, you could stick some sticky notes around the house or if you keep a diary you could make a note on each day of the week about how much water you need to be drinking. By setting yourself reminders you've giving yourself that extra bit of motivation and turning your intake into a habit which in time will make you remember off your own back to drink more.
There's also apps that you can download from your app store on your mobile phones or tablets, such as Daily Water Free or My Water Balance Daily Tracker. These apps are really useful in ensuring you're drinking the right amount of water and also monitoring how much you actually end up drinking. It can also be a fun way to turn your goals into habits and motivate you with your challenge.
5. Add flavour to your water - Whenever I've had discussions about water in the past, there's always been someone who doesn't drink water because they hate the taste. If you're one of these people and can't stand the plain taste, then a good way for you to still get your water intake is to add flavour to your water. Fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs are a great way to add lots of flavour to your water. Fruits like strawberries, lemon and grapefruit can be used. Where as Vegetables such as cucumber, ginger and celery are alternative options. There's also basil, mint and lavender which are herbs that can be added too.
6. Drink your water with meals - If you want to up your water intake more during the day then swap the usual drink you have at meal times with water. I tend to do this anyway as it's just easier and means I'm still getting my water intake for the day. The also good thing about having water during meals is that it can stop you from overeating because water helps to make you feel full. So instead of overeating and feeling hungry, drink a good glass of water in between eating to prevent this from happening. You can also opt for water in restaurants to get the full benefits.
7. Eat water rich foods - Aside from drinking water, you can also add water to your diet through eating water rich foods. This could be good for you if you cannot stand drinking a lot of water, the taste of it or simply just don't have time for the constant toilet breaks. Eating foods that are rich in water could be the option for you. Cucumber, zucchini, grapefruit and soups are some great options to start you off.
There's also apps that you can download from your app store on your mobile phones or tablets, such as Daily Water Free or My Water Balance Daily Tracker. These apps are really useful in ensuring you're drinking the right amount of water and also monitoring how much you actually end up drinking. It can also be a fun way to turn your goals into habits and motivate you with your challenge.
5. Add flavour to your water - Whenever I've had discussions about water in the past, there's always been someone who doesn't drink water because they hate the taste. If you're one of these people and can't stand the plain taste, then a good way for you to still get your water intake is to add flavour to your water. Fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs are a great way to add lots of flavour to your water. Fruits like strawberries, lemon and grapefruit can be used. Where as Vegetables such as cucumber, ginger and celery are alternative options. There's also basil, mint and lavender which are herbs that can be added too.
6. Drink your water with meals - If you want to up your water intake more during the day then swap the usual drink you have at meal times with water. I tend to do this anyway as it's just easier and means I'm still getting my water intake for the day. The also good thing about having water during meals is that it can stop you from overeating because water helps to make you feel full. So instead of overeating and feeling hungry, drink a good glass of water in between eating to prevent this from happening. You can also opt for water in restaurants to get the full benefits.
7. Eat water rich foods - Aside from drinking water, you can also add water to your diet through eating water rich foods. This could be good for you if you cannot stand drinking a lot of water, the taste of it or simply just don't have time for the constant toilet breaks. Eating foods that are rich in water could be the option for you. Cucumber, zucchini, grapefruit and soups are some great options to start you off.
How much water do you drink daily?
Lauren x
It's only just over a week away now until it's Valentine's day. The day of love where people share their love for that favourite person with cute gifts or nights out. It's also the perfect chance if you're single to up your self care and love by taking some time out for you. The fun doesn't have to stop just because you're single, you can happily have a galentines day or spend some much needed time with your family. Whatever you plan on doing, I've got 5 valentines inspired lip picks that you can opt for on this love enthused day. Think rosy pinks and classic reds, there's something for everyone in this post.